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It is true, as one sharp Democratic operative points out, that the addition of more underfunded, "fringe" candidates (by which we mean, those who, in all probability, can't become the nominee) fuels the notion of a two-tiered field and could reaffirm and reinforce the credentials of the "real" (by which we mean, those who CAN become the nominee) candidates.

As the operative Noted, "none of these new people are John McCain."

The expected addition over the coming days of Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former Senator Carol Moseley-Braun to the field of formally filed contenders, which will bring us to eight, arguably diminishes the impact of the Rev. Al Sharpton and dilutes the anti-war message of former Gov. Howard Dean.

But as the field expands, the drawbacks to having so many candidates, and the way it strengthens the president's hand, become ever clearer.

Just ask the Democratic National Committee, which now may have to squeeze more candidate speeches into its winter meeting in DC later this week. Man, those general sessions run long as it is … ..

With Moseley-Braun and Kucinich jumping in this week and next (the AP reports that Moseley-Braun seems to have moved back her filing date: (LINK), and Messrs Graham, Dodd, Biden, Clark, and Hart all hovering about, everywhere you look, there seems to be a Democrat running for president — or at least being asked, by nameless, faceless supporters to "look at it."

In Iowa yesterday, Senator Joe Lieberman joked that the field was almost at nine, enough for a baseball team, but this more-the-merrier sentiment, while grand fodder for easy jokes, masks what any clear-thinking observer can see are real potential problems.

Can a larger number of candidates in theory create more excitement, raise more issues, and bring more people into the process?

Yes. But consider all the bad dynamics — we can think of 12 so far (nearly one for each actual or potential candidate!) — it also can create, and in some cases already is creating, for the Democrats:

1) It makes it harder for any of the leading candidates to get a "clean" day of media coverage in Iowa, New Hampshire, or any other small early state, since on any given day, one must in all likelihood share the coverage, or at least the kicker, with a rival.

2) It either makes the debates really crowded, or causes all kinds of PR problems for sponsors who want to limit the number of participants.

3) It can, in fact, diminish the "real" candidates, since we are due for months of late-night and chat-show TV jokes about the size of the field, in which all the candidates get tarred with the least attractive aspects of the weaker ones. (Consider this Washington Times headline: "Kucinich adds another cook to party's crowded kitchen:" LINK)

4) It makes it tougher for the eventual nominee to clear the field, since the odds are that at least some of the "fringe" candidates are likely to stay in the race for symbolic and megaphone purposes, even if they lose all the early state contests.

5) It makes it at least a little tougher for "real" candidates to raise money, the easiest and most "authentic" way to build enough stature to pull away from the field.

6) It makes it harder for any "real" candidate to live up to the Halperin Rule, by which anyone seeking to win the Democratic or Republican presidential nomination must have two nationally significant political columnists who believe that the candidate CAN win the nomination, and who WANT the candidate to win, and two nationally significant political reporters who believe that the candidate CAN win.

7) It divides up the slots on the Sunday morning and cable chat shows, giving the "real" candidates less chance to build name ID.

8) It potentially drags the "real" candidates to the left, since most of the "fringe" candidates reside there. And by pulling the field to the left, it makes it harder for any of the "real" candidates to start to appeal to independents and Republicans now, something that is necessary for viability in the general election.

That said, the aforementioned sharp Democratic operative argues that having a number of "fringe" candidates on the left can make the "real" candidates look more moderate and set up the eventual nominee quite nicely for a general election for which President Bush seems to be preparing, at least right now, by appealing to the GOP's conservative base. But this is easier said than done.

Ron Brownstein wrote for Monday: "On almost every front, the internal pressures on Bush and his potential Democratic rivals for 2004 are widening the distance between them. From the outset of his presidency, Bush has appeared determined — at times almost fixated — on deepening his support among the base Republican voters whose disillusionment helped sink his father's reelection campaign in 1992." LINK

"Even amid his planning for war, Bush this year has produced a domestic agenda of stunning ambition — from massive tax cuts to fundamental restructuring of social programs — that excites those voters as much as it stuns and angers Democrats. The prospect of war with Iraq has only deepened the lines of division."

