The Note

W A S H I N G T O N, Dec. 10—
, 2003 -- Today's Schedule (all times Eastern):

—7:00 am: Gov. Howard Dean appears on all three network morning shows—7:30 am: Gen. Wesley Clark appears on CNN's "American Morning"—7:45 am: Sen. Joseph Lieberman appears on Fox News' "Fox and Friends"—7:45 am: Rep. Dennis Kucinich has breakfast with diners, Portsmouth, N.H.—8:03 am: Sen. Lieberman appears on CNN's "American Morning"—8:15 am: Rep. Richard Gephardt participates in a town hall meeting at the New Hampshire Technical College, Berlin, N.H.—9:00 am: Sen. John Kerry speaks about early education at Little Frogs and Polliwogs School, Manchester, N.H.—9:00 am: Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun attends a corporate responsibility forum at the University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H.—9:15 am: Sen. Lieberman meets with diners at Robin's Place, Dover, N.H.—9:45 am: Off-camera White House press gaggle with Press Secretary Scott McClellan—10:00 am: The Supreme Court convenes—10:00 am: DCCC Chairman Rep. Bob Matsui holds a pen and pen with reporters, D.C.—10:30 am: Gov. Dean is endorsed by the New Hampshire NEA, Concord, N.H.—10:30 am: Rep. Charles Rangel endorses Gen. Wesley Clark for president in Harlem, New York City—10:45 am: Rep. Kucinich holds a press conference at Memorial High School, Manchester, N.H.—11:00 am: Gen. Clark unveils his plan to give all Americans the ability to attend college, Somersworth, NH—11:00 am: Rev. Al Sharpton visits the Aging Senior Luncheon, D.C.—11:00 am: Sen. Lieberman speaks to Concord High students about integrity in government, Concord, N.H.—11:15 am: Virginia Lt. Governor Tim Kaine registers Sen. Lieberman for the Virginia Democratic Primary at the Virginia Board of Elections, Richmond, Va.—11:30 am: Sen. Kerry attends a chili feed at the Earl M. Bourdon Senior Center, Claremont, N.H.—12:00 pm: Sen. John Edwards holds a town hall meeting at Merrimack Restaurant, Manchester, N.H.—12:15 pm: Gov. Dean attends New Hampshire AFL-CIO rally in honor of International Rights Day, Hooksett, N.H.—12:15 pm: Rep. Kucinich attends AFL-CIO International Human Rights Day Rally, Hooksett, N.H.—12:30 pm: On-camera White House press briefing with Press Secretary McClellan—1:35 pm: President Bush meets with the Iraqi principal diplomatic representative and members of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, The White House—2:15 pm: Texas Gov. Rick Perry registers President Bush for the Texas Republican Primary, Austin, Tex.—3:00 pm: Rep. Kucinich holds a press conference at the Northeast Organic Farmers Association, Hopkinton, N.H.—3:30 pm: Sen. Lieberman appears on CNN's "Inside Politics"—6:00 pm: Sen. Kerry attends a chili feed, Nashua, N.H.—6:00 pm: Rep. Kucinich holds a press conference at the Plymouth State Hub fireside lounge, Plymouth, N.H.—6:15 pm: Gov. Dean attends a concert fundraiser featuring Carly Simon at Davio's Restaurant, Boston—7:30 pm: Gen. Clark attends a fundraiser dinner featuring Al Franken at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York City—7:30 pm: Rep. Kucinich attends a house party, Rumney, N.H. —9:15 pm: Gen. Clark attends a late night fundraiser with the Sugar Hill Gang at Club Spirit, New York City

NEWS SUMMARY

SOMEWHERE ALONG 95 SOUTH — Banging out sweeping, rational analysis while bumping along in a rented passenger van with stacks and stacks of cages of trained monkeys is not the easiest thing in the world, but it is the burden we bear.

In the aftermath of a very action-packed Dust-up in Durham, the central narrative in American politics is still about Howard Dean, and the two major plot branches remain

a. Can any Democrat stop Dean?

b. Can Dean beat President Bush?

The five other major candidates for the Democratic nomination and their supporters all believe that the answer to (b) is "no," and that that fact will lead to an answer of "yes" on (a).

