A Running Account

Registration Check (Are you really registered?)

GWTardy — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:48:29 EDT

Thanks to Conner Stribe [CincinnatiObama2008@groups.barackobama.com] for posting the contact information to check and discover your registration status in Hamilton County, Ohio.

Registration Check (Are you really registered?)

GWTardy — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:48:29 EDT

Thanks to Conner Stribe [CincinnatiObama2008@groups.barackobama.com] for posting the contact information to check and discover your registration status in Hamilton County, Ohio.

McCain Caves To Right Wing On Gay Adoption, Says Orphans Shouldn’t Have Gay Parents

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:26:49 EDT

http://thinkprogress.org/

McCain Denies He Used ‘The Word Timetable,’ Claims ‘We Were Greeted As Liberators’

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:23:00 EDT

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/27/mccain-denies-timetables/

Cold Shoulders

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:18:26 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/nyregion/thecity/27harl.html?ref=politics

Lobbyist Reports Show $181,000 for McCain

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:14:49 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/us/politics/27lobby.html?ref=politics

Going for That Presidential Look, but Trying Not to Overdo It

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:12:45 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/us/politics/27OBAMA.html?ref=politics

Black Radio on Obama Is Left’s Answer to Limbaugh

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:09:26 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/us/politics/27radio.html?ref=politics

McCain Assails Obama Over Foreign Tour

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:06:41 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/us/politics/27cnd-campaign.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin

New McCain Ads Attack Obama’s Canceled Troop Visit

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:04:12 EDT

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/new-mccain-ads-attack-obamas-canceled-troop-visit/

The Early Word: Coming (Back) to America

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:01:17 EDT

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/the-early-word-coming-back-to-america/

Obama at Convention for Journalists

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:58:52 EDT

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/obama-at-unity-convention/

EURO LOVEFEST PUTS THE LIE TO 'EVIL AMERICA'

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:55:41 EDT

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07272008/news/columnists/euro_lovefest_puts_the_lie_to_evil_ameri_121848.htm

O FEARS A JET LAG IN POLLS

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:53:09 EDT

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07272008/news/nationalnews/o_fears_a_jet_lag_in_polls_121811.htm

Barack Obama is back on American soil after a whirlwind trip abroad - and despite the adulation he met in the Mideast and Europe, he suspects his summer travels might have hurt him at home.

Hours before boarding his flight back to Chicago yesterday, Obama told re porters in London he wouldn't be surprised by a dip in his poll numbers in coming days.

"People are worried about gas prices and home foreclosures," he said. "We have been gone for a week."

A national Fox News poll released Tuesday as the Democratic candi date toured the Middle East seemed to confirm his fears.

His lead over Republican rival John McCain had shrunk to 41-40 percent, the Fox poll found.

Last month, a Fox poll had Obama leading 45-41 percent.

Nicolas Sarkozy goes ooh la la over visiting Barack Obama

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:51:05 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/25/2008-07-25_nicolas_sarkozy_goes_ooh_la_la_over_visi.html

Yep, I could use break, Obama sighs to British Tory boss Cameron

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:49:32 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/26/2008-07-26_yep_i_could_use_break_obama_sighs_to_bri.html

During Barack Obama's much ballyhooed London visit, the White House hopeful confessed in a private chat with a British political leader that he was looking forward to taking a break.

Unaware that an ABC News microphone was listening as they strolled, Obama was asked by Tory boss David Cameron, "Do you have a break at all?"

"I have not," Obama replied. "I am going to take a week in August." He then says that if he gets elected, he'll take the advice of "somebody who had worked in the White House who - not [Bill] Clinton himself, but somebody who had been close to the process - said that, should we be successful, that actually the most important thing you need to do is to have big chunks of time during the day when all you're doing is thinking.

"The truth is that we've got a bunch of smart people," he says, "I think, who know 10 times more than we do about the specifics of the topics. And so if what you're trying to do is micromanage and solve everything, then you end up being a dilettante."

