ABC News' The Note: First Source for Political News

W A S H I N G T O N, Aug. 25, 2004—
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5 days until the Republican convention69 days until election day

NEWS SUMMARY

With President Bush down in Crawford (but getting some visitors); Sen. Kerry in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; Vice President Cheney in the Keystone State as well; and Sen. Edwards in Ohio, there is plenty of candidate stuff to cover today.

But there is also an explosion (Note onomatopoeia: KAPOWWWW!!!) of political news — and that's not even counting the mysterious Russian plane crash, Abu Ghraib, and tons of other Iraq developments.

Not to mention the first day of school, erh, work for Joe Lockhart and Joel Johnson at the Kerry campaign. Their Trapper Keepers and Scooby Doo lunch boxes made quite an impression at the 8:15 meeting this morning, and both men were said to look not the least bit self conscious when they got an ovation at the start of the session!!

And Karl Rove on Brit Hume!!!

There is some VERY hard core stuff going on out there today. So much, in fact, of such importance, that we can't even tell you which are most likely to affect the outcome of the election — and which are just typical press-driven hype.

And/but since we can't rank them, and there isn't the time and space to get all Note-y about ALL of them, let us assure you: if you are interested in who wins the election, read each and every one of these:

1. The New York Times 's Rutenberg and Zernicke on Bush lawyer Ben Ginsberg's ties to Swift Boat Veterans (for Truth). It includes the news that Ginsberg said he started working for the group in July and that Chris LaCavita, a powerful behind-the-scenes Republican force, is helping the group with its media.LINK

2. The Washington Post 's news analysis by Dan Balz and Jim VandeHei on Kerry and Vietnam. LINK

"Privately, key Democratic strategists fear that attack ads against Kerry will undermine the Democratic presidential nominee's character and credibility, no matter whether the charges are accurate, because they dovetail with an argument Bush's campaign has tried to pound home in its advertising — that Kerry is unreliable and untrustworthy. Many of the charges have been rebutted by veterans who served with Kerry and by military records. But some Republican strategists see the potential for a backlash developing that will hurt the president. They say Bush must overcome doubts about his leadership on Iraq and the economy, and can ill afford voters concluding that he and his campaign orchestrated the attacks on Kerry by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.":

Two points the Post 's fanastic story leaves out that we still think are key:

--Kerry might be saved from some of the damage from scrutiny of his anti-war protest period because the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are too dirty to be effective messengers on that (or anything else) and they pollute the issue for anyone else to use, even the Bush campaign.

--The Kerry campaign still has the Bush/National Guard card to play, and they just might, despite Kerry claiming (sometimes) that it isn't appropriate.

3. USA Today 's Susan Page writes to the country that Cheney "broke with President Bush on Tuesday on the question of same-sex marriage" and that his "comments were remarkable on several fronts." LINK

4. The Los Angeles Times' Michael Finnegan writes that Kerry "spoke in personal terms of his Vietnam history" last night — after the network news: "It's become so petty that it's almost pathetic in a way, as I listen to these thing … ..At the Democratic Party fundraiser in Philadelphia, the Massachusetts senator responded to former GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole's statement that Kerry was only in Vietnam for four months. 'I was there for longer than that, No. 1,' said Kerry, who did not mention Dole by name. 'No. 2, I served for two tours. No. 3, they thought enough of my service to make me aide to an admiral.'"LINK

5. The New York Times ' David Kirkpatrick has excellent details about the draft of the Republican convention platform, which "takes conservative stands on several social issues that sometimes divide the party, including abortion, stem-cell research and a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage." Half the platform deals with foreign policy and national security, Kirkpatrick reports, but the more controversial issue will be the expansion of legal immigration, and moderates have basically thrown in the towel on changing the direction of the party on social issues. LINK

6. The Washington Post 's VandeHei reports that Jamie Rubin yesterday retracted his statement in a Washington Post interview (LINK) that Kerry "in all probability" would have gone to war in Iraq. LINK Ron Brownstein of the Los Angeles Times also has the Rubin retraction. LINK "His retraction was another example of the struggle by Kerry and his campaign to clarify his position on Iraq and how it differs from Bush's."

