W A S H I N G T O N, Aug 12: 85 Days Until The Election....
—When we last wrote on Friday, the known reality as well as the solid percepton of the guest list for President Bush's upcoming Waco forum was that it consisted of Republican donors who agree with Bush's economic ideas.
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We still don't see why it matters that donors are invited (and we renew our offer to explain why to anyone who asks), but the White House from Friday morning onward seemed to be regretting not having put out a more diverse list to begin with, and perhaps also started looking to widen the range of invitees.
By today or tomorrow, when the full attendance list becomes known, you're likely to see regional diversity (participants from more than 40 states), occupational diversity, donor diversity (note that the Republican National Committee did FEC searches on a bunch of the invitees so they could talk about the number of Democratic donors among them, though it would be interesting to know if those searches followed or preceded the making up of the list), and possibly even some diversity of ideas.
But, there will be no true debate about changing course, which means Republican candidates on the ballot in 2002 had better hope this works.
As a result, the best-case scenario for President Bush is likely to be that he's not caught daydreaming or goofing off during his cameo appearances at the various sessions, and that the television coverage conveys an image of an Administration that seems to care about those who are hurting, that has a plan for turning the economy around, and that is confident of the economic fundamentals.
But that best case is neither all that likely nor all that great, since there is no reason to feel confident that it will sustain beyond the one-day photo op.
Unless The Note is wrong about the macro press attitude leading up to this event, we wouldn't be counting on seeing too much positive coverage in the Tuesday/Wednesday news cycle.
Maybe the White House mishandled the run-up; maybe the press doesn't like dog-and-pony; or maybe it's something else, but wethinks the media is not planning to give this boffo treatment.
Moreover, when the forum gets juxtaposed with images and news out of the Fed meeting tomorrow, it just might pale in comparison in terms of both gravitas and substance.
Elisabeth Bumiller curtain-raises the Waco forum in the New York Times by reviewing the usual themes regarding the administration and the economy: a perceived lack of credibility on the part of the economic team, leaving the president himself to speak out for himself on the economy, despite it not being his strong suit and despite the time-tested theory that presidents should generally steer clear of that role.
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The "when in doubt, call Ray LaHood or Chuck Hagel" rule is on display here, with the Senator from Nebraska riffing off some "Did he really say that?!?@#$%$!!?, they asked at the senior staff meeting" quotes about the president and his team:
"'He obviously has not been very effective,' said Senator Chuck Hagel, Republican of Nebraska, recalling that President Bill Clinton had a forceful, calming presence in his treasury secretary, Robert E. Rubin."
"'People knew when they listened to Clinton that there was something behind him,' Mr. Hagel said. 'There was Bob Rubin, there was an economic team. I don't think the markets see anything behind this president's words … '"
About Waco: "'It's a move in the right direction,' Mr. Hagel said. 'But I think the president knows he's going to have to do more to address these problems than putting on a show in Texas.'"
And Bumiller distills in one paragraph the Al-and-Judy-and-all-who-sup-at-their-table view of The Team: "Mitchell E. Daniels Jr., the White House budget director, has alienated many in Congress. Lawrence B. Lindsey, the president's chief economic adviser, is not thought to have the presence or political skills for the job. Donald L. Evans, the secretary of commerce, is personally close to the president, but business leaders say that he does not have the stature or the portfolio to be the economic voice of the administration."
And a Times editorial blasts the president's economic plans, or lack thereof. LINK
Senator Hagel again trashes the economic team in Jeff Birnbaum's Fortune piece, which also contains some Cheney-versus-Rove-and-Bolton stuff on corporate governance.
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The Los Angeles Times has a piece so good, and so TV-ready, it might just be worth doing some of that old-fashioned "borrowing" from print and make a network spot out of it.
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The reporter looked at how angry investors in the Waco area are at corporate executives, and suggests that this could cause political trouble for the president's party.
President Bush has no public events today in advance of the forum, but to fill the void, this morning we happened to see some helpful White House-written talking points, in the form of possible Q's and suggested A's.
The highlights of the suggested A's:
-- On the attendees: "The president will bring together government policy makers, small investors, small business owners, industry experts, teachers, workers, business ethicists, union members, corporate executives, economists, business students, academics, researchers and others to discuss the American economy and the president's agenda to increase economic growth for the future."
-- In keeping with their argument that the fundamentals are strong: "While recent economic statistics are encouraging, the president will not be satisfied until every American that wants a job can find a job."
-- Ever eager to impress with numbers, the White House offers this on the substance: "This is a serious policy forum that will contain at least 14 hours of detailed policy discussions."
