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—8:00 am: Gov. Howard Dean is endorsed by New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey at the Marriott Hotel, Trenton, N.J.
—9:30 am: Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta gives Santa Claus clearance to fly in U.S. airspace on Dec. 24 and 25, Dept. of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
—9:45 am: Off-camera gaggle with White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan
—10:35 am: President Bush meets privately with the secretary of Health and Human Services and the director of the Office of National Drug Control, Oval Office
—11:15 am: Rep. Dennis Kucinich meets with Tama County Democrats at Crossroads Restaurant, Toledo, Iowa
—11:30 am: Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks at a UAW holiday party at Michael's Restaurant, Newark, Del.
—11:30 am: Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun has lunch at Gibson Center Senior Services, North Conway, N.H.
—11:45 am: Rep. Richard Gephardt speaks to the press at Shadow Martine Restaurant, Niagara, N.Y.
—12:10 pm: Sen. Lieberman speaks with local Democratic activists at the Delaware State Democratic Party Headquarters, New Castle, Del.
—12:15 pm: On-camera press briefing with Press Secretary McClellan
—12:30 pm: Rep. Kucinich has lunch with residents at the House of Chen Restaurant, Marshalltown, Iowa
—12:30 pm: Ambassador Moseley Braun meets with employees of a domestic violence center, North Conway, N.H.
—12:45 pm: Gov. Dean speaks to Des Moines county residents at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, Iowa
—1:15 pm: Ambassador Moseley Braun meets with the general manager of Settler's Green Outlet Stores, North Conway, N.H.
—4:00 pm: Sen. John Kerry visits a Boys & Girls Club with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Santa Fe, N.M.
—4:30 pm: Sen. Kerry meets with local supporters, Santa Fe, N.M.
—4:30 pm: Rep. Kucinich meets with residents at the Ft. Dodge Public Library, Ft. Dodge, Iowa
—5:45 pm: Rep. Kucinich attends an African music performance and speaks to attendees at the Algona Public Library, Algona, Iowa
—6:20 pm: Gov. Dean speaks to Scott County residents at North High School, Davenport, Iowa
—6:30 pm: Gen. Wesley Clark speaks with residents at Beech Street Elementary School, Manchester, N.H.
—7:00 pm: Ambassador Moseley Braun attends a fundraising dinner, Concord, N.H.
—7:30 pm: Sen. John Edwards appears on Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press," Johnston, Iowa
—8:00 pm: Rep. Kucinich speaks at the Rose Bowl bowling alley, Mason City, Iowa
NEWS SUMMARY
Happy holidays from everyone at The Note.
If you don't realize how hard it is to get certain primates to understand the Secret Santa concept, well, then, you don't work amidst cages-upon-cages of Googling monkeys.
In any event — as we have been telling you for days, this is the last Note of 2003.
Thank you for another year of your readership, surprise deliveries of Rice Krispie Treats, and understanding that we kid because we love (and never owing to mean-spiritedness, of which we have none).
Through the beginning of January, we will have some special surprise quasi-Note-like things that will only be available by e-mail for those of you signed up to receive our world-famous, daily "The Note Is Ready" e-mail notifications.
So if you aren't signed up for those, we suggest you do it right now.
Just click here: LINK
Once you're on that page, scroll down and put a check mark in the box under "Political Unit: The Note" and next to "TEXT only."
After you check that box, you'll need to scroll down a little more to fill out some required information, including your e-mail address, a password of your choosing, your name, and your zip code.
That's all it takes.
As for 2004 — we agree with Yogi Berra that prediction is difficult, especially about the future.
Nonetheless, as you get ready for the pageantry and possibility of an American presidential campaign year, we are confident you can look forward to stories on all of these things in 2004:
More about the proficiency and lack of perks of Mercer Reynolds and Jack Oliver.
The resurfacing of the Valerie Plame investigation.
How the ABC News Vote 2004 campaign buses will change the face of American political journalism.
Which Democrats who are taking the match are nonetheless engaged in Busta Caps.
The return of MTV's "Celebrity Death Match," with a special "Hoffa versus McEntee" episode.
Will the first major Democrat to drop out of the race endorse Howard Dean or the leading Dean alternative?
