NEWS SUMMARY
The Note knows enough to get out of the way of a tidal wave, and our only thoughts about "Living History" are
A. just how many people (FOHs, publisher staff, etc.) worked on this rollout?
B. will the book sell?
Other than that, with 72 hours of OTHER material to review with you, and a fun-filled week to preview, we'll just stand back and watch the book tour commence, and tell you about the stuff you should really read and the issues you shouldn't lose sight of, even as you try to figure out why Al Gore barely made the book:
1. Medicare: the Wall Street Journal today, and the New York Times today and yesterday.
2. Taxes: Jackie Calmes in the Wall Street Journal today, on a tax family caught in the vice.
3. WMD: Mike Glover and Tom Beaumont.
4. Second-quarter fundraising: no one, because this biggest-story-in-politics-now remains below the radar, but it is still huge.
5. Candidate profiles: Edwards and Gephardt got Broder and Barabak treatment (respectively) , and came off more than fine.
Other stuff to Note:
For once, Bob Novak's breathless tone is appropriate, as he heralds the real possibility that the Gray Davis recall effort might come about. LINK
On A2 of the Wall Street Journal is a story that will make Secretary Evans heart sing: small business is already on the upswing thanks to the tax cut.
And the same story says NFIB believes optimism about the economy is on the rise!
The New York Times front-pager on Republican Senator Larry Craig holding up nearly 1,000 Air Force promotions until he gets his airplanes is tailor-made for network news. LINK
The president meets with his cabinet today, and meet with some congressional leaders late in the day to talk spending bills. Haley Barbour gets a visit from Vice President Cheney today.
Tomorrow, the president meets with the prime minister of Thailand.
At 2:00 pm Tuesday, he will speak about the No Child Left Behind education legislation in the Rose Garden. He meets with the president of Uganda later in the day.
Tuesday is Senator Edwards' 50th birthday.
Ambassador Moseley Braun will spend the week in Chicago.
On Wednesday, President Bush travels to Chicago to address the Illinois State Medical Society on Medicare. On Thursday, he takes the same message to a senior center in Bristol, Connecticut. The Senate Finance Committee plans a key drug benefit vote that day, too.
Friday through Sunday, the Bushes vacate to Kennebunkport, Maine.
Congressman Gephardt is in New Hampshire on Friday.
Governor Dean has numerous fundraisers and a few public appearances on his calendar. He's in Denver today; Houston tomorrow; South Carolina tomorrow night. He'll re-appear on Friday at the Wisconsin state Democratic convention.
Senator Lieberman will spend the week raising money in New York and Connecticut. He has a public event Tuesday in Connecticut, and does Imus on Thursday morning. He's in Fairfield, Connecticut on Friday.
Senator Kerry spends Thursday and part of Friday in Iowa; he'll deliver a speech on energy independence at a location TBA. He's at the Wisconsin state Democratic convention Friday night, and heads back to Iowa on Saturday.
National security politics:
While every news organization in North America covers Powell and Rice on the Sunday talkers pushing back … .. LINK
… .the AP's Mike Glover reports four candidates said Sunday that "President Bush's credibility in foreign policy has been undermined by questions about how the government used intelligence on Iraq before the war." LINK
Congressman Kucinich, Governor Dean and Senators Lieberman and Graham "were in Gov. Tom Vilsack's home town for the governor's annual family picnic, mingling with hundreds of activists in a state where party caucuses next January launch the presidential nominating season."
"At the top of their agenda was the suspicion raised in the press and elsewhere about Bush's handling of intelligence data regarding weapons of mass destruction, a primary justification for launching the attack."
Glover also reports that, appearing on NBC's Meet the Press, Ambassador Moseley Braun said, "The war in Iraq 'has blown up our ability to fight terrorism' by shifting focus from pursuit of anti-American groups and diverting resources that could be better used at home."
Tom Beaumont's today take front-and-centers Senator Graham: LINK
Writing from Council Bluffs for Sunday, Beaumont showed again how closely he is paying attention to the candidates' statements:
"U.S. Senator Bob Graham on Saturday became the first Democratic presidential candidate to accuse President Bush of deliberately misrepresenting intelligence information about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq for political purposes." LINK
This one ain't going away, and some Democrats are wondering if Bob Graham will stay out there by himself at this pitch.
Lawrence Haas, former communications director for Al Gore and a man whose national security bona fides have never been questioned, and Richard Klein, present a roadmap to a coherent, strong Democratic message on national security.
"First, they must outline their approach to national security in today's world. For half a century, through Democratic and Republican administrations, the U.S. relied on the strategy of containment in a bipolar competition with the Soviet Union. Academics developed the concept theoretically, and politicians applied it in proxy wars and tense, eye-to-eye confrontations." LINK
"Second, the Democrats need to lay out under what conditions the U.S. should use force abroad to achieve its national goals."