The key words that don't appear in the stories: "Teresa Heinz Kerry."

7. The New York Times ' Glen Justice reports that the Progress for America Voter Fund has received fundraising commitments for over $35 million, largely from big California Republican donors, and is going on the air in Iowa and Wisconsin today attacking Kerry's national security credentials. LINK

This suggests that there will be tens of millions more in negative ads from the right to match those already running and coming from the left through November.

8. In a story that would be our lede on an ordinary day, the Washington Post 's Jonathan Weisman details the Post 's reporting that Kerry's campaign promises "could worsen the federal budget deficit by nearly as much as President Bush's agenda." LINK

"'I wish Senator Kerry was providing a starker contrast,' lamented Leonard E. Burman, a tax policy analyst at the Urban Institute, who was a Treasury Department official in the Clinton administration. 'The [Bush] policies with respect to the deficit are insane. They have to be reversed. But it will take presidential leadership to do it.'"

To be fair, Weisman doesn't get to the little matter of Bush Social Security transition costs until the very end.

9. The Wall Street Journal calls President Bush's comments on 527s "among the worst moments of Mr. Bush's term."

"If Mr. Bush wanted the two major parties to better control their campaign messages, he could have vetoed McCain-Feingold. Some of us urged him to do so, but his political advisers whispered not to worry, the Supreme Court will take care of it. Well, Sandra Day O'Connor failed too, but in any event since when are Presidents supposed to pass the buck to judges?"

10. The New York Post wood: "Speaker of the Louse: Hastert blasts N.Y. cash quest after 9/11" was likely not the headline for which Speaker Hastert was looking. LINK "House Speaker Dennis Hastert is charging in a new book that New York lawmakers' attempts to win financial aid after the 9/11 attacks amounted to an 'unseemly scramble' for money."

The Post reports that Hastert goes on to say in his book that he felt the human tragedy side of the situation was being lost in the race to secure federal aid. Be sure to Note too the quotes Speaker Hastert attributes to Sen. Clinton (and disputed by her office) from their health care task force meetings.

As hinted above, the Republican platform committee begins its meetings in New York City today.

And a star-studded group, including 9/11 Commission leaders Kean and Hamilton, former CIA Director George Tenet, and acting CIA director John McLaughlin testify before the House Select Intelligence Committee at 9:00 am ET.

As for the candidates:

President Bush remains in Crawford.

Today, around mid-day, former Georgia Sen. Max Cleland will attempt — in a bit of political theater — to hand-deliver a letter to the president at the ranch in Crawford. The letter, signed by Democratic members of Congress who have fought in wars, demands that Bush denounce the Swiftie ads.

Note to the Secret Service: good luck.

Vice President Cheney barnstorms through Pennsylvania on a bus tour. Three events, the first of which is another town hall meeting that, apparently, isn't as scripted as some thought: 10:35 am ET in Wilkes-Barre; 1:20 pm ET in Pottsville; and 4:50 pm ET in Bloomsburg.

Sen. John Kerry spends another choice highlighting the "fundamental choice" between himself and the president, today focusing on jobs. He begins in Philly with a closed meeting with local African-American leaders and a 10:00 am ET speech to the local steamfitters. He then travels to Green Bay for a 6:15 pm ET front porch event before overnighting in Minneapolis.

Sen. John Edwards will hit largely the same themes during two events in Ohio and one in Oklahoma City. He overnights in Las Cruces, NM.

Teresa Heinz Kerry campaigns in Pennsylvania.

Today is the deadline for Ralph Nader to submit signatures to get on the Washington ballot. He campaigns in Omaha, NE and Des Moines, IA.

And don't forget Karl Rove's first TV appearance in forever: he's on "Special Report with Brit Hume" at 6:00 pm ET.

Swift Boat Veterans for Truth: Ginsberg and 527s:

Democratic lawyer Bob Bauer, who was recently profiled in the New York Times along with Ben Ginsberg as the leading campaign finance lawyers in their respective parties, does indeed work for both the Kerry campaign (as the coordinator of their election day poll monitoring operation) and one of the leading Democratic 527s (ACT). And, as we have said there are many close connections between top officials at many of the Democratic 527s and the Kerry campaign (not to mention donors).