Howie Kurtz's profile of Jennifer Palmieri and Kathleen Connery, and how their lives in Raleigh show them as let-it-all-hang-out types who constantly chatter about their frustrations and anxieties.
The Robert Krulwich explainer on the captive insurance industry.
More articles about what kind of First Lady Dr. Judith Steinberg would be.
Rumors that Sam Skinner or John Sununu will replace Andy Card.
How the only mantra that matters is "organize, organize, organize, and get hot at the end."
How the State of the Union completely steps on the Iowa caucuses.
How few of the Democratic presidential candidates will have real money to spend for TV ads in Feb. 3 states.
More speculation that Howard Dean, if nominated, will choose Fred Hiatt as his running mate.
The secret, (in)visible hand of Karen Hughes on the acceptance speech.
The cost of a Boston cable pull relative to the cost of a New York cable pull.
If the Sheekey Bridge will go on eBay by Oct. 1.
Whether Terry McAuliffe's front-loaded nomination schedule and early convention dates were masterstrokes — or not.
President Bush meets privately with the secretary of Health and Human Services in the Oval Office today. He has no public events over the weekend.
Gov. Dean receives the endorsement of New Jersey Gov. McGreevey this morning and campaigns in Iowa tonight and tomorrow. He is in New Hampshire on Sunday.
Rep. Gephardt speaks to the press this morning in Niagra, New York. He delivers a major policy address in New Hampshire tomorrow and campaigns in Iowa on Sunday.
Senator Kerry campaigns with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson today. Kerry is in Iowa over the weekend.
Gen. Clark is in New Hampshire tonight and tomorrow before heading to a New York City fundraiser tomorrow night. He campaigns in South Carolina and Florida on Sunday.
Senator Edwards campaigns in Iowa today and over the weekend.
Senator Lieberman is in Delaware today and campaigns in New Hampshire on Sunday.
Rep. Kucinich campaigns in Iowa today and tomorrow and attends an evening fundraiser in Malibu, Calif. on Sunday night.
Rev. Al Sharpton has no public events today or over the weekend.
Ambassador Moseley Braun is in New Hampshire today and over the weekend.
ABC News Vote 2004: Bush-Cheney re-elect:
After getting his own knees examined at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, President Bush stopped to meet with wounded soldiers and Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is recovering from prostate surgery there, Washington Post 's Dana Milbank reports. Doctors concluded that the Jogger-in-Chief does not have any serious injury, just "achy knees." LINK
The New York Times plays kneesies with the president too. LINK
For more on the presidential knees, check out USA Today 's Keen.
LINK
John Harwood writes in the Wall Street Journal 's Washington Wire that the president "fails" to convert more of the nation to his party: "In the Wall Street Journal /NBC poll, 36% of Americans identify with the president's party, about the same as when he became president; 39% called themselves Democrats."
And a Bush Administration plan to form "tax-advantaged saving accounts" in order to boost savings will not be unveiled until next year but it is already sparking considerable debate in the financial industry lobby, Wall Street Journal 's McKinnon and Hitt report.
"Mr. Bush's advisers are debating how to shape the plan to win the broadest support. Indeed, the administration may not release the full details until the spring, so it has more time to cut deals with lawmakers and financial-service firms."
The Chicago Tribune's Julie Deardorff reports that, while President Bush says his environmental strategies won't harm nature or man, it's a claim that many critics doubt. LINK
BC04 Campaign Chairman Marc Racicot stopped by Des Moines this week to announce the campaign's farm team steering committee. LINK
ABC News Vote 2004: The Invisible Primary:
Michael Finnegan of the Los Angeles Times writes up the $13 million flow of campaign cash from California to the presidential candidates, but Notes in terms of competing in the Golden State's March 2 primary, the campaigns will have to wait to see what happens in Iowa, New Hampshire, and elsewhere. LINK
If Howard Dean wins the Democratic nomination, Ralph Nader is less likely to run as a spoiler — so writes Al Hunt. He also looks at possible bad side effects of the Saddam Hussein capture for Senator Edwards, and calls the film about The General's life "riveting."