"Third, the Democrats need to explain the conditions under which the nation should seek the approval of the United Nations before taking military action."
ABC 2004: Bush-Cheney re-elect:
Yesterday, the Washington Post 's Dana Milbank continued to demonstrate his fair-minded mastery of his beat with a look at how the president's team sets and (usually) beats expectations. LINK
The Washington Times Sammon Notes the impending move of staff into the Bush re-elect headquarters, and even manages to quote communications director Nicolle Devenish as confirming that, yup, the Bush-Cheney 2004 team doesn't want to make news yet. LINK
The AP's Tom Raum analyzes Bush the diplomat. LINK
Sunday, the Boston Globe 's Glen Johnson had a near-must-read on the 2004 opposition research contest.
LINK
Glen focused on the RNC operation (of which he got a tour, complete with disrespectful anti-shrine to Howard Dean), but also looked at the Dem-on-Dem efforts.
Except for his misuse of the word "leak," we heartily endorse ever syllable of Johnson's sophisticated yet accessible (and breezy!) look at the state of things.
Sunday, Jane Norman had an awesome piece in the Des Moines Register on why the president (who has visited Iowa a lot as POTUS) hasn't been there lately. LINK
The lead is piggy!!!:
"After visiting Iowa nine times since he was elected president, George W. Bush has been absent for seven months from the land of pork tenderloins and presidential caucuses."
Movie guy Neal Gabler wrote in the Los Angeles Times over the weekend that the president (actually, this Rove fellow) is all about political power, and doesn't care one whit about a substantive agenda. LINK
The article is so off base that we only cite it here as a way of telling Mr. Gabler: go read that Bill Keller New York Times Magazine story from a few months ago, or, if you wish, continue to labor under a deep misapprehension. It's up to you.
For instance, Gabler would see this Sunday Washington Post story as being all about breaking AFSCME's back. LINK
ABC 2004: The Invisible Primary:
Roll Call 's Chris Cillizza talks with Senator Harkin about what it will take for one of the 9 candidates running to emerge with the party's nomination. The Senator also flirts with the possibility of making an endorsement once he's done hearing the candidates from the heartland.
"Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) believes the next presidential nominee from his party will not be the most 'electable' candidate or the person who best represents the 'Democratic' wing of the Democratic Party. Instead, Harkin says, the individual who has the 'intangible' quality of 'connectedness' that characterized former Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan will carry the day."
"'All of this talk about 'I am more electable' or 'I want to get back to the roots,' I am a little worried about that,' Harkin, who has established himself as a key broker in the primary process, said in a recent interview. 'I think they are all electable if they are able to connect with people and if they can explain in a clear and effective way where they want to take the country.'"
"When asked about the power his endorsement conveys, Harkin said that 'endorsements aren't worth a hoot unless you back them up.'"
"He added that if he does choose to get behind one of the presidential contenders before the Iowa caucus, he will hand over his extensive voter lists and contacts throughout the state. 'What I would bring is my ability to reach out all across the state,' Harkin said."
Tom Oliphant despaired at the name-calling but called the Democratic Party's left-versus center battle a fight worth having. He also ups the ante on Congressman Gephardt and abortion. LINK
Robert Bartley's column in the Wall Street Journal is NOT about Senator Clinton.
It seems to be about Jeffrey Steinberg, Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr., Leo Strauss, James Atlas, Seymour Hersh, Edward Shils, Allan Bloom, Saul Bellow, Albert Wohlstetter, Clarence Thomas, Leon Kass, Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, Abram Shulsky, Saddam Hussein, Gertrude Himmelfarb, Norman Podhoretz, Sam Tanenhaus, George Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice, and Colin Powell.
But mostly it's about Lyndon LaRouche.
In the Washington Post Outlook section yesterday, Thomas Schaller, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, proposed that some smart Democrat running for president pick his/her running mate now, to get a boost. LINK
Wacky idea, unless, of course, Gore gets back in this thing.
Former Senator Bill Bradley will help The Door, a non-profit youth services organization, celebrate its 30th anniversary by serving as the featured speaker at the group's first annual spring benefit tomorrow. LINK
At the after party, Serena Altschul (CNN, MTV) will receive the first annual "Opening Doors for Youth Award." LINK
LIEBERMAN
When the man had the gavel, his apparent lack of investigative zeal about the Bush Adminstration drove some Democrats batty.
Now, in the minority, Joe Lieberman is acting like Dan Burton.