There are at least two reasons the Ginsberg development matters more.

First, from a politico-media point of view, the dirty reality is that the press just cares more about Bush's ties to the Swift Boat Veterans than the Democrats' links, in part because those ties have been denied. (And in part for the exact reason Rush Limbaugh suspects … )

Second, the Swift Boat ad and their primary charges about Kerry's medals are personal, negative, extremely suspect, or false.

To be (secretly) associated with them (and a presidential campaign) is qualitatively different than working with any of other 527s on either side, whose ads are at their most extreme simply personal, negative, and arguably pushing the boundaries of political discourse.

That said, the Swifties have the same right to counsel as anyone, Ginsberg is one of the best there is, and he knows full well he'd be in trouble if he ever disclosed to one client information he obtained from another.

Ginsberg says he didn't tell the Bush campaign he was doing this, and didn't ask for permission, and all campaign officials contacted by ABC News back up that version of events.

Republicans wonder why John Kerry — a fierce proponent of campaign finance reform legislation — has never asked for ACT and America Votes to cease their activities on his behalf? When Terry McAuliffe and Democrats denounce this today, will they ask Harold Ickes to step down? Will John Sasso fire Joe Sandler?

There are many outstanding questions, and here are a few:

1. Why the pro bono?

2. Did Ginsberg personally supervise the drafting of the BC04 letter to TV stations denying coordination between the campaigns and the Swifties? Did he help Tom Josefiak draft a letter to the FEC denying coordination? See: LINK

3. Does this revelation — or the (perhaps hyperbolic) media coverage of it force a reexamination of how election super-lawyers get and vet their clients? Of BCRA's common vendor provisions?

4. Which topic topped the agenda at the early-morning senior strategist meeting? Cheney? or Ginsberg?

5. When the Bush campaign realized that a member of one of its veterans advisery committees, Ken Cordier, was appearing in the Swift Boat group's new ad, they forced him to step down. Is the standard for Ginsberg different? Will the campaign allow him to continue to do both?

6. Does the LaCavita connection mean that SBVfT are coordinating (legally) with other GOP 527s?

7. Who is the first Republican to call on Ginsberg to step down? Who is the first Democrat to call on Joe Sandler to resign from MoveOn?

8. What does President Bush say about Ginsberg (and Cheney) and when does he say it?

The AP's Sharon Theimer broke the story. Here's the historic copy. LINK

Robert Samuelson thinks the 527 talk is all an attack on the First Amendment. LINK

Kerry and Vietnam:

Some of the biggest guns (with the most political experience) in Sen. Kerry's life are finally fully engaged on pushing back on this story; the Senator himself is deeply involved in it (even beyond is extensive remarks from last night); and you should expect to hear some more serious pushback bad stuff about some of the prominent accusers in the days ahead.

ABC News' Ed O'Keefe reports that at a Kerry-Edwards fundraiser raising $1.7 million for the DNC at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sen. Kerry made his most extensive on-camera comments regarding the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, emphatically rejecting the anti-Kerry's groups assertions that the Democratic nominee failed to serve with honor in Vietnam.

"It's become so petty it's almost pathetic in a way as I listen to these things. You know every — (Rep.) Chaka (Fattah) was telling me a minute ago he keeps hearing these commentators, Republicans all of them, saying "well John Kerry was only in Vietnam for four months blah blah blah." Well, I was there for longer than that number one. Number two, I served two tours. Number three, they thought enough of my service to make me an aide to an admiral. And the Navy 35 years ago made the awards that I made through the normal process that they make. And I'm proud of them and I'm proud of my service and I'm proud that I stood up against the war when I came home because it was the right thing to do."

"I've been 35 years now involved in foreign policy one way or the other. From being at the tip of the spear when leaders made bad decisions to trying to oppose it when I came home as an act of conscience. And you can judge my character incidentally by that. Because when the Times of moral crisis existed in this country I wasn't taking care of myself, I was taking care of public policy. I was taking care of things that made a difference to the life of this nation. You may not have agreed with me but I stood up and was counted and that's the kind of president I'm gonna be."