Stop reading The Note right now and check out the legendary Tom DeFrank's Daily News piece about how the Bush campaign is trying to stay poker faced regarding how badly they want to face Dean in the general election. LINK

Here is the money quote:

"'The best thing Bush has going for him is that Dean is a weak Michael Dukakis,' a key Bush official told the Daily News. 'Dukakis won 10 states. Unless things turn very bad for Bush, I don't see Dean winning more than five.'"

So last night — in an echo of Bill Clinton's famous profession of relevance — there were impassioned words from the Non-Deans about this nominaton fight not being over, about endorsements not deciding this, about rejecting a coronation, and about anti-bossism.com.

There are a lot of reasons many Democrats with records of success in electoral politics greater than Al Gore's are worried about a Dean nomination.

To list just a few coming out of the debate:

-- There are at least seven people affiliated with the Bush-Cheney campaign who are more familiar with Dean's record as Vermont governor than he is — and can talk about it on terms that will be very compelling to the American people.

-- "Even" the Boston Globe editorial page takes Dean to task today for his squishy answer to Scott Spradling's question last night about Dean's continuing propensity to be loosey-goosey with accusations about President Bush alleged advanced word of 9/11. LINK

"Not ready for primetime on national security," is the mantra.

-- Anything Al Gore is for, some Washington Democrats are (gag) reflexively against.

All five of the leading Dean Alternative candidates showed deft flashes of their core positive messages last night, but none have broken through yet in a way that gives them a clear leg up.

Dean survived the Dust-up and three morning show appearances today, with nary a scratch.

See our debate section below for all the round-ups of last night's action.

Not for the first or last time, we will let Note readers in on a secret (but you can't tell anyone):

Iowa and New Hampshire will matter big time, but the key to the Democratic nomination will almost certainly be the answer to this question:

Do the nation's 12 dominant news organizations treat the "results" of the Feb. 3 election contests as a battle over state "wins" or as a status check of delegate accumulation?

As for Dean, here is what you must read today:

a. Balz and VandeHei fill the Washington Post with a perfectly-pitched "whither questions (a) and (b)?" piece, including the tease that Dean is lining up some gubernatorial endorsements (which have been conspicuous by their absence); whispers of secret Stop Dean meetings in Washington; and a rough ranking of how the Gang of 500 currently sees the Dean Alternative sweepstakes: Clark, Gephardt/Edwards, Kerry, Lieberman, in that order. LINK

b. In a proud, time-honored national ritual, foodie Johnny "R.W." Apple goes on the road and kicks the Dean tires, getting a must-read quote from Tom Daschle on the Gore nod; engaging in some self-parodic concern over the traveling press not getting victuals; and compares The Doctor to RFK, Joe Califano, and a bantam rooster. LINK

c. The Wall Street Journal 's Gerry Seib columnizes on the Fab 5's best-case scenarios for stopping Dean. LINK

d. The Wall Street Journal ed board, not having read the DeFrank story and not getting the Ken Mehlman memo, jumps the gun and begins to reveal the BC04 strategy for painting Dean as a Dukakisian tax raiser.

e. That Globe editorial wrapping Dean on the knuckles.

f. Walter "Mr. Invisible Primary" Shapiro in USA Today on the practicalities and symbolism of Gore's endorsement and Dean's political style.LINK

g. Jeanne Cummings in the Wall Street Journal defies Dennis Kucinich and learns from history by re-looking at how key Dean's money advantage will probably be.

h. Peter Wallsten in the Miami Herald gathers up some "centrist Sunshine State Democrats fear Dean is Dukakis II" on-the-record quotes. LINK

Today, Dean formally gets an endorsement potentially bigger than Gore's (!) - the NEA of New Hampshire. Dean also has other New Hampshire campaign events today.

President Bush meets with the Iraqi principal diplomatic representative and members of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra at the White House today.

Senator Kerry speaks about early education and attends chili feeds in New Hampshire.

Rep. Gephardt participates in a town hall meeting in Berlin, N.H. this morning.

Gen. Clark speaks about Americans' ability to attend college in Somersworth, N.H. this afternoon and attends New York City fundraisers tonight.

Senator Edwards holds a town hall meeting in Manchester, N.H. this afternoon.

Senator Lieberman has multiple TV appearances and speaks about integrity in government in Concord, N.H. today.

Rep. Kucinich speaks throughout New Hampshire today.

Rev. Sharpton campaigns in Washington, D.C. today.

Ambassador Moseley Braun speaks about corporate responsibility in Durham, N.H. this morning.

