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Dean: Keeping Lieberman As Chairman Is Shrewd Move

2008-11-18T19:10:19Z

DNC Chair Howard Dean welcomed the decision to keep Senator Joseph Lieberman as head of the Homeland Security Committee and, consequently, in the Democratic Caucus, saying the move was pragmatic, magnanimous and politically shrewd.

Speaking to the Huffington Post just moments after it was announced that Democrats in the Senate had voted to keep Lieberman as committee chair, Dean said the party had done the right thing by not giving into urges for retribution.

"You know, the desire of revenge is great, of course. But the truth is public policy doesn't run on revenge very well," he said. "And when you see the trouble this country has gotten into in terms of foreign policy, where Bush basically ran a foreign policy based on petulance because he was mad at, for example, Mexico, for abstaining on the Security Council when the Iraq War came up, if you have to actually run the country, it is best not to do it based on feeling of anger towards your enemies."

The Democratic Party chair, who will be leaving his post this January, went on to applaud Barack Obama for putting hurt feelings aside and welcoming the Connecticut Independent back into the party fray. He also predicted that the caucus would benefit from keeping Lieberman, who spent the past year campaigning alongside John McCain, often criticizing Obama and the Democratic Party.

"My point of view is that Barack won," Dean said. "He can afford to be magnanimous. And if we happen to win both recounts and Georgia, Joe is the 60th vote. And the truth is -- and I certainly don't have to defend Joe Lieberman because, you know, we have an interesting history -- but the fact is, he does vote 90 percent of the time with the Democrats. And no, he shouldn't have said all those things. But why not clean the slate? Why not start all over again? Why not allow him to vote with us on the 90 percent of the stuff? He will be a good vote on climate change -- and this matters. He may be a good vote on election reform, which I hope we will get to. So, you know, he may end up - though it is a little against the odds -- he may end up being the vote that allows us to conduct business when Mitch McConnell decides we shouldn't."

Obama Wants Lieberman To Remain In Democratic Caucus

2008-11-10T19:45:56Z

President-elect Barack Obama has informed party officials that he wants Joe Lieberman to continue caucusing with the Democrats in the 111th Congress, Senate aides tell the Huffington Post.

Obama's decision could tie the hands of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has been negotiating to remove Lieberman as chair of the Homeland Security and Government Reform committee while keeping him within the caucus. Lieberman has insisted that he will split from the Democrats if his homeland security position is stripped.

Aides to the president-elect did not return requests for comment. Senate officials were unclear whether Obama would be comfortable with Lieberman maintaining his current committee post.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that he would welcome Lieberman into the GOP, though he has little to offer in terms of committee assignments.

If Lieberman were to continue caucusing with the Democrats without being punished for his campaign conduct -- Democrats say he broke a promise not to campaign negatively against Obama -- the progressive community will undoubtedly be up in arms. For Obama, however, the move may be a shrewd gesture towards reconciliation, in the process taking a potentially taxing political fight off the table.

Fellow Connecticut Senate Chris Dodd, who has spoken out in favor of Lieberman remaining in the party, explained as much to reporters on Friday:

"What does Barack Obama want?... He's talked about reconciliation, healing, bringing people together. I don't think he'd necessarily want to spend the first month of this president-elect period, this transition period, talking about a Senate seat, particularly if someone is willing to come forward and is willing to be a member of your family in the caucus in that sense."

A Democrat close to Lieberman, meanwhile, said he thought that keeping Lieberman in the fold "would be a good move for Obama as a way to make real his promise of new politics, a less partisan Washington and more unity. He would do so at some risk. Obviously there is a liberal wing of the party that wants Joe punished... "

There is, perhaps, one measure by which Democratic leadership can still reconcile the competing realities of Lieberman's future in the caucus. One Democratic aide said that the party was considering letting the Connecticut Senator keep his post at homeland security but forcing him to relinquish one or both of his spots on two more high-profile committees: Armed Services and Environment & Public Works.

Lieberman is in line for leadership roles in both of those committees should the current chairs leave their posts. On Armed Services, the two senators ahead of him are Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd. On Environment and Public Works, current chair Barbara Boxer may face a tough reelection campaign in 2010 and second in line, Sen. Max Baucus, already heads another committee.

If Democratic leadership were to keep Lieberman on homeland security but impede any chance of ascending to these other posts, that may be enough to placate progressive activists demanding punishment while keeping the Connecticut Senator in the caucus.

UPDATE: Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo writes that Bill Clinton has also been "making calls on Sen. Lieberman's behalf," something that the Huffington Post later heard from another Hill source.

But Matt McKenna, a spokesman for the former president, vehemently denies the report.

"It's completely false," he says.

Obama Hires Progressive Liaison For Transition Team

2008-11-10T15:29:50Z

Veteran Democratic official Mike Lux has been tapped by Barack Obama to serve as an adviser and progressive liaison during the transition period, the Huffington Post has learned.

Lux, who worked on the Clinton administration transition efforts in 1992, confirmed the hiring but, citing a need for clearance, declined to offer further information.

The staffing move provides the Obama team with an important outlet to the progressive community -- a constituency from which the president-elect currently enjoys great support but one that has a wide range of priorities and will be holding Obama most firmly to his campaign promises once he takes office.

After working in the Clinton White House on issues ranging from health care and the budget to school lunch policy, he founded Progressive Strategies LLC and began writing for the site OpenLeft.com in July 2007. He also helped co-found a number of progressive institutions including: Americans United for Change, Center for Progressive Leadership, Grassroots Democrats, Progressive Majority, Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, and Women's Voices/Women Vote. He writes for the Huffington Post.

Top 60 Memorable Campaign Ads Of 2008

2008-11-03T18:19:07Z

It is tradition in every campaign for each side to denounce the other as having run the sleaziest race in modern political history. And certainly it seems like every day brings with it a new attack ad deemed "the worst one yet."

While historians are generally skittish when it comes to such claims -- pointing out that past years witnessed some serious mudslinging of their own -- it is hard to dismiss just how dirty and/or memorable some of the attack ads have been this election cycle.

Many times it is an outside group hurling the sludge. On several occasions the notably nasty or remarkable stuff is aired during a Congressional race. Often the charges reek of sexism, racism, and ageism. Almost always they distort records or cross ethical lines. But sometimes, they are just stupid, funny, or dramatic.

Either way, for the political masochists among us, here is a compendium of the best, worst, and most memorable hits of the 2008 election cycle.

(Did we miss a great spot? Email us.)

It's 3 A.M.: Needing a game-changer before the Texas and Ohio primaries, the Clinton campaign put out the now famous 3 A.M. tackling Obama's capacity to handle a late-in-the-night crisis.

He's A Celebrity: In what became a theme of John McCain's campaign for several weeks, the GOP dubbed Barack Obama the "biggest celebrity in the world."

The Obama Infomercial: When you have historic fundraising efforts you can run historic ad campaigns. A thirty-minute infomercial on nearly every major network was remarkable both for its reach and for its content.

Is That Cross Floating?: Mike Huckabee ran an ad on the eve of Christmas that contained what appeared to be a floating cross in the background. The former governor said the spot was meant to bring in the Holiday cheer - a reprieve of sorts, from the negative advertising. But critics said it is religious exploitation.

