The Note

W A S H I N G T O N, Dec. 2—
, 2003 -- Today's Schedule (all times Eastern):

—8:15 am: Sen. Joe Lieberman meets locals at a diner, Littleton, N.H.—9:25 am: President Bush signs H.R. 3182, the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003, White House—9:30 am: Sen. John Edwards meets with Wayne County Democratic activists, Corydon, Iowa—10:00 am: The Supreme Court convenes—10:15 am: Sen. Lieberman speaks to students at New Hampshire Community Technical College, Berlin, N.H.—10:45 am: Sen. Edwards meets with Decatur County Democratic activists, Lamoni, Iowa—10:45 am: Sen. Lieberman opens regional field office, Berlin, N.H. —10:55 am: Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun speaks at Rock Valley College, Rockford, Ill.—11:30 am: Gov. Howard Dean discusses the economy at IBEW Union Hall Local 405, Cedar Rapids, Iowa—12:05 pm: President Bush attends a Bush-Cheney 2004 fundraiser, Pittsburgh—12:30 pm: Sen. Lieberman speaks to students at Kennett Sr. High School, Conway, N.H.—12:35 pm: Gov. Dean meets with Marshalltown residents, Marshalltown Community College, Marshalltown, Iowa—2:00 pm: Sen. John Kerry addresses Boston University students, Boston—2:45 pm: Sen. Edwards meets with Taylor County Democratic activists, Bedford, Iowa—3:00 pm: President Bush participates in a photo opportunity with NASCAR drivers, White House—3:00 pm: Rep. Dennis Kucinich meets with labor leaders, New York City—3:45 pm: Gov. Dean meets with students at Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa—4:00 pm: Sen. Edwards meets with Adams County Democratic activists, Corning, Iowa—4:15 pm: Rep. Kucinich and labor leaders hold a press conference, New York City—5:15 pm: Sen. Edwards meets with Page County Democratic activists, Clarinda, Iowa—5:30 pm: Gov. Dean meets with Newton residents, DMACC-Newton Conference Center, Newton, Iowa—5:30 pm: Sen. Lieberman speaks to disabled veterans at bingo dinner, Portsmouth, N.H.—6:15 pm: Gen. Wesley Clark participates in a youth forum, St. Anselm College, Manchester, N.H.—6:30 pm: Sen. Edwards meets with Fremont County Democratic activists, Sidney, Iowa—7:00 pm: Sen. Lieberman attends a town hall meeting, Rochester, N.H.—7:15 pm: Gen. Clark attends an event with Alpine Club endorsers, Manchester, N.H.—7:15 pm: Sen. Lieberman will appear live and take calls on C-SPAN from Rochester, N.H.—7:45 pm: Sen. Edwards meets with Mills County Democratic activists, Glenwood, Iowa—11:30 pm: Rep. Richard Gephardt appears on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

NEWS SUMMARY

Is Howard Dean dominating another Invisible Primary news cycle?

Yes.

Does he have a tight-knit, shockingly ad hoc group of advisers?

Yes. LINK

Are questions being raised — still and again — about his draft history?

You betcha. LINK

Is there something fishy about his sealing of Vermont records?

Sure. LINK and LINK

Does Dean get "exasperated" when "asked the same question repeatedly"?

We have seen it with our own eyes. LINK

Is helping raise money for Congressman Boswell in Iowa another brilliant Trippi-ng-the-light-fantastic move?

Yup. LINK

Is Dean's own fundraising advantage over his Democratic rivals getting bigger?

Oh, yeah. LINK

And, because of all of the above, are there plenty of Democratic members of Congress (and Bush political operatives) who share the view of Yale junior Zack Jones (of dear old Davenport College), who writes in the Yale Daily News:

"Dean has run a fantastic campaign by tapping into a very real anger that exists among many Democrats, including this one. I believe Dean when he says he wants to be the candidate for everybody, even guys with Confederate flags on the backs of their pickup trucks. Unfortunately, the reality is that Dean can only be the candidate for people with Darwin fishes on the backs of their Volvos and rainbow decals on the backs of their Jettas. He's not a bad guy, but if he's our standard bearer, Democrats are in deep poop." LINK

And, thus, the Nation's political eye turns to the head of the pass — one week from tonight, when Dean's 8 rivals face off against him in the Dust-up in Durham, the year's final debate — before a huge New Hampshire audience on mega-powerhouse WMUR, and a huge national audience on Nightline and C-SPAN.

There are four additional must-reads today.

--Kit Seelye in the New York Times on the Electoral College map and the Big 15. LINK

There's nothing quite like seeing Jim Mulhall pull out words like "destiny" a mere 48 days from the Iowa caucuses.