Obama Tour Roundup 5

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:48:02 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/galleries/barack_obama_world_tour_summer_2008/barack_obama_world_tour_summer_2008.html

Obama Tour Roundup 4

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:46:14 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/galleries/barack_obama_world_tour_summer_2008/barack_obama_world_tour_summer_2008.html

Obama Tour Roundup 3

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:42:00 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/galleries/barack_obama_world_tour_summer_2008/barack_obama_world_tour_summer_2008.html

Obama Tour Roundup 2

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:38:29 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/galleries/barack_obama_world_tour_summer_2008/barack_obama_world_tour_summer_2008.html

Obama Tour Roundup

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:34:54 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/galleries/barack_obama_world_tour_summer_2008/barack_obama_world_tour_summer_2008.html

In U.K., Obama says U.S. must get by with help from its friends

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:30:50 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/26/2008-07-26_in_uk_obama_says_us_must_get_by_with_hel.html

Obama team sweet on Caroline Kennedy; leads VP hunt, will hit trail

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:28:31 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/26/2008-07-26_obama_team_sweet_on_caroline_kennedy_lea.html

Obama says he creates a race in some red states

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:26:12 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/27/2008-07-27_obama_says_he_creates_a_race_in_some_red.html

Presidential hopeful John McCain backs effort banning affirmative action

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:24:23 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/27/2008-07-27_presidential_hopeful_john_mccain_backs_e.html

Body Language: What McCain and Obama Reveal

GWTardy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:22:08 EDT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080725/sc_livescience/bodylanguagewhatmccainandobamareveal

With Obama in Europe, Bush raids Illinois for $700 GOP G's

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:44:45 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

LeBron James dunks $20G's in the basket for Barack Obama

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:42:46 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

Barack Obama will be joining August's vacationing hordes

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:40:58 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

John McCain, in his own way, hitched a ride with Barack Obama

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:39:18 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

Villaraigosa seeks to build Latino support for Obama

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:36:33 EDT

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-coalition24-2008jul24,0,2273200.story

L. A. mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gives a "fist bump" to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama during the national convention of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) at the Washington Hilton July 8, in Washington, DC.The effort stands to benefit both the presidential candidate and the mayor, a former Hillary Clinton supporter who has had an uneasy relationship with some in the black community.

Bratwurst for McCain -- and relish too

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:33:16 EDT

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-trailmccain25-2008jul25,0,6427300.story

McCain holds small events in a key state: Ohio

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:31:17 EDT

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-mccain25-2008jul25,0,6036240.story

Military says it set rules for Obama hospital visit

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:29:35 EDT

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-visit26-2008jul26,0,5392381.story

Obama Western Wall prayer note is filched

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:27:57 EDT

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-prayer26-2008jul26,0,307044.story

PRIVATE PRAYER: Sen. Barack Obama places a note at the Western Wall. The note was later swiped and given to an Israeli newspaper.The presidential candidate had slipped the handwritten missive between the religious structure's ancient stones. Criticism follows the intrusion after an Israeli newspaper publicizes the note

Obama risks praise from France

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:24:58 EDT

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign26-2008jul26,0,2012162.story

McCain backer won't be Democratic delegate

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:23:16 EDT

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-delegate26-2008jul26,0,5555702.story

Debra Bartoshevich of Wisconsin was pledged to Hillary Rodham Clinton, then said she'd vote for the Republican over Obama.

McCain assails Obama on Iraq

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:20:09 EDT

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-mccain26-2008jul26,0,6822674.story

Obama meets with British PM, turns focus to U.S. economy

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:17:52 EDT

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-fg-obama27-2008jul27,0,5813156.story

Obama's popularity as anti-Bush is telling

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:16:07 EDT

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-bush26-2008jul26,0,389750.story

Beat the Press: Is FOX trying to make McCain look younger?

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:11:19 EDT

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

How else to explain the Campaign 2000 footage? And Cindy’s hair.

Political hacks Glenn Beck and Ben Stein are frightened that Obama draws large crowds, and liken his appeal to, you guessed it, Hitler and Mussolini. So you’re telling me if John McCain could get more than three people to listen to him speak he would pass? Doubtful.