Swift Boat Veterans for Truth: political implications:

"While polls in this closely divided state have yet to answer the question, dozens of interviews throughout the Tampa Bay area show that voters — from college student to baby boomers to retirees — are split over what importance to place on Vietnam in the national election drama," writes John Glionna of the Los Angeles Times with a Tampa dateline. LINK

The Seattle Post-Intelligence's Mike Barber reports on some veterans who just wish the whole thing would go away on both sides. LINK

Swift Boat Veterans for Truth: news of the day:

The New York Times ' editorial board slams President Bush for not condemning the Swift Boat Veterans' attacks "that are being orchestrated by negative-campaign specialists deep in the heart of the Texas Republican machine." LINK

Barnes and Noble goes on the defensive after being accused of trying to suppress "Unfit for Command." LINK

Howard Kurtz weighs in on the newest Swift Boat Veterans' ad, writing that its strength "is that it uses Kerry's own words and voice" but that "Kerry's testimony is selectively edited in a way that is misleading." LINK

Anne Kornblut writes up the results of her tête-à-tête with John O'Neill, a profile, in today's Boston Globe . LINK

The AP's Matt Kelley finds a new document to back-up Sen. Kerry's claims — one written by the task force overseeing John Kerry's swift boat squadron. "The March 18, 1969, weekly report from Task Force 115, which was located by The Associated Press during a search of Navy archives, is the latest document to surface that supports Kerry's description of an event for which he won a Bronze Star and a third Purple Heart." LINK

Stephen Dinan and Charles Hurt of the Washington Times Note John Kerry's own wartime journal is being carefully scrutinized and raising questions about whether he deserved the first of three Purple Hearts, particularly an entry from Dec. 11. LINK

The New York Post 's Deb Orin leads her daily Swift Boat dispatch with Sen. Kerry's call to SBVfT member Robert "Friar Tuck" Brant. LINK

"Sean McCabe, a spokesman for the 264-member organization, said it plans to send a cease-and-desist letter warning Kerry 'to stop calling our members,' because it's an independent '527' group and it's illegal for campaigns to contact them."

Um … who will draft the complaint?

Cheney, homosexuality and the Republican platform:

The full text of Vice President Cheney's comments:

"Well the question has come up in the past with respect to the question of gay marriage. Lynne and I have a gay daughter so that's an issue our family is very familiar with. We have two daughters and we have enormous pride in both of them. They're both fine young women. They do a superb job of supporting us and we are blessed with both of our daughters."

"With respect to the question about relationships, my general view is that freedom means freedom for everyone. People ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to. The question that comes up with respect to issue of marriage is what kind of sanction or approval is going to be granted by government if you would to particular relationships. Historically that's been a relationship that's been handled by the state. States have made that fundamental decision as to defining what constitutes a marriage. I made it clear four years ago when I ran, this question came up in the debate I had with Joe Lieberman that my view was that that's an appropriate matter for the states to decide. That's how it ought to best be handled."

"The president has as a result of the decision that had been made in Massachusetts this year by judges. He that felt that he wanted to support a constitutional amendment to define at the federal level to define what constitutes a marriage. That I think his perception was the courts in effect were beginning to change without allowing the people to be involved, without they're being a part of the political process. The courts in that particular case, in Massachusetts were making the judgment of the decision for the entire country. And he disagreed with that."

"So where we're at is he has come out in support of a federal constitutional amendment and I don't think well it's so far it hasn't had the votes to pass, most states have addressed this. There is on the books the federal defense of marriage act passed in 1996 and to date it has not been successfully challenged in courts and that may be sufficient to resolve the issues but at this point say my own preference is as, I've stated but president makes policy for the administration. He's made it clear that he does in fact support a constitutional amendment on this issue."

Two campaign officials told ABC News' Karen Travers that the Vice President did not know that the question on gay marriage would come up in Davenport. They said the woman who asked the question was simply a woman in the audience. ABC News' interview with the questioner backs that up.

As for why he answered the question as he did, so personally a campaign official would not "get into his head" but said that it was a different environment and more conversational and he perhaps felt more comfortable engaging with this woman than, say, reporters on his plane.