In Sunday's Washington Post , Mike Allen chronicled the Nutmeg Staters aggressive pursuit of answers from Andy Card about any role the president or K. Rove might have played in the Texas redistricting matter. LINK
Ari Fleischer batted this down hard, including the Rove angle, at the gaggle this morning.
Saturday, R. Jeffrey Smith of the Washington Post did some serious investigative work on the story generally, and the question of potential misuse of government resources by the GOP. LINK
Iowa State Rep. Phil Wise "will serve as Vice Chair of Lieberman's Iowa campaign and National Co-Chair for State Legislative Outreach," the campaign announced Saturday.
IOWA
Ouchy.
Saturday's Des Moines Register had Tom Beaumont casting John Edwards as the biggest underperformer in the Hawkeye State to date, with Dennis Kucinich as the biggest overperformer. LINK
An Invisible Primary must-read.
Legislative Affairs Director Dave Yepsen tells Governor Vilsack to sign that big bill. LINK
EDWARDS
David Broder was not quite as dewey-eyed about John Edwards as Laura Blumenfeld was about John Kerry last Sunday in the Washington Post , but still … . LINK
Broder is pretty kind about Edwards' lack of experience (although he raises the question), and describes a populism without anger (which we aren't sure we agree with).
Broder has Edwards confiding to Governor Hunt in December that he will lead the first-quarter fundraising derby; kind words from Daschle, Kennedy, and McCain; and some "Elizabeth Edwards is influential" stuff.
Reflecting his own worldview, Broder gives points for Edwards' Gridiron perf, but subtracts for his first-time-around-the-track status:
"His inexperience also shows at times in campaigning, notably in the lack of the local references most candidates use to ingratiate themselves with audiences in Iowa or New Hampshire, and in the blank spaces in his knowledge of those states' histories and traditions. He has not been over this ground before."
The stump speech link: LINK
And the slide show: LINK
Senator Edwards traveled home to North Carolina this past weekend to (it seems) shore up support for his presidential run. The Raleigh News & Observer's John Wagner was, of course, with the candidate every step of the way.
Campaigning on his home turf raised the inevitable questions about Senator Edwards' intentions concerning his Senate seat.
Wagner reports a fella who goes by the name of Erskine showed up to a Friday night fundraiser in Charlotte. LINK
"In an interview, Bowles said he is interested in seeking Edwards' seat, which is also on the ballot in 2004, if Edwards decides not to seek re-election. Edwards has given no public indication as to his plans."
"Bowles, however, said if Edwards waits to make a decision until 'much after Labor Day, it's hard for me.'"
Mr. Wagner was able to put that question to Senator Edwards and included his response in the Sunday story. LINK
"'Honestly, that idea never occurred to me and has not been suggested to me,' Edwards said Saturday. 'It's something I'd consider at some point.'"
"There are ample signs of Edwards' intention to stay in the presidential race for the long haul."
"Several senior campaign aides, who had been maintaining offices in Washington, are now in the process of moving to Raleigh, the site of the presidential campaign's national headquarters. The presidential campaign is advertising for fall internships that will run through Christmas. And the campaign has started looking for an additional press secretary who would handle inquiries about Edwards' presidential campaign from North Carolina media."
"Still, there are also indications that Edwards has not given up on the possibility of running for reelection."
"He maintains a separate Senate campaign account, which is being used to pay one full-time staff member, former Raleigh City Council member Brad Thompson, as well as a part-time accountant. (His presidential campaign, by contrast, has now hired several dozen staffers based in at least 10 states.)"
"Money from Edwards' Senate account was also used during the first part of the year to design a 2004 Senate re-election logo and to pay a research firm to start looking into the record of U.S. Rep. Richard Burr, the Republican whom Edwards would likely face in 2004."
Mr. Wagner stayed on the Senator's trail when Mr. Edwards crossed state lines and returned to his childhood hometown, Seneca, South Carolina.
LINK
"South Carolina, where Edwards lived for much of his first 10 years, will hold its Democratic presidential primary in February, immediately after the traditional early nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. His campaign views South Carolina as a must-win state if he is to have a real shot at the nomination."
Senator Edwards brought his parents along for the journey home and put them to work. They gave the press a tour of where the Senator lived during his earliest days.
"To underscore Edwards' working-class upbringing, he and his parents showed reporters the modest mill village home in nearby Utica where Edwards lived the first several months after his birth. Before his first birthday, the family moved into a public housing complex for a time."
"'We struggled, but we didn't know the Times were bad,' said Wallace Edwards, who worked in cotton mills his whole life. 'We had the basics, food and clothes.'"
"'Barely,' his wife, Bobbie, interjected."
And what would a weekend celebrating a 50th birthday be without the Post er size AARP card? That Ed Turlington is a real cut up.