Karl Rove tells Alan Colmes that McCain’s distortion of the Anbar Awakening time line is a “nit-nat mistake.” He’s right. Who cares if there’s a contradiction when McCain claims he has the judgment to lead on Iraq and he can’t even get the basic facts straight? I sure don’t

We’re ‘fellow citizens of the world’

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:09:18 EDT

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

Obama’s trip to see wounded soldiers canceled because the military would consider it a campaign event.

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:07:33 EDT

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

McCain Increasingly More Unhinged In Denver Speech

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:05:00 EDT

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

Obama far more popular with American Jews than Lieberman

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:00:45 EDT

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

Obama Buoys Democrats With Speech That Draws Berliners' Cheers

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:56:25 EDT

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=awsBcyLWUzXg&refer=home

Obama, McCain Seek Demographic Force Like Soccer Moms

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:54:15 EDT

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=a0YYZTZlg2Vw&refer=home

Latinos Show Love for Obama

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:46:25 EDT

http://www.newsone.com/nation/article/latinos-show-love-for-obama

Obama Urges World Unity in Germany

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:44:28 EDT

http://www.newsone.com/world/article/obama-urges-world-unity-in-germany

Obama Puts Pressure on Iran Over Nukes

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:42:35 EDT

http://www.newsone.com/article/obama-puts-pressure-on-iran-over-nukes

Audacity of Hoplessness

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:40:28 EDT

http://www.newsone.com/nation/article/audacity-of-hoplessness

Female McCain supporters launch Georgia campaign

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:35:19 EDT

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2008/07/24/mcain_women.html

Women supporting John McCain on Thursday launched campaigns in five Georgia cities on behalf of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

Georgia first lady Mary Perdue and state GOP chairwoman Sue Everhart bookended the opening and closing of a meeting of roughly 120 supporters, most of them women, at a downtown Atlanta hotel. Similar events took place in Augusta, Savannah, Macon and Columbus.

The featured speaker at the Atlanta event was McCain's economic policy adviser, Carly Fiorina. Fiorina urged audience members to ignore "conventional wisdom" that widespread voter discontent with President Bush about the state of economy and high gas prices will ultimately doom McCain's presidential bid.

Fiorina also predicted McCain will attract many women voters to his campaign, even if they disagree with the GOP presidential candidate on such issues as abortion.

"I happen to be pro-life," Fiorina said. "There are many women in this country who are not, and yet many of them will support John McCain."

"John McCain understands the role and importance of strong and powerful women," she said.

Fiorina's remarks followed her appearance at a conference across the hall where she spoke to more 350 businesswomen and advocates for women's issues from across the country.

McCain's Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, also sent a surrogate.

Retired Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy told the crowd that Obama is the best candidate "to get us back on track."

Obama scraps visit to wounded troops

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:33:47 EDT

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/news/stories/2008/07/24/obama_wounded_troops_visit_germany.html

Sen. Barack Obama scrapped plans to visit wounded members of the armed forces in Germany as part of his overseas trip, a decision his spokesman said was made because the Democratic presidential candidate thought it would be inappropriate on a campaign-funded journey.

The spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said Thursday that Obama made his decision out of respect for the servicemen and women, but Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign immediately criticized the move.

"Barack Obama is wrong. It is never inappropriate to visit our men and women in the military," said Brian Rogers, a spokesman for the Republican contender.

Obama's decision raised a number of questions because the visit, which had been scheduled for Friday, never appeared on the schedule of events distributed to reporters who are accompanying him on his travels.

The first word from the campaign about its existence was Gibbs' statement.

Obama had been planning to go to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany before a flight to Paris. Gibbs said the stop was canceled because Obama decided "it would be inappropriate to make a stop to visit troops at a U.S. military facility as part of a trip funded by the campaign."