Dust-up round-up:

The New York Times ' Nagourney and Wyatt report that the Democrats wrestled with the Gore factor in debate. LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Ron Brownstein reports the exchange over the Gore endorsement was key. Mr. Brownstein also heard Howard Dean expand on his post-war plan for Iraq. LINK

USA Today 's Jim Drinkard writes that the nine "hammered President Bush [ … ] for failing to attract international help in Iraq in a debate overshadowed by [Gore's] endorsement of [Dean]." LINK

The Washington Post 's Dan Balz writes, "The opening question set the tone for much of the evening." LINK

The Boston Globe has two write-ups stemming from the Dust-up: Kornblut and Weiss on the field ripping Dean LINK and Johnson on the Granite element of the debate LINK.

But that's nothing compared to the SIX COLUMNS the Globe has on the debate: Lehigh on Clark LINK; Jacoby on Kucinich LINK; Oliphant on Lieberman LINK; Jackson on Kerry LINK; Vennochi on Dean LINK; and Young on the inevitable LINK.

Howie Kurtz details the ABC NEWS preparation for the debate. LINK

Here's a complete transcript: LINK

David Lightman of the Hartford Courant writes the debate was all about the guy who wasn't on the stage, Al Gore. LINK

John DiStaso of the Union Leader highlights the "hard-hitting exchange" exchange early on as well.LINK

The Union Leader also highlights the energetic supporters as the candidates were arriving. We must agree, the showing was impressive. LINK

The Boston Herald's Andres Miga thinks nobody really gained ground against Dean. LINK

Knight Ridder's Hutcheson could smell the candidates' "bitterness" over Gore at the debate. LINK

The Washington Times ' Charles Hurt focuses on the "not-so-likely-to-win-the-nomination" candidates (is that diplomatic enough?).LINK

John Wagner of the Raleigh News & Observer calls last night's debate a Dean-vs.-Them event, with the contenders working to show themselves as viable alternatives to the Gore-blessed frontrunner. LINK

Gore endorses Dean:

The New York Times ' Johnny Apple writes that Dean's role is redefined in the wake of Gore's endorsement — the backing gives him "legitimacy" but also presents Dean "with problems of self-definition." LINK

USA Today 's Susan Page writes that the Gore nod "didn't settle concern among some senior Democrats who believe that President Bush is vulnerable — but probably not to a candidate with Dean's hot rhetoric and lack of national-security experience." LINK

Matea Gold and Mark Z. Barabak of the Los Angeles Times write up Dean's big day. LINK

The New York Times ' Kit Seelye and Jodi Wilgoren report Gore's Dean endorsement was won over time — and under the radar. LINK

Matea Gold provides the tick-tock of the Gore/Dean relationship. What did all those reporters covering Gov. Dean think he was doing on Nov. 4? LINK

Al Gore's late phone call does little to "soothe" Joe Lieberman, says the New York Times .LINK

The Los Angeles Times also has a Lieberman sidebar to the Gore endorsement with a tick-tock of who called whom and when. LINK

The Hartford Courant's David Lightman has some detail on the Gore-Lieberman communication prior to yesterday's brief and "too late" phone call. LINK

USA Today 's Jill Lawrence sees a "new, less hospitable terrain of the Democratic presidential race." LINK

The New York Daily News' Helen Kennedy and Michael Blood team up for endorsement coverage and make good use of the Dust-up in Durham for the other candidates' reactions to Howard Dean's big day. Make sure not to miss the "10 things you should know about Howard Dean" sidebar. LINK

David Saltonstall of the New York Daily News puts the Gore endorsement in a Hillary v. Gore in 2008 context. LINK

The New York Times ' ed board, Noting the "hint of wistfulness, even envy, in Mr. Gore's appreciation of Dr. Dean's go-for-broke style," says it would be a "pity for the nation will be if the most exciting moment in the primary cycle has just occurred." LINK

USA Today 's ed board thinks that the Gore nod "is another sign of how a compressed campaign increases the influence of party insiders at the expense of voters." LINK

Lawrence lays out the tick-tock of the endorsement. LINK

So does the Boston Globe 's Sarah Schweitzer. LINK

Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page answers the questions of "why now, why dean?" for the Gore nod: "Gore wants to be a player." LINK

The Des Moines Register 's Tom Beaumont on the reason for the nod and the Dean reaction. LINK