A senior campaign official said that Cheney was answering "like a dad" and reiterated the campaigns point of view that this is not different than what Cheney has said in the past on he subject.

" … his comments Tuesday prompted criticism from Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, which supports the traditional definition of marriage. In a statement, he said he wondered 'why the vice president is allowed to depart from this position when the top of the ticket is unified on all other issues.'" LINK

Muses one crafty gay rights advocate to The Note:

"For the first time Cheney has opened the door and made this a personal question — allowing reporters to now question those personal views."

Other suggested questions for Mary Matalin to prep answers on:

"1. Mr Cheney, it is not like you and the president disagree on gas prices — some people see this as a fundamental and very personal issue. Are you saying you will support your boss even though he wants to discriminate against your daughter as long as you are confident that the effort will fail? Are you aware that yours and the presidents re-election supporters have said they won't give up on this issue no matter what happens in Congress this year?"

"2. Mr. Cheney, what would you say to other families who don't want their loved ones to face the proposal being pushed by the president? Vote for us anyway because the president will drop it next year? Vote for us because other issues are more important? What would you say to those families?"

The Des Moines Register's Lynn Campbell writes that the Veep "acknowledged he has a different view than President Bush on gay marriage." LINK

The New York Times ' Robin Toner Notes that the Vice President "spoke on the same day that a draft version of the Republican platform was distributed to convention delegates that declared, 'We strongly support President Bush's call for a constitutional amendment that fully protects marriage.' The draft platform added, 'Attempts to redefine marriage in a single city or state could have serious consequences throughout the country, and anything less than a constitutional amendment, passed by Congress and ratified by the states, is vulnerable to being overturned by activist judges.'" LINK

Will it stay or will it go now? The AP's Calvin Woodward looks at the GOP struggle on whether to include a gay marriage amendment in its platform.LINK

The Washington Post 's editorial board lauds Cheney's Tuesday comments. LINK

Republican National Convention: the rest of the platform:

Ralph Z. Hallow of the Washington Times reports a draft version of the Republican Party platform draft strongly supports Bush's controversial "guest worker" plan. The draft will be debated in New York this morning "by 26 handpicked members of the Republican National Convention subcommittee that deals with immigration, led by Pennsylvania Rep. Melissa A. Hart." LINK

Republican National Convention: politics:

No Jebbie at the Garden. LINK

Gov. Mitt Romney is headed into the big leagues — garnering not only a prominent speaking role at the Republican convention, but, according to the Boston Globe today, but a Bush entourage on the road including Senator John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Sen. Zell Miller.LINK

Deborah Hastings of the AP puts into writing what the frustrated Googling monkeys have been trying to point out forever: conventions equal party time, not work time. LINK

It's never too early to think about 2008 and Tuesday is going to prove quite fruitful for New York reporters covering presidential politics of the future. Rudy Giuliani and George Pataki, New York Republicans with a storied relationship (see Giuliani's 1994 Mario Cuomo endorsement and post-9/11 détente) will be addressing the high profile Iowa and New Hampshire delegation breakfasts respectively. These are not to be missed!

Ben Smith declares Gov. Pataki the first round winner in Pataki v. Giuliani convention politics. After all, he is getting to introduce the president and do so on primetime network television. LINK

Ben Smith and Marcus Baram also wisely look ahead to 2008. LINK

"The likely contenders in a 2008 primary, surprisingly, skew left. The stars are party mavericks like Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. The governors of two big blue states, New York and Massachusetts, also seem to be testing the waters."

The Hartford Courant's David Lightman looks at how moderates are trying to get in on the game in setting the GOP platform. "This year, though, the moderates are being heard, and heeded, because they come armed with an important warning: Show us you care or you could lose the election." LINK

Republican National Convention: protests and security:

The New York Times ' David Johnston and William Rashbaum report on the largest armada of land, air and maritime forces ever assembled to provide security at a national political gathering" are heading to New York City ahead of the convention. Estimated cost, not counting what federal agencies are spending: $60 million out of $166 million budgeted for the convention. LINK

The New York Times ' Jason George reports that New Jersey has asked the federal government for help paying for convention-related security. LINK

We await the court's decision expected today on Sunday's big protest event.