McCain struggles to be heard in face of Obama trip

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:32:13 EDT

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/news/stories/2008/07/25/mccain_campaign_obama.html

Israeli paper publishes Obama Western Wall prayer, ignites controversy

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:30:18 EDT

http://www.ajc.com/highschool/content/news/stories/2008/07/25/Israel_Obama_prayer.html

McCain meets Dalai Lama, presses China on rights

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:23:48 EDT

http://www0.eurweb.com/Marticle.cfm?articleId=29391580&channelId=2019&buyerId=eurweb&buid=4696

U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain urged China on Friday to address human rights concerns and free Tibetan prisoners after he met with the Dalai Lama in Colorado.

"I urge the Chinese leaders to engage in talks and make progress with his Holiness' representatives in addressing the just grievances of the Tibetan people," McCain said, with the Dalai Lama at his side.

"I urge the Chinese government to release Tibetan political prisoners, account for Tibetans that have 'disappeared' since the protests in March, and engage in meaningful dialogue and genuine autonomy for Tibet."

The exiled Tibetan leader said McCain had shown "genuine concern" for human rights, democracy and environmental concerns with regards to China.

McCain, an Arizona senator who sees foreign policy as a key strength in his quest for the White House, said the Dalai Lama's words were not an endorsement.

Obama defends scrubbing visit to wounded troops

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:22:17 EDT

http://www0.eurweb.com/Marticle.cfm?articleId=29409853&channelId=2019&buyerId=eurweb&buid=4696

McCain says Obama's judgment on Iraq "failed"

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:19:05 EDT

http://www0.eurweb.com/Marticle.cfm?articleId=29395986&channelId=2019&buyerId=eurweb&buid=4696

Obama defends foreign tour as visit closes

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:17:14 EDT

http://www0.eurweb.com/Marticle.cfm?articleId=29432794&channelId=2019&buyerId=eurweb&buid=4696

OBAMA SPEAKS IN BERLIN: Tells Germany/Europe they must do more.

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:14:49 EDT

http://eurweb.com/story/eur45650.cfm

Dip-Lo-Mat

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:11:15 EDT

http://www.ebonyjet.com/politics/index.aspx

foreign policy nuances from the South Side

THURSDAY: Berlin, Germany

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:08:17 EDT

http://www.ebonyjet.com/politics/national/campaign08/index.aspx?id=8490

THE OBAMA REPORT--WEDNESDAY: Jerusalem

GWTardy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:07:03 EDT

http://www.ebonyjet.com/politics/national/campaign08/index.aspx?id=8476

Obama: Surge Doesn't Meet Long-Term Goals

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:29:30 EDT

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/22/eveningnews/main4283623.shtml

In An Exclusive Interview With Katie Couric, Illinois Senator Defends Position On Troop Buildup

McCain: "We Will Come Home In Victory"

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:26:02 EDT

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/22/eveningnews/main4283813.shtml

Confirmed: Maliki’s Timetable Endorsement NOT Lost In Translation

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:22:54 EDT

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

Watching it all fall apart at once

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:20:52 EDT

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

CBS Spokesman distorts Standard of Editing on Couric-McCain interview. Here’s the proof

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:17:54 EDT

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

Joe Scarborough: Olbermann “too stupid to be on TV” for running McCain’s Anbar gaffe

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:14:58 EDT

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

Snookered? Novak says the McCain camp may have duped him

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:11:46 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

Mon Dieu! Pity the reporters left behind to cover McCain

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:10:00 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

Making light of the gobs of attention showered by the news media on Barack Obama as he has traveled through the Middle East and Europe, John McCain's campaign had some fun Tuesday.

After a late-night arrival in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the campaign distributed phony press credentials to the media. One side bears the Statue of Liberty with the words: “McCain press corps. JV squad. Left behind to report in America.”

On the other side a squinting young man in a black-and-white-striped shirt and pink scarf (with a black beret and heavy mustache) pours wine into a glass before a shadowy image of the Eiffel Tower, with roughly the same message in (bad) French: “Le group de presse de McCain. L’equipe junior. Laisse en arriere pour faire un rapport en Amerique.”