Godless: Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) ran an ad accusing her opponent Kay Hagan of hanging around a crowd of "godless" individuals who want to push an atheist agenda through Congress. Hagan filed a defamation suit in response.

San Francisco Values: Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) put out a gay-baiting ad that -- with a disco beat in the back -- accusing his opponent of having "San Francisco values."

A Soldier's Voice: Senate candidate Tom Udall (D-NM) released an ad featuring a disabled veteran speaking, through a computer voice, about the candidate's work on behalf of people like him: "Thank you," Army Sgt. Erik Schel mouths out, with no voice to say it aloud.

Teaching Sex Ed: The McCain Campaign put out an ad that accused Obama of wanting to teach children about sex before teaching them how to read. The spot -- which does more than any other to turn negative the media's perception of the McCain candidacy -- is widely contested. The bill, Obama argued, was to help children learn what was inappropriate physical interaction, so as to protect them from predators.

Al Franken "Humiliates Minorities," Finds Rape Funny: Days after Norm Coleman disavows negative ads, the National Republican Senatorial Committee ran a spot against his opponent, Al Franken, accusing the former comedian of writing pornography, laughing at the disabled, humiliating minorities and demeaning women.

Not My Son: MoveOn.org's most memorable ad of the cycle, called "Not Alex," depicted a mother telling John McCain that she won't allow her son to go fight in his wars.

A Yellow Shower: Democratic Congressman Jim Slattery, running for a Kansan Senate seat, aired an ad that shows a business tycoon showering yellow liquid all over the small people below him. Viewers are led to believe he is peeing on them, only to be shown that it's really 'just' gasoline.

Hunting From A Plane: Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Action Fund put out one of the most cutting ads against Sarah Palin on an unlikely topic -- her support for laws allowing wolves to be killed by plane:

I'm Sorry, Sort Of: Days after calling for an investigation into the un-American behavior of certain member of Congress -- looking at you, Obama -- Rep. Michelle Bachmann is forced to go on air with a non-apology, apology.

Was Obama A Muslim?: A fringe group called the National Campaign Fund cut a spot asking, "Was Barack Obama ever a Muslim?"

My Opponent Has "No Humanity Whatsoever": GOP Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart ran one of the most over-the-top negative ads of the cycle, featuring a police officer charging that Diaz-Balart's opponent "thinks he's better than all women," has "no humanity whatsoever," is the "most corrupt politician you have ever seen," and even once "beat up on a little tiny kid."

Gravel's Rock: Mike Gravel, who made a name for himself for saying quirky things during the Democratic primary debates, put out an equally bizarre ad in which he throws a giant rock into a pool of water.

The First Wright Ad: Though a variety of groups have now played the Wright card, the first and most controversial effort came by way of the North Carolina GOP. At the time, John McCain criticized the spot, which targeted two local Dems for supporting Barack Obama

Playing The Wright Card Nationally: In late October, the National Republican Trust launched a national ad campaign hammering Obama over his ties to his controversial, now-former pastor.

Franken's Wife Addresses Her Alcohol Addiction: Senate Candidate Al Franken put out an ad in which his wife talked about her struggle with alcoholism and her husband's help through the process. "The Al Franken I know stood by me through thick and thin," Franni Franken says. "So I know he'll always come through for Minnesotans." The spot softens Franken's image -- which had been under assault by the GOP.

About Those Medical Records: Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films and Democracy for America put out an ad highlighting doctors' concerns about John McCain's medical history. Several stations refused to run the spot:

Terror Through Our Borders: National Republican Trust Fund, an outside group with ties to GOP strategist Dick Morris, ran a spot that claims Obama's plan to grant licenses to illegal immigrants could lead to another 9/11. This might not even qualify as the group's most inflammatory spot.

Skin Color Distortion: The National Republican Congressional Committee ran an ad in Minnesota that local officials suggest distorted the skin color of the Democratic candidate for the seat, Ashwin Madia. Madia is a child of East Indian immigrants and a veteran of the Marines.

Using Palin's Wink: One week out from the general election, Obama's campaign ran an ad featuring the notorious wink of one Governor Sarah Palin:

Hair: Former Sen. John Edwards released a spot -- for the youtube debate -- that mocks his critics for focusing on how much he spends on a haircut at the expense of all the major world problems occurring.

Noun, Verb, 9/11: Rudy Giuliani put out a primary ad claiming that he didn't buckle during 9/11 while "the world" did, using footage from the attacks to drive the point home. "When the world wavered, and history hesitated, he never did."

Apologizing To Arabs: The GOP ran an ad against Tom Perriello, a congressional candidate from Virginia, that says he has "apologized to Arabs." Perriello, an international aid worker, had led efforts at cultural outreach to Arab countries.

GOP Ties Rabbi Opponent To Iran: Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) released an ad that calls his Dem opponent Dennis Shulman an extremist and ties him to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The problem: Shulman is a Jewish rabbi.

We're All Joe The Plumber: Working class plumbers of the world... UNITE!

Playing The Ayers Card: The McCain campaign put out a lengthy ad going after Obama for being "friends" with domestic terrorist Bill Ayers. There are many spots just like this that McCain and fellow Republicans will release before and after. This one takes the prize because it goes into long detail about Ayer's past as a member of the Weather Underground as if Obama was someone connected to it.

Burning Down The House: Former Rep. Melissa Hart (R-PA) ran an ad accusing Democrats in Congress of blowing up America's fiscal house:

McCain's Online Challenge: The Obama campaign put out an ad accusing John McCain of being computer illiterate. There is some debate over whether this was a foot-in-the-mouth moment -- McCain's war wounds make it hard to type -- and even Sen. Joe Biden panned the ad.

Big John: John Cornyn, the Republican Senator from Texas, put out an ad that is widely mocked for its... overcompensation.

Y.M.C.A: Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), facing a tough challenge, put out a spot tying former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D), a social conservative and economic populist, to the liberal Democratic leadership in Washington -- and apparently to the Village People as well. A man in a cowboy hat says he's from "the largest gay-rights group in the country."

McSame As Bush: Not novel, but certainly affective, the SEIU tied Bush and McCain on a whole host of issues.

My Opponent's Clinic Killed People: Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democratic businessman Bruce Lunsford's of running clinics that gave poor care to veterans: "I believe that the clinic helped kill my husband," says a widow in the ad.

Same Guy Appears In Ads For Both Candidates: One of the veterans in the (above) Mitch McConnell ad says he was lied to and his words taken totally out of context. That vet subsequently cut an ad on behalf of Bruce Lunsford. "Tricking veterans, twisting their words -- how low will Mitch McConnell go?" the announcer says.

He Might "Serve A Little Time In Jail": The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee launched a TV ad that features the audio of FBI tapes from Sen. Ted Stevens' (R-AK) corruption trial. The longtime Alaska Republican said in a worst case scenario he "might have to serve a little time in jail."

Playing The Keating Card: The Obama campaign, responding to news that McCain will attack Obama's character, played the Keating Five card, releasing a long quasi-documentary exploring McCain's actions in the 1980s scandal.

The FBI Is Wiretapping The Senator: The DSCC went after Alaska's Ted Stevens again, putting out an ad depicting fictional FBI agents monitoring the Senator and listing his alleged crimes: "And I voted for him," says a disappointed fictional agent.