--The Wall Street Journal 's Jeanne Cummings smartly lays out the land of 5-plus-2-equals-7. We ask you to take our quiz to find out which influential Dem in the World of Outside Groups is not mentioned in this piece?

1) Ellen Malcolm2) Steve Rosenthal3) Mike Lux4) John Podesta5) Cecile RichardsWinners receive our undying respect (we are all out of T-shirts, what with the holiday rush and all!) and affection. LINK

--The New York Times lead story — and others — on the suddenly gushing-like-a-geyser economy. LINK;

--The Wall Street Journal 's Greg Jaffe on the Army's decision to allow combat units returning from duty to temporarily fall below combat-readiness levels. Anyone got a copy of the 2000 debates handy?

President Bush signs an adoption bill, attends a Pittsburgh fundraiser, and takes a picture with NASCAR drivers today.

Gov. Dean campaigns and speaks about the economy today in Iowa.

Rep. Gephardt appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Sen. Kerry speaks to students in Boston today.

Gen. Clark campaigns in New Hampshire.

Sen. Edwards campaigns in Iowa.

Sen. Lieberman speaks about the economy and tax policy throughout New Hampshire.

Amb. Moseley Braun is in Rockford, Ill. this morning.

Rev. Al Sharpton continues to rehearse in New York for Saturday Night Live.

Rep. Kucinich is in New York City meeting with labor leaders.

The Dust-up in Durham:

Precisely one week from today, on Dec. 9 at 7 pm ET, ABC News and WMUR will host a debate in Durham, N.H., on the campus of the University of New Hampshire, with all nine Democratic presidential candidates.

As you know, the whole shootin' match will be seen that evening on an extended version of Nightline, shown live on WMUR and on C-SPAN.

Also: ABC News Radio will provide a specially formatted two-hour version of the debate, including post-debate analysis, to its 4,000 affiliates at 9 pm ET. ABC News Live, the 24/7 streaming video news network available at ABCNEWS.com, will carry the debate also.

And the C-SPAN pre- and post- bonus coverage is going to make those of you foolish enough not to come up for the debate feel ALMOST as if you are there.

Although some have mocked Walter Shapiro for publishing a book about this campaign before the voting starts, we say it's never too early for campaign history.

Here, then, to get you in the New Hampshire mood, is a timeline of what has happened to date this year in the Granite State's political firmament. It makes for a great read, but it is also perfect for making flash cards and suitable for framing.

Feb. 1, 2003: "PrimarilyNewHampshire.com" begins documenting contemporary campaign culture by photographing and recording a year in the lives of 25 young campaign staffers dedicated to democracy.

Feb. 1, 2003: Senator John Kerry's campaign is inundated with grey Eddie Bauer sweaters with the arrival of former Shaheen operative Ken Robinson as state director.

Feb. 14, 2003: Karen Hicks appointed New Hampshire State Director by Gov. Howard Dean; veteran Democratic spokesperson Colin Van Ostern has yet another birthday.

Feb. 19, 2003: Senator John Edwards has a magic moment at Page Belting in Concord.

Feb. 23, 2003: Julie Teer named communications director of the New Hampshire Republican Party.

Feb. 29, 2003: Howard Fineman and Chris Matthews speculate about Senator Hillary Clinton's entering the New Hampshire primary.

March 13, 2003: Ray Buckley endorses Senator Joseph Lieberman.

March 21, 2003: American Research Group poll shows Gov. Dean catching Senator Kerry in New Hampshire.

March 27, 2003: Gary Hart comes to New Hampshire to test the waters about possible '04 race. He finds them polluted by too much money.

April 5, 2003: Rev. Al Sharpton attends the New Hampshire Democratic 100 Club annual fundraiser. He promises to come back but doesn't say when.

April 9, 2003: At least three "Draft Clark" sites spring up.

April 28, 2003: Time.com posts story quoting Gov. Dean telling New Hampshire audience that the U.S. "won't always have the strongest military." Dean's comment is instantly attacked by Senator Kerry adviser Chris Lehane, who says Dean's comment raises "serious questions" about his "capacity to serve as commander-in-chief."

April 31, 2003: Howard Fineman and Joe Scarborough speculate about Hillary Clinton's entering the New Hampshire primary.

May 3, 2003: The Old Man of the Mountain collapses in a rock slide.

May 27, 2003: Mike Palamuso (Team Edwards) takes first place at PoliticsNH.com's campaign karaoke championship with a dazzling and moving rendition of Will Smith's "Getting Jiggy With It."

June 25, 2003: House Democratic Leader Peter Burling endorses Rep. Gephardt.

