The Note

ByABC News
May 18, 2004, 10:19 AM

W A S H I N G T O N, May 18, 2004&#151;<br> -- NOTED NOW

TODAY SCHEDULE (all times ET)

FUTURES CALENDAR

NEWS SUMMARY

The Bush and Kerry traveling press corps are already sick of hearing that this is the most important election of our lifetimes and that the choice this year couldn't be more stark between two candidates who have very different views of America.

Indeed, there are times when members of the world's fourth-oldest profession should probably remind ourselves that the "important" should at least usually trump the "interesting" in our coverage of this race.

At the same time, part of what American presidential politics is about is spectacle, and part of what running for president is about is proving that you have (to use the title of the best book ever about the presidential process) What It Takes to run and win and (thus) serve well.

To navel gaze for just a sec, the three things The Note gets most criticized for are:

A. our obvious pro-Bush biasB. our obvious pro-Kerry biasC. our daily choice of leads

Today is a typical day where we face a choice (in our own way, the same choice faced by every cable news block and network morning show producer; all talk radio hosts; Internet gossipists; and, even, people around the watercooler or copier): so much to choose from with which to start in framing the political day.

(Which is why, today, we are trying to get away with choosing to wax on the topic of our having to choose….)

Will it be gas prices or gay unions?

The education dream or cookies and cream? (You need to have read the Kerry Portland pool report to get that one.)

Will it be sarin or see-through?

Scott McClellan's every word or Scott Peterson's every word?

9/11 hearings or "Fahrenheit 911"?

The education of America's children or the education of John Kerry?

The fate of Rummy or the fate of Shrummy?

SCOTUS decisions or FLOTUS fashions?

Dennis Kucinich or Howard Dean?

The Jewish vote as a policy matter or the Jewish vote as a political matter?

The bridge to the 21st century or the bridge over 8th Avenue?

Allison Dobson's press wrangling skills or Allison Janney's?

Frankly, we can't decide, but we hope to have enough wisdom and judgment to choose correctly more often than not the rest of the way.

Today, President Bush speaks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee at the Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

Sen. Kerry participates in a conversation on economic opportunity at the Portland Metropolitan Workforce Training Center, Portland, Ore., and attends a staff party at his headquarters, Washington, D.C.

First Lady Laura Bush attends a Larry Diedrich for Congress luncheon, Sioux Falls, S.D., attends a rally with BC'04 supporters at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nev., and attends a fundraiser at a private residence, Las Vegas, Nev.

Former President George H.W. Bush attends fundraiser for Bush-Cheney '04 in London at 11:00 am ET. The "Stop the War Coalition" plans to picket the London hotel hosting the Republicans Abroad dinner.

9/11 Commission hearings begin in New York, N.Y.

The Senate resumes consideration of the HR 3104, providing medals to servicemen and women. A vote will occur at approximately 11:15 am ET. Senate will then resume consideration of the DOD authorization bill.

ABC News Vote 2004: Bush-Cheney re-elect:

President Bush addresses the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington this morning, and ABC News' Ann Compton Notes that President Bush's introduction was interrupted by applause eight times, including two standing ovations and a "four more years" chant.

AP's Scott Lindlaw reports that the speech comes amid concerns over a recent Israeli offensive in the Gaza strip. LINK

"Aides expected Bush to steer clear of that issue, saying he was likely to deliver his standard caution that Israel has a right to defend itself, but should use as much restraint as possible when doing so," Lindlaw reports.

Lindlaw Notes the political implications: "Jewish voters preferred Democrat Al Gore over Bush by a 4-to-1 margin in 2000. But Bush's political advisers think even a slight increase in support among Jewish voters could help Bush in what they expect to be another tight election."

BC04 chief strategist Matt Dowd sizes up recent polling numbers for the Washington Times' Sammon and reiterates that "the election could be decided by a relatively small shift in support." LINK

"'If his approval numbers move above 50, it's very difficult to lose. If his numbers move below 40, it's very difficult to win. Those are facts,'" Dowd said.

Dan Bartlett sums it up this way: "'Polls are a snapshot in time,' he said. 'And the snapshot right now is one of very troubling pictures from the prison abuse fallout, as well as difficult fighting that is taking place on the ground in Iraq.'"