Congressional Candidate Brings Back 'Daisy' Ad: Democratic House-aspirant Colleen Callaghan put out a spot that -- like the infamous "Little Daisy" ad -- warned of nuclear war should her opponent win. "Nuclear weapons can destroy life on our planet," the announcer says. "Aaron Shock said we should sell nuclear weapons to Taiwan."

GOPer Apologizes Over Abramoff Scandal: Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL) put out ad apologizing to the camera for going on a five-year-old trip sponsored by the disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. "I embarrassed myself, embarrassed you, and for that I'm very sorry," Feeney says.

Being A POW Isn't That Great: Robert Greenwald's Brave New PAC and Democracy for America went up on national cable with a 30-second spot starring fellow McCain POW Phillip Butler, who says he knows from personal experience that a POW background is not desirable in a commander-in-chief.

Really Hating Our Troops: Tom McClintock, the GOP nominee for the open seat of scandal-plagued Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), premiered an ad attacking Democrat Charlie Brown, an Air Force veteran, for attending an anti-war rally in 2005.

Candidate References "Our Churches" In Race Against Jew: House candidate Nikki Tinker, challenging Tennessee Rep. Steven Cohen in the Democratic primary, put out an ad that implicitly referenced Cohen's Jewish religion in a predominantly African American community.

Nikki Tinker race baits Steve Cohen. @ Yahoo! Video

I'm A Democrat With McCain: Bruce Lunsford, tried tying himself to McCain (the candidate likely to win in Kentucky), when he offered his own condemnation of Republican corruption: "John McCain singled out Mitch McConnell on corruption," the announcer says.

I'm A Republican With Obama: Sen. Gordon Smith, a Republican in a tough eleciton in Oregon, released a spot touting the work he did with Barack Obama and John Kerry -- the object of his ire back in 2004.

Likewise, endangered GOP Rep. Chris Shays of Connecticut put out an ad saying he possesses "the hopefulness of Obama."

A Stuttering Democrat: A GOP ad used audio of befuddled Democratic candidate Ronnie Musgrove tripping up during an interview: "Ronnie Musgrove," the announcer says. "He's either really confused -- or he wants us to be."

My Opponent Protects Rapists: Gordon Smith put out a spot accusing his opponent, Jeff Merkley, of conspiring to help a child rapist get released onto the streets. "Jeff Merkley, you should have voted to protect victims," a rape victim reads, "not rapists."

GOP Senator Responsible For My Son's Death: The DSCC released an ad against Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), featuring the parents of a Minnesota soldier who was killed in Iraq. "I don't blame the Army for our son's death," the mother says. "I just blame the bad policies on President Bush, Norm Coleman, who voted for this."

Hungry Like A Wolf: McCain put out an ad depicting Obama's oppo-researchers as hungry wolves going after Gov. Sarah Palin. The whole thing is based on a never-proven (see: likely false) report that the Democratic Party sent lawyers to Alaska to scour through Palin's record.

My Opponent's Supporters Are Dirty Hippies: The conservative group, Freedom's Watch, put out an ad hitting Senatorial candidate Mark Udall for supporting the Department of Peace. The spot features a 'hippy' backing Udall and walking into a VW van with a bunch of smoke coming out of it.

The Media Love Affair: The McCain campaign put out an ad that makes fun of the love Obama gets from the media -- the same group of people McCain once called his base.

Naked Men In Ads: Jim Slattery (who ran the tycoon peeing ad) put out an equally, err, nontraditional spot about people not being 'covered' by health insurance. To bring home the point he has people literally walking around uncovered by clothes.

The Hoff: Picking at Obama's big crowds in Europe, the Republican National Committee put out a spot comparing the Senator to David Hasselhoff.

Going Positive... For A Day: The McCain campaign spent a day touting a historic ad to come the closing night of the Democratic primary. It ended up being a spot in which the Arizona Republican looks into the camera and congratulates Obama for his achievement:

Counting Houses: The Obama campaign jumped on an interview in which McCain can't precisely say how many houses he owns. In an ad, the narrator declares: "When asked how many houses he owns, McCain lost track -- he couldn't remember... Well, it's seven. Seven houses."

Just Like This Other Corrupt Black Pol: The Tennessee GOP, which really pushed the envelop this cycle, put out a video linking Obama to Kwame Kilpatrick, the jailed former mayor of Detroit.

Race Card Inverted: A group called the National Black Republican Association launched a radio spot declaring that "the Democratic Party is a racist party," and that "racist Democrats will not vote for Obama, a black man." To top things off, they argue that: "Obama is an arrogant elitist who turned his back on poor blacks and his own country."

Making Fun Of His Name: A National Republican Congressional Committee spot makes light of Democratic nominee Don Cazayoux (pronounced CAZ-you) for his name. "Cazayoux, tax you,'" the narrator says. "Hard to spell, harder to pay for."

Lock Your Doors -- It's Me!: Senate candidate Mark Udall (D-CO), released an ad making fun of the attack ads being launched his way by outside groups. "Quick! Lock your doors and hide. It's me, Mark Udall," the candidate says. "I'm just kiddin'. You gotta keep a sense of humor, though."

READER SUGGESTIONS AND SERIOUS OVERSIGHTS: How did we miss these two?

Obama As Moses: The McCain campaign put out a web video proclaiming Obama, "The One." It fed the celebrity theme and brought it to a celestial level.

(A reader adds this humorous bit of commentary: "[McCain] is just jealous that Obama is getting all glory since McCain was old enough to say 'I knew Moses, I served with Moses and Obama, you're no Moses'")

Chuck Norris Approves This Message: Mike Huckabee turned to his favorite surrogate for this ad, leveling the equivalent of a political drop kick.

Eagleburger Blisters Palin: "Of Course" She's Not Ready

2008-10-31T05:39:32Z

A former Republican Secretary of State and one of John McCain's most prominent supporters offered a stunningly frank and remarkably bleak assessment of Sarah Palin's capacity to handle the presidency should such a scenario arise.

Lawrence Eagleburger, who served as Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush and whose endorsement is often trumpeted by McCain, said on Thursday that the Alaska governor is not only unprepared to take over the job on a moment's notice but, even after some time in office, would only amount to an "adequate" commander in chief.

"And I devoutly hope that [she] would never be tested," he added for good measure -- referring both to Palin's policy dexterity and the idea of McCain not making it through his time in office. (Listen to audio below.)

The remarks took place during an interview on National Public Radio that was, ironically, billed as "making the case" for a McCain presidency. Asked by the host whether Palin could step in during a time of crisis, Eagleburger reverted to sarcasm before leveling the harsh blow.

"It is a very good question," he said, pausing a few seconds, then adding with a chuckle: "I'm being facetious here. Look, of course not."

Eagleburger explained: "I don't think at the moment she is prepared to take over the reins of the presidency. I can name for you any number of other vice presidents who were not particularly up to it either. So the question, I think, is can she learn and would she be tough enough under the circumstances if she were asked to become president, heaven forbid that that ever takes place?

"Give her some time in the office and I think the answer would be, she will be [pause] adequate. I can't say that she would be a genius in the job. But I think she would be enough to get us through a four year... well I hope not... get us through whatever period of time was necessary. And I devoutly hope that it would never be tested."