June 30, 2003: Senator Edwards holds the first of 100 "Town Hall Meetings" in Concord.

July 3, 2003: Senator Lieberman unveils two "Joe Mobiles" in 4th of July Parade in Amherst and Merrimack. Howard Dean and John Kerry prove that they barely and rarely perspire.

July 25, 2003: Late night, inter-campaign BBQ hosted by Delana Jones (Dean Team) and Kinsey Casey (Edwards Team) draws SRO crowd and spawns multiple, inter-campaign trysts.

July 30, 2003: Dorie Clark and Judy Reardon do their best Alexis and Krystal imitations, making even Kevin Landrigan smile.

Aug. 18, 2003: Gov. Dean and Rep. Gephardt win opening round of softball games: Gov. Dean's campaign defeats Senator Lieberman's team, 13-7; and Dick Gephardt's gang topples John Edwards' team, 14-5, in the opening day of a softball tournament of New Hampshire presidential campaign staffs.

Aug. 22, 2003: New campaign bar tab record set at the Black Brimmer, surpassing the previous record set the previous night at the Wild Rover, which had surpassed a new record set the previous night at Strange Brew.

Aug. 23, 2003: Senator Kerry's campaign beats Gov. Dean's campaign to become New Hampshire softball champion.

Aug. 30, 2003: Gov. Dean draws what is believed to be a world record 1,200 people to a house party in tiny Walpole, N.H. (pop. 3,594).

Sept.12, 2003: Gov. Dean astonishes ABC News' George Stephanopoulos with his Greek dancing prowess at St. George's Greek Orthodox Church Glendi festival.

Sept. 23, 2003: Former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen endorses Senator Kerry.

Sept. 24, 2003: Hugh Gregg, former New Hampshire governor and one of the New Hampshire primary's staunchest protectors, passes away.

Sept. 31, 2003: Howard Fineman, Chris Matthews, and Joe Scarborough speculate about Hillary Clinton's entering the New Hampshire primary.

Oct. 10, 2003: Steve Bouchard is named Gen. Wesley Clark's New Hampshire state director.

Oct. 30, 2003: State Senator Lou D'Allesandro endorses Senator Edwards.

Nov. 5, 2003: Rep. Dennis Kucinich appeals for a date.

Nov. 11, 2003: Senator Kerry launches his "Aircraft Carrier" ad as the first to feature President Bush on the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Nov. 13, 2003: Protesters at Dartmouth College wrap themselves in Confederate flag at a Dean event.

Nov. 18, 2003: Gov. Dean holds up his stethoscope at the AARP forum.

Nov. 18, 2003: Senator Kerry is received by hundreds at his first chili feed … and later proves his Ms. Pac Man prowess.

Nov. 25, 2003: Senator Lieberman unveils New Hampshire ad featuring McCain supporters.

New Hampshire:

We wonder how many Democratic presidential candidates will make use of this story at next week's debate. LINK

"More than 500 members of three New Hampshire National Guard units got orders over the weekend that they will be mobilized next month in support of operations in Iraq."

"The call-up is the largest mobilization of New Hampshire units since the end of World War II, Guard spokesmen said."

The economy:

Blistering, smoking, blazing, gushing, racing — insert adjective here. The recent spate of good economic news, from overall growth to upward movement in sectors from manufacturing to homebuilding and what appears to be a rebounding stock market (LINK) is like a ray of sunshine to certain folks with a residence on Pennsylvania Avenue and campaign headquarters in Arlington. Foreign policy issues and Democratic attacks aside, it's hard to overestimate how an economic upturn — particularly when voters may actually feel a benefit by Election Day — can turn around sagging approval ratings and at least partially de-fang the Democratic Gang of 9 who are trying to hand President Bush a pink slip.

The Wall Street Journal 's Michael Schroeder reports that activity in the manufacturing sector revved up in November, increasing at a more rapid rate than it has in 20 years. The Institute for Supply Management reported Monday that its manufacturing index rose to 62.8 in November — up from 57 the month before. Construction spending grew nearly a full point — 0.9 percent — in October, and home building jumped as well. Schroeder doesn't pull out the old "blistering" categorization, but he does quote an economist calling the indexes "astonishing."

Meanwhile, the price of homes rose 5.61 percent during the year ended in September, reports the Wall Street Journal 's Patrick Barta. Prices (and therefore appreciation) rose in all 50 states and D.C., Barta Notes, with the New York market cooling down a bit.