The Register's Roos on Gore's love for Iowa. LINK

The Boston Herald's Guarino and Miga on "bossism." LINK

Knight Ridder's Kuhnhenn thinks the nod that could seal the deal. LINK

Slate's Saletan asks who gets to decide the nomination — voters or Al Gore? LINK

Richard Daley and Dick Durbin weigh in on the Gore endorsement. LINK

Clark supporter Rep. Charlie Rangel "charged that former Vice President Al Gore 'polarized' the campaign by dropping into an event in Harlem to endorse the presidential candidate."LINK

The New York Post 's endorsement story plays up the Lieberman angle big time. LINK

Deborah Orin writes the endorsement had as much to do with Al Gore as it did with Howard Dean. LINK

William March of the Tampa Tribune reports that the Gore endorsement now alienates Florida primary voters by making their March 9 voting seem irrelevant. Hmmmm … No comment other than to ask whether or not Florida voters have felt alienated before?LINK

The Charlotte Observer's Funk and Morrill say the Gore nod for Dean could take Feb. 3 off the table for Edwards, Clark and Lieberman, who need the contests that day to stay alive if they don't finish strong in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Giveth and taketh away? Al Gore introduced John Edwards to the national political stage by considering him for VP in 2000. Now, by lining up behind Dean, Gore just delivered a blow to his presidential bid, writes Eric Dyer of the Greensboro News and Record. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: The Invisible Primary:

Tom Hamburger looks at the battleground states of 2004 in the Wall Street Journal , and the hand-to-hand (or cash-to-cash, door-to-door) combat that will ensue in the 15 states with the tightest margins last time around. Vilmain and Mehlman are duly Noted and quoted.

The Washington Post 's Brian Faler writes, "Forget soccer moms and NASCAR dads. The key voter group for 2004: female entrepreneurs." LINK

Dean:

The Washington Post 's VandeHei and Balz write that Dean's "electability and temperament are fueling an active, though disorganized, movement to stop him." LINK

The Wall Street Journal 's Jeanne Cummings looks at money as a barometer to measure the likelihood of a candidate becoming the nominee, and suggests that history — or a historical view of campaign coffers, anyway --- is on Howard Dean's side.

The New York Observer's Joe Conason sees an unstoppable Howard Dean and reminds the good doctor of his warnings about "buyer's remorse" and the early primary calendar. LINK

From ABC News' Dean campaign reporter Reena Singh:

On the plane during yesterday's whirlwind Gore announcement tour, Tom McMahon, Dean's deputy campaign manager for operations, unfolded the tale of how the endorsement evolved. It started with a note that Dean wrote to Gore about the Vice President's September 2002 speech criticizing military action in Iraq. The fan mail grew into regular conversations and advice from Gore on speeches and running a campaign.

Last Friday, a phone call regarding Dean's new foreign policy speech, which debuts Dec. 15 in Los Angeles, turned into an unsolicited endorsement offer by Gore. But Dean needed to keep the deal under wraps; even campaign manager Joe Trippi was iced until Sunday.

In the He Said/He Said category, the Dean camp said yesterday that Gore had every intention of calling Senator Lieberman late Monday night, but then the story "leaked" to the AP. Trippi said that he learned before the Harlem event that Gore had called Lieberman, but was unable to get through to him.

Read more from the trail with Dean on abcnews.com: LINK

Kerry:

From ABC News' Kerry campaign reporter Ed O'Keefe:

Senator Kerry, visibly lagging from his red-eye flight from fundraiser-rich California the previous night, arrived 45 minutes late to his thrice relocated pre-debate rally. Bare bagpiper legs and the chattering teeth of area college co-eds in tow, the Senator led an estimated two hundred college-aged supporters and International Association of Fire Fighters union members through the satellite truck littered campus of the University of New Hampshire.

In addition to the bus load of students and frozen firefighters, Kerry traveled to the Dust-Up in Durham with no shortage of senior staff and advisers. Among the rarer 'Kerry Travel Bingo' finds spotted with the likes of the more standard Shaheen-Reardon-Robinson-Cutter-Cam-Wade team was controversial speechmeister/image maker Bob Shrum. Though the Kerry campaign made little spectacle of Shrum's presence, the Washington-based adviser followed the candidate closely all night.

During the debate itself, Kerry made little news. Kerry did something he's never done before after a debate — he made an appearance in the spin room. Though he ostensibly arrived solely for a pair of live interviews on MSNBC and CNN, he could not avoid the crush of network and local cameras. Kerry added little to his earlier comments making the appearance itself most Notable.