The land of 5-plus-2-equals-7:
The AP's Sharon Theimer reports that the new chairman of the FEC isn't so keen on the activity of these 527s. LINK
Dean:
Howard Dean's decision to take on Bill Clinton's legacy isn't going to sit well with some of the Clinton crowd in Washington (the same people who still don't understand People Powered Howard, or, at least, the Burlington worldview.)
So — yet another story, courtesy of Kit Seelye and Robin Toner, about party elders fretting over a Dean general election candidacy. Though please Note that Ed Rendell is a Dean fan. You'll also read from the likes of Panetta, Breaux, From, and one Jay Carson fella. LINK
The Washington Post 's Farhi and VandeHei report on Dean's retort Thursday, where he accused "his rivals of basing their positions on the Iraq war on opinion polls — supporting it at first, then speaking against it when casualties mounted and its 'true costs' became known." LINK
Mark Z. Barabak (thankfully reunited with his wardrobe) and Matea Gold play up Gov. ("I'm not a wallflower.") Dean's defense of the attacks being thrown his way from those "Washington Democrats." LINK
Knight Ridder's Hutcheson and Kuhnhenn write that Dean was "seeking to regain momentum that he lost after Saddam Hussein's capture" with the speech. LINK
The Des Moines Register 's Lynn Okamoto writes up the speech too. LINK
Joe Lieberman and Bruce Reed are both shocked that Howard Dean would distance himself from the economic policies of Bill Clinton. The New York Times Halbfinger and Cardwell focus on Gov. Dean's proposed economic policies and the criticism they are receiving. LINK
The Union Leader's John DiStaso writes of Howard Dean's "snub" of the Democratic center, and more specifically, Bill Clinton. LINK
The Boston Globe 's Michael Kranish writes about Dean's dealings with offshore insurers as Governor. LINK
The AP reports that Dean's numbers are up in Wisconsin. LINK
Dean is in New Jersey this morning to pick up the endorsements of Gov. McGreevey, Rep. Holt, Rep. Menendez, and some other New Jersey politicians.
The New Republic's Jonathan Cohn — the man whose June 2002 TNR "Invisible Man" cover story helped to start the Dean boomlet — takes a smart look at Howard Dean's domestic-policy proposals and makes several Noteworthy points:
(1) despite the complaints from some Clintonistas, what Dean proposed yesterday was in line with what Candidate Clinton talked about in 1992,
(2) politically, Dean is trying to extend his reach beyond the "Starbucks Ghetto" to the downscale voters who will decide this election, and
(3) Dean is now referring to cuts in services as the "Bush tax" — "a formulation that turns conventional voter notions on their head" and that "will doubtless raise some eyebrows, but the Republicans themselves have shown time and again how using the right terminology can actually shift public opinion." LINK
US News got hold of Howard Dean's transcripts from Yale and reports Dean "got pretty decent marks: seven honors, 17 high passes, and 14 passes." LINK
Read more from the trail with Dean on abcnews.com: LINK
Kerry:
James Rainey and Nick Anderson of the Los Angeles Times write up Kerry's initial $850,000 and then peek ahead to how much more of the Senator's money may be on the way by speculating on the value of his home. LINK
"Kerry's campaign said it would release details of the home loan once that transaction was complete. The house is in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood; as of 2002, the median price for a single-family dwelling there was $3.9 million."
The New York Times ' Justice on Kerry's cash infusion: LINK
The Washington Post 's Tom Edsall on Kerry literally betting the house. LINK
The Boston Globe 's Pat Healy and the Boston Herald's Noelle Straub on the same thing. LINK and LINK
Note that Healy reports the Senator's campaign aims to raise $4 million this quarter, and he is credulous regarding claims that this shot of self-funding will actually encourage more donations.
The AP reports relatively good news for Kerry in the latest New Hampshire poll by ARG. LINK
The New Hampshire Sentinel Source writes of Kerry's need to play catch-up in the Granite State, and how he is working at it one vote at a time. LINK
More from the AP on Kerry's fundraising strategies. LINK
While criticizing what he believes to be President Bush' inability to separate church and state, Kerry vowed not to allow himself to do the same if he is elected president. The AP's Kate McCann reports. LINK
From ABC News' Kerry campaign reporter Ed O'Keefe:
"It's time to spend some money."