A McCain donor turns into an embarrassment

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:08:04 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

Barack Obama visits Israel's Holocaust museum

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:06:14 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

Barack Obama gets blown away by Hurricane Dolly (at least in part)

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:02:52 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/07/barack-obama-ge.html

Palestinian in construction truck rams cars near Obama's Jerusalem hotel

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:58:51 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/07/22/2008-07-22_palestinian_in_construction_truck_rams_c.html

Obama practices tough love to achieve peace in Middle East

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:57:07 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/22/2008-07-22_obama_practices_tough_love_to_achieve_pe.html

Barack Obama tries to reassure Israelis and Palestinians on Middle East tour

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:55:26 EDT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/23/2008-07-23_barack_obama_tries_to_reassure_israelis_.html

Va. sees surge in young voters

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:49:51 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11910.html

Virginia is seeing a surge in voter registration among 18- to 25-year-olds.

The Virginia State Board of Elections says the number of 18- to 25-year-old voters has increased by 10% in the past year. As of last week, there were 569,817 registered voters in that age group.

During the same period, the total number of registered voters increased by 5 percent to 4.7 million.

Population growth could be factor. U.S. Census Bureau figures show that the number of 18- to 24-year-olds is growing faster than Virginia's overall population.

Analysts and campaign officials say the presidential race also is a big draw this year.

McCain’s head games on taxes

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:48:02 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11917.html

Obama’s coattails could sway Mississippi

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:46:01 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11962.html

Obama's new era of service

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:44:13 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11961.html

Anti-Obama doc to premiere on DNC eve

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:40:58 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11950.html

McCain gaffes pile up; critics pile on

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:38:31 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11939.html

Obama tries to dial down politics

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:35:34 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11941.html

McCain raises money off Obama’s trip

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:32:54 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11948.html

Bush to speak to RNC Sept. 1

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:30:30 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11997.html

Republican National Convention goers — and the nation — will spend the convention's opening night with President Bush.

The president is slated to speak at the St. Paul convention on Sept. 1, according to the White House press secretary.

"It looks like Monday night, Sept. 1...which is traditionally when the incumbent speaks," press secretary Dana Perino said Wednesday.

McCain says coverage is 'fun to watch'

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:28:39 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11971.html

Text of Republicans Letter to NYT

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:26:29 EDT

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0708/House_Republicans_fire_off_letter_to_New_York_Times.html

House Republicans fire off letter to New York Times

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:24:54 EDT

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0708/House_Republicans_fire_off_letter_to_New_York_Times.html

Foreign press: All Obama, all the time

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:22:27 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11972.html

On trip, Obama looks to Mideast peace

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:18:54 EDT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11996.html

Obama tour staged for political pop

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:16:12 EDT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080723/pl_politico/11977;_ylt=As5NyemHHnZhS1EOuYh6MEyyFz4D

McCain to counterprogram Obama in Germany with visit to Gulf Coast oil rig

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:13:38 EDT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080723/pl_politico/18129;_ylt=AhK63L29.7fzvMLvgxsyrvmyFz4D

While Barack Obama is speaking about international affairs in Germany before thousands of fans tomorrow, John McCain will be talking about a pressing domestic issue with an equally striking if very different backdrop.

Weather permitting, McCain will helicopter from Louisiana to an oil rig in the Gulf Coast to make the case for expanded off-shore drilling, says a McCain aide.

The GOP nominee will be joined by a small press pool of reporters and photographers on a trek sure to offer memorable images. Because of space constraints, Louisiana Gov. and veep prospect Bobby Jindal will not make the trip.

Since first disclosed Monday, McCain's visit to the state has been shrouded in mystery. Campaign aides have been watching weather patterns, including the path of Hurricane Dolly, closely and are hopeful they can pull off the visit.

UPDATE: Just over an hour after finalizing plans to visit an oil rig tomorrow, the McCain campaign has cancelled the visit.

“The meeting with Governor Jindal has been postponed and we are cancelling the trip to the rig due to weather," said spokesman MIchael Goldfarb.

McCain will now fly from Pennsylvania to Ohio. He had originally planned to fly tonight from Pennsylvania to New Orleans to be staged there for morning departure to the rig.

The campaign declined to comment any further about the quick decision to spike the trip other than to cite the weather.

