Do presidential candidates fake it while campaigning? Huckabee recruits his army to fend off attackers. Edwards levitates America. McCain has feelings, too.
The following piece was produced through the Huffington Post's OffTheBus. Edited by Richard Riehl and Denise Wheeler. Reported by Kirsten Anderson, Ken Bank, River Curtis-Stanley, Jodi Lampert, Julie Pierce, Debbi Plummer, and Theresa Weathers.
Dodd claims he doesn't fake it (at least on the road): During an 18-hour, 375-mile day of drive-by campaigning across Iowa, Chris Dodd explained, "If you are uncomfortable about doing this, you are in a lot of trouble. You can't fake it here." That must explain why Obama and Oprah hit South Carolina instead.
Huckabee invites opponents to direct their attacks at his supporters: At a meet-and-greet in South Carolina, Huck explained to his adoring fans that his opponents, "never imagined that they would have to contend with me. Let them know it's not me they're having to contend with -- it's you." And will he arm the villagers with spears and torches for the next debate?
Kucinich joins the gimmick race: Ron Paul has taken to the skies with his Blimp Tour, Huckabee is motoring around in his Huckabus. Now, Kucinich has jumped on the gimmick wagon with his California Peace Train, which is set to run from Oakland to Oceanside on December 21. For only $175 you can join him and Elizabeth for the two-day trip. But be sure to read the fine print: "Don't forget to book your return trip home for the holidays. The Peace Train ends in Oceanside."
Keep the Main Street Express rolling: The right-wing Evangelical Republicans may have their day in Israel when they "lift" off to heaven, but we have our John Edwards, "When we lift 37 million Americans out of poverty - that's America Rising."
A new twist in Romneynomics: During a Rotary Club luncheon in Manchester, NH, Mitt tossed out his standard-issue stump speech and delivered something even more captivating--a PowerPoint presentation of his platform. As if a plate full of thawed chicken weren't rousing enough, imagine a technological discourse in pro-growth tax cuts. That must have been one humanitarian effort the Rotarians wished they had missed.
Tancredo's illegal sense of humor: If you thought Sunday night's Univision debate was amusing, check out Tom Tancredo's hilarious video spoof, which may not get him a ring side seat at the next debate but proves again the absurdity of pandering to illegal aliens.
McCain not so tough after all: The No Surrender candidate confessed to supporters in South Carolina last weekend just how important the Palmetto state is to him. "I lost here in 2000 and after that I cried like a baby. I slept for two hours, woke up, cried another two hours, woke up and cried some more," said McCain. It's a good thing he has his mom with him on the campaign trail.
Alan Keyes equates abortion with terrorism: In an interview with Worldnetdaily.com Alan Keyes compared doctors who perform abortions to the 9/11 hijackers; "Whether you are talking about children in the womb or innocent people in the World Trade Center, the abortionists and the terrorists have no right to target innocent human life." Could be a controversial statement if anybody knew he was a presidential candidate.
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