USA Today 's Sue Kirchhoff plays the voice of reason: "Economists cautioned against reading too much into one month's worth of data. Even as the economy has improved in recent months, for instance, factory jobs have continued to disappear." LINK

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

The New York Times ' Kit Seelye plays around with an abacus to give us an analysis of the 2004 electoral map and find that President Bush and the Republicans have a net gain of seven electoral votes.

"The shift in the electoral map means that the Republicans have a crucial cushion going into the 2004 presidential campaign. Mr. Bush could hold all the states he won in 2000 except for, say, West Virginia and its five electoral votes, and still win in 2004. The Democrats have no such room for error. They must hold all the states Mr. Gore won and add to them to make up the difference."

BC04 Chief Strategist Matt Dowd weighs in: "Before a vote is cast, we've increased our margin," Dowd said. "In a race that's very close, those small readjustments in the electoral map will have significance."

Jim Mulhall, communications strategist for the Democratic National Committee, sounded rather George McFly-esque but agreed with Dowd's take: "The map is destiny for both campaigns." LINK

President Bush talked about job creation and an improving economy to Michigan yesterday and raised $750,000 for his re-election campaign in a state that he lost in 2000. LINK

The president continued on to New Jersey, another state that went for Gore in 2000, for a campaign event that brought in $1 million. "No Republican presidential candidate has carried the state since Bush's father did so in 1988," the Newark Star-Ledger reports. LINK

Washington Post 's Allen reports on the president's fund-raising swing, where he spoke about specific economic indicators: "Bush has generally avoided trumpeting specific economic statistics, even as they began turning upward in recent months, because he wants to convey the message that he will not be satisfied until every person who wants a job can find a job."LINK

Alan Murray writes that Bush started out portraying himself as a decent Reaganite, but without the ability to admit mistakes or change course in mid-stream, sticking to an economic program that doesn't address what's wrong. Murray then draws a loaded comparison between the president and what he calls Bush's conservative bookend: Richard M. Nixon, arguing that the two share "an unbounded desire for a second term, even at the expense of taxpayers."

The politics of steel:

The Wall Street Journal 's Carlos Tejada and Neil King look at how steelmakers are reacting to President Bush's expected abandonment of steel tariffs. The recovering industry could end up weakened, they argue. And it's a safe bet that the still up-in-the-air decision will come up at the Bush-Cheney '04 fundraiser in Pittsburgh tonight hosted by Thomas J. Usher, president and CEO of U.S. Steel — particularly with a demonstration outside planned by U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers of America.

But don't expect President Bush to say anything on the tariffs today in "Steel City," the AP reports. LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Ed Chen writes that while the president touched on several potential campaign issues on his fund-raising trips yesterday, he avoided addressing the steel tariffs.LINK

The Boston Globe on the steel issue:

"Bush advisers said a decision to remove the tariffs would be an example of their favorite axiom — good policy makes for good politics — and denied that they were viewing the matter the other way around, as Democrats have charged. 'The combination of good politics and good government is actually true here, and would be even if the president weren't running for reelection,' an administration official said."LINK

USA Today on the potential political fallout from the steel tariffs: LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: The Invisible Primary:

Well, not everybody can opt out. AP's Sharon Thiemer writes that some Democratic candidates are getting a financial boost from the public financing system as they head into next month's primaries. LINK

The land of 5-plus-2-equals-7:

As mentioned earlier, those looking to better understand the new math when it comes to soft money and the Left must read the Wall Street Journal 's Jeanne Cummings today.

Speaking of the leftward progress from the outside, ABC News' Gayle Tzemach has learned the folks at Moveon.org (those same ones who've garnered nearly as much media attention in recent days as Black Friday!) say they plan to spend $2 million on a five-state, 17-market ad buy that begins Thursday. More details to come on a Wednesday morning conference call hosted by one Stanley Greenberg. Topic? The $87 billion Iraq supplemental, we are told. Say the Moveon-ers, this "is the first in a series of ad campaigns planned under the potential $15 million fundraising budget earmarked for battleground states. Other ads will appear regularly through March 2004."

Stay tuned, folks.

Salon reports the 527s are in the thick of the race for Hollywood hearts, minds, and money, reporting "Tuesday in Beverly Hills, Laurie David, 'Seinfeld's' Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 'The Fabulous Baker Boys' producer Julie Bergman and a number of other politically active individuals from the entertainment industry will host a meeting to introduce — and solicit contributions for — two such groups, America Coming Together and the Media Fund, which are working together to get out the vote and buy anti-Bush advertising. The meeting — which Matt Drudge has hyped as a 'Hate Bush' event — is a step in educating former 'soft money' contributors about the opportunities presented by 527s, said an adviser to one of the celebrities involved in hosting the event." LINK

Page Six has some of the guest list. LINK

Lloyd Grove does some investigative reporting in the New York Daily News and seems to debunk the "Hate" part. LINK

As does a source familiar with preparations for the Tuesday gathering, who tells ABC News' Gayle Tzemach that the invitation does not have "Hate Bush" in the title.