Under most holiday season circumstances, those six words mean only that shoppers have descended upon local malls, stores or the Internet intent on letting their Visa do the talking.
But, in the case of Senator Kerry, these words mean so much more.
On Thursday, Kerry announced that he has used personal credit to invest $850,000 in his bid for the White House.
In an interview exclusive to ABC News and the Boston Globe aboard his "Real Deal Express" idling impatiently in Salem, N.H., Kerry also divulged that he was seeking at least one loan of an unspecified sum borrowed against the Beacon Hill home in Boston which Kerry shares with his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.
For the record, $850,000 would purchase 447,368 15-ounce cans of Hormel chili. Perhaps Dr. Dean can recommend an antacid.
Read more from the trail with Kerry on abcnews.com: LINK
Clark:
The New York Times has Clark's testimony in The Hague and Milosevic calling The General a blatant liar. LINK
The Washington Post 's Keith Richburg reports on the testimony too. LINK
The Boston Globe 's Scot Lehigh writes that "what is clear is that Clark, after an awkward entrance into the race, has found his footing." LINK
The Boston Globe 's Joanna Weiss on Clark's Foxboro pandering. LINK
The General's biopic, "American Son," is soon headed to a television screen near you according to the Los Angeles Times. And for your Linda Bloodworth watchers, Note she won't be fundraising for General Clark, but she will be making a film about the Clinton presidency for November's library opening. LINK
From ABC News' Clark campaign reporter Deborah Apton:
General Clark said on a conference call with reporters Thursday that "what wasn't clear in 1998 was clear in January of 2001, and that was that Osama bin Laden was the greatest threat to the United States of America. And for this new administration not to have focused on it was wrong, they should of, it was their duty to do so, and apparently they did not."
When asked by a reporter what he would have done as President in 1998, Clark said passively: "I don't know if I could have taken him out. I believe I could." But just one day earlier, on Wednesday, Clark said with confidence that if he were President now, he would have both Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden by this time. What did Bush know that Clinton did not? He hasn't been willing to say.
Read more from the trail with Clark on abcnews.com: LINK
Edwards:
The Greensboro News and Record's Dyer reports on Edwards' quick and efficient stumpin' in South Carolina. LINK
From ABC News' Edwards campaign reporter Gloria Riviera:
In a surprise move that shocked even his closest advisers, Senator John Edwards announced yesterday that Miles Lackey will serve as his campaign's chief of staff.
Lackey has arrived on the scene seemingly out of nowhere, unless you consider that he has been working with the campaign since mid-summer and served as Edwards' chief of staff in the Senate. Few moves in politics have the potential to radically change the landscape of a campaign, but this is one of them.
Lackey brings a wealth of knowledge to the campaign. His resume is long and impressive, including several graduate degrees from fancy universities (yet to be fact-checked) as well as a stint as a special assistant to President Clinton national security affairs (yet to be fact-checked). But it said it was Lackey's innovative attempt to locating a pair of water wings on the trail, critical at one point for campaign peace, that sealed the deal for Edwards. Even though he passed the buck on that one, it wasn't without trying.
Read more from the trail with Edwards on abcnews.com: LINK
Gephardt:
The Des Moines Register has briefs on the campaign's holiday food drive and Gephardt's new television ad. LINK
From ABC News' Gephardt campaign reporter Sally Hawkins:
After a warm endorsement Thursday from his longtime friend and political ally former Rep. Bonior, Gephardt rounded up his most recent criticisms of Dean, going after him for making allegations that President Bush knew about the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and for his comments that the world is no safer with Saddam captured. Gephardt told reporters the comments were "ludicrous" and "wrong" and "belies a lack of experience in foreign policy and in dealing with a lot of these issues."
Earlier, campaign manager Steve Murphy held his own conference call in an effort to keep the Dean sealed records story alive, telling reporters Howard Dean signed a law in 1997 that reduced the public disclosure requirements on captive insurance companies while "bragging about deep cuts in social services."
Murphy pointed out, that if he becomes the nominee, "It's going to be very very difficult for Gov Dean with these type of contradictions along with the doubletalk we've seen throughout the campaign, to take on President Bush and VP Cheney on these types of issues."