-- And lastly, this bit which we'll run in its entirety: "Q: Why weren't Democrat congressional leaders invited? [A:] Participants were invited based on their personal experience and expertise — not their political affiliation. The president chose to invite 240 participants from more than 40 states regardless of their political affiliation. Economic security is not a partisan issue."
The Los Angeles Times on Sunday had a smashing piece pairing up the forum with the Fed meeting, and suggesting the cupboard is bare for both the Fed and the White House on concrete actions to spur growth.
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Check out this downbeat quote from economist and expected forum participant Allen Sinai: "'The stock market is hurting the economy and the economy is hurting the stock market, and it's all wrapped together in a scary, 1930s-like [stock market collapse] that could end badly,' he said."
And who says there is no intellectual diversity at the forum: "Sinai and some other economists say Bush should agree to roll back tax cuts planned for later in the decade and use the savings for growth-spurring cuts now."
Go on, Allen, speak up at the forum!
Doonesbury is doing the Waco event this week.
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Danger, Will Robinson (we mean the star Democratic operative, not the "Lost in Space" character).
How the heck is Don Evans going to fix this Sunday New York Times front-page double whammy: stagnant wages and rising health care costs.
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As if to purposefully step on the forum message, later in the week, a whole bunch of Pioneers are heading to Crawford. USA Today 's Keen reports, "President Bush has invited his elite fundraisers to Texas this week for pep talks that he hopes will motivate them to replenish the treasuries of Republican candidates this fall. Fewer than half have chipped in this year."
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"Many of the 214 "Pioneers" who raised at least $100,000 each for Bush's record-setting 2000 campaign will join him Friday at the Broken Spoke Ranch near his own spread outside Crawford. Invitations promised an old-fashioned barbecue, but pleas for campaign cash also are on the menu."
"Bush political adviser Karl Rove and Karen Hughes, who left her White House job last month and is now on the Republican National Committee's payroll, will talk about the high stakes in November's elections. Bush will thank his guests for past support and update them on his policy priorities. RNC Chairman Marc Racicot and Deputy Chairman Jack Oliver will ask them to keep the cash flowing."
"A USA TODAY analysis of Pioneers' 2002 giving found that four in 10 have donated to GOP congressional candidates this year. More than a dozen Pioneers have contributed to Democrats. Two Democrats who may challenge Bush in 2004, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and Delaware Senator Joseph Biden, each got a check from a Pioneer."
Depending on whose count you use, President Bush cracked the $100 million mark in fundraising either several weeks ago, per the AP, or more recently, per USA Today 's McQuillan, who today commemorates Bush's success as compared with his predecessor (whom he and Republicans of course maligned for his fundraising practices).
"Bush has traveled to more political fundraisers and collected more than twice as much money as Clinton in the same period, even though Bush set a four-month moratorium after the attacks Sept. 11. Twice, Bush has shattered the single event record set by Clinton at $26.5 million in 2000. Bush raised $33 million at an event in May and $30 million in June."
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"From January 2001 through today, Bush has raised $100.03 million. Clinton raised $38.7 million during the same period. Bush made 36 trips to fundraisers, traveling 42,141 miles. Clinton went slightly farther, 42,542 miles over 26 trips."
Vice President Cheney will do his bit for the cause today, raising money for Republican candidates in Minnesota and Michigan; junkies will appreciate the thought of Cheney raising dough for the same Minnesota Republican whom the White House strong-armed out of the state's US Senate race, who is now the party's pick for governor.
New life may be breathed into the prescription drug issue right before election day, Roll Call 's Preston reports.
"Both Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate are considering offering new prescription drug proposals in October … Senate Democrats are mulling whether to muscle a prescription drug bill through the chamber once budgetary restrictions are lifted in October and a simple majority would carry the day … But Republicans are preparing their own proposal to counter the Democratic plan and inoculate themselves from charges that they are denying seniors affordable drug coverage."
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"Another top Democratic aide said they want to force Republicans to vote on the prescription drug issue right before the elections. It's a win-win situation for Democrats, the aide suggested, because either a bill passes and Democrats claim credit for the success or it fails and they paint Republicans as obstructionists."
And the Wall Street Journal looks at how the issue is playing on the trail, with a focus on Iowa's Senate race: "Challengers in Senate races across the country are playing the same blame game in an effort to topple incumbents. As Republicans try to wrest control of the Senate, they are casting Senate Democrats as obstructionist and partisan, while Democrat challengers protest that the GOP backed an inadequate bill that didn't warrant wide support. They are all targeting seniors, who will make up a crucial voting bloc in November."