"What the invitation actually said was 'a mandatory meeting to change the leadership in America in 2004," said the source.

Democratic organizers (or shall we say brain trust-ees?) Steve Rosenthal, Ellen Malcolm, and Harold Ickes are slated to address the group of Hollywood-ers. There's no ticket to the event, which is part of a West Coast swing through California and Seattle. The idea is to "raise money, to get people interested and jazzed up so they will want to participate in both ACT and the Media Fund."

Said this source, "Clearly we are having an impact — there's been too much attention coming from the Republicans not to think that."

Dean:

"I'll unseal mine if he will unseal his." Some words for the history books — at least if Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie has anything to say about it. RNC spokesman Jim Dyke tells The Note that The Chairman will deliver a speech tonight on Gov. Dean's home turf of Vermont challenging The Doctor to unseal his gubernatorial records, and will continue to throw down over Dean's policies in a speech at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. tomorrow night.

Let's get ready to rumble.

Jodi Wilgoren writes up the Dean records story and the Governor's "I'll unseal mine" statement on ABC's "Good Morning America." Wilgoren Notes, "Mr. Bush's Texas records were moved back to state custody after a ruling from the attorney general, and an archivist for the state said the Bush records were available for viewing." LINK

The Associated Press reports Senator Lieberman challenged Dean to unseal his gubernatorial documents. (Note Note: The photo with Rocky is a keeper.) LINK

Susan Page reports that Dean is feeling the heat for sealing his gubernatorial records. LINK

The Boston Globe 's Raja Mishra has Senator Lieberman calling for Dean to unseal the records. LINK

David Guarino has a pair of stories on the sealed records and the "Hardball" appearance. LINK and LINK

The Boston Globe 's Sarah Schweitzer writes up the "Hardball" appearance. LINK

The Washington Post 's Paul Farhi profiles the "tiny cadre of advisers whom Dean consults on ideas and strategies." LINK

Farhi also Notes the gaps that Dean has plugged for advice on certain national and international issues.LINK

The Boston Globe 's Glen Johnson reports on Dean's efforts to help elect a Democratic Congress, starting with Congressman Boswell in Iowa. LINK

Deborah Orin of the New York Post reports Howard Dean may "take in $1 million" on Monday when he swoops into New York for a quick fundraising swing. LINK

As Dean pushes to the front in Iowa and New Hampshire, he is forcing his rivals to focus on those states, as he campaigns across the country. LINK

The San Francisco Chronicle's Marc Sandalow keys off the recent Massachusetts court ruling to try to pin Howard Dean down on gay marriage. LINK

Sandalow got an exclusive interview, and/but the article he produces is on this one topic only.

"Dean, in his most extensive comments since the Massachusetts' court ruling, outlined a position on gay marriage that is complicated by jurisdiction, constitutional rights and nuance. He opposes a constitutional ban on gay marriage. He supports full equality on matters including filing joint tax returns, Social Security benefits, immigration and hospital visits. But he does not give a simple answer on whether he supports, or opposes, gay marriage."

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

Kerry:

The Boston Globe 's Patrick Healy reports on Senator Kerry campaigning against John Ashcroft again. LINK

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

AMES, IOWA, DEC. 1 — The newly minted "Real Deal Express" bus, stuffed with Kerry aides, Iowa staff, traveling press and 40 "Real Deal Road Warriors," made four stops in the Hawkeye State.

During a "Women for Kerry" event in Cedar Rapids, a questioner asked what the Senator would do to combat "that candidate's" apparent stranglehold on young voters which, she believed, might propel Dean to victory over Kerry but nonetheless lead to a Democratic defeat at the hands of Bush. Kerry dismissed the questioner's premise though he added bluntly, "I don't think (Governor Dean) can win either."

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

Clark:

The AP's Liz Sidoti NOTES Clark's new ad, "Independence," that highlights Clark's record on domestic issues. LINK

Peter Wallsten of The Miami Herald writes about Clark's appearance in South Florida yesterday, where Clark spoke about his Jewish roots and his support for Israel. LINK

The Chicago Sun Times' Zay Smith writes: "Madonna authorizes spokesman to disclose that she was 'very impressed' after a 90-minute 'policy discussion' with Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark." LINK

Exeter Selectman Lionel Ingram saved Wes Clark from some 1962 West Point hazing stunt and now the presidential contender tells the story "as a way to sort of humanize himself," according to Ingram. We look forward to meeting Professor Ingram at the Dust-up in Durham. LINK

Yesterday's Roll Call Noted, "Without question, Clark has run the most disappointing Oklahoma campaign, said a number of Democrats interviewed for this story."