"With Bush pushing forward so insistently on domestic and foreign issues, Democrats — especially the party's 2004 presidential contenders — are facing enormous pressure from their base to resist him more forcefully than the party did last year."

"None of the other contenders (other than longshot Al Sharpton) may follow Dean as far to the left, but the antipathy among activists for Bush's agenda is affecting all of them; even Senator John Edwards (D-N.C.), who appears determined to run largely as a centrist, started a recent stump speech in South Carolina by growling, 'If you came here looking for Republican-lite, you are in the wrong room.'"

To continue:

9) It exposes the "real" candidates to some of the strengths of the "fringe" candidates, such as Wes Clark on national security.

10) It means the "real" candidates have to expend oppo research and press resources on "fringe" candidates, rather than on Ultimate Target George W. Bush.

11) It means that Dennis Kucinich, for example, today makes the front page of the Washington Post , crowding out, in theory, a story about "real" candidates. LINK

"Kucinich … made clear that he will base his candidacy on an appeal to his party's most liberal members, particularly on the issue of possible war with Iraq."

12) And, it allows the White House to deflect almost any political question by saying the Democrats have to agree on an issue position first before the president, or Mr. Fleischer, can be expected to weigh in.

Add in, of course, the threat of a war against Iraq, and the Democrats' deep divisions on that, and you can see why the prospect of the Six Pack growing into the Baker's Dozen is a bad one for the party.

And where is Chairman McAuliffe and the 2004 version of the Ron Brown retreat at Pamela Harriman's, to try to set up some rules of the game … ?

Perhaps we'll get some sense of how the Macker plans to handle all of this at the DNC winter meeting, which kicks off on Thursday. Tonight, the DNC was scheduled to celebrate the Macker's recent 46th birthday with a little hard-money fundraiser, but it's been canceled (maybe Shelley's Backroom isn't open in the snow). And right now, we can tell you that the DNC is very pleased with IP's pick-up of Chairman McAuliffe's statement on the White House's duct-tape-and-plastic-sheeting focus groups, as reported by Dana Milbank over the weekend.

"Always looking to make a buck, the financially depleted Democratic National Committee, we're told, is preparing to peddle an 'exclusive video' of the declared 2004 presidential candidates 'going head to head': Howard Dean, John Edwards, Dick Gephardt, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, Al Sharpton and perhaps Carol Mosely Braun. The DNC will sell the video for a 'contribution' of $75, which by the way is not tax deductible." LINK

The DNC basically is going to tape the speeches, put 'em on a tape, and sell the tape. Unlike the Times , we find that to be de rigueur.

The Big Snow is a reminder to all these candidates, whose official (in most cases) and campaign schedulers already have enough problems juggling fundraising time, political time, personal time, constituent time, etc., that the best-laid plans can get blown out by balky travel schedules.

And when Mother Winter interferes with announcement tours and FEC filings, well, that can potentially disrupt even a Laura Nichols-caliber launch.

To take just once well-chronicled example: Craig Smith and Jano Cabrera did their best imitations of John Candy and Steve Martin (LINK) as they got stuck in Philly, trying to get to Iowa. LINK

(And one of the great things about a Rose Garden strategy is that the snow doesn't much interfere with it … )

Into this muddle of slush and Democratic candidates steps an announcing-for-president Dick Gephardt, whose trip to his St. Louis elementary school tomorrow to explain why he is seeking the presidency, followed by a Des Moines-Manchester-Florence, SC tour, will be a real test of several of the dynamics listed above.

The Washington Post story on Kucinich includes this: " … Kucinich has strong ties to labor, which could pose a problem for another announced candidate, former House minority leader Richard A. Gephardt (Mo.), who also enjoys strong labor backing. At yesterday's labor conference in Iowa, Kucinich delivered a fiery, populist speech, promising to be 'the people's president' and live in 'a worker's White House.' He said his first act as president would be to nullify the North American Free Trade Agreement, which he called 'devastating" to U.S. workers.'"

"Kucinich is also the only Democratic member of Congress running for president who voted against the resolution giving Bush authority to take military action against Iraq, positioning him to challenge Dean as the leading opponent of war in the presidential field."

