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Warner's Keynote Bombed more similar news »
There have been some great keynote addresses at previous Democratic conventions -- Mario Cuomo in 1984, Ann Richards in 1988 and Barack Obama in 2004 -- but tonight's address by former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner was not one of them. Delegates gave polite applause during the speech but by the end you could hear the buzz of many talking to each other rather than listening to the man at the podium.
As Mark Halperin noted, "His efforts at bi-partisanship were confusing, his specifics irritatingly vague, his style bland, and his speech meandering."
The speech that should have been billed as the keynote was that of Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer. He was funny, whipped up delegates into a frenzy and was very well received.
Wed Aug 27, 2008 more from this source»»
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McCain's Hillary-Themed Ads Not Run more similar news »
According to a group that monitors political advertising across the country, only one of the three Hillary Clinton-themed ads attacking Sen. Barack Obama has been broadcast so far --- and that ad, featuring a Clinton delegate who now endorses McCain is only airing in Toledo, Ohio, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The monitoring firm says they are "basically video press releases."
Wed Aug 27, 2008 more from this source»»
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McCain Considers Thursday Announcement more similar news »
"Perhaps hoping to turn a fresh page from the Democratic convention,
advisers to Sen. John McCain are considering a Thursday night vice
presidential announcement," according to Marc Ambinder, "although the
unofficial word from campaign headquarters is that Friday is still more
likely."
Thursday, of course, is the night Sen. Barack Obama formally accepts the Democratic presidential nomination.
If McCain is seriously considering this unprecedented interruption into Obama's night, he's clearly taking advice from the same person Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez used when he announced his free agency during last year's World Series.
Wed Aug 27, 2008 more from this source»»
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C-2 more similar news »
The New York Times has a great behind-the-scenes look at how Sen. Joe Biden was selected as Sen. Barack Obama's running mate. To keep the secret, Biden was never referred to by name; instead the few aides who knew called him by his codename, C-2.
However, even the two aides that made all the preparations for the unveiling of Biden didn't know Obama's pick until just before the rest of us.
Wed Aug 27, 2008 more from this source»»
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The Best Coverage of the Convention more similar news »
With thousands of journalists covering the Democratic National Convention, it's not an easy task to break news. It's made all that much harder by an event so tightly-scripted that it's been called a four day infomercial.
Nonetheless, kudos must go to two organizations for the best television and print/online coverage so far.
Tue Aug 26, 2008 more from this source»»
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Hagan Grabs Lead Over Dole in North Carolina more similar news »
A new Public Policy Polling survey in North Carolina shows Kay Hagan (D) leading Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), 42% to 39%, after trailing by as much as 14 points two months ago.
The poll is the third in the last week to show the race a dead heat.
Key findings: "There's not much doubt where the momentum is coming from. 69% of voters
in the state have seen the television ads about Elizabeth Dole's #93
ranking for effectiveness in the US Senate, and among those folks Hagan
has an even wider 45-39 lead. Dole's saving grace is voters who don't
watch much tv- she leads 45-34 with those who have not seen the ad."
Tue Aug 26, 2008 more from this source»»
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PPP Poll: Obama Stays Competitive in North Carolina more similar news »
The latest Public Policy Polling survey in North Carolina finds Sen. John McCain just edging out Sen. Barack Obama, 45% to 42%.
Analysis: "One of two things is going to have to happen for Obama to win the
state: he's going to have to up his share of the white vote, probably
by bringing out voters under 30 in extreme record numbers, or he's
going to need black voters to turn out at a rate disproportionate to
their representation in the overall population, something that would be
virtually unprecedented."
Tue Aug 26, 2008 more from this source»»
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Clintons Next more similar news »
If last night was about the Kennedy legacy, Politico notes the next two days of Sen. Barack Obama's convention "will be dominated by the same two people who dominated the Democratic Party for the last generation and who have come to Denver in much different roles than they wanted. She speaks Tuesday. It's his turn Wednesday."
"For the Clintons, the politics of the week are simple: Accept the cheers of the many Democrats who still support them, be lavish in their praise for Obama, make sure that if he loses no one can say it was because they were covertly rooting for that result."