LINK
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has Joe Erwin saying Mr. Edwards is not widely known in the Palmetto State.
LINK
"Edwards made a special appeal for support in South Carolina's Democratic primary next year on Feb. 3, one week after the critical New Hampshire primary."
"Joe Erwin, the state Democratic chairman, said Edwards is 'not a household name' in South Carolina, but his campaign is starting to build momentum after Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts got an early edge on organization and Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut showed early appeal to religious voters with his Orthodox Jewish faith."
Here's how the AP writes up the return to Seneca. LINK
The North Carolina press gave the Edwards visit home tons of ink. Here are some more links from the weekend's coverage, including this Charlotte Observer story about the left leaning crowd that showed up at Saturday's town hall meeting. LINK
"The liberal tilt of his audience, or at least the ones who rose to ask questions, gave Edwards, a Democrat, a chance to bash Bush while positioning himself as a political centrist and independent thinker. Several times, most notably in regard to Iraq, he told questioners he respected their opinions but disagreed with them."
"Edwards voted for the resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq, though he said he thinks Bush needs to get the international community more involved in the aftermath there."
"'The premise of your question is that you have these views and you want me to stand up for them … But that's not my job,' Edwards told McDowell. 'You disagree with me on Iraq. I believe it was the right thing to do. I will listen to you, and respect what you say, but, ultimately, my responsibility is to do what I believe is right.'"
LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK
DEAN
Apparently, New Hampshire GOPer Julie Teer agrees with Governor Dean's assertions about Senator Kerry. "'An analysis of the two candidates, the recent statements they made and when they made them leaves the impression that as Howard Dean narrows the gap in N.H. polls, John Kerry has actually turned into what
Howard Dean calls Dean-lite,' according to Teer." LINK
On Friday, a USA Today brief had this headline: "Dean misstates facts about his opposition to Iraq war."
"Former Vermont governor Howard Dean, a Democratic candidate for president, mischaracterized his opposition to the Iraq war. He told a liberal 'Take Back America' forum Thursday that he voted against 'the Iraq resolution' by which Congress authorized the use of force. But he isn't in Congress. 'The Governor misspoke,' spokesman Dorie Clark said."
"Earlier this week, on PBS television, Dean said he was the only candidate who didn't support the war. Two candidates, Florida Senator Bob Graham and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, voted against the resolution. Two others, former Illinois senator Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton, also opposed the war. Clark said Dean meant to say he's the only 'major candidate who spoke against the war.'"
Ethan Geto of the Dean New York effort took issue with Attorney General Spitzer in Saturday's New York Post . LINK
On Wednesday, June 18, Governor Dean will by honored with a reception at the Brentwood, California home of actor/director/producer Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.
Cocktails and hors d-oeuvres will be served to the guests who will pay $2,000 per person to attend.
Other co hosts of the event include: entertainment lawyer Skip Brittenham, GeoCities founder David Bohnett, Murphy Brown producer Diane English, "Lethal Weapon" director Richard Donner, producer Norman Lear, and music writer/producer Mike Stoller (who partnered with Jerry Lieber to write such hits as "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock").
Saturday, the Washington Post stayed on the Westar story, complete with Howard Dean quote of outrage. LINK
Gordon and Monica Fischer talked about the horrors of smoking and Dr. Dean's crowd building capacity L-I-V-E on C-SPAN after the picnic.
KERRY
Senator Kerry had a very, very nice reception at the Massachusetts state Democratic convention, and got a "boost" from Rep. Marty Meehan.
The Globe's Glen Johnson Noted that Kerry "focused" solely on Bush:
'''This is radical. Radical,' the senator said. ''Radical in the way that they're willing to transfer the money. Radical in the way they're driving up our deficits. Radical in the way they're doing it at the expense of working people, taking from Social Security trust funds and transferring it to the wealthiest people.''' LINK
The Saturday Boston Globe ran a Sam Allis piece about documentarian George Butler, of "Pumping Iron" fame, who will next turn his camera on old pal John Kerry. LINK
Butler has these observations about the similarities between himself and Kerry: '''We both came from old New England families … and we both put on great acts. I worked my way through college. There is a catch-up-and-go quality to both of us.'''
And Allis writes that Butler, who opposed the war in Vietnam and worked for VISTA instead of serving in the military, traveled the country with Kerry when he returned from duty as the heroic "poster boy of the Vietnam Vets Against the War."
Allis also Notes that Butler "says he was the first person to work for Kerry at the start of his political career," handling press in 1970 and 1972 for two unsuccessful congressional races.
Allis points out that the Kerry film will be squeezed between projects on Ebola-infected gorillas in the Congo, robots on Mars, and horseracing.