Read more from the trail with Gephardt on abcnews.com: LINK
Lieberman:
The Washington Post 's Jackie Spinner reports that Lieberman wrote a letter to Secretary Rumsfeld about Halliburton improprieties, and it wasn't just a nice holiday letter. LINK
The State reports that Lieberman unveiled a Palmetto focused Web site Thursday, to help South Carolinians learn more about him. LINK
Read more from the trail with Lieberman on abcnews.com: LINK
Kucinich:
The Des Moines Register 's Lynn Okamoto reports on the 21-year-old who is walking across the country to promote Kucinich. (That need-to-be-25-to-rent-a-car thing stinks.) LINK
From ABC News' Kucinich campaign reporter Melinda Arons:
In a speech in Mt. Vernon, Iowa Thursday, Rep. Kucinich beefed up criticism of his fellow candidates for not proposing immediate exit strategies in Iraq, and continued to insist that Saddam Hussein's capture offers the perfect opportunity to get out of Iraq and hand the operation over to the UN.
While he has always singled himself out as the only candidate with a plan to bring U.S. troops home immediately, the speech signifies a new willingness to attack his rivals on the issue. To Kucinich, if it was wrong to go in, it's wrong to stay in, and if the other candidates propose staying in then they're no better than Bush: "Almost all the other presidential candidates are now going along with the Bush Administration's military occupation. That's why I'm here, to tell you there is another voice, and it is a voice that has been consistent and will not be relenting until we get out of Iraq."
Read more from the trail with Lieberman on abcnews.com: LINK
Sharpton:
From ABC News' Sharpton campaign reporter Beth Loyd:
What does the Sharpton campaign want for Christmas? Matching funds. They still haven't qualified for them. The deadline passed more than a week ago, but the FEC is giving them a little leeway. Just call it holiday spirit — a little SNL goes a long way.
Number 2 on the Sharpton campaign Christmas list: more polls like the New York Times /CBS News survey released Thursday that showed the Reverend ahead of Kerry, Edwards, Kucinich and Moseley Braun. Campaign manager Charles Halloran said "[Sharpton] had sensed things were going in that direction," but he always enjoys validation.
In terms of at least one rival, Sharpton seems to be easing up on The Doctor this week. Since his "Harlem is my turf"-themed endorsement ceremony on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday, Sharpton has ceased the Dean-bashing. On CNN Thursday with Wolf Blitzer and called the Osama bin Laden ad "an outrage" and called for the group — to apologize to Dean.
Read more from the trail with Sharpton abcnews.com: LINK
Nader:
From ABC News' third-party candidates campaign reporter Erik Olsen:
During a low-key interview with ABC News in a quiet café in Washington, D.C.'s Dupont Circle, Ralph Nader said he remains committed to getting his message out amid the current candidate cacophony — and remains tight-lipped about whether or not he'll mount a bid in 2004.
"The voters need more choice. There need to be candidates who are willing to push an agenda even if they don't get a majority of the vote," Nader said.
He also remains defiantly contemptuous of the 2000 spoiler moniker: "It's clear Gore beat Gore. He lost his home state, he lost Clinton's home state. The Democrats beat themselves."
In recent weeks, Nader has appeared at several fund-raisers (alas, no sign of Tim Robbins or Eddie Vedder), formed a presidential exploratory committee to "test the waters" (LINK), and launched a Web site (http://naderexplore04.org) to raise money and get feedback from supporters. Nader says he will make his final decision sometime in January — though he is cagey about exactly when.
"The beginning of January?"
"No."
"The end of January?"
"January."
Greens appear to generally support another Nader run, though some suggest he should sit this one out (LINK or LINK). Scott McLarty, the Greens' media coordinator, said most Greens welcome another Nader candidacy.
"He's a nationally famous person. He's a real hero," McLarty said. But he cautions that this time around Nader would have to compete for the nomination, which will not to decided until the party's June nominating convention in Milwaukee.