David Corn: Too much Clinton at the convention?
Tue Aug 26, 2008 more from this source»»
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Quinnipiac: Swing States Get Tighter more similar news »
The latest Quinnipiac polls from three critical swing states are out and they show the presidential race getting tighter over the last two months.
Florida: McCain 47%, Obama 43%
Ohio: Obama 44%, McCain 43%
Pennsylvania: Obama 49%, McCain 42%
Said pollster Peter Brown: "Eight weeks ago, Sen. Barack Obama was on top in all three of these key swing states
and that would make his election almost a sure thing. Times have changed and the election is now
very much a tossup in these states. Sen. Obama needs this convention to give his campaign a jump
start."
Tue Aug 26, 2008 more from this source»»
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Arrests Made in Plot to Harm Obama more similar news »
Authorities said "that at least three people were under arrest on firearms and drug charges in connection with a possible plot to kill Sen. Barack Obama during his speech accepting the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday night," according to the New York Times.
"It was not clear how well along the possible plot was, or whether the people under arrest had found a way to overcome the heavy security surrounding the Democratic convention."
Tue Aug 26, 2008 more from this source»»
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Biden's Book Flies Off The Shelf more similar news »
If you want to get your book on the bestseller list, try getting named the vice presidential nominee of your party.
The New York Times notes Sen. Joe Biden's memoir from last year "has become a best-selling title in the very brief time since Barack Obama, the Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee, announced that Mr. Biden would be his running mate... The book was released by Random House last summer, shortly after Mr. Biden announced he was running for president, but initial sales were unimpressive. That was then. As of Sunday afternoon, the book was at No. 31 on the amazon.com bestseller list, and No. 11 on Barnes & Noble's list."
Tue Aug 26, 2008 more from this source»»
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A Four Day Infomercial more similar news »
Walter Shapiro perfectly describes what it's like to be at the Democratic National Convention this week.
"A political convention has become an anachronism; the glory days of
smoke-filled rooms, delegates in funny hats, and suspenseful roll-call
votes are gone. Conventions are now excuses for both parties to
bludgeon the television networks into running four nights of political
infomercials. The elaborate and seemingly endless negotiations over
whether Hillary Clinton will get a full roll-call vote on Wednesday
night or whether the balloting will quickly be broken off for an
Obama-by-acclamation confetti drop illustrate how ridiculously
ritualized the whole quadrennial spectacle has become. So, in a sense,
every reporter in Denver is on the television beat. And the
journalistic danger lies in confusing the attitudes of the studio
audience (the delegates) with the sentiments of Nielsen families (the
voters)."
Tue Aug 26, 2008 more from this source»»
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All About Kennedy more similar news »
Despite an excellent speech by Michelle Obama, the first night of the
Democratic National Convention reminded all the delegates that the
Democratic Party is still best represented by the Kennedy family.
The tribute video
to Sen. Ted Kennedy was especially good. But the surprise speech by Kennedy --
especially his references to fighting for national health care --
literally brought down the house. In many ways he embodies what the delegates hope an Obama presidency will be about.
Interestingly, the only unscripted moment of the convention was when
the Obama girls took the microphone to speak to their father over a
satellite hook up after their mother's speech. It was also a reminder of President Kennedy raising a young family in the White House.
Tue Aug 26, 2008 more from this source»»
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Clinton, Obama Working On Roll Call Deal more similar news »
Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama "are working on a deal to
give her some votes in the presidential nomination roll call, but end
the divided balloting quickly with a unanimous consent for Obama," according to the AP.
"Democratic
officials involved in the negotiations say the idea is that at the
start of the state-by-state roll call Wednesday night, delegates would
cast their votes for Clinton or Obama. But the voting would be
cut off after a couple states, perhaps ending with New York, when
Clinton herself would call for a unanimous backing for Obama from the
convention floor."
Mon Aug 25, 2008 more from this source»»
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Young Voters Stay With Obama more similar news »
A new Harvard Institute of Politics poll of young voters shows Sen. Barack Obama with a huge 23 point lead over Sen. John McCain, 55% to 32% with 13% undecided.