"Clark got exactly the wrong people involved in his campaign," added one Democratic source. "He got people from Oklahoma who are not well-liked and couldn't help him."

Communications Director Matt Bennett responded by saying, "We're moving forward quickly [in Oklahoma], but are we fully up to spend there now? No. Next week? Pretty much." Bennett also said that as early as this week the campaign would be going up with the "Bio" ad in Oklahoma, this ad was the first to be run in New Hampshire by the Clark campaign. In addition, Bennett said that Carol Willis, "who handled a lot of President Clinton's African American affairs" would be helping out the Clark campaign in Oklahoma.

From ABC News' Clark campaign reporter Deborah Apton:

DELRAY BEACH, FLA., DEC. 1 — The Florida primary may not be until March 9, but Gen. Clark was in Florida Monday wooing the Jewish vote, speaking at Temple Emeth to a crowd of more than 1,000.

Then the questions began. One man stood up and asked The General: "Who would you pick for Secretary of State and who would you pick for Secretary of Defense?" Clark acknowledged that there are a "lot of good people" to choose from, and his list included Senator John Kerry, as well as Richard Holbrooke, Jamie Rubin, Madeleine Albright, former Vice President Gore, and former Sens. Sam Nunn, and Bob Kerrey.

Read more from the trail with Clark — including what Mrs. Clark got for her birthday — on abcnews.com: LINK

Gephardt:

The Des Moines Register 's Tom Beaumont on Gephardt calling Edwards a "Johnny-come-lately" on trade. LINK

From ABC News' Gephardt campaign reporter Sally Hawkins:

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, Dec. 1 — At the downtown Cedar Rapids police station, Rep. Gephardt delivered a homeland security speech to a captive audience of local Democrats and law enforcement officers who know firsthand what it's like to protect and serve in a post-9/11 world and struggling economy.

After picking apart almost every security measure the Bush Administration has taken in the last couple of years, Gephardt laid out his plans to get tough with the Saudi government and create a homeland security "trust fund" to benefit local law enforcement agencies.

He also slammed the Bush Administration for not doing enough to make air travel more secure. "The Transportation Security Administration, the most visible security measure we see every day in our airports, has been riddled with problems from the beginning. The TSA hired too many security screeners and failed to audit its contractors … ."I fought side by side with John McCain to enhance airline security and ensure we had federal screeners."

Shortly after the speech, the Gephardt campaign headed off to the Cedar Rapids airport to make a commercial flight bound for San Francisco. With marked one-way tickets, the Congressman (even though everyone at the airport recognized him), his wife Jane, his travel aide, and this reporter were all "selected at random" and pulled aside for the fine tooth comb airport security screening.

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

Edwards:

Edwards is putting "real teeth" into trade agreements, laying out trade proposals to create jobs, reports the News & Observer's John Wagner. LINK

The Des Moines Register 's David Yepsen writes about Edwards' upside potential.LINK

Former Clinton supporters Sam Myers, Jr. and Sam Myers, Sr. make the Edwards campaign a family affair, writes the Boston Globe's Patrick Healy. LINK

From ABC News' Edwards campaign reporter Gloria Riviera:

CENTERVILLE, IOWA — Dec. 1 Add a crowd of about 60 at the Steamboat Senior Center in Burlington, Iowa, a hip-looking camera crew shooting MTV-style at extreme angles and one candidate with his sleeves rolled up drinking water instead of Diet Coke (no indirect product-pushing allowed). There you have the setting for the latest John Edwards ad campaign shot Monday night.

David Axelrod, an Edwards media consultant and a former political reporter himself, occasionally whispered directions for the cameraman, who would in turn scurry around Edwards to get a more extreme angle or zoom. Edwards for his part seemed comfortable underneath the hot lights at the end of a very long day. He delivered a typical speech and answered questions with typical "I-feel-your-pain" attention. At one point he asked a questioner how long he had been teaching. "Thirty-four years," said the high school music teacher. "Bless your heart," said Edwards. Zoom, cut, wrap.