It's a must-read story for Senate-control obsessives, but we have to subtract points for the misuse of the word "disinterested," when the writer probably means "uninterested."
California Gov. Gray Davis (D) has another chance to prove he can deal with being the chief executive for one in every seven Americans when it comes to dealing appropriately with terrorist threats, now that the Golden Gate Bridge tops the watch list.
In addition to the Waco forum and the Fed meeting, Tuesday also brings the Colorado primaries, including a couple of key House nominating contests. Of note: "absentee and early voting apparently [are] already at an all-time high," says Roll Call .
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On Wednesday, President Bush heads to Milwaukee for a rally and a fundraiser for Gov. Scott McCallum, then travels on to Iowa to stop at the Iowa State Fair.
Aspiring Democratic presidential nominees Dick Gephardt and Joe Lieberman also will be in Iowa that day.
After that appearance, Bush will headline a fundraiser for Iowa GOP gubernatorial nominee Doug Gross.
On Thursday, Bush will head to South Dakota for an official visit. Hmm, we vaguely recall there being some big race there …
And on Friday in Crawford, President and Mrs. Bush will attend a barbecue for volunteers, plus that Republican National Committee luncheon for the Pioneers.
In Saturday's Boston Globe , Anne Kornblut did her version of a story that every major news organization will do at least once in the next month: with "nearly a dozen states [holding] primaries on Sept. 10 … candidates in those races [are being forced] to develop untested strategies for attracting support without sounding negative at such a sensitive time."
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And as The Note begins its month-long struggle with how to write about politicians and political motives and the anniversary, Ms. Kornblut writes: "But there is little risk for Bush in maintaining a high profile that day; given how closely his identity is tied to reaction to the terrorist attacks and the war to defeat Al Qaeda. No Democrat has publicly suggested that his plans have political undertones, although his trip to Pennsylvania, a swing state, will be his 14th since taking office."
"For candidates in tough primaries, the situation is far trickier. Officials in both parties have said they are communicating with anxious campaign managers about setting an appropriate tone for the day, and several said they would pull negative advertising in the days around Sept. 11. The campaigns are 'trying to figure out, do you go down on the 11th, be positive, or be down the entire week?' one Republican official said."
"Eleven states — New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, Maryland, Arizona, North Carolina, Minnesota, Florida, and Wisconsin — and Washington, D.C., have primaries on Sept. 10, and the Delaware primary is Sept. 9. Besides Massachusetts, Washington state has its primary Sept. 17, and South Carolina will hold any runoffs then. Hawaii holds the nation's last scheduled primary on Sept. 21."
The New York Times sees dark economic clouds: "The United States appears to have slipped into an economic funk that analysts say bears a strong resemblance to the weak recovery of the early 1990's."
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"With few companies adding jobs and Americans' net worth having dropped more than 20 percent in the last two years, the coming months are likely to feel like a slump even if the economy is gradually improving."
And not to annoy Andrea, but as a measure of how the Chairman's infallibility is now something about which business leaders feel they can joke openly, check out the cinematic end of the story: "Scott G. McNealy, the chief executive of Sun Microsystems, pretended to raise binoculars to his eyes in a recent interview and said, 'What is Alan Greenspan seeing through those?"
"'Chauncey Gardiner — I mean Alan Greenspan — is not in touch with what the rest of us are seeing,' Mr. McNealy added, referring to a character played by Peter Sellers in the 1979 movie 'Being There' who was known for making odd pronouncements that people considered brilliant."
The Raleigh News & Observer offers these bits of information about a forum participant: "George Little, a longtime GOP fund-raiser and the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sandhills Community College, is scheduled to participate in President Bush's Economic Forum in Waco, Texas, on Tuesday. He is president of the Association of Community College Trustees, a national organization promoting trustee training. Little will be a member of the Education and Worker's panel with Education Secretary Rod Paige and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. Little said he had been asked to talk about ways to make high school and community college programs fit together."
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Roll Call 's Bresnahan uses Jack Grubman's previously reported $100,000 check to the Democratic Senate campaign committee as the peg for the question: "Who is an acceptable donor in the current atmosphere of corporate scandals, where new stories are appearing every day as fresh charges are unveiled against crooked CEOs by the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission?"
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The arbitrary rule of "you have to give it back only if it is from this election cycle" is starting to fray in some quarters.
The Democratic National Committee apparently is soliciting hardship stories, says the Washington Times : "'When Enron went bankrupt, sending its stock plummeting, thousands of employees lost their life savings because their pensions were tied up almost exclusively in Enron stock,' the DNC writes to Enron's former employees, among others. 'The futures of millions of hardworking families are at risk thanks to the irresponsibility of corporate executives. Democrats are working hard to protect your family, but we need your help. If you have suffered losses in your pension, retirement funds, or life savings because of corporate irresponsibility or fraud, please share your story with us today.'"