Iowa:
The Des Moines Register 's Tom Beaumont writes about what it's like to be a likely caucus goer, and the consequences involved. LINK
While you're Note-less during the holidays, in addition to reading the Note's archives (LINK), all of you savvy politico types should find hours … no … days of entertainment at this new Web site created by the Iowa Democratic Party: LINK.
It is most definitely an awesome technological experience that will educate you and prepare you not only for the Jan. 19 caucuses in Iowa, but also for life in general. It is so thoroughly stocked with information and user-friendly explanations of what might possibly be the most complicated voting process in the history of mankind that you might just find yourself packing up the family wagon and moving to Iowa to be a part of it all. You'll be shouting, "Ben Foecke and Mark Daley RULE!" in no time.
Trust us.
Democratic National Convention:
The Boston Globe 's Rick Klein and Corey Dade report on the security plans for the FleetCenter, which include no provisions for protecting Red Auerbach's cigars. LINK
The politics of national security:
Chief of 9/11 panel Tom Kean is so far holding off on playing blame "higher-ups" in the Bush Administration. LINK
The AP has it too. LINK
The Wall Street Journal 's Jess Bravin and David Cloud look at two decisions by federal appellate courts in New York and San Francisco yesterday that mark the toughest challenges yet to the Bush Administration's policy on detaining suspected terrorists. The Second Circuit's decision that suspected dirty bomber Jose Padilla must be released, coupled with the Ninth Circuit's ruling that the conditions under which prisoners are being held at Guantanamo could be challenged in the judicial system, are the latest of questions the White House is facing over its balance between homeland security and civil liberties.
So does the New York Times . LINK
David Johnston's news analysis leads thusly: LINK
"The broad presidential powers invoked by the Bush administration after Sept. 11, 2001, to detain suspected terrorists outside the civilian court system is now being challenged by the federal courts, the very branch of the government the White House hoped to circumvent."
USA Today on the Padilla decision and its impact. LINK and LINK
Knight Ridder's McCaffrey writes about the "two stunning legal setbacks" for the Bush Administration in the war on terror. LINK
Those decisions were bad ones, sayeth the Wall Street Journal 's editorial board.
AP's Will Lester reports on an AP poll showing that the capture of Saddam Hussein gave President Bush's foreign policy a huge boost with American voters, and that by a 2-to-1 margin they're saying the war in Iraq was a good decision. LINK
USA Today has a rundown of quotes from President Bush on WMD's in Iraq from the past year, which "have evolved from categorical assertions that Iraq had such weapons to the claim that Saddam Hussein may merely have been poised to acquire them." LINK
Regarding Iraq, Krugman writes the "message seems to be that as long as you wave the flag convincingly enough, it doesn't matter whether you tell the truth." LINK
Walter Shapiro loves conspiracy theories. LINK
The New York Times ' Stevenson reports David Kay may step down before his weapons inspections team finishes its search and issues a final report. LINK
The Washington Post 's Lynch reports on Sec. Gen. Annan's invitation to the East Side. LINK
The Wall Street Journal 's Neil King reports that Pentagon auditors are saying Halliburton refused to turn over to investigators company documents showing that officials knew of accounting problems that led to taxpayers being overcharged nearly $100 million for its fuel contract.
The Bush Administration issued a warning to Israel to not take steps that would make it harder to achieve peace. LINK
Big Casino state budget politics:
USA Today reports on cutbacks in children's health insurance programs because of budget constraints. LINK
The economy:
More good news on the job front: The Wall Street Journal reports that the number of people filing for unemployment for the first time falling 22,000 last week to 353,000.
While a weak dollar is good for U.S. exports and manufacturers, the Wall Street Journal 's Timothy Aeppel writes, but for companies doing business worldwide, it hurts them in Europe and Japan. The economy won't fully realize the effects of the falling dollar until next year, he Notes.
The Schwarzenegger Era:
Gov. Schwarzenegger skirts the legislature and declares a fiscal emergency to get cities and counties monies they lost when the car tax was rescinded. LINK
The AP's Tom Chorneau reports it too. LINK
The Wall Street Journal 's John Emshwiller called it a get-tough approach with state lawmakers.
Tom Brokaw and Cruz Bustamante each gave Arnold Schwarzenegger an orchid for his victorious gubernatorial campaign. LINK
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