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

Lieberman:

The Boston Globe 's Joan Vennochi writes about how Senator Lieberman bashes Governor Dean, but not Reverend Sharpton, and wishes he would give equal treatment to all of his opponents. LINK

From ABC News' Lieberman campaign reporter Talesha Reynolds:

Once completely severe, Lieberman's critiques of Dean have taken on a more subtle tone, at times simultaneously admiring and chastising. Lieberman praises Dean for sticking to his stance against the war, even though he says it is the wrong position. He decried Dean's mention of the Confederate flag, but said the idea behind the statement was a correct and valid one. (He also said the flag issue was finished after Dean apologized and then released an ad condemning Dean anew without mentioning the governor's name.)

Lieberman even allows, as he did twice today, that Dean's health care plan is not far off the mark in comparison to his own.

As I was pondering the question, whither the attack dog, the campaign seemed to read my mind and chime in. They sent a release condemning Dean and saying he, "took an extra long walk from straight talk when he sealed his records as governor and recalled his letters from state agencies just to avoid potential political embarrassment."

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

Kucinich:

Rep. Kucinich's upcoming meat free fundraiser makes it into Page Six today. LINK

From ABC News' Kucinich campaign reporter Melinda Arons:

CLEVELAND, DEC. 1 — Kucinich was in a bubbly mood at events in his hometown Monday, including a fundraiser attended by everyone from the guy who's printed Kucinich's election materials for all of his campaigns, to the signature A-team, a group of diehard senior citizens who have been volunteering for Kucinich since he was mayor.

One such friend is John Ryan, the executive secretary of the Cleveland AFL-CIO, who has known Kucinich his entire political life. Ryan sheds some light on the question almost every non-supporter asks about Kucinich, often with disdain: "Does this guy really think he can win?"

To Ryan, the answer came when he got a call that his mother died unexpectedly, and says Kucinich switched off politics entirely to attend to him, telling him a story about his own mother. "He told me his mother had last rites read to her seven times, and in those days you don't get the last rites read until it's really time to go."

Ryan said Kucinich's persistence in the face of overwhelming odds against him made sense and he talked about the local victories he and Kucinich had fought for over the years, including reopening closed hospitals and steel mills.

But even Ryan admits the odds in this race might be too much to overcome, and speculates that if Kucinich does better than expected he might be able to make a run for the Governor's seat or for Senate, but that if he does as poorly as the polls show, he will not have helped himself for future runs.

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

Moseley Braun:

From ABC News' Moseley Braun campaign reporter Monica Ackerman:

CHICAGO, DEC. 1 — The campaign was hustling and bustling Monday, preparing for, what I'm told will be a busy week. An optimistic Patricia Ireland, Moseley Braun's new campaign manager, says the campaign is working on raising enough money to qualify for matching funds.

So far, they have qualified in eleven states. Ireland says they're very close to qualifying in Georgia, Colorado and Texas. Ireland seemed confident that her ties with the National Organization for Women will help bring in the needed amount left. She said that while the campaign did not meet their matching funds goal they had set for themselves, they will still have enough money to continue. And while some of the frontrunners are buying spots on television, Moseley Braun's campaign is working on radio ads in South Carolina.

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

Iowa:

The Des Moines Register 's Jonathan Roos reports on the Gephardt and Kerry talking homeland security and civil liberties in Iowa.LINK

Democratic National Convention:

The Boston Globe 's Rick Klein reports, "It's a setup that has worked for everyone from William Shakespeare to Neil Diamond. Now, organizers of the Democratic National Convention are considering a theater-in-the-round stage that would place the presidential nominee smack in the middle of the FleetCenter floor at July's gala." LINK

Republican National Convention:

New York unions say they are steamed over the GOP's plan to ship its crews onto the Norwegian Dawn come convention time. LINK

Hey, the New York Times ' ed board doesn't like it, either. LINK

The politics of national security:

In his must-read report on the Army's decision "to allow combat units returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to temporarily fall to readiness levels at which they won't be prepared for combat," the Wall Street Journal 's Greg Jaffe writes about the "stretched" military and its "depleted resources," Noting the move, "which hasn't been publicly announced, could have political implications for President Bush."

Visiting Brussels, "U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he would support a larger role for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Afghanistan," reports the Wall Street Journal 's Philip Shiskin. Separately "U.S. officials indicated they would welcome a greater alliance participation in Iraq, where NATO's mandate is limited to providing logistical support to Poland and Spain."

We shall see what alliance wishes Santa grants this holiday season.