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Between Erskine Bowles and Elizabeth Dole, North Carolina's Senate race is as good a place as any to watch candidates with corporate ties struggle with the accountability issue.
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Bob Kerrey and Warren Rudman fret that the climbing deficit means that nothing will happen on Social Security, and offer a suggestion which they call simple and which we call novel: "Critics of the commission's proposals should come up with their own plans for shoring up Social Security. They should be specific about the benefit cuts and tax increases they recommend and the amount of general revenues that would be required."
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Isn't it amazing, Bill Clinton probably wonders, that the Concord Coalitions of the world have been pretty quiet regarding the current Administration's lack of fiscal discipline and its failure to call for generational sacrifice?
In Saturday's New York Times , Bill Keller had a tour de force on what a lot of center-left BosWash elites think of Al Gore. LINK
We'd love to put together a small lunch, at which Mr. Gore would go through Mr. Keller's analysis paragraph by paragraph and explain how he agrees or disagrees with it, but somehow we think travel and vacation schedules will make that hard to put together.
In any case, Keller crammed a ton of insight into his piece about Gore, and Invisible Primary followers (for whom the game remains, as it will for a long while, "Whither Al Gore?") must all read it — thus no need to excerpt any of that here.
For those of you toiling for other wannabes, check out Keller's write-'em-off graph, a pretty darn fine distiller (seriously) of what Upper West Siders think of you folks, stereotypical impressions you will have to erase to win the Manhattan segment of the Invisible Primary:
"John Kerry, the ersatz J.F.K., who fancies himself a global strategist because 30 years ago he faced down a Vietcong ambush? (And, by the way, with all due respect for his exploit, how utterly weird is it that he then took out his handy 8-millimeter camera and re-enacted his heroism on film?) Surely not Joe Lieberman, Al Gore's sad-eyed second banana, who got out-debated by Dick Cheney? Dick Gephardt is too partisan, too Old Democrat, to win moderates and independents. And John Edwards, the newbie heartthrob, is untested in a year when untested will be a very, very hard sell. (Sadly for Mr. Gore, the year for untested was 2000.) Howard Dean, the appealing governor of Vermont, wins the Bruce Babbitt/Paul Tsongas prize; he'll get the pundit vote."
The Foster Sunday Citizen had this helpful checklist: "Where's Al? New Hampshire voters are once again seeing potential presidential candidates, traipsing over the turf that is home to the nation's first primary. Senator John Kerry, D-Mass., is in Keene and Londonderry today. Senator Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., and Vermont Gov. Howard Dean will be in New Hampshire on Aug. 18 — with Dean raising campaign cash for Peter Odom, the deputy Strafford County attorney. Odom, of Bow, is running to be the next Merrimack County Attorney."
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"Bill Verge, who's coordinating Kerry's visit, said Kerry is addressing the issues that matter to Americans: economic security, affordable health care, and homeland security. But where is Al Gore, the former vice president who won the most popular votes in 2000 but lost the presidency? Verge could only shrug at the question. Yet, he expects answers soon. 'There's no question in my mind that he will run,' said Verge."
The Concord Monitor reported yesterday: "DEAN'S IN TOWN: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who is exploring a run in the Democratic presidential primary, will be the featured speaker at a brunch hosted by the Democratic Network next Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. The brunch will be held at Hermanos in Concord. Hermanos doesn't normally serve brunch, but Rob Werner, one of the group's leaders, says owner Bruce Parrish is opening for the special occasion and serving 'some Mexican breakfast foods he's experimenting with.' After that, Dean will head to a house party on Knox Road in Bow at the home of Peter Odom, who is running for the open Merrimack County attorney's job."
In the Kornblut Saturday Boston Globe story on the politics of September 11, Bush adviser and GOP media consultant Stuart Stevens can't help himself in taking a shot at the man he has worked against before, and salivates to face again: "But Stevens said he doubts the adjustments will help either major party very much. 'With the exception of John Kerry, no one's been foolish enough to try to criticize the president on this," he said. 'I think there really won't be a partisan advantage or disadvantage at all.'"
We were a bit reluctant to include this next item since we didn't have time to check it out for ourselves and we have already exceeded our one-Tisch-Gore-error-a-month limit.
So when you read the following Time front-of-the-book item, remember that we are not ruling out that it might be (as Norman Bates would say) "a fal-fal-falsity."