The indictment of Palin was all the more biting because both she and McCain have held Eagleburger up repeatedly during the past several weeks as evidence that the Republican ticket has firm standing and support within foreign policy circles. (In fact, McCain conferred with Eagleburger by phone just this week, on matters pertaining to national security.)

In a recent co-interview on NBC, Brian Williams asked McCain and Palin "about what must have been a hurtful Sunday for you," referring to Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama and specifically to the "heart of his quote" -- Powell's claim that Palin is not "ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of vice president."

"Obviously General Powell does not know Governor Palin's record," McCain responded. "All I can say is, I see all these attacks on Governor Palin. I don't live in a bubble. But those people obviously are either not paying attention to, or don't care about the record of the most popular governor in the United States of America."

Palin interjected, citing the "five former secretaries of states" that have endorsed their campaign and see in their candidacy "the ability to win the wars and to keep our nation safe and on course."

Days later, the Arizona Senator again touted the Eagleburger endorsement during a spot on CNN. During that interview, McCain tried to downplay the significance of Colin Powell's criticisms of Palin by noting that Powell had never taken the time to understand her political gravitas.

"I especially disagreed when he said the comments that he made about Governor Palin," McCain said. "And I hope that sometime General Powell will take time out of his busy schedule to meet with her. I know she'd be pleased to meet with him."

Perhaps Eagleburger, too, should sit in on that meeting.

UPDATE: McCain is asked to respond to Eagleburger's remarks during an appearance on Good Morning America Friday. And... he's not troubled by them.

"Larry has never had a chance to meet Sarah," he says.

Obama Called "Traitor" Again At McCain Rally

2008-10-10T17:38:30Z

John McCain's rally on Friday once again inspired furious reactions from his supporters, with one woman screaming "traitor!" as McCain criticized Barack Obama's tax record.

"He promised higher taxes on electricity," McCain charged at the event in La Crosse, Wisconsin. "He voted for the Democratic budget resolution that promised to raise taxes on people making just $42,000 a year." At that point, the woman yelled "traitor," and both McCain and his wife Cindy appeared to look in her direction.

The Arizona Senator continued with his stump speech without referencing her.

Here's video:

As Talking Points Memo's Greg Sargent noted, GOP loathing for Obama seems to also be "spilling into down-ticket races," with one woman yelling "bomb Obama!" during a Thursday debate between Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss and his Democratic challenger.

During a Friday appearance on Fox News, Obama aide Stephanie Cutter said that McCain's crowds have become "mob-like" in their anger and argued that McCain cared "more about the state of his campaign than the economy."

"The thing that is most important right now is that we have got to instill confidence in people in our economy. We have got to calm people down," Cutter said. "We do not need to stoke fears on the campaign trail with these mob-like rallies that we have been seeing. We need to take a step back and provide steady leadership. This is a crisis. This is not what leaders do in crises. Barack Obama invoked FDR, 'the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.' Those are words to live by at this point."

Cutter had been asked to weigh in on McCain's newest proposal for the government to buy home mortgages at face value from the banks and renegotiate them at terms more favorable to the homeowner. Clearly, however, she was hoping to further a meme that the Obama campaign sees as a winner: that McCain is appealing to the worst of people's fears and prejudices in order to advance himself electorally. But in referring to the crowds as "mob-like" Cutter brings the argument further than anyone else from Obama's headquarters.

The Senator himself sounded a similar theme during his speech in Ohio Friday morning.

"It's easy to rile up a crowd by stoking anger and division. But that's not what we need right now in the United States. The times are too serious. The challenges are too great. The American people aren't looking for someone who can divide this country -- they're looking for someone who will lead it. We're in a serious crisis -- now, more than ever, it is time to put country ahead of politics. Now, more than ever, it is time to bring change to Washington so that it works for the people of this country that we love."

McCain hasn't seemed all too eager to tamp down the hate-filled rhetoric emanating from his crowds, beyond merely distancing himself from two introductory speakers that used Obama's middle name as an epithet.

George Will: Palin Is Not Qualified

2008-09-30T23:18:15Z

Famed conservative columnist George Will told a gathering of Senate aides on Monday that Gov. Sarah Palin is "obviously" not prepared to assume the presidency if necessary, two event attendees told the Huffington Post.

Appearing at a Senate Press Secretaries Association reception at the Cornerstone Government Affairs office, Will offered a harsh assessment of John McCain's running mate.

Palin is "obviously not qualified to be President," he remarked, describing her interview on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric as a "disaster."

Will did state, according to a second source, that Palin has received rough treatment from the media; arguing that the Alaska Governor would have been "skewered" by the press if she had made some of the same gaffes as Sen. Joe Biden has in recent weeks. But his sympathies only extended so far.

Will has already been critical of the other half of the Republican ticket, calling McCain's handling of the financial crisis "un-presidential" just one week ago. And in offering his take on Palin, the longtime Washington scribe becomes the latest in a list of respected conservative figures who have now soured on the Palin pick.

Last week, Kathleen Parker of the National Review penned a column calling on the Alaska Governor to be dropped from the ticket. New York Time's columnist David Brooks and former Bush speechwriter David Frum have also expressed their doubts about Palin's capacity for the vice presidential post.

Will, who could not be reached for comment., had also been previously critical of McCain's choice of Palin, writing a week after it was announced: "The man who would be the oldest to embark on a first presidential term has chosen as his possible successor a person of negligible experience." One week ago, meanwhile, Will penned a blistering op-ed about McCain, accusing him of practicing "fact-free slander," holding a "Manichaean worldview," and "characteristically substituting vehemence for coherence."

The Smirk: Could McCain's Facial Gestures Define Debate?

2008-09-27T06:31:29Z

As the spin of Friday night's debate settled in and both sides staked a claim to victory, one media narrative began to take hold: while Obama may have been over-complimentary of McCain, the GOP nominee was grumpy, mean, and downright contemptuous of Obama, much to his detriment.

A clip circulated by Democrats showed the McCain demonstrating all of those traits: smirking when Obama gave his answers, eyes blinking, unwilling to even look at his opponent.

It was a small visual, but one that seemed to be getting traction among the punditry. Charlie Gibson on ABC and David Brooks on PBS both noted that McCain didn't look at Obama once. The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder wrote that McCain sounded "angry and passionate"; MSNBC's Chris Matthews described the GOP nominee as "troll-like" and "grouchy."

The episode was reminiscent, to some extent, of Al Gore's sighs during the 2000 debate with George W. Bush. But more than that, it seemed to be a counterbalance to the first takeaway from the debate: mainly, that Obama had agreed too much and been too deferential to his opponent.

GOP aides giddily highlighted the several instances where Obama said he agreed with McCain. But Democrats warned that the move would backfire: while Obama appeared like a statesman, noting both when they agreed and disagreed, McCain refused to even look Obama in the eye.

Certainly the immediate, post-debate focus polls suggested that voters had soured on the Republican nominee's performance. And both in private and in public, aides to Obama thought that the tics and smirks could resonate.

"The scowls and the squints and the facial tics of John McCain didn't serve him well here," said advisor Robert Gibbs, in the spin room.