Read more from the trail with Kerry on abcnews.com: LINK

Gephardt:

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Bill McClellan writes, "Gephardt used to be Mr. Labor." LINK

From ABC News' Gephardt campaign reporter Sally Hawkins:

Jane Gephardt toured New Hampshire for the past two days, logging in over 700 miles and delivering numerous speeches for her husband's campaign — speeches she admittedly does not love to give.

At a post-debate rally at the hopping Libby's Bar & Grill in downtown Durham, Rep. Gephardt thanked the crowd for their support as they clapped and cheered. He then transitioned into his usual thanks to his wife, but, looking around the room, he couldn't find her. "She's having a beer!" he yelled. "Come on up here, Jane!"

Earlier in the day, the Gephardts met each other at a Portsmouth housewares store for some pre-debate Christmas shopping. Their goal: to purchase a "home starter kit" for a needy family who the campaign is sponsoring through a local charity. The often shy Jane handled the press and supporters with ease.

When the Gephardts made it to the counter to pay for their wares, one reporter joked, "What are you going to get Howard Dean for Christmas this year?"

Gephardt, always careful, chose not to answer that one. Jane, however, picked up a small, black, oddly shaped item from the countertop display, help it up and grinned. It was a lump of black licorice in clear plastic wrap labeled, "Coal."

Read more from the trail with Gephardt on abcnews.com: LINK

Clark:

Talking to Bill Hemmer on CNN's American Morning, Gen. Wesley Clark was asked if he would take the number-two spot on a Dean ticket and said: "Well, I've never really addressed that question with myself. And I will tell you why. This election is going to be about national security … . I'm running to be the commander-in-chief."

The Boston Globe 's Joanna Weiss reports on Clark's suggestion Tuesday "that President Bush bears some responsibility for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, saying the administration had been warned about the threat of Osama bin Laden but did not act quickly enough to prevent the tragedy." LINK

From ABC News' Clark campaign reporter Deborah Apton:

The lesson General Clark had to learn on the campaign trail yesterday: It's never too late.

First, it's never too late to get to a debate. At 6:40 pm, ET all the candidates had arrived at the Johnson Theater, except Gen. Clark. At 6:45 pm ET the heat was on inside as ABC and DNC staff called the campaign trying to figure out what was keeping the Clark convoy was. At 6:50 pm ET, they gathered by the door, waiting for The General to put make-up on him should he arrive. He finally walked in at 6:52 pm ET that he walked in with his wife and brother-in-law in tow.

The campaign said they got lost for 45 minutes. Luckily, General Clark didn't miss a beat — live at 7:00 pm, he made it on stage — made-up, hair spritzed. Perhaps he's getting used to getting lost - earlier that same day, the Clark convoy (Clark's van, the staff van, two press vans, and a single car driving Eli Siegel) got lost going from a Dover campaign stop to a New Castle event. Needless to say, the whole caravan ended up in Maine before realizing that they were headed the wrong way.

Read more from the trail with Clark on abcnews.com: LINK

Edwards:

The Chicago Tribune profiles John Edwards, the "man from Robbins" who is running as a "pleasant populist."LINK

Seems to be a theme today. The Wall Street Journal 's Jake Schlesinger profiles the populist side of John Edwards.

From ABC News' Edwards campaign reporter Gloria Riviera:

As he left the debate hall, Edwards had no winter coat, hat or gloves on a 12-degree night, just his standard issue blue-suit-red-tie combo, hair boom-sha-lacka-lacka-boomed into an aerodynamic flip over his brow. He seemed anxious to leave. He said the Gore news "was a distraction and kept us from talking about the serious issues." Earlier that day Edwards told Oklahoma Public Television that he has a lot of respect for Al Gore but he expected the election would be decided by independent-thinking voters.

State Senator Lou D'Alessandro was big Gore supporter in 2000 who announced his endorsement of Edwards in early November. He said "our guy did okay" but major topics were overlooked, citing a factory closing in Manchester, NH that could leave over 500 people without jobs.

Across the street a crowd of about 50 supporters gathered to watch the debate in Murphy's bar. Afterwards Edwards dropped by and hopped on a ledge at the end of one room, rolling up his shirtsleeves and holding an unscheduled town hall meeting for just over half an hour.