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"Jonathan Tisch, the New York City hotelier who has generously backed Al Gore causes since 1988, giving the Democratic Party $325,000 during Gore's 2000 presidential bid, recently informed Gore he's uncommitted for 2004, TIME's Michael Weisskopf reports. Considering Tisch's previously unwavering support for Gore, Democratic insiders were stunned, TIME reports."
"Tisch was just one of several Gore loyalists missing from Gore's June 'donor retreat' in Memphis, Tenn. Also AWOL were all but a few Democratic patrons from the key campaign-money centers of Hollywood and New York City, TIME reports. Now, with Tisch's refusal to commit to Gore, the former Veep may have more trouble than he ever imagined raising the $30 million-plus he will need to compete against a crowded-and to date well-financed-field of candidates in the Democratic primaries."
Newsweek's CW gives Gore a sideways arrow: "Version 2.0 of the guy who lost (?) the election is still running, this time sounding like … Ralph Nader."
The New York Times prints four letters responding to Adam Nagourney's story from last week on Democratic state party chairs' views on whether Gore should run again, and, if he does, how he will do.
Two pro Gore, and two con Gore, including one from Ms. Jane Wardlow Prettyman of beautiful Santa Barbara, who suggests, "We cannot afford such a disaster again. Democrats should let someone who is up to the task, like Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, properly defeat the indefatigable President Bush," which is an innovative view of the president. LINK
On Tuesday, while what's left of Washington focuses on Waco and the Fed, Senator Joe Lieberman will be in Minneapolis addressing the American Postal Workers Convention and headlining a fundraiser for Senator Paul Wellstone fundraiser.
On Wednesday and Thursday, both Lieberman and Dick Gephardt will be in Iowa and will stop at the state fair; Gephardt will be in the state until Friday. Senator John Edwards arrives in Iowa on Friday for the weekend.
Enjoy your breather, Tom Daschle. There's a bobblehead doll and a lot of ominous Norquistian predictions in store. And in the process of looking at how third-party advertising attacks on Daschle in his home state have slowed (at least temporarily), Roll Call 's Kane reports on the near-existence of a Joel Johnson/John Podesta/Dick Gephardt-founded organization "originally designed to be a small but highly funded group that could quickly react to changing political messages and get the new issues up on the air and over the Internet quickly, much in the same way the Club for Growth or Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform do for conservatives." The project is slated to begin early next year.
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Senator Hillary Clinton is being a lot more prolific with her leadership PAC donations than her colleagues, and the PAC's executive director says that "should quiet accusations that Mrs. Clinton intends to hoard donations to her leadership PAC for a presidential bid," but, um, we all know that contributions are the best way to curry favor and build up chits.
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The New York Post 's Fred Dicker exclusives that the Rev. Al Sharpton is endorsing Andrew Cuomo's running mate, even though Sharpton has already endorsed Carl McCall. A Sharpton source is quoted as saying, "McCall has been acting like Rev. Sharpton has the plague."
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On Sunday, the Washington Post 's Balz and Milbank looked at the POTUS' political standing — LINK — while Broder kept his eye on the only political variable that matters to some of you (the 2004 electoral college), and suggests (hold your breath) governors matter a lot, and that Karl Rove thinks Bush can win New York. LINK
(The Note note: remember, Karl also thought at one time that Bush could win California in 2000 … )
Sunday's Dallas Morning News looked at all the ways Texas candidates are grabbing onto those Bush coattails. LINK
By sheer luck, The Note got a look at the architects' depiction of the proposed new (renovated) Democratic National Committee headquarters just as it arrived in Las Vegas to be put on display for DNC members and donors at the committee's summer meeting this past weekend. (A few staffers warned us that some adjustments may be made along the way.)
For the record, in the architect's rendition, only one car is parked on Ivy Street. Otherwise, the place looks realistically smashing.
The Los Angeles Times ' Fineman writes up the building as a temple to soft money and has lots of the details that DNC building junkies will love and Democratic party building critics will hate.
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The paper even offers a separate link to the big building donors.
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The Wall Street Journal ed board thinks DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe is a flawed messenger to talk about business ethics, but their dot drawing does at least do justice to the Macker's amazing choppers.
Right below that, the Journal's editors trash the Court of Appeals' decision on the Vermont campaign finance system.
The Orlando Sentinel has a good on-the-ground look at how the Club for Growth's cash has influenced central Florida congressional races, like Rep. Ric Keller's surprise victory over Democrat Linda Chapin in 2000.
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The article is especially worthwhile reading because it doesn't automatically buy the trope that the Club is "shadowy," instead preferring to sort out the facts: yes, some of the money for their ads come from their non-federal ("soft money") accounts, but donors are disclosed and the Club's agenda is obvious and out front.