UPDATE: Here's another video compiling McCain's angriest moments during the debate:

At White House, McCain Plays Bailout Spoiler

2008-09-26T00:07:15Z

Inside an intense White House meeting over the financial crisis on Thursday, where nearly every key player came to an agreement on the outlines of the bailout package, Sen. John McCain stuck out. The Republican candidate, according to sources with direct knowledge, sat quiet through most of the meeting, never offered specifics, and spoke only at the end to raise doubts about the rough compromise that the White House and congressional leaders were nearing.

McCain's reluctance to jump on board the bailout agreement could throw the entire week-long negotiation into a tailspin. Sen. Chris Dodd, after leaving the White House, suggested on CNN that the tenuous process could be derailed by what he viewed as McCain's political motives.

"What happened here, basically, if you want an honest appraisal of the thing, we have been spending a lot of time and I am tired. I have spent almost seven straight days at this in trying to come out with a workout plan for our economy a rescue plan," said Dodd. "What this looked like to me was a rescue plan for John McCain for two hours and took us away from the work we are trying to do today. Serious people trying to do serious work to come up with an answer."

According to the source with knowledge of the White House gathering -- which featured both presidential candidates, congressional leaders and the President -- virtually ever key figure in the room, save McCain and GOP Sen. Richard Shelby, were in agreement over a revised version of Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson's plan.

Towards the end, McCain finally spoke up, mentioning a counter-proposal that had been offered by some conservative House Republicans, which would suspend the capital gains tax for two years and provide tax incentives to encourage firms that buy up bad debt. McCain did not discuss specifics of the plan, though, and was non-committal about supporting it.

Paulson, however, argued directly against the conservative proposal. "He said that he did not think it would work," according to the source. At another point in the meeting, President Bush chimed in, "If money isn't loosened, this sucker could go down" -- and by sucker he meant economy.

ABC News reported that, following the meeting, Paulson "walked into the room where Democrats were caucusing...at the White House and pleaded with them 'please don't blow this up.'" But this story isn't incomplete, according to sources.

Democrats stayed talking in the Roosevelt room and Paulson approached them. After his comment, Speaker Pelosi and Rep. Barney Frank shot back that the real problem was with House Republicans. Paulson replied, "I know, I know," as he got down on one knee to lighten the mood. Pelosi joked back, "I didn't know you were a Catholic."

After the White House meeting, Shelby, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, restated his long-standing opposition to the bailout, and suggested that a deal was not, as reported earlier in the day, imminent. But Shelby's no. 2 on the committee, Sen. Bob Bennett, supports the compromise principles, as do other top GOP House and Senate leaders.

Dodd himself was incensed that the hard work he and others had put in could be undermined at the last minute.

"We were told it came out of the Republican House. We were told at this one point that this was maybe John McCain was floating the idea that Hank Paulson was considering it," Dodd said of the proposal, which he did not elaborate upon. "And of course Barney Frank and I, along with Republicans from the House and the Senate, had spent three hours this morning working on a different core. We were told for the last seven days it was the core issue to give the Secretary authority to move with the crisis, but simultaneously protect the taxpayers and accountability and deal with foreclosure issues all of the things the president mentioned last evening were going to be important as well."

Obama himself did not directly take McCain to task at his post-meeting press avail, but suggested that his methods were not helping the process.

"What I found and I think was confirmed today when you inject presidential politics into delicate negotiations it is not necesary as helpsful as it could be," he said, according to Politico's Carrie Budoff Brown. "When you are not worried about who is getting credit and who is getting blamed you tend to move forward more constructively."

UPDATE: CBS News reports that McCain's alternative proposal includes "fewer regulations and corporate tax breaks":

McCain's Ad Cites Articles That Rip Him Worse Than Obama

2008-09-10T01:06:16Z

John McCain's attack ad released Tuesday evening is perhaps the most outlandish yet this election cycle -- not simply because the spot claims that Obama lacks any substantive record on education policy (he actually can claim several achievements on that front), and not because McCain charges that Obama's lone feat is "comprehensive sex education" for kindergartners (a hysterical description of efforts aimed at protecting children from predators).

What sets this ad apart is that every article save one that the McCain camp cites as being critical of Obama's education policies either has far more derogatory things to say about McCain himself or goes on to praise the Illinois Democrat.

In the spot, the McCain campaign references a June 2008 Washington Post editorial that called Obama "elusive" on school accountability. That same editorial, however, stated that McCain "has not been forthcoming with any detailed plan." Moreover, when the Post editorial board revisited the subject of education last month, it found that "Obama has given the issue more attention" than McCain, whose plan was "both late in coming and still a work in progress."

Moreover, the specific "elusive" claim is in reference to a David Brooks op-ed in the New York Times that was noted by the Post. But in that piece, Brooks was far more critical of McCain. "Obama endorses many good ideas and is more specific than the McCain campaign, which hasn't even reported for duty on education," the Times columnist wrote.

In its press release accompanying the ad, the McCain campaign also cites an Education Week article which states that, as a legislator, Obama "hasn't made a significant mark on education." The same story, however, goes on to add: "Sen. Obama may have a unique perspective among the candidates seeking the presidency in 2008. As a private citizen, he led Chicago's portion of the Annenberg Challenge school reform initiative financed by the late philanthropist Walter H. Annenberg--an experience that shaped Mr. Obama's perspective on the critical importance of principals and teachers."

Additionally, during the heat of the Republican primary, Education Week ran a withering story on the lack of McCain accomplishments in the field, titled "John McCain on Education: Where Art Thou?"

"With Republican presidential contender John McCain poised to make a strong showing--or even win--tomorrow's primary in New Hampshire, it seems appropriate to re-examine his views on education," read the story. "That's not such an easy task. Education doesn't make the Arizona senator's list of issues on his campaign website. ... McCain is a campaign-finance, foreign-relations, anti-abortion, tax-cut candidate. Education is not his thing."

Indeed, only one article referenced by the McCain campaign doesn't, in turn, rip the Republican nominee even harder than Obama. That article (which is misleadingly attributed in the ad to the Chicago Tribune) is a July 2008 op-ed by libertarian columnist Steve Chapman, who has also argued for abolishing the Department of Education.

Palin's Church May Have Shaped Controversial Worldview

2008-09-02T17:17:04Z

UPDATE: Read the Palin Big News Page

Three months before she was thrust into the national political spotlight, Gov. Sarah Palin was asked to handle a much smaller task: addressing the graduating class of commission students at her one-time church, Wasilla Assembly of God.

Her speech in June provides as much insight into her policy leanings as anything uncovered since she was asked to be John McCain's running mate.

Speaking before the Pentecostal church, Palin painted the current war in Iraq as a messianic affair in which the United States could act out the will of the Lord.

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

Religion, however, was not strictly a thread in Palin's foreign policy. It was part of her energy proposals as well. Just prior to discussing Iraq, Alaska's governor asked the audience to pray for another matter -- a $30 billion national gas pipeline project that she wanted built in the state. "I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that," she said.

Video of Kalnins and Palin from June 8, 2008 (via wasillaag.net):

Palin's address, much of which was spent reflecting on the work of the church in which she grew up and was baptized, underscores the notion that her world view is deeply impacted by religion. In turn, her remarks raise important questions: mainly, what is Palin's faith and how exactly has it influenced her policies?