President Bush today has one public event: the swearing in of his new SEC chairman, at which, per ABCNEWS' Compton, he is expected to talk about the dividend tax cut.

On Wednesday, President Bush is scheduled to meet with the NATO Secretary General at the White House.

Thursday, Bush will travel to Atlanta to make remarks on jobs and economic growth, then head on to the ranch in Crawford, TX.

The president currently has no public events scheduled for Friday, which he will spend at the ranch. He will welcome the president of Spain there on Saturday.

Big Casino budget politics

David Rogers looks at the details of last week's budget deal, including some colorful minutiae, but also this biggest of Big Casino stuff: "The resulting bill is significantly bigger than the White House first anticipated, and the total doesn't reflect the further cost of additional highway trust-fund expenditures or the Medicare provisions. Rural hospitals will enjoy higher reimbursements as well for the rest of the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. But the physicians' fees are a much greater factor, and could add as much as $54 billion to Medicare costs over the next 10 years."

"The extra costs will come out of $400 billion set aside by Mr. Bush to finance Medicare modernization and a new prescription-drug benefit for the elderly. While the White House anticipated some such adjustment, the numbers underscore the immense cost swings in the program and the narrow budget margins for improvements both parties have promised."

The New York Times gives a platform to those economists who are skeptical of the environment-for-growth creating potential of the Bush economic plan. LINK

Put another way: blah blah blah, blah blah blah.

Roll Call 's Pierce reported on Monday, "Moderate Democrats and Republicans in the Senate remain reluctant to endorse President Bush's proposal to eliminate the double taxation of stock dividends, despite the White House's successful efforts in convincing a few senior GOP naysayers to change their tune."

House Ways and Mean chairman Bill "Thomas has sought to clarify that he never opposed Bush's dividend plan, but was merely looking for the type of clarification Evans described, according to Ways and Means spokeswoman Christin Tinsworth. Tinsworth also noted that Thomas has not yet endorsed the president's proposal, even though he plans to introduce it in its entirety as the vehicle for economic recovery."

Bush judicial nominees

The Iowa GOP — with, we suspect, a little help from the Republican National Committee — organized a press conference yesterday afternoon at which state party chairman Chuck Larson called on visiting Senators Edwards and Lieberman to "allow a floor vote" on Miguel Estrada's nomination.

Writing up how Republicans intend to bang the PR/grassroots drum during recess for a vote on Estrada, the Washington Times ' Dinan reports, "Republicans expect more coverage and events in New York, Louisiana, California and other places where there are large Hispanic populations in Democrats' home states." LINK

"The White House has scheduled meetings between Mr. Estrada and 10 Democratic senators, and has requested addition meetings."

Two words from the Washington Post editorial board: "Just vote." LINK

Yesterday, Bob Novak turned the Estrada fight into a test of Bill Frist's leadership skills, and maybe his manhood. LINK

Roll Call 's Kane reported on Monday, 'Seeking to rehabilitate his father's image, Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) has launched a one-man lobbying effort in advance of the coming battle over the nomination of Judge Charles Pickering."

"The White House and Senate Republican leaders are aware of Pickering's efforts and are encouraging it, hoping that a son's personal plea will be the humanizing touch that moves votes."

Legislative agenda

Jim VandeHei made this smart point Monday on med mal: "President Bush's hope of placing a $250,000 cap on pain-and-suffering awards for medical malpractice victims rests largely on his ability to convince lawmakers and the public that the plan is meant to help average Americans — not cater to the doctors and insurance companies pouring millions of dollars into GOP campaigns." LINK

The Los Angeles Times writes up a new study showing that more spending on Medicare does not necessarily improve quality of life, putting the focus on regions of the country where Medicare spending is highest and now, perhaps, open to cuts. LINK

ABC 2004: The Invisible Primary

There was so much activity in Iowa this past weekend, teed up by ABC's Sunday night showing of the Matthew Broderick version of "The Music Man."

All the candidates were taking Meredith Wilson's advice: "You really ought to give Iowa, Hawk-eye, Iowa, Dubuque, Des Moines, Davenport, Marshaltown, Mason City, Ke-o-kuk, Ames, Clearlake! Ought to give Iowa a try!"