Today, the Democratic House campaign committee holds its "Texas Fund" dinner with Senate nominee Ron Kirk and gubernatorial nominee Tony Sanchez, and Rep. Martin Frost playing benevolent host.
Also today, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle will campaign for Oregon Senate candidate Bill Bradbury in Portland.
And the New Democrat Network will hold its West Coast retreat in San Francisco.
The Washington Post 's Balz, along with colleague Becker, updates his scrutiny of Maryland's 8th Congressional District race featuring Rep. Connie Morella (R) with a look at which consultants are being employed and how.
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We know more than our share of political consultants in both parties who have figured out that the way to get rich is to do ballot measures (as opposed to candidates), where the polling and ad making can get you some big money.
But that isn't the only reason why initiatives and referendums are important …
They often drive turnout; they pull in new voters; they allow citizens a check on executive and legislative authority. On the other side of the ledger, they are uniquely sensitive to American political demagoguery and can discolor a state's fiscal health.
The person who knows more about the American initiative and referenda process than just about everyone else is M. Dane Waters of the Institute and Referendum Institute. He joined ABCNEWS Political Director Mark Halperin for this week's "Here's The Point."
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Waters lists the ballot measures he thinks will be most influential this year, puts them into context, and makes his best argument for the wonder of the I and R process. It's a wonky, informative "Here's The Point."
You might think Bill Simon is catching a break with the Los Angeles Times focusing on the state GOP and not on him for a change, until you read the story about the GOP's ailing finances, which includes this: "Several said Republican businessman Bill Simon Jr.'s faltering campaign is souring contributors who otherwise might send money to candidates down the ballot … Within Republican circles, including among some candidates, there is a feeling that Simon's recent campaign setbacks have dried up contributions."
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"Gov. Gray Davis' record-breaking effort to secure campaign cash has been aided by a network of people he has appointed to state boards and commissions, some of whom raise money from businesses and individuals they regulate," the Sacramento Bee reports. LINK
How many of the reporters covering the California gubernatorial race read the Bible and go to a place of worship regularly, just like Simon?
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The Los Angeles Times has a good little story on Latino-vs.-white tensions in tomorrow's mayoral recall election in the San Joaquin Valley town of Arvin, which is steeped in the history of Cesar Chavez's United Farm Workers. The mayor is facing corruption charges, and state monitors will be watching the polls and the vote count tomorrow.
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The state Senate will take up a bill to require all accredited medical schools to teach abortion practices, taking away those schools' discretion. The bill would allow limited exceptions for religious and moral objectioners. LINK
Have a chat with Florida Republicans these days and you'll leave wondering whether the only race worth watching is the proposed state constitutional amendment to limit class size. Major national Democratic players are sticking their hands in the gruel, hoping to pass the initiative, which would be seen, presumably, as a rebuke to Gov. Jeb Bush's education policies.
Even on the record, Florida GOP chair Al Cardenas tells the Miami Herald 's Wallsten that the initiative is a "disaster." Wallsten has the scoop on GOP efforts to show voters why they think that is: it'll cost way too much, is based on unsound science, and would hamstring the state legislature for years to come.
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The Sentinel's Silva surveys the gubernatorial field four weeks from primary day. LINK
Senator Bob Torricelli will spend this week in Israel. He'll talk mostly about Israel, Iraq, and a potential US invasion of the latter. He may or may not meet with Palestinians.
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Another week, another chance to swoon over Democratic Senate nominee Ron Kirk. LINK
It's Karen Tumulty's Time to visit this Lone Star Senate race, and since we have song this song before, we'll just go with the short-hand, insider's summary:
1) there's a mention that Karl Rove cleared the field for Cornyn
2) there's a mention that Public Strategies major domo McKinnon maxed out to Kirk
3) notice Tumulty's clever use of the word "headlined" regarding the Clintons
4) once again, there does not appear to be a correlation between how much time a reporter doing this race spends with Cornyn, and how much he appears in the piece
5) there's a nod to the notion that issues might matter in the race, but in the end, this is another clip for the bulging fundraising pack of Mr. Personality (or, as we sometimes call him, "Mayor Personality")
Pollsters face a challenge whenever minority candidates are on the ballot, and the Saturday Dallas Morning News nicely explained why.
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The Houston Chronicle 's Mack has a balanced, if cursory, look at the slavery reparations debate, which is slowly winding its way into top-ballot campaign discourse.
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Republican Senate nominee John Cornyn released his tax returns. The ball is in your court, Mr. Kirk. LINK
The Boston Globe 's Sunday magazine tells you everything you wanted to know about GOP Senator Bob Smith's re-election bid. LINK
At the DNC meeting in Las Vegas, reports Kevin Landrigan, "Democratic Party Vice Chairman Ray Buckley is out working hard to try and land a 2003 meeting of an eastern states group at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester." LINK
The Sunday Boston Globe says 1) that Bill and Hillary Clinton didn't want to commit to a state party unity fundraiser until they see whether old friend/new enemy Bob Reich is going to be the gubernatorial nominee; and 2) that the couple agreed to appear "after (state) party officials argued Reich was unlikely to win the primary." LINK
As Mayor Anthony Williams revs up his write-in campaign, Union Temple Baptist Church pastor Willie Wilson, "a community activist with a record of helping the poor but inflaming racial tensions," is expected to make an announcement today on a possible Democratic primary challenge to Williams — also as a write-in candidate.
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Why won't the Post cover the candidates who are actually on the ballot a bit more?
The New York Times ' Bumiller compares GWB to LBJ, through the prism of their respective Texas ranches, and she cleverly uses the still-under-Noted Scott Lindlaw interview with the current President.
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—12:30 pm, SEC chairman Harvey Pitt addresses the American Bar Association conference, Hyatt Regency, DC
— 2:05 pm, Vice President Cheney headlines fundraising luncheon for gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty, Minneapolis
—7:00 pm, Sen. Bob Smith and Rep. John Sununu debate for New Hampshire's GOP Senate nomination, Derry, NH (C-SPAN)
— 7:35 pm, Vice President Cheney headlines fundraising reception for Rep. Joe Knollenberg and House candidate Thad McCotter, Laurel Manor Banquet and Conference Center, Livonia, MI
— 9:00 pm, Chris Matthews returns to "Hardball"
— Aug. 11-16: International Association of Firefighters convention, Las Vegas
— Aug 12: Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle campaigns for Bill Bradbury's Senate bid, Portland
— Aug. 12: New Democrat Network West Coast retreat, San Francisco
— Aug. 13: Colorado primary
— Aug. 13: Sen. Joe Lieberman addresses American Postal Workers Convention and headlines Sen. Paul Wellstone fundraiser, Minneapolis
— Aug. 13: President Bush hosts economic summit, Waco, Texas
— Aug. 13: Ex-UNC coach Dean Smith hosts birthday fundraiser for Erskine Bowles, Chapell Hill
— Aug. 14: Lynne Cheney's birthday.
— Aug. 14: President Bush visits Des Moines, Iowa
— Aug. 14: SEC deadline for company heads to certify financial statements for 2002 — Aug. 14: Tennesse gubernatorial candidates debate
— Aug.14-15: Sen. Joe Lieberman visits Iowa — Aug. 14-16: Rep. Dick Gephardt visits Iowa — Aug. 15: DNC chair Terry McAuliffe hosts warm up rally for "Every Vote Counts" concert, DC
— Aug. 15: President Bush travels to South Dakota
— Aug. 16-18: Sen. John Edwards visits Iowa and Iowa State Fair — Aug. 16-18: Congressional Black Causus Weekend, Grand Casino Hotel, Robinsville, Mississippi
— Aug 17: Washington State primary — Aug.17: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean keynotes Arkansas state Democratic Party Dinner, Little Rock
— Aug. 18: Sen. Joe Lieberman appears at Hillsborough County Democratic Picnic, Manchester, NH — Aug. 18: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean raises money for Merrimack County attorney candidate, NH — Aug. 18: New York gubernatorial candidates debate (Democrats)
— Aug. 19: Bill Clinton's birthday
— Aug 19: Tipper Gore's birthday
— Aug. 19: Sen. Joe Lieberman headlines fundraising events for Senate nominee Chellie Pingree and gubernatorial nominee John Baldacci in Maine
— Aug. 20: Georgia primary; Wyoming Primary
— Aug. 21: New Hampshire campaign finance reports due — Aug. 21: South Dakota Senate candidates participate in forum at Dakota Fest — Aug. 21: Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates debate — Aug. 22: Arizona gubernatorial candidates debate
— Aug. 23-24: Florida Republican Party state executive committee meeting, Orlando
— Aug. 23-24: Michigan Republican Party state convention
— Aug. 24-25: Michigan Democratic Party state convention
— Aug. 25: Sen. Joe Lieberman headlines fundraiser for Rep. Eliot Engel, Westchester, NY — Aug. 25: Arizona gubernatorial candidates debate
— Aug. 25-27: Southern Governors Association's 68th Annual Meeting, New Orleans
— Aug. 27: Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate — Aug. 27: (tenative) Arkansas Senate candidates to debate — Aug. 27: South Dakota Senate candidates debate in Sioux Falls
— Aug 27: Alaska primary with Instant Run-Off voting; Oklahoma primary
— Aug. 27-28: FEC hearings on BCRA regulation proposals, DC
— Aug 28. Saint Anselm college hosts American Political Science Association short course on the 2004 New Hampshire primary and The Invisible Primary
— Aug. 29-Sept. 1: American Political Science Association annual conference, Boston
— Aug. 29-Sept. 2: 13th Annual Midwest Polka Fest, Humboldt, Iowa — Aug. 29: South Carolina gubernatorial candidates forum
— Sept. 2: 6th Annual Rubber Ducky Regatta, North Woodstock, New Hampshire
— Sept. 3: Nevada primary
— Sept. 6: Congress meets for special session in New York City
— Sept. 6-7: Rosh Hashanah
— Sept. 7: Delaware primary
— Sept. 9: First Lady Laura Bush chairs Kennedy Center's "Concert for America," DC — Sept. 9: Florida Gov. Jeb Bush meets with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Miami
— Sept. 10: Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina and New York primaries (Florida: Democratic primary for governor; New Hampshire: Republican primary for Senate and primaries on both sides for governor; North Carolina: Democratic and Republican primaries for Senate; New York: Democratic primary for governor); Arizona primary; Connecticut primary; District of Columbia primary; Maryland primary; Minnesota primary; Rhode Island primary;
Vermont primary; Wisconsin primary
— Sept. 11-14: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 32nd Annual Legislative Conference, DC — Sept. 13-14: Georgia Republican Party "Road to Majority" conference, Augusta
— Sept. 15-16: Yom Kippur
— Sept. 22: 4th Annual Great North Woods Lumberjack Championships, Berlin, New Hampshire
— Sept. 17: Massachusetts primary (Democratic primary for governor) — Sept. 19: Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates debate, Happy Valley, Penn. — Sept. 23: New York State Democratic Party "reorganization" meeting, Syracuse
— Sept. 27-29: California Republican Party convention — Sept. 27-29: National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling convention, Dallas
— Sept. 30: Jury selection begins for trial of Zacarias Moussaoui
— Sept. 30: Discovery ends in McCain-Feingold lawsuit (tentative).
— Sept. 30: 401(k) statements begin to roll out.
— Oct. 4: Al Sharpton's birthday
— Oct. 5: Tri-state's Largest Chili Cook-Off, Dubuque, Iowa
— Oct. 5: Sen. Chris Dodd keynotes Ohio Democratic Party dinner — Oct. 5: Colorado Senate candidates to debate — Oct. 12: Sen. John McCain hosts Saturday Night Live, New York
— Oct. 13: Iowa State Hand-Cornhusking contest, Kimballton, Iowa — (tentative) Oct. 13: Arkansas Senate candidates to debate
— Oct. 15 (tentative): Zacarias Moussaoui trial begins — Oct. 18: New Mexico gubernatorial candidates debate — Oct. 20: Alabama gubernatorial candidates debate — Oct. 21: South Dakota Senate candidates debate — Oct. 24: Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates debate — Oct. 24: (tenative) Texas gubernatorial candidates debate — Oct. 24: (tentative) Missouri Senate candidates debate
— Oct. 26: New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's birthday — Oct. 30: (tenative) South Dakota Senate candidates debate — Nov. 3: New Mexico gubernatorial candidates debate
— Nov. 4: Laura Bush's birthday
— Nov. 4: Deadline for opening briefs, McCain-Feingold lawsuit (tentative).
— Nov. 5: Election Day
— New SEC disclosure rules go into effect
— Nov. 17: Vermont Governor Howard Dean's birthday.
— Nov. 18: Deadline for opposition briefs, McCain-Feingold lawsuit (tentative).
— Nov. 20: Delaware Senator. Joseph Biden's birthday
— Dec. 4: Oral arguments begun in McCain-Feingold lawsuit. (tentative) — Dec. 5: Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday
— Dec. 9: South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle's birthday
— Dec. 11: Massachusetts Senator John Kerry's birthday
— Dec. 13: Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack's birthday
— Dec. 26: California Governor. Gray Davis's birthday
— Jan. 30, 2003: Vice President Dick Cheney's birthday
— Jan. 31, 2003: Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt's birthday
— Feb. 24, 2003: Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman's birthday
— March 11, 2003: Georgia Governor Roy Barnes's birthday
— March 31, 2003: Al Gore's birthday
— June 15, 2003: Senate/House/key adviser personal financial disclosure forms due
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