The march will go on, but for the rally — it's Central Park or bust! LINK

The protesters who get a bit out of hand, will have a lovely view while being detained by the NYPD. LINK

First Vice President Cheney breaks ranks with President Bush and then Jim Dyke seems to have a different point of view about the expected protesters in New York than Ed Gillespie does … what is the world coming to?

From the Los Angeles Times: LINK

"In an interview Monday, RNC spokesman Jim Dyke backed away from Gillespie's published comments, saying Republicans did not believe that the Democratic Party would be responsible for protesters' behavior. But he did suggest that the majority of activists coming to New York were Democrats."

USA Today 's Martha Moore has the latest on United for Peace and Justice's plans. LINK

Republican National Convention: potpourri:

American awaits a "dishy" profile of Twinkle and Turquoise — soon to come out in New York magazine. LINK

Nobu at lunch on the Thursday of the Republican convention? We'll just show up! LINK

"Free Bird" on the Sunday before the convention at Crobar! Don't forget the Charlie Daniels Band the next night! LINK

Bruce Willis, Britney Spears, and Jessica Simpson are all unable to attend the Republican convention. LINK

The Observer also has all the details on the huge GOP youth event at Gotham Hall on Thursday night. LINK

The New York Observer's adorable Ben Smith (no link currently available) also has this unbelievably compelling exchange.

"At the top of one aisle, the New York Post 's feared Deborah Orin, an aficionado of Swift Boat lore, tried to draw former Public Advocate Mark Green, an early Kerry supporter, into the question of why 264 veterans who served in the same general area as Kerry, if not on his boat, think he's lying about the war."

"'Do you really believe what you say?' Mr. Green, in his standard-issue politician's Oxford-shirt and tie, asked Ms. Orin in apparent wonder."

"'I do believe what I say,' said the reporter, whose metallic blue toenail polish matched her watchband."

"'You are so one-sided,' Mr. Green told her. Then another reporter, from out of town, interrupted. 'Are you still Public Advocate?' he asked Mr. Green."

"'Only in his own mind,' Ms. Orin answered, evenhandedly."

Republican National Convention: the media:

DNC response news. First, tight-lipped communications director Jano Cabrera says that when chairman Terry McAulliffe unveils the Democrats' meta-message for the convention on Thursday, it will encapsulated in three initials. We presume one of them is W.

And the DNC will announce today that Democratic consultant Matt Bennett and wordsmith Jeff Nussbaum will augment the press team in New York City. Nussbaum has a pedigree that includes stints working for Gore, Daschle, and Carville. Bennett worked for Wes Clark's presidential campaign, Americans for Gun Safety, and the Clinton White House.

We can't promise they'll be allowed into the media party.

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

Does anyone want to volunteer a guess on how long it will take for the Kerry-Edwards campaign to round up some Western surrogates to respond to this from today's Los Angeles Times. LINK

"Placing a heavy emphasis on energy production in the American West, the Bush administration has moved aggressively to open up broad areas of largely unspoiled federal land to oil and gas exploration."

The Wall Street Journal 's Gerald Seib finds it fascinating that President Bush is pushing free trade in an election year. LINK

More North-Korea-is-trying-to-get-Kerry-elected-so-it-blasts-Bush coverage: LINK

Ian Bishop of the New York Post dedicates an entire story to a fundraising appeal sent from Jenna and Barbara Bush on behalf of their dad's campaign. LINK

The Manchester Union Leader is happy that President Bush and Mrs. Bush will be in Nashua, NH, on Monday to campaign. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Kerry-Edwards '04:

David Broder has a great look at Kerry's very busy Tuesday: LINK

Elizabeth Edwards visits Pensacola today. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Bush v. Kerry:

The Wall Street Journal 's Jeanne Cummings writes that one of Progress for America Voter Fund ads "opens with the smoky ruins of the Twin Towers and moves to several pictures of Mr. Bush with New York firefighters and other rescue workers." Cummings also reports that new spots will be unveiled in Missouri, Minnesota, and Ohio following the convention and that the current buy is for two weeks at the cost of $1.9 million.