Howard Dean IS Oprah! And John Edwards is SUCH a copycat!

We are once again in thrall and debt to Mr. Lamb, Mr. Scully, and all the other folks at C-SPAN for allowing us to watch live coverage of the Iowa Federation of Labor's annual legislative caucus yesterday.

Did we read too much into things, or did IFL President Mark Smith seem to doubt that the late-arriving Howard Dean and John Edwards really were stuck in Des Moines traffic, until a helpful member of the media informed him that there was, in fact, an overturned vehicle clogging the highways?

And we did Note that John Norris got a hero's round of applause.

The news, if you can call a proven assumption news, was Senator Joe Lieberman's frank admission that he "won't win here," twinned by the Des Moines Register with a note that Lieberman opposes ethanol tax credits.

"'I'm going to hope, ultimately, that people will draw a conclusion, even if they disagree with me on Iraq, that I'm going to be the kind of candidate and the type of president who will not try to please all the people all of the time,' said Lieberman, who met with elected officials and held closed-door sessions with caucus activists."

Edwards did not spend all his time defending his Iraq vote, but he pointed out that many at the IFL conference disagreed with his view. Edwards also took a hit in print because someone discovered he voted against a bill to ban meat-packing companies from horizontally integrating. Iowa farmers supported the bill. See below.

The same DMR article adds a clip to Kevin Sheridan's file because the reporter tacked on a brief about that Iowa Republican Party press conference in support of Miguel Estrada at the end.

As Mr. Balz puts it, "Four Democratic presidential candidates clashed over war with Iraq before a labor audience in Iowa yesterday, highlighting sharp divisions within the party over whether President Bush should launch military action without the support of a broad international coalition." LINK

John Wagner seems to have covered the candidates' speeches the same way we did: from the armchair. He notes Edwards' call for banning the hiring of permanent striker replacements and hiking the minimum wage by at least $1.50 an hour. LINK

The New York Times looks at Des Moines in the business section. The write-up of the airport's strengths and weaknesses is spot on (except for its failure to mention how nice the gals at the National rental counter are), but local businessman Thomas G. West is more right about the Drake Diner ("'Every town has the place to go for breakfast,' Mr. West said. 'In Des Moines, this is it.'") than he is about the prospect of meeting people in the always-deserted lobby of the Suites of 800 Locust. LINK

And how could he not mention the spa???!!! LINK

We continue to believe that the Edwards/Wagner (awesome story on Mrs. Edwards, Mr. Wagner: (LINK), Kerry/Johnson, Dean/Graff (awesome interview with the female Dr. Dean, Mr. Graff: (LINK) relationships are about the most fascinating inside baseball dynamics going on out there. Not quite Bush/Slater, but pretty darn interesting.

But the granddaddy of them all so far has gotta be Lieberman/Lightman, with all the love/hate, tsoris-filled high drama and low comedy that goes on between these two titans.

One of The Note's better sources (who prizes his or her anonymity to a fare-the-well) happened to be at a Lieberman press conference on Friday following the Senator's speech at George Washington University and heard this: "At times, I feel like I spend more time with David Lightman than (with) my wife," Lieberman said, with the Hartford Courant's Washington bureau chief standing by, grinning.

The Boston Herald reports, "Boston's host committee for the 2004 Democratic National Convention has added three black members and four women to its board of directors in an effort to address diversity concerns. The expansion of the board to 14 members came just a month before the committee is supposed to submit a community outreach plan to the DNC, and just a week after Mayor Thomas M. Menino eliminated the city's 25-year-old affirmative action contracting program." LINK

In the "everyone into the pool" spirit, the Boston Globe 's Vennochi writes, "As the bad news flushes out Democratic candidates from all over the country, it also raises speculation about the one Democrat who would instantly redefine the field: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York. The conventional wisdom is that 2008 will be Hillary's year. But 2004 is tempting everyone else — why not the Clintons?" LINK

In one of the first instances of what we fully expect to become a trend, the Reform Voter Project will start running TV ads in Iowa and New Hampshire today calling on President Bush "to put our children's health ahead of his special interest contributors. The TV ad connects the $4.5 million in campaign contributions to Bush's 2000 campaign from polluting industries, to his efforts to weaken air pollution protections." (Remember New Source Review?) The ad can be viewed at LINK.