Butler, whose unusual life, patrician bearing, and diverse success are covered in the piece, has this to say about the Kerry epic: '''My conviction is that his life outside of politics is as interesting as anyone since Teddy Roosevelt … This is about character in action. I have no idea what will happen in the presidential race. This could be my first uninteresting film, but I doubt it.'''
Explain to us again why the Kerry campaign would put the candidate on the phone to talk about poetry with Maureen Dowd. LINK
GEPHARDT
Leading with Dick Gephardt's love of cooking Indian food (who knew?) and tending his garden (who knew?), the Los Angeles Times' Mark Z. "Z" Barabak profiled the Missouri congressman yesterday, as part of the paper's series. LINK
It's main theme is the "Is He Bob Dole?" chestnut.
Incidentally, Barabak posited that tension still exists between Gephardt and Gore (We think not — after Klain carried Elmo's bags in the 2000 cycle … ).
The side-bar Q&A includes an abortion/SCOTUS litmus test answer that is only slightest less rambling than the one he gave on "Face" yesterday (and equally unacceptable, we'd imagine, to the NARALPCA hardliners … ).
The St. Louis Post Dispatch's Deirdre Shesgreen watched Congressman Gephardt on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday, where he said "he would appoint Supreme Court justices who would preserve Roe v. Wade, but he stopped short of saying he would use abortion as a litmus test if he were elected president." LINK
Gephardt "also said that if elected, he would sign legislation banning some late-term abortions — what critics call partial-birth abortions — only if it included an exception for the health of the mother."
"In past years, Gephardt has voted for bills that had a health exception, but he also has supported more-restrictive bills that included only an exception for the mother's life. Anti-abortion groups have said a health exception amounts to a major loophole."
"On another subject, Gephardt said he expected the United States would eventually find evidence that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction."
Saturday's Los Angeles Times had a very sympathetic look at Chrissy Gephardt, focusing in part on the fact that she was once married to a man, and broadening out to the larger issue of gays and politics. LINK
And George Stephanopoulos had an interview with daughter and dad on Good Morning America this very morning.
GRAHAM
The RNC's Chad Colby told Tom Beaumont for Saturday's Des Moines Register that Bob Graham is a "conspiracy theorist." LINK
Senator Bob Graham has an op-ed piece in the Boston Globe anticipating the nomination of the next EPA administrator, and criticizing President Bush's overall environmental policy. LINK
Graham speculates about outgoing Christie Whitman's "frustration" considering the "hostile environmental policies" of the administration, and asserts about her tenure and her replacement: "While this selection could be a strong signal of where the Bush administration is on environmental policy, the experience of the outgoing administrator is a perfect example of my skepticism when it comes to the ability of the Bush White House to make a commitment to real environmental protection."
Peter Wallsten, traveling with Senator Graham, concluded this about Iowa: "While some experts had predicted Graham might forgo Iowa — a small state with huge symbolic influence in presidential politics as the first place where voters will pass judgment among nine Democrats — all signs point to his intention to make his stand here for the No. 1 spot."
"His growing staff in the state includes several experienced Iowa Democratic Party insiders — including the state party chairman who presided over a rare Democratic sweep last year and now serves as state chair for Graham. It also includes a former party operative who helped build the valuable voter file purchased by most candidates to identify likely participants in the Jan. 19 caucuses." LINK
And the Note can never resist a Hildebrand graf:
"Still, veteran Iowa strategist Steve Hildebrand, who headed Al Gore's campaign here in 2000, said in an interview that he advised Graham to make a push in the state. Competing in Iowa is relatively inexpensive, and even if he doesn't win, finishing in the top level would give the Florida senator instant legitimacy."
The Florida Times Union reports on a pair of June 30 fundraisers expected to gross well over $100,000. LINK
Doctors say Graham is recovering (or has recovered) nicely from heart surgery: LINK
On the other hand, an average day (according to the St. Pete Times' Adair, in a cute little diary), is bracketed by Krispy Kreme donuts and a slather of chili at Wendy's. LINK
Go, Bobcats, go!
The AP's Ken Thomas reports that Senator Graham "has launched a new fund-raising effort to enhance his standing in the Democratic presidential money race and challenge President Bush next year." LINK
"Graham announced the creation of the 'BobCats,' or individuals who raise $1,000 in small donations from 'friends, neighbors and co-workers' for his campaign. He made the appeal before the close of the next fund-raising quarter June 30."
"'George Bush and his supporters are raising $200 million or more to insure his re-election and the continuation of his tax cutting agenda for his fat-cat friends,' Graham wrote Friday in the e-mail to activists. 'I need a different set of 'cats' to defeat him and his agenda.'"