This lead is virtually unchanged since the last poll in the spring before the Democratic nomination was settled.
Key finding: "Overall, 62% of
young voters report that they are excited (23% very excited, 39%
somewhat excited) about the upcoming election, including 69% of 18 to
24 year olds currently in college."
Mon Aug 25, 2008 more from this source»»
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Kennedy Will Appear at Convention more similar news »
"In a moment that is sure to bring down the house," Sen. Edward M.
Kennedy (D-MA) "is expected to attend the Democratic National Convention, most
likely to deliver a speech tonight," according to the Boston Globe.
"Buzz has built among Massachusetts politicos that Kennedy would come,
and yesterday a Bay State Democrat close to the family confirmed that
Kennedy has decided to travel to Denver, probably for an opening-night
address."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirms to Time his uncle is in Denver and will at least make an appearance at the convention.
And Ben Smith confirms Kennedy will speak to the delegates.
Mon Aug 25, 2008 more from this source»»
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This Week Is About Democrats more similar news »
Many polls in the last several weeks note that Sen. John McCain is winning a greater percentage of registered Republicans (around 85%) than Sen. Barack Obama is getting among Democrats (around 80%). Obama is most-likely suffering from the long, tough-fought primary with Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Marc Ambinder makes a good point: "Obama will try to use this convention to increase his standing among
Democrats. This convention is NOT aimed at persuading people who call
themselves independents and moderates. It's about persuading people who
lean left and call themselves Democrats but who, for many reasons,
aren't sure about Obama."
Update: Amy Sullivan notes that with all the Clinton controversy "it may come as a surprise that the Democrats who will gather around the gavel in Denver are actually more united than perhaps at any other point in the past 30 years."
Mon Aug 25, 2008 more from this source»»
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Springstein, Bon Jovi to Perform for Democrats more similar news »
"Multiple sources confirmed to the Rocky that Jon Bon Jovi will fly in to perform two acoustic songs before Sen. Barack Obama gives his acceptance speech at Invesco Field on Thursday. After the speech, Bruce Springsteen will close out the night, presumably solo acoustic (E Street Band member Nils Lofgren told the Rocky last week that the band wouldn't be with Springsteen in Denver). "
Mon Aug 25, 2008 more from this source»»
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Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Remains Very Close more similar news »
A new Columbus Dispatch poll in Ohio finds Sen. John McCain just edging past Sen. Barack Obama, 42% to 41%.
Key findings: "McCain is being bolstered by Ohio voters who supported Hillary
Clinton in the state's March 4 Democratic primary and those who backed Democratic Gov. Ted
Strickland in 2006. McCain also is doing better among party loyalists: 86 percent of Republicans
back McCain, while 74 percent of Democrats support Obama."
Mon Aug 25, 2008 more from this source»»
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Suffolk Poll: Obama Leads By Five in Colorado more similar news »
A new Suffolk University poll in Colorado finds Sen. Barack Obama leading Sen. John McCain, 44% to 39%.
Said pollster David Paleologos: "With Colorado among at least seven battleground states that will swing
this Presidential election, an Obama lead here puts enormous pressure
on John McCain. Should Obama go on
to win Colorado, it would almost force McCain to run the table with the
remaining battleground states or lose the election."
Mon Aug 25, 2008 more from this source»»
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How Biden Got the Nod more similar news »
The Wall Street Journal has the must-read piece of the day on how Sen. Joe Biden lobbied to become Sen. Barack Obama's running mate.
"When the Obama campaign's vice-presidential vetters sought financial
statements, political speeches and medical records, Sen. Biden's team
turned the grueling task into an opportunity to sell their man"
Mon Aug 25, 2008 more from this source»»
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CNN Poll: Presidential Race Dead Even more similar news »
The first CNN poll conducted entirely after Sen. Barack Obama named Sen Joe Biden as his running mate "suggests that battle for the
presidency between the Illinois senator and Republican rival John
McCain is all tied up."
Both Obama and McCain attract 47% support in the new survey.
The pollsters speculate Obama may have lost support from some supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton since she was not picked as the vice presidential nominee.
Mon Aug 25, 2008 more from this source»»
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