Speaking of what did it buy, no word on how big this buy is, and with the choice of states, the group clearly is playing its cards for some free media …

MOSELEY-BRAUN

Moseley-Braun addressed a group of about 50 at Columbia College in South Carolina yesterday, rounding up what seemed like a pretty sparsely attended three-state tour. She "said she is honoring the boycott by not spending money in the state, but would not specifically say if she would later set up a campaign office here." LINK

Her first event in Iowa Saturday attracted a supporter, a friend of hers from law school, and another boffo C-SPAN camera. LINK

At the University of Chicago Law School today, Moseley-Braun will talk about her decision to open a presidential exploratory account. She is scheduled to speak at the National Press Club tomorrow.

KUCINICH

Kucinich told a boisterous crowd of Iowa Democrats on Saturday that he'd run for president on a pro-peace, pro-universal health care, pro-labor platform.

He plans to file his paperwork with the FEC tomorrow.

"On other issues, Kucinich voted against the 2002 farm bill negotiated in part by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, D-Ia. Kucinich criticized the bill for favoring large-scale corporate farms at the expense of small family farmers. He also voted against the 2001 tax-cut package," the Des Moines Register reports. LINK

KERRY

Stu Rothenberg couldn't have nicer things to say about Kerry's campaign team or their efforts to date. But then he pauses weightily and says, "one huge question remains … : Will Democratic voters warm to the Massachusetts Senator?"

"The Massachusetts presidential hopeful has yet to prove that he can show the range of emotions that many successful national politicians have been able to demonstrate. He's good at projecting seriousness, but can he also show a sense of humor, anger, empathy, sadness, glee and even playfulness?"

"Kerry's early edge in the Democratic race has nothing to do with his personal appeal, but that's ultimately what campaigns are all about."

Stu also raises the possibility that Kerry's prostate cancer could "humanize" him.

BIDEN

After Imus teased him in absentia about his hair, and made some references to Senator Kerry's recovery, Senator Biden appeared in the 7:30ish am slot on Imus in the Morning, and got almost the whole half hour.

Amongst the topics covered: Biden said that his ability to work with the Bush Administration on foreign policy would be hampered if he was officially a presidential candidate; Biden said that since he leaves his house early, and Imus isn't on Delaware radio, he hasn't really much heard the program; Biden used our second-favorite phrase of his ("I seriously mean that … ."); and there was a lot of mocking of the Senator's hair.

And: Iraq; Biden praised Wes Clark as "a smart guy;" Biden and Imus agreed that Clark appeared on "This Week" on Sunday (sorry, Tim); the Senator was frequently self-effacing; Estrada; his kidding of Mr. Justice Scalia; he gave Imus a short lecture on work product and stare decisis; and he said he would like to be on the show in studio at some point.

The Senator is scheduled to give a "major speech" on "America's role and responsibilities in the 21st century global community, the war on terror and policies in Iraq and North Korea" at NYU at 11:00 am today; the university seems to be open despite the snow, and there's no evidence that the speech has been canceled. "Following the speech, Senator Biden will take questions from the audience and members of the media."

DEAN

Dean is in San Francisco today, and will be be-bopping all over California at fundraisers and other events through Thursday. On Friday, Dean will be in Washington, DC to address the DNC meeting, then he'll be back in California by Saturday.

"That's the way it's been for the Deans: He pursues his politics and she practices her medicine," writes the AP's Chris Graff, writing up one of the first (the first?) profile we've seen of Dr. Judith Steinberg. LINK "In the nearly dozen years Howard Dean served as governor of Vermont, Judy Dean was all but invisible. No speeches. No interviews. No campaigning. No public appearances." "This unconventional arrangement stems from a mix of the professional and the personal: Judy Dean loves being a doctor and she is extremely shy."

A comment this weekend by Gary Hirshberg, an influential New Hampshire Democrat and backer of Dean's, sums up both the promise and the dilemma facing the former Governor: lacking money, he'll need solid supporters, and now.