Read more from the trail with Edwards on abcnews.com: LINK

Lieberman:

On "Fox and Friends this morning, Senator Joe Lieberman said that the first he heard about Gore's endorsement of Dean was "through the media."

In response to comments from Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi that Gore tried to call Lieberman several times, Lieberman said that there "were no calls" before he heard on the news. "Facts are tough things," the Connecticut Senator said. "I heard about it from the media and didn't hear from Al until hours later."

The Washington Post 's Balz and Walsh have Lieberman's reaction to the Gore news: (if you haven't heard) not good. LINK

And the Post 's Leibovich and Rosin examine the art of the heads-up. The Palm Beach Post touches on possible reasons for Senator Joe Lieberman's lack of support with Florida voters. Thanks for clearing that up for us.

LINK

From ABC News' Lieberman campaign reporter Talesha Reynolds:

Overnight Senator Lieberman's mood went from pure shock over Vice President Gore's endorsement of Howard Dean to pure energy. Lieberman told ABC News he was "taciturn" Monday night, but today he was, at least outwardly, upbeat.

When asked how he planned to get even with Gore, Lieberman thought a moment and said, "I'm going to get even by winning the nomination."

Late in the day, reports began to circulate that Vice President Gore actually did attempt to call Senator Lieberman after the news was leaked but never reached the candidate. Following the Durham debate, Lieberman confirmed that "a call was placed from Al Gore's office" Monday evening, but Lieberman was at an event. Regardless of prior attempts, Lieberman maintained that the call was too late.

Expect the Lieberman camp to continue to work the victim/victorious plotline for as long as possible. On a media blitz Tuesday, Lieberman asserted that "No pundits or political endorsements are gonna decide who gets this nomination. It's the people that have the power to do that, and I'm taking my case to them."

Read more from the trail with Lieberman on abcnews.com: LINK

Kucinich:

From ABC News' Kucinich campaign reporter Melinda Arons:

Kucinich used the debate to strongly voice the frustration he and his supporters feel on the trail every day — that the mainstream media focuses on money and polls and ignores substantive issues.

Kucinich was "on," and his staff was thrilled — finally here was the candidate they know and love and have been waiting to see come out on a national stage. It was a total role reversal; usually the Kucinich staff is so bitter with the networks for (as they see it) cheating Kucinich out of a chance to shine that they've taken to preemptively emailing the relevant network with complaints before the debate even starts.

Read more from the trail with Kucinich on abcnews.com: LINK

Sharpton:

From ABC News' Sharpton campaign reporter Beth Loyd:

Sharpton is on the offensive again — this time criticizing Gore as he did Jesse Jackson, Jr. a couple of months ago.

Sharpton is scheduled to meet with former President Clinton today.

After the debate, Sharpton responded to Dean's "please don't attack my friend Gore" plea. Sharpton said, "Dean said to attack him, not Gore. That's cool. I can do that."

Another development sure to ruffle Sharpton's feathers: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. sent out a press release praising Al Gore for endorsing Dean as a "pivotal moment on the road to the White House." Sharpton responded, "If Reverend Jackson thinks it's a key and pivotal statement that's wonderful. I supported Reverend Jackson against Mr. Gore. I support Reverend Sharpton against Mr. Gore's choice."

Read more from the trail with Sharpton on abcnews.com: LINK

Moseley Braun:

From Moseley Braun campaign reporter Monica Ackerman:

In the spin room After the debate, Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, still recovering from bronchitis, finally commented on Al Gore's endorsement. "I was as surprised by it as everyone else. He didn't owe me a phone call, but I was a little surprised he didn't call Joe Lieberman. He has made his own decisions."

Yet another endorsement question. Moseley Braun's campaign was quick to send out a statement on former Senator Paul Simon's death. The ambassador called Simon a "dear friend". When Ted Koppel asked her about the possibility of Al Gore transferring some of his African-American allegiance to Howard Dean, the Ambassador defaulted by discussing Paul Simon. " … I just spoke with Paul on Sunday before he died today, and we had a conversation because he had endorsed Governor Dean in Iowa. And he was going to great lengths to explain to me that he liked you, Governor Dean, he loved me, and that it didn't mean that he was detracting from his endorsement of my candidacy at all."