A review of recorded sermons by Ed Kalnins, the senior pastor of Wasilla Assembly of God since 1999, offers a provocative and, for some, eyebrow-raising sketch of Palin's longtime spiritual home.

The church runs a number of ministries providing help to poor neighborhoods, care for children in need, and general community services. But Pastor Kalnins has also preached that critics of President Bush will be banished to hell; questioned whether people who voted for Sen. John Kerry in 2004 would be accepted to heaven; charged that the 9/11 terrorist attacks and war in Iraq were part of a war "contending for your faith;" and said that Jesus "operated from that position of war mode."

It is impossible to determine how much Wasilla Assembly of God has shaped Palin's thinking. She was baptized there at the age of 12 and attended the church for most of her adult life. When Palin was inaugurated as governor, the founding pastor of the church delivered the invocation. In 2002, Palin moved her family to a nondenominational church, but she continues to worship at a related Assembly of God church in Juneau.

Moreover, she "has maintained a friendship with Wasilla Assembly of God and has attended various conferences and special meetings here," Kalnins' office said in a statement. "As for her personal beliefs," the statement added, "Governor Palin is well able to speak for herself on those issues."

Clearly, however, Palin views the church as the source of an important, if sometimes politically explosive, message. "Having grown up here, and having little kids grow up here also, this is such a special, special place," she told the congregation in June. "What comes from this church I think has great destiny."

And if the political storm over Barack Obama's former pastor Jeremiah Wright is any indication, Palin may face some political fallout over the more controversial teachings of Wasilla Assembly of God.

If the church had a political alignment, it would almost surely be conservative. In his sermons, Kalnins did not hide his affections for certain national politicians.

During the 2004 election season, he praised President Bush's performance during a debate with Sen. John Kerry, then offered a not-so-subtle message about his personal candidate preferences. "I'm not going tell you who to vote for, but if you vote for this particular person, I question your salvation. I'm sorry." Kalnins added: "If every Christian will vote righteously, it would be a landslide every time."

Months after hinting at possible damnation for Kerry supporters, Kalnins bristled at the treatment President Bush was receiving over the federal government's handling of Hurricane Katrina. "I hate criticisms towards the President," he said, "because it's like criticisms towards the pastor -- it's almost like, it's not going to get you anywhere, you know, except for hell. That's what it'll get you."

Much of his support for the current administration has come in the realm of foreign affairs. Kalnins has preached that the 9/11 attacks and the invasion of Iraq were part of a "world war" over the Christian faith, one in which Jesus Christ had called upon believers to be willing to sacrifice their lives.

What you see in a terrorist -- that's called the invisible enemy. There has always been an invisible enemy. What you see in Iraq, basically, is a manifestation of what's going on in this unseen world called the spirit world. ... We need to think like Jesus thinks. We are in a time and a season of war, and we need to think like that. We need to develop that instinct. We need to develop as believers the instinct that we are at war, and that war is contending for your faith. ... Jesus called us to die. You're worried about getting hurt? He's called us to die. Listen, you know we can't even follow him unless you are willing to give up your life. ... I believe that Jesus himself operated from that position of war mode. Everyone say "war mode." Now you say, wait a minute Ed, he's like the good shepherd, he's loving all the time and he's kind all the time. Oh yes he is -- but I also believe that he had a part of his thoughts that knew that he was in a war.

As for his former congregant and current vice presidential candidate, Kalnins has asserted that Palin's election as governor was the result of a "prophetic call" by another pastor at the church who prayed for her victory. "[He made] a prophetic declaration and then unfolds the kingdom of God, you know."

Even Palin expressed surprise at that pastor's advocacy for her candidacy. "He was praying over me," she said in June. "He's praying, 'Lord make a way, Lord make a way...' And I'm thinking, this guy's really bold, he doesn't even know what I'm gonna do, he doesn't know what my plans are, and he's praying not, 'Oh Lord, if it be your will may she become governor,' or whatever. No, he just prayed for it. He said, 'Lord, make a way, and let her do this next step.' And that's exactly what happened. So, again, very very powerful coming from this church."

In his sermons, Pastor Kalnins has also expressed beliefs that, while not directly political, lie outside of mainstream Christian thought.

He preaches repeatedly about the "end times" or "last days," an apocalyptic prophesy held by a small but vocal group of Christian leaders. During his appearance with Palin in June, he declared, "I believe Alaska is one of the refuge states in the last days, and hundreds of thousands of people are going to come to the state to seek refuge and the church has to be ready to minister to them."

He also claims to have received direct "words of knowledge" from God, providing him information about past events in other people's lives. During one sermon, he described being paired with a complete stranger during a golf outing. "I said, I'm a minister from Alaska and I want you to know that your wife left you -- you know that your wife left you and that the Lord is gonna defend you in a very short time, and it wasn't your fault. And the man drops his clubs, he literally was about to tee off and he dropped his clubs, and he says, 'Who the blank are you?' And I says, 'well, I'm a minister.' He says, 'how do you know about my life? What do you know?' And I started giving him more of the word of knowledge to his life and he was freaked out."

Kalnins has, of course, preached on a bevy of topics ranging from humility to "overcoming bitterness." But the more controversial remarks reported above were not out of the norm, appearing in numerous sermons spanning the four years of available recordings.

As for Palin, her views on these topics is more opaque. In the wake of the controversy over Jeremiah Wright, a debate has raged about whether political figures should be held responsible for the comments of their religious guiders. Clearly, however, Kalnins, like many national conservative religious leaders, sees Alaska's governor as one of his own. "Gov. Sarah Palin is the real deal," he told his church this past summer. "You know, some people put on a show...but she's the real deal."

McCain's List Of 300 Economists Filled With Skeptics

2008-07-11T16:44:14Z

Three times in the past two days, Sen. John McCain has proclaimed that 300 economists have enthusiastically endorsed his "Jobs for America" economic plan. The number, line, and message are highly misleading.

On Wednesday, Politico reported that a handful of those 300 had expressed reservations with McCain's "policy prescriptions." One wasn't even supporting the Arizona Republican for president.

Nevertheless, McCain again touted the support of the economists during a townhall event last night. So the Huffington Post decided to dig in a bit further, sending emails to roughly 150 members of the list. The response, from roughly a fifth of that group, was telling. Many of the economists whom McCain cited were generally supportive of his economic goals. But their support was tempered by strong objections towards specific proposals as well as deeper skepticism to the non-economic components of McCain's candidacy. Many felt compelled to clarify that their show of support for the Arizona Republican's economic proposals shouldn't be misinterpreted as an endorsement of his presidential campaign.

"Yes, I support the Jobs for America policy proposal, especially a simplified tax code, lower restrictions on trade, and energy development," said Michael Connolly, Professor of Economics, University of Miami. "[But] I am worried that continuing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will tear apart our social fabric and defeat any economic proposal to reduce the deficit and stimulate growth. Guns are crowding out butter."

This past week, the McCain campaign presented the list of the economists as backing a general statement outlining the Senator's economic objectives. But when asked to weigh in on specific proposals -- as opposed to the 403-word executive summary -- many in the group shuddered. Among individual policies, McCain's idea of a gas tax holiday was the one most scoffed at with nary an economist offering a defense.