USA Today 's Stephanie Armor reports on how the "buzz over the presidential election is being felt in workplaces as companies mobilize employees to vote and political talk raises questions about free speech on the job." LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin:

Note this well: a liberalish Orlando Sentinel columnist does not believe there's a scandal in the FDLE's investigation into accusations of vote fraud.LINK

African-American activists Florida are going all out to make sure that black voters are treated fairly on Nov. 2. LINK

The front page headline of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reads: "Home heating bills to rise again." LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: battlegrounds:

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (I) is speaking out against the use of the National Guard in the war in Iraq, reports the AP's Ashley Grant. LINK

Nader-Camejo:

Ralph Nader's study in persistence may have paid off. In a three-times-a-charm attempt to make the ballot, supporters say they've turned in more than enough valid signatures to put Nader on Oregon's Nov. 2 presidential ballot.

The AP's Brad Cain reports Nader's peeps arrived at the secretary of state's office yesterday with four cartons of signatures from a dozen counties. A release says they submitted 18,186 names out of 29,000 collected. At least 15,306 valid signatures were needed to qualify.

The SEIU says the Nader campaign waited until the last day to dump signatures so that election officials would have to speed through the validating process, and that's not all they will have to say … LINK

Just when journalists had begun to put Nevada in the "sure thing" column for Nader, Democrats filed suit yesterday to keep him off. LINK

Dave Kolpack at AP ledes with a quote from the candidate himself — rather than a discussion about ballot access! Nader warned a group at North Dakota State University "[I]f voters do not spend as much time becoming informed as they spend as sports fans, they will be forever flattered, fooled and flummoxed by charlatan politicians." Nader believes farmers should be allowed to grow hemp. Petition deadline in ND — Sept. 3. LINK

The AP reports on the trouble with putting ballot decisions, like Nader's status in Michigan, to a partisan review board. LINK

Nader not on the ballot in Maryland. LINK

Nader on the ballot in the state that comes last alphabetically, along side Constitution Party candidate Michael Peroutka. LINK

The numbers look good for him, but it will be nine days until Nader knows he has made the ballot in Virginia. LINK

Dems and GOP "spar" on Nader vote in Wisconsin, where the Nader Factor is running ads. LINK

Joshua Weinstein of the Portland Press Herald writes that two Democrats — including the state party chair — have filed papers with the Maine Secretary of State's office to keep Ralph Nader off the ballot, alleging problems with his petitions. Nader submitted 4,128 signatures on Aug. 16 — 129 more than he needed, Weinstein Notes, and a hearing is expected to be scheduled within a week.LINK

The politics of national security:

The AP's George Gedda appears to have pored through 41's book "A World Transformed" and found evidence that the Senior Bush could have predicted all the post-war problems facing his son. Bush the elder is quoted in the AP on looking back at his Gulf War: "Had we gone the invasion route, the United States could conceivably still be an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land. It would have been a dramatically different — and perhaps barren — outcome." LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: the Senate:

In Alaska, it's Murkowski v. Knowles: LINK

Politics:

The AP's Will Lester reports that many church leaders church goers dislike the new tactic of obtaining church lists to solicit voters — no separation of church and politics. LINK

President Clinton upstaged Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain on their big trip to Iceland Tuesday. LINK

McGreevey:

A new Quinnipiac poll out today shows New Jerseyans split nearly evenly between those who think the Governor should leave office now versus those who think he should stay until Nov. 15. Forty-six percent of those polled say McGreevey should leave now while 48% believe he should remain through mid-November.

The Quinnipiac poll also shows Sen. Corzine emerging from the McGreevey scandal as the beneficiary of some voter good will. The Garden State's senior senator scores his best approval rating to date in the Q-poll (54% approve — 24% disapprove) as well as besting every potential Republican in several hypothetical gubernatorial match-ups including former Governor Christine Whitman.