Read more from the trail with Moseley Braun on abcnews.com: LINK

Iowa:

Des Moines just caught wind of Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey making fun of them. LINK

Big Casino budget politics:

The New York Times ' David Firestone reports that Senate won't vote on spending until 2004. LINK

The Wall Street Journal 's David Rogers calls the Senate's adjournment "a major embarrassment for Republicans, who had vowed to end such practices when the party took control of Congress in the 2002 elections."

After promising huge amounts of money to fight poverty and AIDS, the president's budget for the 2005 fiscal year will include about $3.6 billion in spending for the Millennium Challenge Account and other spending for AIDS, reports the Wall Street Journal 's Michael Phillips. The expected budget line considerably rolls back the White House's earlier promise.

Big Casino budget politics: Medicare:

The New York Times ' Robert Pear reports Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson will exit his office before the Medicare drug benefit takes effect in 2006. LINK

USA Today 's Julie Appleby reports, "The Republican governor of New Hampshire and the Democratic mayor of Boston launched programs Tuesday to allow residents to buy lower-cost drugs from Canada, adding momentum to a growing movement that would defy the Food and Drug Administration." LINK

The Boston Globe 's Christopher Rowland writes, "Though Massachusetts officials have rejected the idea of importing drugs for state employees, New England is emerging as an epicenter of interest in Canadian drug importation. The decision by Benson, a Republican, also emphasizes the bipartisan appeal of Canadian importation." LINK

Big casino state budget

Politics:The Wall Street Journal 's Jackie Calmes looks at how the economic recovery is playing in the states. Given the tax cuts that have shrunk states' revenues, coupled with increased spending and the bleak job picture over the last two years, most are hoping they've hit rock bottom and are on their way back, Calmes Notes.

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

Public support for the war in Iraq bounced back to its highest levels since August, a new USA Today /CNN/Gallup poll found. President Bush's job approval rating rose to 55 percent from a pre-Thanksgiving 50 percent and "six in 10 approved of the decision to go to war and a similar six in 10 said the situation in Iraq was worth going to war over."

"Political analysts suggest the positive impact from President Bush's surprise Thanksgiving Day trip to Iraq and a relatively low level of U.S. deaths over the past two weeks might be driving the rise."LINK

The politics of national security:

Paybacks are a …

The United States bars three theoretically allied nations, France, Germany, and Russia, from reconstruction contracts in Iraq in order to protect American "essential security interests."LINK

More on the contract story from:The Washington Post : LINK USA Today : LINKThe Los Angeles Times: LINK

Meanwhile "the United States government is paying the Halliburton Company an average of $2.64 a gallon to import gasoline and other fuel to Iraq from Kuwait, more than twice what others are paying to truck in Kuwaiti fuel," reports the New York Times . LINK

The Los Angeles Times ' Esther Schrader reports on Pentagon plans to "rotate a quarter of a million troops into and out of Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan early next year in a massive and risky undertaking that could leave them highly vulnerable to attacks during the changeover." LINK

In a move already angering some in conservative circles, the president has warned Taiwan's leaders "not to pursue a referendum that has angered mainland China." LINK

Former Senator Bob Kerrey will join the federal commission investigating September 11.LINK

The economy:

The Wall Street Journal 's Greg Ip reports that the Fed voted unanimously to leave interest rates unchanged on Tuesday but said the "considerable period" for which the rates will remain low may be finite, as concerns about deflation are no longer as acute.

Bush Administration strategy/personality:

The Washington Post 's Mike Allen reports on Secretary Martinez's resignation and possible Senate run in Florida. LINK

Did you know former Housing Secretary Mel Martinez was the guy who took Elian Gonzalez to Disney World before he became a cabinet secretary? Read that and more in this write-up of Martinez' job-quitting in the Orlando Sentinel.LINK

More on the resignation from the St. Petersburg Times LINK and the Palm Beach Post LINK.

Politics:

Former Illinois Senator Paul Simon died yesterday at age 75 following heart surgery this week. We at The Note send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

The Chicago Sun Times remembers Paul Simon. LINK

The Washington Post 's T.R. Reid reports on the fallout in South Dakota of the guilty verdict for Rep. Janklow. LINK

During his CNN interview yesterday, Gov. Schwarzenegger retreated from two campaign promises according to the Los Angeles Times.LINK

ABC Vote 2003: The city by the bay:

Democrat Gavin Newsom defeated Green candidate Matt Gonzalez 53%-47% to succeed Mayor Willie Brown as San Francisco's next mayor. LINK