Laura Bush considers a visit to Kabul in the spring. LINK

The New York Times ' Shanker reports, Rumsfeld "acknowledged Monday that the security environment in Iraq presented "a contradiction" in which attacks from "a limited number" of adversaries continued to kill or wound American and allied forces even as schools and hospitals open and the economy stabilized." LINK

U.S. leaders are vowing to stay the course in Iraq despite the recent spate of attacks on American forces, and so are American allies — thus far. The New York Times Notes that "some diplomats cautioned that although leaders of the nations fighting with the United States in Iraq were standing firm, the same could not be guaranteed of the people in their countries, where the attacks have had a huge and devastating psychological impact." LINK

In the Washington Post , Fareed Zakaria examines the president's recent trip to Asia and finds his single-minded focus on the war on terror may have helped him lose the Hearts and Minds PR battle to the head of the Chinese Communist Party. LINK

More on yesterday's damned-whatever-you-do storyline.

Reports the New York Times ' Dexter Filkins this morning, "It appeared from the anger among Iraqis in Samarra that America faces a fundamental dilemma: As it steps up the pressure on the insurgents who are killing Americans and Iraqis in growing numbers, the very Iraqis they are trying to win over may be alienated." LINK

The Washington Post reports "a majority of Iraq's U.S.-appointed Governing Council has decided to support an American plan to select a provisional government through regional caucuses despite objections from the country's most powerful Shiite Muslim cleric." But as Vince Morris quotes it, Senator Hillary Clinton finds the administration's "'quick move toward some kind of sovereignty in whatever form by June of this year suggests … there is a political imperative to declare victory or at least point to some type of interim victory before the November election.'" New York Times picks up on Kerry and Gephardt statements attacking "the Bush administration on domestic security issues on Monday, with Representative Richard A. Gephardt saying the president had failed to pay for crucial security initiatives and Senator John Kerry comparing the curtailing of civil liberties under the antiterrorism law to the repression of the Taliban government." LINK

Big Casino budget politics:

USA Today 's Kevin Johnson writes about the phasing out of the COPS program. LINK

Bush Administration strategy/personality:

How many reporters actually went to cover the arrival of the White House Christmas tree and how many wrote up their Laura Bush to Afghanistan stories based on the released transcript of the First Lady's availability? LINK

House of Labor:

The AP reports the AFL-CIO "is suing the Bush administration in an effort to block a new regulation that requires the nation's largest labor unions to disclose financial details, such as how much they spend on politics, gifts and management." Ah, we bet the Wednesday morning meeters love this story. LINK

The Wall Street Journal ed board weighs in, writing that "AFL-CIO chief John Sweeney has led the posse calling for greater corporate transparency in recent years, yet he and other labor chieftains are working double-time to exempt unions from similar standards."

Re-map flap:

The Wall Street Journal 's Jackie Calmes uses yesterday's decision by the Colorado Supreme Court to reject the map of U.S. House districts drawn by Republican state legislators to look at the larger issue of redistricting, pending also in Pennsylvania and Texas. The decision shows judges willing to step in where legislatures have already tread — and previews "the Big Kahuna" Pennsylvania case that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear on Dec. 10.

"In all three states, new congressional maps that Republican-led legislatures drew after the 2000 census have come under legal challenges from Democrats, minorities and nonpartisan groups. As never before, state and federal courts are being asked to define the legal and constitutional limits of the timeworn practice of partisan gerrymandering — and whether today's Republicans are exceeding them."

Calmes also has the Macker "crowing" about the victory.

The New York Times ' Carl Hulse looks at the Colorado redistricting decision and what it means in The Big Picture.

"At their heart, the redistricting battles are about which party commands the House. Given the relatively narrow Republican majority, a swing of just a seat or two can be crucial. Even top Democrats concede that if the new Texas map stands, Democratic hopes of picking up the dozen seats needed to capture the House in 2004 will be greatly diminished." LINK

Democrats are cheering the decision, but the fat lady's not singing yet, writes the Los Angeles Times' David Kelly. However, the NRCC's Carl Forti says, "Clearly, this thing is being over-hyped, and it's far from over." LINK

The Washington Post 's David Von Drehle looks at the decision too. LINK

As do USA Today 's Tom Kenworthy and Kathy Kiely. LINK

Politics:

Paul Krugman follows Salon's lead in expressing his concern about Diebold and Walden O'Dell. LINK

Gov. Schwarzenegger scored "his first legislative victory" yesterday when the California Assembly voted to overturn the recent law allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. LINK

We're only shocked it took this long for the Los Angeles Times to sit down with Schwarzenegger/Shriver stylist Jane Ross. LINK

AP reports that a Green Party candidate may have what it takes to wrestle San Francisco's mayoral race from a Democrat, touching a nerve within the Democratic Party. LINK

Lawyers for Rep. Janklow claim he had a diabetic reaction and didn't see a stop sign at an intersection, reports the AP. LINK

AP reports that after nine terms in office, North Carolina Republican Rep. Cass Ballenger won't run for re-election. LINK