"Hirshberg, one of the state's few big Democratic donors and a passionate fan of Dean's, told his guests he understood perfectly their need to shop the crowded Democratic field before committing," the Concord Monitor reports. LINK

"'But do it quickly,' he said. '. . . I really believe this fellow can win. This is an opportunity for someone to win who is for and of the people.'"

EDWARDS

More about meatpacking and Big Hog, in which Edwards suffered an uncharacteristically negative clip in the Register this past weekend, on the same day Dennis Kucinich was getting a very warm piece: "In North Carolina, unlike Iowa, giant agribusinesses reign supreme, and their representatives in Congress usually can be counted on to support big farming. That could mean North Carolina's presidential candidate, Senator John Edwards, will have some votes to answer for as he campaigns in Iowa this year," the Register reports. LINK

"Edwards is the only one of the three U.S. senators running for the Democratic presidential nomination who voted last year against legislation that would have banned meatpackers from owning or controlling their own supplies of hogs and cattle."

"The anti-packer measure passed the Senate as part of an overhaul of farm programs but was later dropped from the legislation. Among the other candidates, Sens. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and John Kerry of Massachusetts supported the ban, but Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri did not vote on it because the issue didn't come up in the House."

"The issue has taken on increased importance in Iowa because of a recent federal court decision striking down a statewide ban on packer ownership as an unfair restraint on interstate trade. The company that successfully challenged Iowa's ban, Smithfield Foods Inc., controls most of North Carolina's hog production." This morning, Edwards was expected to breakfast with supporters at the Coopers Mill Hotel at the Best Western in Cedar Rapids.

Tomorrow, he'll be in New Hampshire, if he can get first to New York for a fundraiser tonight, and then on to the Granite State, whose major paper lays out his schedule. LINK

SHARPTON

Sharpton has a Rob Borsellino problem, and we can't imagine how he'll solve it. It harkens back to when Mr. Borsellino was an Albany reporter. LINK

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The Union Leader covers the state's snow reax, and has details for those of you (candidates and journalists and staffers) trying to get up there today: LINK

IOWA

Gov. Mike Rounds of South Dakota placed an ad in the Des Moines Register that quirkily criticized Iowa's economy. Iowa politicians lashed back. "The same ad, which also jabs Minnesota, appeared over the weekend in a Twin Cities newspaper. It includes quotes by [Tom] Vilsack and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty that are critical of South Dakota." LINK

"'When other governors resort to negative comments about his state, South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds encourages them to 'bring it on.' That's because Rounds understands their concerns," the ad says, followed by this quote from Rounds: 'If I was neighboring a state with excellent services and the number one business climate in the nation, I'd be worried, too."

"The ad, which appeared in Sunday's Register, is a fresh sign of tensions over the neighboring states' intense courtship of Trans Ova Genetics, a promising northwest Iowa biotechnology firm that wants to expand but needs government help."

Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) discovered that journalism doesn't pay well, even if you're a college graduate. LINK

NB, Mr. Pindell, proud Drake grad that you are.

The SEIU Local 199 will hold a major health care rally in Des Moines on Wednesday.

Two important Iowa things to know, courtesy of Rob Borsellino: "Sally Pederson has been elected chairwoman of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association. Tom Vilsack is vice chairman of the governors' group. . . . Christie Vilsack is doing a biweekly column on Chuck Offenburger's Web site. She used to write a column for her hometown paper, the Mount Pleasant News. . . "

My, how we have missed the Iowa Boy!!! LINK

And speaking of Iowa Boys, can someone please get Mr. Zeleny a replacement pair of 180s? LINK

And while you're at it, if you have any plans to go to Iowa or New Hampshire this winter (or next), we recommend you get some, too.

Carl and Susan: may we recommend His (black) and Hers (gold)?

SOUTH CAROLINA

In South Carolina, "Edwards picked up a key endorsement Friday in state Senate Democratic leader John Land of Manning." LINK

Not just one but TWO campaigns pointed out to us over the weekend that Kerry earlier was touting Land's support of HIM.

"Meanwhile, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry picked up an important endorsement from state Senator John Drummond, a Greenwood Democrat and former Senate president pro tempore. "Others endorsing Kerry were Bernice Scott, chairwoman of the Richland County Council, and Jane Emerson, former president of Planned Parenthood."