McCain has Berlin moment too — in little Berlins

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:11:49 EDT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080723/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_radio_ad;_ylt=Ag_6TXdxQP1m8zg.6ZpdGVCyFz4D

McCain denies he misstated timing of Iraq surge

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:10:09 EDT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080723/ap_on_el_pr/mccain;_ylt=Avj.luefwWfDfC9Q4n88gM.yFz4D

Republican John McCain is pushing back against Democratic criticism that he misstated the timing of the buildup of troops ordered by President Bush in early 2007. He says parts of the new strategy began months earlier.

The Arizona senator has told reporters during a stop at a super market in Bethlehem, Pa., that what the Bush administration calls "the surge" was actually "made up of a number of components." McCain says some components of the surge began before Bush ordered more U.S. troops into Iraq.

McCain says U.S. Col. Sean MacFarland started carrying out elements of a new counterinsurgency strategy as early as December 2006.

Obama tells Israel he's committed to its security

GWTardy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:08:29 EDT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080723/ap_on_el_pr/obama_mideast;_ylt=Ai_1EpiK4vEnkLVRhlIREuyyFz4D

Does Kemp scramble his 'dear friend' McCain's nerves?

GWTardy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:35:45 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

While campaigning in Buffalo, N.Y., John McCain made a puzzling comment about a local hero, Jack Kemp.

First he called Kemp -- a onetime Buffalo Bills quarterback who later represented western New York for nine terms as a Republican congressman -- a "dear friend." But McCain, speaking at an art museum Monday, went on to say that "I haven't met anybody who isn't afraid of Jack Kemp."

It's not clear what it is about Kemp, 73, that might inspire fear. As footballers go, he wasn't very big. One listing shows that he was all of 5 feet, 10 inches and 175 pounds back when he played for Occidental College in his native Los Angeles.

And while he led the Bills to two championships in the old American Football League in the mid-1960s, his strong suit was his ability to scramble and pass, not to overpower.

Perhaps Kemp got a little scary, at least to some, when he helped shape the Reagan agenda and embraced supply-side economics -- a theory that George H.W. Bush, who later named Kemp his Housing secretary -- once famously called "voodoo economics." Or maybe McCain's anxieties were raised simply by the memory of what happened when Kemp was the No. 2 person on Bob Dole's Republican presidential ticket in 1996; they were defeated by Democrats Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

Obama calls the commander-in-chief role an art, not a science

GWTardy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:34:28 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

Last year's surge of U.S. troops in Iraq is widely credited with reducing violence in the country.

But Barack Obama says he still isn't persuaded that the troop-increase plan -- which he opposed, and John McCain supported -- deserves the credit. So why did violence subside?

In an interview Monday with Terry Moran of ABC's "Nightline," Obama attributed the improvement to "a combination of political factors inside of Iraq that then came right at the same time as terrific work by our troops." Those political factors included Sunni tribal leaders rising up against Al Queda, he said, and the "standing down" of Shiite militias "to some degree."

Obama also dashed the hopes of any optimistic peace activists that, as president, he would disengage the United States from overseas conflicts. One of the reasons he has set a goal of withdrawing American combat troops from Iraq in 16 months is that he wants to put more forces in Afghanistan where, he said, "we need at least a couple more brigades and right now we don't know where to get them from."

Yet disagreements with military commanders over managing warfare are inevitable for presidents, he said. "This is not a science," Obama said, "it's an art."

Update: Obama, at his news conference today in Jordan, said there has been “security progress” in Iraq over the past year, and now it’s time to work toward “a political solution.”

Was Barack Obama's overseas path paved by the 'Great Commoner'?

GWTardy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:32:36 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

He was the spellbinder of his generation, able to mesmerize enthusiastic crowds at home and abroad with honeyed words spoken by a charismatic politician.

Barack Obama? Maybe.

But more than a century before Obama embarked on his current trip abroad to enhance his foreign policy credentials, another prominent Democrat embarked on an overseas voyage with presidential politics as a backdrop.

In 1906, William Jennings Bryan visited London and gave a widely noted speech in which he presented a plan for peacefully settling international disputes. He also famously spoke about the responsibilities of more developed nations to aid people in less developed countries.