"It would do nothing but increase the quantity demanded - and it wouldn't increase supply," wrote Dave Garthoff of the University of Akron. "So price would just go back up again until demand and supply approached equilibrium, and everyone would blame the oil companies."

Others, meanwhile, said they were not supportive of McCain's pledge to balance the budget by 2013. "No, I think some flexibility to run deficits and surpluses, although I agree that the deficit is too large," said Glenn MacDonald, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Strategy at Washington University in St. Louis.

One economist said his endorsement was for the "general economic principles only" before expressing disagreement with some of plan's specifics.

Do you support making the 2001 tax cuts permanent?," asked the Huffington Post. "No," replied Peter J Van Blokland, University of Florida.

Do you recommend a temporary gas tax holiday to address rising energy costs? "No."

Do you support a pledge to balance the budget by 2013? "No."

Do you consider your participation in the letter an endorsement of McCain for president? "No."

For several of the 300, McCain's economic proposals were overshadowed by their concerns about his foreign policy. In addition to Connolly, Professor Tom Lehman, of Indiana Wesleyan University, declined to endorse McCain's presidential candidacy.

"I have serious disagreements with McCain on the foreign policy issues, particularly the Iraq War," he said. "However, I support McCain's general approach to issues of economics, specifically his support of free trade, retention of tax cuts, balanced budget, and general free-market philosophy."

Others thought McCain was not conservative enough. One economist said he would not be supporting the presumptive Republican nominee because he (the economist) was a Libertarian. Stephen J. Dempsey, a professor at the University of Vermont's School of Business Administration, decried McCain's proposals as baby steps.

"Yes, I support making the tax cuts permanent," he wrote. "I think a gas tax holiday is a band-aid on an amputated limb. I am in full support of balancing the budget by reducing government expenditures on wasteful programs. My signing the letter is not an endorsement of McCain. We could have done much better (i.e., a true conservative)."

To be sure, more than a handful of those who responded to the Huffington Post said that their endorsement of the Jobs for America plan was, by extension, a pledge of support for McCain's candidacy. (This shouldn't come as a major surprise -- a review found that 166 of McCain's economist backers also signed a letter in 2000 trumpeting George W. Bush's economic agenda.)

"Speaking for myself only," wrote Martin Eichenbaum, Ethel and John Lindgren Professor of Economics at Northwestern University. "I support the general principals advocated by Senator McCain as well as many, but not necessarily all, of the detailed policy proposals he has made. I would very much like to balance the budget by 2013. I certainly consider my participation in the letter to be an endorsement of Senator McCain for president."

But clearly the list that the McCain campaign presented does not consist of enthusiastic endorsers. If anything it seems -- from this un-scientific sampling of responders -- that the economists who plan on voting for the Arizona Republican are doing so because he represents, for them, the lesser of two evils.

That is, except for Charles Rowley, a professor at George Mason University, who isn't an American citizen.

"I view my endorsement as an endorsement of the general economic principles so far outlined by John McCain," he wrote. "Since Barack Obama proposes significant increases in the size of government, significant hikes in tax rates, ongoing toleration for pork-barrel legislation, long-term budget deficits and, most seriously, a significant shift towards trade protection, evidently, in terms of the general principles outlined in the letter that I have endorsed, I must prefer John McCain as a presidential candidate in an imperfect world. However, because I am a British citizen, I cannot vote in this election."

Lieberman, Graham Violating McCain Campaign's Ethics Rules?

2008-05-23T21:15:06Z

Two of Sen. John McCain's top campaign chairmen are serving on the board of an independent organization that is behind a new attack ad against Sen. Barack Obama, an apparent violation of the Arizona Republican's new conflict of interest policy.

Sens. Joseph Lieberman and Lindsey Graham both hold chairs for the McCain camp as well as positions on the board of advisers of Vets for Freedom, an advocacy group that supports the Iraq war.

A week ago these titles may not have been a political issue. But under McCain's newly-implemented ethics policy, Lieberman and Graham's role with Vets for Freedom is now proving problematic.

According to the policy: "No person with a McCain Campaign title or position may participate in a 527 or other independent entity that makes public communications that support or oppose any presidential candidate."

On Friday, Vets for Freedom, an independent group, did just that. In a commercial released on its website, the organization directly took on Obama over his willingness to negotiate with Iranian leadership.

"Obama wasn't available to meet with us [combat veterans]," Sgt. Garrett Anderson (Ret.) of Illinois' Army National Guard says to the camera. "But we weren't surprised. Because he hasn't once, sat down one-on-one with our in Iraq, Gen. Petraeus. Worse, he hasn't been to Iraq in two-and-a-half years. He's unwilling to get the facts on Iraq, yet he is willing to travel to Iran to meet with their leader or anyone else who hates our country... The question for America is, if Barack Obama won't listen to us, who will he listen to?"

Officials with the McCain campaign did not immediately return request for comment as to whether or not Lieberman and Graham's positions violated the campaign's new policy or, at the very least, the spirit of it.

In addition to the two senators, McCain's foreign policy adviser Max Boot also sits on the group's board.

Pete Hegseth, the executive director for Vets for Freedom, said that far from being campaign-motivated, the advertisement was an issue-based criticism of Obama's stance on the war.

"We are a one issue group, we want to win in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. "If Sen. Obama was willing to come out and say hey, we want to be successful and the counter-insurgency strategy is working,' we wouldn't have an issue with him. We are not in this to elect a Republican or Democrat. We have been bipartisan from the beginning."

In the current president campaign, this has been true. Vets for Freedom's Political Action Committee, which was responsible for the advertisement, has endorsed several congressional candidates (all Republicans) but not McCain. The organization, moreover is officially non-partisan. However, the ties between the group and the Arizona Republican are extensive.

McCain famously appeared at a Vets for Freedom rally where the group's founder and current House candidate David Bellavia said of Obama, "You can have your Tiger Woods. We've got Senator McCain."

Moreover, at least two members of the group are listed, with their Vets for Freedom titles, as part of McCain's Virginia leadership team. One of them, Captain Wade Zirkle, also serves on the group Veterans For McCain. The other, Hegseth, says his inclusion on the Virginia list is an error.

"I've never lived in Virginia," he said. "This is a mistake."

In addition, Hegseth said that the advertisement was created out of the group's own volition to highlight Obama's position on war policy.

The McCain campaign's new ethics rules, which were designed to preempt the impression of conflicts of interest or campaign-originated dirty politics, has already claimed several victims. Craig Shirley, an influential Republican operative and McCain adviser resigned after it was revealed that he was working for the 527 Stop Her Now -- an organization that was initially dedicated to taking on Sen. Hillary Clinton but had turned its sights on Obama. Other aides have been forced to resign due to lobbying ties.

Calls to the offices of Lieberman and Graham, which are on recess schedule, were not answered.

Superdelegates Turned Down $1 Million Offer From Clinton Donor

2008-05-19T19:50:04Z

One of Sen. Hillary Clinton's top financial supporters offered $1 million to the Young Democrats of America during a phone conversation in which he also pressed for the organization's two uncommitted superdelegates to endorse the New York Democrat, a high-ranking official with YDA told The Huffington Post.