"State Rep. Brenda Lee, D-Spartanburg, threw her support to former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean."

Outgoing South Carolina Democratic party chairman Dick Harpootlian won't be attending the DNC meeting later this week. "The meetings are a waste of time, he says." LINK

"The three-day session sets aside one day for caucus meetings for African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Pacific-Americans, Native Americans, and gays and lesbians. 'There's no white-guy caucus,' Harpootlian protested, adding, 'We're too focused on what differentiates us.'"

The story offers a Harpootlian's Greatest Hits.

Politics

The Los Angeles Times ' Finnegan reports that the recall effort is about to intensify with formal state GOP support, and connects the dots all the way to the presidential election: "Party leaders expect delegates at the state Republican convention in Sacramento this weekend to vote overwhelmingly to back the effort to dump Davis in a special election. Both candidates for state party chairman favor the move, and Republicans are organizing a Davis recall rally Saturday outside the Capitol." LINK

Still, "the viability of a recall against the Democratic governor is far from certain. Recall supporters lack the money … to run the sort of vast petition drive needed to get the proposal on the ballot … The recall effort is also fractured: Dueling teams of Republican strategists are running separate campaigns."

"As a result, some Republicans worry that the party is rushing into a misguided endeavor that takes attention from its main goals: the reelection of President Bush and the ouster of Senator Barbara Boxer."

We say: continue to watch this one, and how Governor Davis deals with it.

Remember when, in the wake of that profanity-laced scene in "As Good As it Gets," a patient's bill of rights was the hottest issue going? What happened to all that? LINK

Congressman Honda tries to create a Trent Lott redux? LINK

Cindy Skrzycki in the Washington Post looks at the little device that lets the canny and powerful small-business lobby roll out numbers showing how any proposed new regulations would (negatively) impact their members. LINK

Roll Call 's Whittington reported Monday that a presidential run by Florida Senator Bob Graham (D) could yield a Senate run by Rep. Katherine Harris (R).

And Chris Cillizza reported that DCCC chairman Bob Matsui has tapped three former chairs of the committee as an advisery board.

The Broward County State Attorney is investigating county supervisor of elections Miriam Oliphant. The Miami Herald put the probe in its political context. LINK

"Gov. Jeb Bush, on a business trip to Spain, made at least one big gaffe when he met with local businessmen: calling Spain a republic when it is a constitutional monarchy, with King Juan Carlos as the head of state." LINK

"'I want to thank the president of the Republic of Spain for his friendship with the United States. I know this is a difficult situation in the short term,' Bush said in Spanish about Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar."

"Spain has not been a republic since the late 1930s, when Gen. Francisco Franco defeated Republican troops in the 1936-1939 Spanish Civil War. After Franco's death in 1975, Spain became a constitutional monarchy."

Most Florida papers we checked use the same wire story.

Michael Barone once pointed out to us in an email that Governor Bush's brother's Administration once made a hauntingly comparable mistake in a White House schedule.

Get ready to read your hot New Republic political coverage in new, splashier, and earlier ways. LINK

Bush Administration strategy/personality

There's nary a hint of politics in this New York Times story, but we wonder if Karl Rove has a copy of that list: "Senior Bush administration officials are for the first time openly discussing a subject they have sidestepped during the buildup of forces around Iraq: what could go wrong, and not only during an attack but also in the aftermath of an invasion." LINK

"Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld has a four- to five-page, typewritten catalog of risks that senior aides say he keeps in his desk drawer. He refers to it constantly, updating it with his own ideas and suggestions from senior military commanders, and discussing it with President Bush."

Doing her own version of raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, Elisabeth Bumiller looks at how George W. Bush's Washington deals the snow — all lightness and M&Ms. LINK

A snowy day in Washington is a good day to revisit Bush's steel decision. "Many experts credit the Bush administration with setting the stage for the industry's turnaround by imposing 30 percent tariffs on some steel imports last year. While riddled with exceptions and set to wind down over a three-year period, the tariffs have helped increase prices for some forms of steel … " "a href=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23097-2003Feb17.html>LINK