His speech was delivered at the Independence Day banquet of the American Society of London in 1906. Having lost two presidential contests, the Great Commoner, as he was known, was gearing up for a third run in 1908. Intriguingly, he was invited to headline the July 4 gathering in England by U.S. Ambassador Whitelaw Reid, a longtime mover and shaker in Republican politics.

Perhaps the courtesy was part of a GOP strategy to help propel a candidate it knew how to beat to another Democratic nomination. Whatever, Bryan again claimed his party's nod and proceeded to get crushed by outgoing President Theodore Roosevelt's handpicked successor, William Howard Taft.

John McCain previously has invoked Bryan when discussing Obama, though he wasn’t referring to overseas travel.

"I believe that people are interested very much in substance," McCain told USA Today. "If it was simply style, William Jennings Bryan would have been president."

Another notable foreign sojourn by a presidential contender featured a politician who could make the trip as part of his official duties. In 1958, then-Vice President Richard Nixon went on a "goodwill" tour of Latin America with the idea of raising his standing for the 1960 general election (he already was the clear favorite to win the Republican nomination).

What was supposed to be an uneventful journey erupted into anti-American violence -- including the Caracas, Venezuela, incident in which an angry mob surrounded his car and began rocking it, shouting "Death to Nixon."

The trip proved political gold at home. Upon his return, Nixon was greeted by 15,000 people at the airport, including President Eisenhower and the entire Cabinet. Politicians of both parties praised his courage.

In this election cycle, Republican presidential contenders Rudolph W. Giuliani and Fred Thompson last year popped over the pond to highlight their diplomatic chops (as well as to raise money). Their stops included visits with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, photo-ops they hoped would polish their credentials with American conservatives (see Giuliani's visit here and Thompson's venture here).

Buddying-up to foreign leaders who are visiting America is another time-honored tactic. McCain, Obama and Hillary Clinton met with Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, when he came to Washington.

Foreign politicians generally don’t use America as a backdrop for campaigning, but there are exceptions. Israeli politicians of all persuasions are common visitors to New York, Florida and other states with large Jewish populations, in part to keep support for their country strong in the U.S.

In Mexico’s 2000 presidential election, Vincente Fox of the PAN and Cuauhtemoc Cardenas of the PRD brought their campaigns to selected communities in California and other states with large Latino populations. With absentee balloting not an option, expatriates were urged to either return home to vote or exert their influence with relatives who could vote. Fox won the race, unseating the ruling PRI.

UPDATE: Might McCain pull out of Iraq faster than Obama?

GWTardy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:30:36 EDT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/

A surrogate for John McCain made a leftward feint on a campaign conference call today, suggesting that the presumptive Republican nominee might pull troops out of Iraq sooner than Barack Obama.

"He’d like troops to come home earlier than 16 months if the conditions allow it," Rep. Heather Wilson, (R-New Mexico), said of McCain.

During the call, Wilson and other McCain surrogates mainly continued to push the campaign's standard critique against Obama –- that the Illinois senator has a rigid, politically driven timetable for withdrawal, while McCain will only pull troops if military commanders say the conditions in Iraq merit it. Also, they said, the improved security in Iraq that makes withdrawal feasible is due to McCain, who supported the surge, rather than Obama, who opposed it.

But reporters seized on Wilson's provocative statement about a speedy pullout, asking McCain senior foreign policy advisor Randy Scheunemann whether the Arizona senator thought he could get troops home faster than Obama. Scheunemann didn't go there. "Sen. McCain has always said two things would determine his approach to force levels in Iraq: The advice of commanders on the ground and the security situation on the ground."

Wilson pulled back from the quick withdrawal idea, too. Instead, she turned back to the call's original purpose -- bashing Obama. "He's frighteningly inexperienced when it comes to foreign affairs and national security policy," Wilson said.

UPDATE: The Obama campaign noted that the McCain camp’s Monday website post called Obama’s goal of withdrawing in 16 months "an unconditional timeline we reject not only as being dangerous but infeasible."