The New York Post got hold of an e-mail by a Gov. Jim McGreevey staffer to her friends concerning her thoughts and feelings about the events that have taken place over the last two weeks. LINK

"Federal investigators have failed to find evidence that New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey was the victim of extortion, The Post has learned. After quizzing the principals in McGreevey's gay-sex scandal, the probers have concluded preliminarily that what was really was going on was negotiations between attorneys, law-enforcement sources said," reports the New York Post . LINK

Free Matt Cooper:Matt Cooper, freed! LINK

TODAY'S SCHEDULE (all times ET):

—8:00 am: The Republican platform committee meets to draft the convention platform at the Javits Center, New York, NY

—8:45 am: Sen. John Kerry attends a breakfast with African-American community leaders, Philadelphia, PA

—9:00 am: 9/11 Commission Chairman Tom Kean, Commission Vice-Chairman Lee Hamilton, former CIA Director George Tenet, and acting CIA Director John McLaughlin testify before the House Select Intelligence Committee at the Capitol, Washington, DC

—10:00 am: Sen. Kerry holds an event at Steamfitters Local 420 Union, Philadelphia, PA

—10:00 am: People for the American Way Foundation President Ralph Neas and NAACP Chairman Julian Bond hold a news conference on voter intimidation at the National Press Club, Washington, DC

—10:15 am: Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer hosts an online chat at www.gopteamleader.com/chat.asp

—10:20 am: Sen. John Edwards holds a town hall meeting at the Friendly Inn Settlement, Cleveland, OH

—10:30 am: Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, New York Gov. George Pataki, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and others view security equipment outside One Police Plaza and attend a security briefing for the convention, New York, NY

—10:30 am: A media screening for the film "Bush's Brain" is held at E St. Cinema, Washington, DC

—10:35 am: Vice President Cheney speaks at a town hall meeting at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA

—11:00 am: Family Research Council President Tony Perkins unveils the new book "OUTRAGE: How Gay Activists and Liberal Judges Are Trashing Democracy to Redefine Marriage" at a press conference at the Javits Center Pavilion, New York, NY

—11:15 am: Chris Heinz holds a meet and greet with Iowa State University Students, Ames, IA

—12:00 pm: Teresa Heinz Kerry discusses health care costs at the crisis shelter of Lawrence County, New Castle, PA

—12:00 pm: NJ Gov. James McGreevey makes first official public appearance since his resignation announcement, signing bills involving investment in Atlantic City and the casino industry, Atlantic City, NJ

—12:15 pm: Chris Heinz hosts a young professional lunch at Hotel Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, IA

—12:30 pm: Sen. John Warner holds a news conference on prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib and the Fay report at the Capitol, Washington, DC

—1:00 pm: Ralph Nader holds a press conference at Creighton University, Omaha, NE

—1:00 pm: Ed Gillespie, Republican National Chairman, and NJ State Senator Joe Kyrillos, Republican State Chairman, hold press conference to unveil a new television commercial calling on Jim McGreevey to step down now, Hackensack, NJ

—1:20 pm: Vice President Cheney speaks at a campaign rally at Pottsville High, Pottsville, PA

—1:30 pm: Sen. Edwards holds a rally at Warren Community Amphitheater, Warren, OH

—1:30 pm: The Pentagon holds a press briefing on results of an investigation into military intelligence activities at the Abu Ghraib prison facility, Washington, DC

—1:30 pm: Ralph Nader speaks at Creighton University, Omaha, NE

—4:00 pm: Gen. Paul Kern, Lt. Gen. Anthony Jones, and Maj. Gen. George Fay hold a press conference at the Foreign Press Center, Washington, DC

—4:15 pm: Teresa Heinz Kerry attends the Beaver County Kerry/Edwards campaign office opening, Ambridge, PA

—4:50 pm: Vice President Cheney speaks at a campaign rally at Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA

—5:30 pm: Andrew Heinz holds a meet and greet with University of Iowa students, Iowa City, IA

—6:00 pm: Karl Rove appears on Fox News' "Special Report with Brit Hume"

—6:15 pm: Sen. Kerry holds a front porch visit, Green Bay, WI

—7:00 pm: Ralph Nader holds a press conference at Drake University, Des Moines, IA

—7:30 pm: Ralph Nader speaks at Drake University, Des Moines, IA

—8:30 pm: Sen. Edwards speaks at a DNC fundraiser at the Westin, Oklahoma City, OK