Haim Saban, the billionaire entertainment magnate and longtime Clinton supporter, denied the allegation. But four independent sources said that just before the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, Saban called YDA President David Hardt and offered what was perceived as a lucrative proposal: $1 million would be made available for the group if Hardt and the organization's other uncommitted superdelegate backed Clinton.

Contacted about the report, Saban, initially very friendly, became curt. "Not true," he said, "it's simply not true." He declined to elaborate. Did he talk to the YDA superdelegate? "I talk to many, many superdelegates. Some I don't even remember their names." Did he propose any financial transaction? "I have never offered them or anybody any money" in exchange for support or a vote, he said. The Clinton campaign did not return a request for comment.

Members of the Young Democrats agonized about the potential fallout of Saban's call; his financial offer represented one-third of the group's 2008 budget. Democratic officials and fundraisers were consulted about how to respond, and at times the discussions were "emotional," one participant said. "It is scary for them, Haim is very powerful, he has great influence over donors who give to them."

Another source said that Hardt and others were acutely aware of Saban's status within Democratic circles and were concerned that their organization would suffer long-term harm if they declined his offer or if news of the proposal became public.

"I said I thought that the appropriate response was to call Haim back and say thank you but we are not interested," said the source. "I also said that it was surely the case that this story would get out because it is too interesting not to and they should think about how to deal with it. It was a day or two [before they responded]. They felt afraid. They were like, 'Holy shit, this is Haim Saban.'"

Nevertheless, the group declined the overture. A YDA official cited moral reservations as well as the overwhelming consensus of its members to back Sen. Barack Obama.

The group had not directly solicited Saban's financial support prior to the call, the official said, and records show no money from Saban has been given since. He did donate $15,000 to the group's 2005 convention, a separate political entity, and is a natural benefactor for groups such as YDA, a 527 which describes itself as the "largest youth-led, national, partisan political organization."

Saban is the nation's largest political campaign contributor over the last decade, FEC records show, giving nearly $13 million since 1999 to dozens of candidates, PACs, and Democratic campaign committees.

This past week, Crystal Strait, a YDA superdelegate, publicly announced she was supporting Obama. Another YDA superdelegate from Puerto Rico, Francisco J. Domenech, endorsed Clinton several months ago. Hardt, the third superdelegate, remains uncommitted.

"Crystal made an independent decision for all the reasons that she stated and David has consistently stated his position of choosing who to support after the primary is done," Alexandra Acker, the executive director of YDA, said when asked about why the two individuals made their respective decisions.

Hardt also released a statement explaining his current neutrality: "With just five contests left, I will wait to declare my superdelegate vote until every young voter has made their voice heard. The Young Democrats of America will proudly unite behind our nominee." Strait did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Saban's offer, which was hinted at last week by John Aravosis, publisher of AmericaBlog, underscores the heightened pitch of the Democratic primary.

Those familiar with campaign finance rules say that monetary promises for superdelegates are "problematic," but may not, in the end, be legally out of bounds.

"This is not an FEC issue," said Jan Baran, a Republican campaign finance attorney. "There are federal and state laws that bar 'vote buying' but I'm not sure they apply in this situation since this involves a convention delegate and not a voter in an election. In short, I don't know whether this is illegal or just hardnosed political horse-trading."

While no other accounts of direct financial offers have surfaced, both Democratic campaigns have attempted to use the power of the check to recruit the support of influential party insiders.

In March, high-ranking donors for Sen. Clinton, including Saban, sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi chastising her for suggesting that superdelegates had a responsibility to support the candidate who finished the primary process leading in the pledged delegate count.

"We have been strong supporters of the DCCC," they wrote. "We therefore urge you to clarify your position on super-delegates and reflect in your comments a more open view to the optional independent actions of each of the delegates at the National Convention in August."

And in February, the Center for Responsive Politics reported that Sen. Obama's political action committee had given $694,000 to superdelegates in the previous three years. Of the 81 who had announced their support for Obama at the time, 34 had received donations totaling $228,000.

Daschle Suggests Clinton Aide Should Resign For Starr Comparison

2008-03-08T08:00:31Z

Former Sen. Tom Daschle on Friday suggested that top Clinton advisor Howard Wolfson should resign for comparing Barack Obama's tactics to those of Ken Starr.

"It's comments like [Wolfson's] that make me question whether we do have the same standards," said the former Senate Majority Leader. "I don't think that you can make a statement like that and consider yourself within the bounds of civility. I mean, this shouldn't be tolerated. It's not acceptable, and it's unfortunate."

Daschle, an Obama supporter and mentor, said he believed it was correct for campaign advisor Samantha Power to step down after calling Hillary Clinton a "monster." He called Power's comment regretful and said "the campaign had little choice but to do what was done."

And while Daschle would not directly call for a similar fate for Wolfson, he suggested that would be an appropriate move.

"Well, only one person can make that decision [for Wolfson's resignation] and that's Hillary Clinton," he said. "I'm just prepared to say today that the standard by which we judge civility and the degree of acceptable behavior appears to be different in the two camps. In our case, when somebody says the wrong thing, they're gone. It appears that in their case, normal life goes on."

In the past, Clinton surrogates have been dismissed from the campaign for bringing up Obama's youthful drug use. On occasion, however, it has taken several days for the campaign to acknowledge wrongdoing. In a conference call with reporters earlier on Friday, Wolfson denied that his situation and Power's were in any way comparable.

"I did not say that Senator Obama was like Ken Starr," he said, "and I think there is a difference between engaging in the kind of ad homimen personal attack on someone's character that Samantha Power did, and talking about the kind of campaign that team Obama has been running since Ohio and Texas."

In an interview preceding his appearance on Meet the Press this Sunday, Daschle also offered his version of a political anecdote involving Sen. John McCain's consideration of leaving the Republican Party several years ago. In 2001, Daschle recounted, he and other Democrats listened to overtures from McCain and his staff about a potential party switch. McCain, who was coming off a vitriolic primary fight against George W. Bush and felt disillusioned with the GOP, ultimate stayed with his party.

"I think in part it was [McCain's] frustration, his beginning to think that maybe he would be more comfortable as an independent, and so some of his staff approached us with an express interest in talking about whether or not that might be a possibility," recalled Daschle. "It was never a question of becoming a Democrat, but really of becoming an independent and caucusing with us. So we talked about how that might happen, and we talked about the fact that he is pretty conservative on some issues, and would that fit, and we talked about committee and staff assignments and work. And ultimately, when [then-Sen. Jim] Jeffords made the decision to switch to our caucus, that pretty much stopped the discussions from going forward anymore. But we had a good conversation, a series of conversations about it, and it just didn't develop into anything more than that."

In a twist of political fate, the man Daschle once courted could now end up being the presidential candidate he hopes to defeat. But the Democratic primary battle must be resolved first. And the current dynamics of the race have gotten increasingly heated. Asked about Clinton's criticism that Obama had not passed the commander-in-chief threshold, Daschle fought back.

"Well," he said, "Barack Obama has more public office experience than Hillary does, that is elected public office experience. And it's not just a question of experience, it's a question of judgment, and every single time Barack has been called upon to show good judgment, it's not only his experience but his character and his courage that has caused him to make decisions that others only wish they'd made years later, including Hillary Clinton."