MOSELEY BRAUN
In a story on the state voter database, the Washington Times ' Charles Hurt seems to discount the possibility that Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun will be the Democratic nominee. LINK
"When the Democratic nominee for president in 2004 courts Iowa voters, he … ."
Ambassador Braun has spent the last week kicking her press operation into a higher gear by granting several one-on-one interviews with members of the political press corps. Roll Call 's Chris Cillizza takes stock of the former senator's presidential bid.
"In contrast to many of her colleagues who had been laying the groundwork for a national run for several years, Braun said she entered the race when she did to ensure a speaking slot at February's meeting of the Democratic National Committee."
"After traveling to Washington to discuss her potential presidential candidacy with DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe, Braun was told that unless she was a declared candidate she could not speak."
The Chicago Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet reports that Ambassador Moseley Braun "will remain in Chicago through Friday, when she heads to Baltimore, working the phones for donations in order not to be embarrassed when the Federal Election Commission closes the books June 30 on the second reporting quarter." LINK
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Zogby numbers: "Massachusetts Senator John Kerry is the most popular Democratic presidential candidate in New Hampshire polling by Zogby International for the state's primary election next January, followed closely by former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, 25% — 22%. Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman was a distant third at 10%." LINK
Foster's Daily Democrat says "ethanol is not the solution." LINK
There might not be great amenities at the Manchester Airport (howsabout some modular jacks?), but the TSA cut-backs won't be as bad as previously thought, Saturday's Union Leader reported. LINK
The Nashua Telegraph 's Landrigan uses New Hampshire almost-law parental notification legislation to survey the presidentials on the issue:
"Detractors of Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman's choice as running mate to Al Gore pointed out his past support for parental consent laws, and he defended that record in 2000." LINK
"Lieberman spokeswoman Kristin Carvell said any parental consent or notification law would have to have a judicial bypass so a minor unable to speak to a parent could have another option."
"Then there's Missouri Congressman Dick Gephardt, who supported restrictions on legalized abortions until a short time before his first run for president in 1988."
"During a speech before the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League last winter, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry drew that contrast by highlighting 'consistent and unwavering' support for abortion rights. Since 1988, Gephardt has voted for a ban on late-term abortions. On parental notification most recently, however, Gephardt voted for mandatory counseling for minors rather than the alternative that a parent must be notified. This was the same vote cast that day by Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich."
"Kerry has had his own shade of very light gray by supporting parental consent or notification legislation along the lines of Maine law that allows many more exemptions than the proposed New Hampshire law would give."
"The 1991 vote by Kerry for an amendment from former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell is virtually identical to a Maine law still on the books."
"This permits not only a judicial exception but overrides any consent or notification requirement if a doctor determines the child is mature enough and involvement of the parent is not in the minor's best interest."
SHARPTON
Sunday's Page Six had this:
"HILLARY Rodham Clinton's election adviser, Howard Wolfson, was enjoying a chat about politics with Al Sharpton in the green room at the CNBC studio Thursday night when they both got a surprise. In came former independent counsel and Clinton-hater Ken Starr, who had been booked on a later CNBC segment. Sharpton brushed past Starr without making the connection at first, but did a double take just outside the door and scrambled back into the green room. Looking at Wolfson and cracking a big smile, Sharpton said, 'I came back in to see the expression on your face.' Wolfson later told The Post 's Vince Morris that Sharpton had asked for a copy of Senator Clinton's soon-to-be-published book, 'Living History.' The book is in the mail." LINK
The New York Daily News' 411 (Rush and Molloy are on vacation) mentions the Reverend Sharpton was partying last Thursday with Mayor Bloomberg, Mariah Carey, and Stevie Wonder at a fete for Vibe's Kedar Massenburg. LINK
Big Casino budget politics, Medicare:
Robert Pear leads the New York Times with a look at the Medicare debate, with yet another mention of the Kennedy "legacy" effort (when is the Globe going to get around to writing this one up?) and a nice, understandable summary of the substance. LINK
The Wall Street Journal 's Sarah Lueck has her own excellent explainer, looking at some of the major left and right objectives to the current Senate plan, and Noting that some CBO scoring was due back last night.
Sunday, Dick Stevenson of the New York Times had a big, big, big, big Big Casino look at the political stakes for the president on the search for a prescription drug benny, and, as so often the case with smart reporters, Stevenson goes to a certain Republican pollster and a certain Democratic strategist for his spot-on coda:
"'When the Democrats are going to be saying that all we've ever done is cut taxes for the rich, to be able to say we gave Grandma and Grandpa a new prescription drug benefit serves as a powerful counterweight to the Democrats' caricature of the Bush administration,' said Bill McInturff, a Republican pollster." LINK
"Many Democrats continue to oppose the approach taken by the administration and to deride the drug benefit being discussed as entirely inadequate. But other Democrats, especially moderates, appear willing to deal, and there has been no sign that Democratic leaders will filibuster in the Senate in order to keep the issue alive for 2004."
"'Fighting the next election on new terrain wouldn't be the worst thing to happen to Democrats,' said Bruce Reed, president of the Democratic Leadership Council, an advocacy group for moderate Democrats."
Big Casino budget politics, taxes:
Brilliant Jackie Calmes of the Wall Street Journal went to Omaha to achieve a new take on how the states' budget crunches are threatening to undermine the federal tax cut.
Jackie talks to some of the president's tax families there, who realize that what the federal government is giving, the states are taking away, in the form of higher state and local taxes, and spending cuts.
Quiz: who will be the first Democratic presidential candidate to be endorsed by one of Mr. Bush's tax families?
Read it slowly and carefully, for Grover Norquist's op-ed in today's Washington Post about the president's incremental movement towards fundamental tax reform and free trade (Grover conveniently ignores all those "special" tax breaks that keep getting added and that steel thing … .) has this bit of brilliance:
"In crafting its agenda for economic reform, the Bush administration has the luxury of being able to think and plan over a full eight years. This is because the 2002 redistricting gave Republicans a lock on the House of Representatives until 2012 and the Founding Fathers gerrymandered the Senate for Republican control. In the 50-50 election that was 2000, Bush carried 30 states and Al Gore 20. Over time, a reasonably competent Republican Party will tend to 60 Republicans in the Senate. This guarantee of united Republican government has allowed the Bush administration to work and think long-term." LINK
The Chicago Tribune's Jill Zuckman kicks open the doors of "a generic conference room of a nondescript office building" in D.C. where a fella named Norquist holds a weekly meeting that might be roughly likened to the Rotary Club of the vast right-wing conspiracy. LINK
Zuckman writes, "The activities of Norquist and his Wednesday meeting (sic), as it's informally called, illustrate the direct, perhaps unprecedented pipeline conservatives have into the White House. Senior presidential adviser Karl Rove, who is in regular contact with Norquist, always sends an emissary and sometimes personally attends the weekly meetings. George W. Bush sent a representative for a full year before he even announced he was running for president."
Also Sunday, the New York Times ' David Firestone looked at the split in the GOP about what to do about the child tax credit now. LINK
Today, the Wall Street Journal ed board smashes Senator Grassley for making a deal that they assert is bad on marginal rates.
Economy:
R. Glenn Hubbard and Larry Lindsey continue to take turns penning Wall Street Journal op-eds on how great the economy is; today, it's Hubbard's turn again, this time pooh-poohing deflation fears.
Saturday, in a front-page story, the Washington Post quoted David Kotok on the economy. LINK
Not THAT David Kotok, however. LINK
The Clintons of Chappaqua:
The New York Times ' Raymond Hernandez covers Hillary Clinton's transition from "low-key, constituent-minded junior senator" to "celebrity senator." LINK
Hernandez writes that, while the book has thrust Clinton back into the spotlight, with high-profile television interviews, public appearances, and a Time magazine cover, the full effect the attention will have on her political goals and persona remains unclear, despite the fond hopes of her Democratic allies and the teeth-gnashing of her rivals.
The New York Post heralds "Hill-apalooza," from Clinton's appearance at the Puerto Rican Day parade to various television interviews to book signings in New York and beyond. LINK
And guess what the New York Daily News crows … that's right, a "Hil-a-palooza" (Note the slightly different spelling of the term, thus lending a certain originality to each tab's wordplay). LINK
The Boston Herald's Andrew Miga watched the Walters/Clinton interview and came away with quotes about the Senator's plans for the 2004 presidential race ("'Absolutely, I'd say no'"), not to mention coyer comments about 2008 ("'I don't have any intentions or plans of running … I'm flattered that the question gets asked. And I hope that it will lead to a woman running for president'"), and her reaction to the Monica Lewinsky scandal. LINK
Miga also cites some recent Clinton poll numbers, showing the Senator "to be one of the most polarizing political figures in America."
The Washington Post 's Tom Shales, in a long review of the Walters/Clinton interview, seems unswayed both by the Senator's efforts to warm up her image (he describes her as "almost chillingly chilly") and by her assertions that a presidential campaign is not in her immediate future. LINK
The New York Post 's Vincent Morris and Stephanie Gaskell watched ABC and read Time magazine, with an eye towards Martha as well as Monica (Clinton on Stewart: "'Martha is a friend of mine, and I am very sorry for what she's going through now . . . but I think there's more [to the case] than meets the eye'"). LINK
Meanwhile, the New York Daily News' Dave Goldiner observes the Stewart support via the Couric interview. LINK
Friday, the Washington Post stumbled into a book store selling Senator Clinton's book; Saturday, the paper had a story about it. LINK
Bob Novak has Senator Clinton signing books at a Virginia Wal-Mart on Wednesday. LINK
New York Times politics:
Well, not all changes are being held up: the New York Times announces today that some days there will be Metro editorials in the Metro section. LINK
The Washington Post 's Howie Kurtz reminds readers that Howell Raines, though perhaps unpopular in the newsroom, raked in Pulitzer prizes as well as grumpy feedback from his affronted staff, and that occasional journalistic blunders are not unique to the Times , but go with the media territory and are uncovered to the benefit of the profession. LINK
Newsweek and Time both have Arthur interviews, and Mnookin's frighteningly tight ownership of the story gets him fly-on-the-wall access to Bill Keller in an elevator.
LINK and LINK
Politics:
The Washington Post ed board comes out against lobbying business as usual. LINK
How does one get Brian Lamb, drinking games, MTV's "Spring Break," and Book TV into one letter?
Gary Bielo of Woodridge, Illinois pulled it off in yesterday's New York Times Book Review. LINK
The New York Daily News' Joel Siegel writes about New York's unwelcome new phenomenon: the "perpetual campaign." LINK
The New York Times ' Michael Cooper attempts to explain why New York parade-goers booed Bloomberg and cheered Pataki. LINK
The Associated Press reports that two Maryland mayors are switching parties, and that makes both the governor and the president happy. LINK
"President Bush's office is to send both mayors a letter commemorating their switch, said Shareese DeLeaver, [Governor Bob Ehrlich's] spokeswoman. Goldsborough and Willey said they are happy with their positions and aren't seeking out political appointments in return, she said."
Ralph Nader talked about working for justice in the Washington Post Magazine. LINK
In Sunday's edition of the Wilmington News Journal, Erin Kelly profiles a congressional caucus that two of Delaware's three members are eligible to join, but Senator Joe Biden is not: the bipartisan governors' club. LINK
"Once a quarter, the [14] ex-governors — Democrats and Republicans — meet for lunch in the Senate's marbled dining hall to rebel against partisanship, renew their friendships and host influential ex-governors turned Cabinet secretaries."
Campaign finance:
Like everyone else, we read David Cay Johnston story about the IRS apparently opening a fundraising/soft money loophole involving non-profits. But for the life of us, we can't figure out what the IRS actually decided and how much relevance it has to current questions about the political status of certain non-profits.
Here is the nut graf: "[S]ome lawyers said the decision could have far broader significance because it could permit Republicans and Democrats to set up their own charitable groups to collect tax-deductible contributions for political purposes — without limits on the size of donations or requirements to disclose contributors' identities." LINK
By "Republicans and Democrats," we assume Mr. Johnston is not referring to federal elected officials or office-holders, because, with very few exceptions, that class of Republicans and Democrats can't use their own charities for political purposes.
Judicial confirmation battles:
Sunday, the New York Times ' Robin Toner and Nick Lewis pre-curtain-raised the looming SCOTUS vacancy/vacancies battle(s), complete with details of the "secret" meetings both sides have been having to get ready. LINK
Bush Administration strategy/personality:
The League of Conservation Voters' communications director Josh Galper tells us that James Connaughton, the chairman of the White House's Council on Environmental Quality, called up LCV president Deb Callahan last Thursday to complain about the LCV's denunciations of Bush and to solicit her opinion about a new EPA administrator. (Callahan recommended former U.S. Rep. Connie Morella.)
Galper said it's the first time the CEQ chair has asked the LCV, a center-left enviro group, for its opinion on an appointment.
Mitch Daniels did an exit interview with Mike Allen (complete with Karen Hughes cameo), and these two elements jumped right out at us off of the Fed Page: LINK
1. "Ralph Nader, the liberal crusader who ran for president in 2000, has had several meetings with Daniels and praised him for putting into action several of his suggestions for efficiency and openness in government. 'Mitch is a true conservative, not a corporatist,' Nader said."
2. "Daniels said this year's deficit could well be, as some private forecasters expect, more than $400 billion, although he expects substantial improvement by 2005."
And print readers were cheated out of this kicker, which made the web: "Daniels said he leaves 'with malice toward none, with charity for all — even if there was occasionally a little too much charity.'"
John Tierney's New York Times look at Interior Secretary Gale Norton contains references to "the four C's," "the three M's," and "the four P's." LINK
Hart Seely does the cheap poetry trick on Ari Fleischer and Helen Thomas. LINK