In a quick trip to Atlanta yesterday, President Bush raised $3.2 million for the Republican Party. LINK

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's team of Baxter and Pearson put the fundraiser into perspective: "For the price of a small economy sedan, some 300 attendees were treated to steak, potatoes, and -- according to one donor -- 'a medley of greens.'"

For $300,000 you too can be a "super ranger." LINK

CNBC's Alan Murray puts on his Dow Jones cap and looks at how Alan Greenspan (soon to raise interest rates?) and Prince Bandar (can't seem to keep oil prices below $30 a barrel) may not be providing all the help they can to the Bush-Cheney re-elect. LINK

President George H. W. Bush heads across the pond to London to collect cash for the BC04 re-election campaign, at "the only major fund-raiser being held outside the United States," reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Emling. LINK

"'There is a large contingent of Americans living in London, and we felt we wanted to help build support there for the campaign,' said Scott Stanzel, a spokesman for the Bush-Cheney campaign in Washington."

But it is not just the Republicans tapping into money abroad, Emling reports. "Earlier this month, Kerry's sister attended a cocktail reception in Dublin, Ireland, where guests were asked to contribute at least $250 apiece. Diana Kerry, who has lived overseas and is chairwoman of Americans Overseas for Kerry, also has appeared at fund-raisers in London and Paris."

A new report by Texans for Justice found that "358 of Bush's top 511 fund-raisers are corporate executives or business owners and that 99 work in the financial industry. The report says that 91 top fund-raisers are lawyers or lobbyists," Bloomberg's Jonathan Salant reports. LINK

Roll Call's Paul Kane turns in an extensive analysis of the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries, reporting that thanks to supporters of her husband, the First Lady's charitable foundation "has quietly secured $21 million in pledges over the past two years, turning it into one of the nation's biggest charities linked to a political figure."

Kane Notes that the First Lady's charity, "though fast-growing, also pales in financial comparison to the foundation controlled by the woman who would succeed her -- Teresa Heinz Kerry, the wife of the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)."

ABC News Vote 2004: Sen. John Kerry:

Sen. Kerry spent some quality time with reporters on the flight from Topeka to Portland allowing Jodi Wilgoren and David Rosenbaum of the New York Times to provide a keen look at the fine line the candidate is trying to walk on Iraq. LINK

"'It's a dangerous situation,' Mr. Kerry told reporters on his campaign plane. 'You have to give the president some room to get things done, but if he doesn't do what he has to do '"

"His voice trailed off, and then Mr. Kerry added, 'It's a very difficult thing, but I think the president has to lead. Really lead.'"

"Heading into the general election campaign, Mr. Kerry now must try to benefit from the rise in antiwar sentiment or at least block Ralph Nader from doing so. But Mr. Kerry also wants to be perceived as a strong potential commander in chief, one who holds the welfare of the country and its troops paramount."

Note too the props given to Howard Dean courtesy of Ed Markey and Mary Beth Cahill.

Jeff Mapes and Janie Har of the Oregonian Note that "Kerry still had to worry about today's Oregon primary. Although his aides are confident Kerry will win handily, his last remaining mainstream Democratic rival, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, has put all of his energies into Oregon and has campaigned here for a full month." LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Matea Gold Noticed some Deaniacs in the Portland crowd of 4,000 yesterday. LINK

"There was no evidence of the antagonism that existed between the men when they were competing to be the Democratic nominee earlier this year."

"Kerry told reporters Monday that the former governor had been very helpful since he dropped out of the race, calling occasionally with advice."

The Washington Post's E.J. Dionne writes that President Bush has set up a nice trap for John Kerry on the fiscal front, and that while Democratic deficit hawks are willing to forgive Kerry for not focusing more on deficit reduction, "During a campaign, Kerry will never be able to come up with a fully satisfactory set of trade-offs between taxing and spending. But he can challenge Bush to be honest about his own plans." LINK

The Boston Globe's Brian Mooney reports that a lot of academics are "breaking overwhelmingly" for Kerry over Bush and writing checks to back it up. What say you about that Mr. O'Reilly? LINK

The AP's Lolita Baldor has tidbits from Kerry's latest financial disclosure forms. LINK

Lloyd Grove gets Tony Blankley, Donna Brazile, Betsy Gotbaum, James Carville ("not commenting"), and Kevin Madden ("not going to comment") to assess the political ramifications of Alexandra Kerry's wardrobe. Apparently there are none. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Bush v. Kerry: