W A S H I N G T O N, May 7
—As we watch this President, like others before him, ping-pong between efforts to appeal to swing voters ("compassionate") and efforts to appeal to his base ("conservative"), we figured that today would be a good day to look at the age-old political question (read this next part in your best Carrie Bradshaw voice): are midterm elections more about cajoling the middle or energizing the faithful?
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Of course, this is something of a false choice: midterm elections, like all elections, are about both. It's also an ornery choice, with the "swingers" being so fickle and unreliable, and the "basers" sometimes being too dogmatic and demanding. And it's something of a double-edged sword, in that overtures made in one direction often are bound to alienate those lined up the other way.
Sometimes, savants looking at exit polls and other data after an election declare that a failure on one side of the ledger or the other wound up costing their party seats.
So to the extent that the 2002 elections are going to be energizing the base, the question becomes, is the president really pulling that off these days? Between the administration's Middle East middle-of-the-roadtrip and what's happening on the domestic spending front, we have to wonder.
Yes, the president's national poll numbers among the GOP base (and everyone else) are still outstanding. But political strategists are paid to worry, and to back-time from election day, and it's clear today that some GOP congressional strategists believe that certain presidential actions are ticking off the base.
And of course, when your own party is split over how to handle Big Casino — whether to spend lots or hold the line — that doesn't help matters.
House Appropriations Committee chairman Young's move to spend a lot more on homeland security than President Bush is proposing "will provide a critical test of how far Bush will go to hold down spending--and how tough he will get with his own party--as the federal budget returns to a deficit."
( http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la -000032346may07.story?coll=la%2Dnews%2Da%5Fsection )
"The willingness by a leading Republican to raise the ante on spending indicates the challenge Bush faces if he intends to contain such efforts. So far, despite protests from fiscal conservatives in his own party, the president has not issued an explicit veto threat aimed at preventing an increase in his anti-terrorism proposal."
And The Wall Street Journal 's David Rogers also updates the world on the various collision courses in store between Young's committee and the White House on anti-terror spending. (A6)
As we have said before, the White House is understandably and appropriately vexed by their own party's congressional wing, which simultaneously wants to hold down spending (out of principle and concern that becoming the party of deficit spending will depress the base, and that becoming the party of lockbox raiding will drive key older voters into the arms of the Democrats), and to increase spending to help out farm state members and others in tough re-election fights.
But maybe those GOP leaders aren't as conservative as they like to think. The Los Angeles Times ' Hook takes a nice look at how "many of the achievements" of the 1994 Gingrich revolution "are being dismantled, even as a conservative Republican reigns in the White House."
( http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la- 000032334may07.story?coll=la%2Dnews%2Da%5Fsection )
"Some analysts argue that the policy changes reflect, in part, the shift in thinking that has been led by Bush and his governing philosophy of compassionate conservatism. Furthermore, his business-oriented pragmatism has produced a less ideological approach."
It's always a special day in the Note when The Wall Street Journal editorial page and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman agree, as they do today on the nauseating porkiness of the farm bill that the president is embracing.
( http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/07/opinion/07KRUG.html )
Noting that the House GOP leadership opposes the bill, the Journal says, "The administration seems single-mindedly focused on shoveling enough money at farm states to win back Republican control of the Senate."
"But in the process Mr. Bush is often ignoring his natural philosophical supporters in the House; he did it last year on education and so far this year on campaign finance and now on the farm bill. Someone might want to tell Karl Rove that a Senate victory will be pyrrhic if President Bush manages to alienate his GOP base, voter turnout falls as a result and Republicans lose the House in the process."
Krugman, meanwhile, says the bill will simply continue sending money from Blue States to Red States, undermining the "heartland's" claim on moral superiority. ( http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/07/opinion/07KRUG.html )
Writing up Bush's education event yesterday, the Washington Post 's Allen notes, "Bush is scrambling to recover ground on what he considers his signature issue, after the White House handed campaign fodder to Democrats by proposing to make up for a shortfall in a college loan program by raising the cost of borrowing for some students. The administration quickly backed away after Congress and colleges loudly objected."
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42803-2002May6.html )
And Senator Kennedy, the president's (former) partner in the fight for education "reform," is now and again trashing Mr. Bush for insufficient spending on education "priorities," with the loyalties of soccer moms and their ilk up for grabs.
In the short term, regarding the president's education trip to Michigan yesterday, if the coverage is any indication, it was quite a day for both base and swing.
Cue Ken Mehlman headline drool: "Bush lauds record of Southfield school. Results, accountability, diversity are keys to success, he says " And get a load of that excellent "We are the World" picture!
( http://www.freep.com/news/locoak/visit7_20020507.htm )
The local AP coverage is also laudatory: "Lisa Winston, whose daughter, Alexia, is a first-grader at Vandenberg, said she was impressed with Bush's message. 'I was very motivated by his concern about all students learning,' said Winston, 32, of Southfield. Jo Ann Biebel, 53, whose son attended Vandenberg, said she can understand why the school was picked for a presidential visit. 'It's really a great school,' said Biebel, who lives within walking distance. 'It is about time that the schools have been honored.'" ( http://www.detnews.com/2002/schools/0205/07/-482740.htm< )p>
The Detroit ABC affiliate labeled the presidential visit "exciting."
( http://www.detnow.com/news/0205061702.html )
Bush's first, ceremonial event today is causing almost as much buzz as his afternoon meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon. Some in the White House press corps are wondering why the president is rededicating the Old Executive Office Building to former President Eisenhower, scratching their heads and recalling, they think, that President Clinton did the same thing just a few years ago.
The difference, apparently, is that Clinton signed the law on the renaming of the building, to much fanfare, but this will be the actual rededication event. (A double-dipping event in the spirit of future DCCC chair Rahm Emanuel, who used to pull this kind of stunt regularly for Bill Clinton.)
Apparently this event was scheduled to take place back in September, but for obvious reasons, didn't happen when it was supposed to.
As for Sharon, that's another hot button for GOP conservatives. The AP reports, "Bush's attempts to nudge Israel to offer more to the Palestinians could be complicated by Congress, where lawmakers overwhelmingly back Sharon's forceful response to terrorist attacks and last week passed resolutions of support."
( http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/3209906.htm )
"Sharon, who is set to meet with House and Senate leaders Tuesday night, will ask Congress for additional financial aid, one top House Republican aide predicted Monday. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid."
"Against such a background, [one expert] expressed doubt that Bush would be able to pressure Sharon into accepting American-proposed compromises."
The Washington Post reports, "Some of Sharon's positions, as outlined by Israeli officials yesterday, are directly at odds with Bush's stated policy and raise difficulties for the administration as it seeks to accelerate negotiations."
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42938-2002May6.html )
And in another potentially base-depressing move, guess who's coming to dinner — in East Timor. USA Today 's Nichols reports, and we have confirmed, "President Bush has picked a seasoned diplomatic hand for a new overseas mission: Bill Clinton."
( http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20020507/4088682s.htm )
"Administration officials say the former president will join the U.S. delegation to the May 20 celebration of independence for East Timor, the former Indonesian territory that separated from Jakarta in 1999. The officials say the selection is meant as a peace overture to Clinton, whose presidency has been criticized repeatedly by Bush and his aides."
"The trip marks the first time Clinton has been enlisted in an official capacity by his successor. Clinton aides say he was invited by White House national security adviser Condoleezza Rice. A public White House announcement is expected soon."
"Administration officials say Clinton was chosen because the White House wanted to convey a message of 'no hard feelings' toward his administration. At the same time, officials say, the administration wanted to avoid sending Clinton to a higher-profile event that might stir resentment within Bush's conservative base."
Two Enron-related develop.m.ents to keep a lookout for today.
First, in a story about how White House counsel Al Gonzalez routinely takes on the Senate, even though he may need their votes one day as a US Supreme Court nominee, the Washington Post 's Milbank uses this peg: "The latest showdown comes today. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.), the Government Affairs Committee chairman, has given Gonzales, under threat of subpoena, until this afternoon to explain what information Lieberman's committee will get about administration contacts with Enron Corp. Gonzales said Lieberman's request is 'not well-defined' and 'threatens important executive branch prerogatives.' Lieberman branded Gonzales's response 'unacceptable' and said it lacked 'common sense.'"
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42891-2002May6.html )
And second, though less directly related to Enron, USA Today reports, "Army Secretary Thomas White, under fire because of his high-level ties to Enron, is likely to be forced out of his post in the wake of a fight with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld about the future of a new weapons program, senior Pentagon officials say."
( http://www.usatoday.com/news/washdc/2002/05/07/white.htm )
"White's ouster is expected to follow Tuesday's planned release of an Army report that chastises White's subordinates for urging Congress to save the $11 billion Crusader mobile artillery system even as Rumsfeld was calling for its elimination."
"Rumsfeld can't fire White, a presidential appointee, but he can urge President Bush to do so. White's aides declined to comment on his future."
The AP reports, "Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld appeared on a collision course Monday with Army Secretary Thomas White over Rumsfeld's plan to cancel the $11 billion Crusader artillery system. Officials close to both men, speaking on condition of anonymity, said White could be forced out, although he told aides Monday he did not intend to resign."
( http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/3208979.htm )
In Miami tonight, the AFL-CIO and AFSCME will hold a town hall meeting on pension and retirement plans. Earlier in the day, workers will leaflet the area with documents purporting to show Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's ties to Enron.
From the ABCNEWS London Bureau: Palestinian and Israeli negotiators have reached a deal to resolve the five-week long siege of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity. Following 48 hours of intensive talks, Palestinian leaders are said to have agreed to the exile of 13 militants to Italy via Egypt, with another 26 to be sent to the Gaza Strip. Two Palestinian officials are currently in the church presenting the proposal to those inside. Officials also have been sent ahead to Italy and Egypt to prepare the way for the exiles — Rome has yet to agree to the deal. According to a Palestinian list of names obtained by the AP, nine of those to be deported are members of the Al Aqsa militia. Three others are members of the Islamic militant group Hamas. Also slated for exile is the Palestinian intelligence chief in Bethlehem, Abdullah Daoud.
Early Tuesday, Israeli forces entered the West Bank town of Tulkarem. The military said their mission was to stop the sending of suicide bombers and "attack the terrorist infrastructure." A military statement said the operation would last "a short time."
Also Tuesday, on the Gaza-Egypt border, a 17-year-old Palestinian was killed and two were wounded when Israeli forces opened fire while destroying a building, residents said. The Israeli military said armed Palestinians attacked soldiers, who returned fire, hitting two. The area is the scene of almost daily clashes.
ABC 2004: The Invisible Primary
Roll Call Daily reported yesterday afternoon: "Many Democratic Senators believe Al Gore deserves another shot at the presidency in 2004, but very few are willing to voice actual support for his candidacy." The story gets lots of Senators on the record saying the guy has "a right" to run, which sounds pretty darn lukewarm.
"Other likely Senate presidential contenders were naturally less forthright. Both Sens. Chris Dodd (Conn.) and John Kerry (Mass.) refused to reveal their own thoughts about whether Gore should run again. 'It's up to him,' Dodd said before making a dash into the Senate chamber."
"Kerry said that considering his own likely run, he could not make a comment on Gore's candidacy. 'We'll just let the chips fall where they may,' he said."
"Gore's former running mate, Senator Joe Lieberman (Conn.), deferred any decision by saying that Gore has probably not yet made up his mind. Lieberman has repeatedly pledged not to make a run for the White House if his mentor tries again."
"'I don't think he's decided yet, but I'm very glad we have his voice — it's experienced, and progressive," said Lieberman. 'He plays a unique role.'"
"Lieberman predicted that Gore, like all the other 2004 candidates, would make his announcement before the end of this year."
"Until Gore makes that announcement, Lieberman said he will spend his time 'actively looking at [a run by] traveling around the country.'"
Gore is in DC today, where he'll attend a fundraiser for New Mexico Senate candidate Gloria Tristani. Tomorrow he'll head to Tennessee, where he'll attend the party's Truman Dinner in Knoxville. A Gore source says that twice as many tickets have been sold for this year's dinner as last year. Gore will hang around in Tennessee for a spell after the dinner.
The Washington Times reports today, "Should Al Gore decide to run for president again in 2004, he'll need a new campaign manager. Donna Brazile, Mr. Gore's outspoken presidential campaign manager in 2000, told us at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner she would consider it a privilege to work on the campaign of the Democratic presidential nominee in 2004. Yet she had a one-word reply when asked if she intended to work for the former vice president again: 'Never.'"
( http://www.washtimes.com/national/inbeltway.htm )
Former President Clinton helped New Hampshire Senate candidate and Gov. Jeanne Shaheen raise money yesterday in New York City, and House Minority Leader Gephardt, who was in Concord, NH at the time campaigning for a House candidate, got asked about it. So he used the opportunity to remind Democrats of the stand he took on impeachment.
Gephardt "said it was up to each individual Democratic candidate to decide if they want to stand with the former President. 'I think that is entirely their decision,' said Gephardt … 'I was the first one to say that what he did in the White House in 1996 or whatever was reprehensible. And so I think there is nothing wrong with being clear about that. But I've also believed and said that I think he did a lot of good things as President. And did a lot of good public service for this country. I think people can distinguish and understand those things.'"
( http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_show.html?article=10944 )
The Boston Globe 's Shribman helps to perpetuate the undercutting of the Democratic presidential field alive by echoing the McCain-for-president-as-a-Democrat storyline. "McCain has issued all the pro-forma denials that are required to keep the notion alive. But there is no denying the notion that he has given it some thought, that his closest advisers (including perhaps his wife) support the idea, and that the prospect gives Team Bush fits."
( http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/127/nation/ Democrats_daring_to_dream_of_McCain+.shtml )
These "advisers believe that if they could show McCain a road map to the presidency through the Democratic primaries and caucuses he'd do it."
"This spring he's been clinging to what one of his closest advisers calls 'the last thread' that connects him with the Republican Party, his identification with Theodore Roosevelt."
Americans for Gun Safety, a "third way" gun-control group funded by a dot-com multimillionaire, is paying for radio campaign and, they say, TV ads to follow, to promote the gun-control bill being pushed by Senators McCain and Lieberman, which seeks to close the gun-show loophole. The ads will run in Washington.
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43084-2002May6.html )
The Raleigh News & Observer reports, "Senator John Edwards, a North Carolina Democrat, is still 'waiting to make up his mind' on fast track, said Mike Briggs, a spokesman for Edwards."
( http://newsobserver.com/news/story/1357074p-1393380c.html )
"Edwards shares many of the concerns Helms and Hollings have about how trade bills have hurt the textile industry. His staff is working on changes to the fast-track legislation that would deal with problems in previous trade bills, and offset or limit the damage to textile workers and communities."
"The Helms-Hollings camp also has such amendments in reserve in case efforts to kill the bill fail. Edwards is not considering amendments to kill the fast-track bill even if his efforts to moderate it fail, Briggs said."
Yesterday, in a briefing with reporters, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee levied the strongest attack on Tom Daschle by any Republican to date, according to the Washington Times . Huckabee said that Daschle "is dishonest and underhanded when he talks about cooperating with President Bush while doing everything he can 'to ruin this man's agenda.'"
( http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020507-63925488.htm )
Politics
The Washington Times ' Z. Hallow reviews the Republican National Committee roll-out of its Spanish-language infomercial campaign. "From May through January, each of nine shows is scheduled to air twice a month in Denver; Las Vegas; Miami; and Fresno, Calif. In Albuquerque, N.M., and Orlando, five shows are scheduled from May through September."
( http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020507-94453784.htm )
"Each month, the show will focus on an issue of 'vital importance to the Latino community,' [RNC chairman Marc] Racicot said. The first will focus on education, with Education Secretary Rod Paige."
At a press conference yesterday, reporters, sensibly enough, wanted to know whether the RNC would label it a news program with a straight face: "How is this considered a news broadcast when it really is a politically paid infomercial?" "Will it be airing opposing issues? Castillo's response: anything that's fact is news for the community." That didn't satisfy the assembled.
( http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/05/07/MN181978.dtl )
Boy do those Republicans love to test-drive stuff in Fresno. The show won't be broadcast in Los Angeles, which is pricey. The other markets were chosen, they say, for the diversity of their Hispanic communities. The final question that was asked and not answered: Is this a federal (hard money) expense? Or a non-federal (soft money) expense? And how will it be paid for after new campaign finance take effect?
The RNC rightly complains that the press corps is often too skeptical of GOP minority outreach programs. But calling political outreach "news" and being fuzzy on the details isn't necessarily a way to inspire confidence.
The GOP House campaign committee lately has taken to crowing whenever Democratic party officials have stopped short of predicting their party will win back control of the House in November, the latest being DNC chairman McAuliffe himself. Now the Washington Times rounds up those examples.
( http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020507-95469665.htm
Shhh. President Clinton waives his fee when speaking to gatherings hosted by long-time friends. Shhh. ( http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/May-06-Mon-2002/news/18615050.html )
And why would a reporter laugh at DNC spokeswoman Maria Cardona and then write about it? It has something to do with the summer DNC meeting in Vegas.
( http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/May-06-Mon-2002/news/18615050.html )
The New York Times business travel writer looks at Road Warrior/businessman Dan Quayle, and proceeds to insult his readers' cultural literacy, or betray his own low level of the same, by leaving the name Herve Villechaize out of his lead: "Ask Dan Quayle what he misses most about being vice president of the United States and he sounds a little like that midget from the old television program about that island. 'The plane! The plane!' he says."
( http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/07/business/07ROAD.html )
Quayle, incidentally, is preparing a 10-year "Murphy Brown" anniversary address at the National Press Club on Thursday.
Rudy Giuliani has agreed to become the chairman of the board of advisers of Leeds Weld Equity Partners," which "is run by William F. Weld, former Republican governor of Massachusetts, and Jeffrey T. Leeds, formerly an investment banker at Lazard Freres & Co … Leeds Weld already boasts an advisory board stocked with well-connected former politicians. They include Richard W. Riley, a two-term South Carolina governor who was secretary of education under President Bill Clinton; Lamar Alexander … and Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty III."
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42545-2002May6.html )
Maybe Rudy should start paying for his own police protection, then. "Since … Giuliani left office Dec. 31, at least a dozen police detectives have been protecting him, his family and his girlfriend at a projected cost of nearly $1 million a year, a police official said. The police detail is larger than Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity."
( http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la -000032331may07.story?coll=la%2Dnews%2Da%5Fsection )
Democratic spokesperson Kiki McLean delivered an 8 lb., 6 oz., 21.5 inch, bouncing baby boy last night at 9:15 p.m. at Columbia Women's Hospital. Joseph Woodson McLean and his mom will linger in the hospital until the hospital closes its doors on Friday.
Indiana
Today is primary day. The big race to watch: Rep. Mark Souder, a conservative Republican, facing his moderate opponent, former Fort Wayne mayor Paul Helmke.
( http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/politics/3211674.htm _
The White House, the Club for Growth, and the League of Conservation Voters have stuck their fingers into this one.
Indiana has a partially open primary, and Helmke's campaign hopes that moderate Democrats will vote for him.
Ohio
This state also votes today, but politicos fear that dismal weather may hamper turnout.
The big race features three Republicans vying for the 4th Congressional District nod. ( http://www.activedayton.com/ddn/local/0507elex.html )
California
A lot of big papers give play to the news about Enron's role in manipulating the state's power crisis, but we don't see Gray Davis quoted much, leaving us to wonder how Garry South is calculating the way they play this.
( http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la -000032323may07.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dfrontpage )
A state lawyer testified to a joint audit committee yesterday that she felt pressure from "a higher authority" to very quickly review the state's contract with Oracle.
( http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/05/07/MN243438.dtl )
The committee also released e-mails purporting to show the heavy involvement of senior Davis advisers in the contract process. ( http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/news/politics/3213122.htm
New York
The New York Post says that Governor Pataki will make his formal campaign announcement this Saturday, simultaneously breaking his self-imposed term limits pledge (a la Democratic Senator Wellstone of Minnesota), and entering the race as a miraculous heavy favorite in a Democratic state.
( http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/47353.htm )
The Post also says that Tom Daschle had this to say (note the definite article) about the state's attorney general, Eliot Spitzer, yesterday, in what was perhaps a fit of irrational exuberance: "'We've watched him from a distance. It's no surprise to us that he's considered the rising star of the Democratic Party in the Northeast,' Daschle said." ( http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/47357.htm )
Florida
The sad case of Rilya Wilson makes the New York Times .
( http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/07/national/07GIRL.html )
Gov. Jeb Bush convened a state panel to investigate Rilya's disappearance.
( http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl -asecdcf07050702may07.story?coll=orl%2Dhome%2Dheadlines )
Bill McBride's opponents are trying to figure out why and whether to make his Holland & Knight service an election issue in the wake of big layoffs at the firm.
( http://www.tampatrib.com/MGA108C7X0D.html )
North Carolina
The Raleigh News & Observer's take on the status of the Senate race: "Even if Dole hasn't won the hearts and minds of Helmsian conservatives, she is viewed as the GOP's best chance of holding the North Carolina seat."
( http://www.news-observer.com/front/story/1357185p-1393386c.html )
"To defuse the Queen Elizabeth image — as one of her Democratic opponents has labeled her — she plans to spend days working at different jobs."
"Dole has been deftly performing a political balancing act — appealing to the party's conservative Republican base, while not moving so far to the right that she alienates moderate swing voters, particularly women, in the general election."
"Dole soft-pedals the more contentious social issues. She rarely mentions her anti-abortion views, and reporters were not informed in advance of her appearance at the N.C. Right to Life Convention in Greensboro last month."
New Hampshire
Katrina Swett, wife of former Rep. Dick and candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, got endorsed yesterday by Dick Gephardt, even though she has a primary, and he seemed to use weasel words to explain why he was doing it.
( http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_show.html?article=10947 )
The Concord Monitor's Amy McConnell has a good colorful overview of the Republicans running for Senate. ( http://www.cmonitor.com/stories/front2002/ smithsununustyle9311_2002.shtml )
Pennsylvania
Primary day is 16 days away, and Democratic gubernatorial candidates Bob Casey, Jr and Ed Rendell are planning statewide blitzes designed to drum up support from their regional bases. Oh, and television. Lots and lots of television.
( http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/politics/3212714.htm )
Massachusetts
Former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich introduces a presidential-level element to the rather more humble, crowded Democratic field for governor: the trick of a well-timed book release.
( http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/127/metro/ In_Short_Reich_thinks_big+.shtml )
Minnesota
Senator Paul Wellstone loves Hollywood. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that more than $750,000 of his $5.6 million raised has come from Hollywood glitterati.
( http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/2817309.html )
Wellstone's search for out-of-state donors, particularly in Hollywood, has become a target for GOP challenger Norm Coleman's camp and other Republicans. Ben Whitney, Coleman's campaign manager, criticizes Wellstone for "hypocrisy" for boasting that he is avoiding special interest money while taking big checks from Hollywood, and collecting more than half of his money from out-of-state sources.
Texas
The Texas Republican Party is close to finalizing a plan to try and register nearly 400,000 new GOP voters. ( http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/politics/1399653 )
-- 9:15 am, White House off-camera morning gaggle
-- 9:30 am, Senate meets to debate trade legislation
-- 9:30 am, Senate Governmental Affairs subcommittee hearing on Enron
-- 9:45 am, President Bush makes remarks to rename the Old Executive Office Building in honor of President Eisenhower
-- 10:00 am, Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump opponents hold news conference, House Traingle
-- 12:15 pm, closed Senate party policy luncheons
-- 12:30 pm, White House on-camera briefing
-- 12:30 pm, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld holds brief joint media availability with the Georgian Defense Minister
-- 12:30 pm, House meets for morning business, followed by suspensions
-- 12:30 pm, State Department briefing
-- 1:35 pm, President Bush meets with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Oval Office
-- 2:15 pm, Fed announcement expected
-- 2:30 pm, Senate Appropriations Committee hearing with Defense Secretary Rumsfeld
-- 4:45 pm, President Bush meets with the Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, Oval Office
-- 6:00 pm, AFL-CIO and AFSCME hold town hall meeting on pension and retirement plans, Goleman Senior High School, Miami
-- 7:30 pm, Israeli Prime Minister Sharon meets with House Speaker Hastert
-- 8:00 pm, Israeli Prime Minister Sharon meets with Senate Majority Leader Daschle
Newly listed events are italicized.
-- May 6-7: House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt travels to New Hampshire
-- May 7: President Bush meets with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba of Nepal, DC
-- May 7: New Hampshire State Senator Mark Fernald announces gubernatorial run
-- May 7: Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meets
-- May 8: Former president George H.W. Bush speaks at business conference, Tianjin, China
-- May 8: Gov. Jeanne Shaheen opens campaign headquarters, Manchester, NH
-- May 9: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean speaks at DNC Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council Chairman's Dinner
-- May 10: Bill Clinton appears at Natural Resources Defense Council fundraiser with Steve Martin and more, Los Angeles
-- May 10: Mary Matalin headlines Iowa GOP fundraising dinner
-- May 10-11: Democratic party state chairs meeting with DNC Chairman McAuliffe and Sen. John Edwards, Asheville, NC
-- May 11: New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidates forum, St. Paul's School, Concord, NH
-- May 11: New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen delivers commencement address, University of Mississippi.
-- May 11: New Hampshire Democratic State Party chairs meeting, Concord,
-- May 11: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean keynotes Wyoming Democratic party convention, Rock Springs, WY
-- May 13:Vermont Gov. Howard Dean raises money for Rep. Jim Maloney, Southbury, CT
-- May 13: North Carolina Sen. John Edwards stumps at Galivants Ferry Stump Meeting, SC. -- May 13: Rudy Giuliani speaks at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.
-- May 14: Bill Bradley campaigns for NH gubernatorial candidate Mark Fernald, Londonderry, NH
-- May 14: Newark mayoral election
-- May 15: Financial disclosure forms due for White House, House and Senate staffers.
-- May 15: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Taste of the States" fundraiser, DC
-- May 16: Vice President Dick Cheney headlines GOP fundraiser, NYC
-- May 16: former President and Nancy Reagan to receive the Congressional Gold Medal (Mrs.Reagan to accept), DC
-- May 17: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean speaks to Gill Foundation Outgiving Conference, San Francisco
-- May 17: President Bush meets with Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek of Slovenia
-- May 18: Sen. Patty Murray (D) keynotes Arkansas Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Little Rock
-- May 19: Al and Tipper Gore's 32nd wedding anniversary -- May 19: Sen. Joseph Lieberman holds PAC fundraiser, Milwaukee
-- May 20: Florida Democrats Jefferson-Jackson dinner, speaker TBD
-- May 20: Sen. Joseph Lieberman speaks to Detroit Economic Club
-- May 21: Pennsylvania primary (Democratic primary for governor)
-- May 22-23: New York Democratic party convention, Sheraton New York, NYC
-- May 22-23: President and Mrs. Bush visit Berlin
--May 22: AFL-CIO members expected to ratify increased dues levy for political purposes, New York, NY
-- May 22: Democratic National Convention site selection committee meets to decide on possible sites and a site visit schedule, DC
-- May 23-25: President and Mrs. Bush visit Moscow
-- May 24: signature deadline for some California ballot initiatives
-- May 25: signature deadline for Oregon ballot initiatives
-- May 27--30: U.S. Senate/U.S. House not in session
-- May 27: Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd's birthday
-- May 28: South Dakota pre-primary financial disclosure forms due
-- May 28: President Bush attends NATO Summit, Italy
-- May 28-29: New York GOP Convention (Gov. George Pataki's formal renomination)
-- May 31: Tipper Gore fundraises for New Hampshire Democratic Party, Concord
-- June 1: New Hampshire Democratic Party State Convention, St. Anslem's college.
-- June 1: Massachusetts Democratic Party State Convention
-- July 1-5: U.S. Senate/U.S. House not in session
-- June 4: Iowa Primary
-- June 4: South Dakota Primary
-- June 7: President Rudolf Schuster of the Slovak Republic visits Washington
-- June 7: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean gives commencement speech at University of Michigan medical school
-- June 7: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean keynotes Michigan House Democratic Caucus reception
-- June 7-8: Wisconsin State Democratic Party convention
-- June 8: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean gives commencement speech at Dartmouth medical school, NH
-- June 8: Sen. Patty Murray keynotes Tennessee Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Nashville
-- June 10: North Carolina Senator John Edwards' birthday.
-- June 11: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean keynotes Clinton County, NY Salute to Labor Committee celebration.
-- June 14: North Carolina Senator John Edwards speaks to Iowa Democratic Party Hall of Fame, Polk County, IA
-- June 15-16: Iowa Democratic Party state convention
-- June 13-15: Texas Democratic party convention, El Paso
-- June 21: N.C. Sen. John Edwards celebrates Flag Day in New Hampshire
-- June 22: N.C. Sen. John Edwards attends Merrimack County Annual Pig Roast
-- June 27: Rep. Jim Traficant's sentencing scheduled to take place
-- June 23-25: Election Law Summit, Washington, D.C.
-- June 27-30: Southern Republican Leadership Conference, Charlotte
-- July 4: WMUR Statehouse reporter Scott Spradling to wed.
-- July 5: last day for Washington state ballot measures to be presented
-- July 6: President Bush's birthday.
-- July 9-12: Northwest Regional Election Conference, Portland, Oregon
-- July 13: Sen. Joe Lieberman keynotes Louisiana Democrats' Jefferson-Jackson dinner
-- July 15: New York periodic disclosure forms due
-- July 20-24: American Trial Lawyers Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta
-- July 28: Bill Bradley's birthday.
-- Aug. 6: Michigan primary (Democratic primary for governor)
-- Aug. 7: last day for Ohio ballot measures to be presented
-- Aug. 8-11: Democratic National Committee meets, Las Vegas
-- Aug. 14: Lynne Cheney's birthday.
-- Aug. 19: Bill Clinton's birthday.
-- Aug 19: Tipper Gore's birthday.
-- Aug. 20: Georgia primaries
-- Aug 26: Jury selection begins in John Walker Lindh trial
-- Sept. 10: Florida, New Hampshire, and New York primaries (Florida: Democratic primary for governor; New Hampshire: Republican primary for Senate and primaries on both sides for governor; New York: Democratic primary for governor)
-- Sept. 17: Massachusetts primary (Democratic primary for governor)
-- Sept. 30: Jury selection begins for trial of Zacarias Moussaoui
-- Sept. 30: Discovery ends in McCain-Feingold lawsuit (tentative).
-- Oct. 4: Al Sharpton's birthday.
-- Oct. 15 (tentative): Zacarias Moussaoui trial begins
-- October 26: New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's birthday
-- Nov. 4: Laura Bush's birthday
-- Nov. 4: Deadline for opening briefs, McCain-Feingold lawsuit (tentative).
-- Nov. 5: Election Day
-- 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. 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
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