Mar

AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean Will Blog Himself STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/31/2003 02:05:34 PM ----BODY: Now that Gary Hart is personally posting to his new weblog, Howard Dean promises to do the same "in the coming hours" on his Call to Action Blog. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Hart Dean weblogs ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Edwards' Constituents Don't Want Him To Run STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/31/2003 09:51:50 AM ----BODY: Nearly half of North Carolinians think Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) "is performing well in his position but do not support his decision to run for president in 2004," the Daily Tar Heel reports. "Experts say this anomaly could be a result of North Carolinians' desire to keep the senator in-state."

Meanwhile, the Charl otte Observer says "party regulars, pundits and political pros can't agree on how the war will affect" Edwards' "run for the presidency, only that it probably will." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: John Edwards ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Clinton Angers Moynihan Family STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/31/2003 09:05:02 AM ----BODY: "Friends and family of Daniel Patrick Moynihan are miffed at Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who broke the news to a stunned Senate last week that the longtime New York senator had died," U.S. News and World Report's Washington Whispers reports. "The family had planned to issue a statement Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., but Clinton spilled the beans earlier without the family's OK." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Hillary Clinton Moynihan ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Hart Blasts Bush Foreign Policy STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/31/2003 09:01:49 AM ----BODY: In a speech at Yale, former Sen. Gary Hart encouraged students "to educate themselves about foreign affairs as a means of influencing government decisions, offering stiff criticism of the foreign policies of both Bush administrations," the Yale Daily News reports.

In his weblog, Hart talks about meeting with students around the country.

Meanwhile, the D es Moines Register reports Hart "has inquired about the Iowa Democratic Party's voter information list and plans to return to Iowa early next month to gauge support for a presidential campaign." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Gary Hart ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: The Revolving Door STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/31/2003 08:59:30 AM ----BODY: "Many top officials of the Clinton administration are still in Washington, trying to influence the actions of their successors in government," the AP reports. "A study being released today by the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan watchdog group, ranked the top 100 officials serving when President Clinton left office two years ago and found that 51 now lobby the government or work for companies that do." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Clinton administration lobbyists ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Democrats Dash For Cash STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/31/2003 08:43:17 AM ----BODY: Howard Dean "was on track" to meet his goal of $1.5 million while Sens. John Edwards and John Kerry "who got early starts were expected to raise $4 million or more in the first quarter of the 2004 campaign season," the AP reports.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee "raised $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2003, including a whopping $2.8 million in March alone, setting a new hard-dollar record for the organization in the first quarter of an election cycle," Roll Call reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: quarter fundraising presidential campaign ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Lieberman Opens Headquarters STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/31/2003 08:36:14 AM ----BODY: Sen. Joseph Lieberman's "presidential effort will expand nationwide beginning today, as he prepares to open two headquarters: a permanent Washington-area office and a second one in Hartford," the Hartford Courant reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Joe Lieberman ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean Runs As The Bush Alternative STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/31/2003 08:33:28 AM ----BODY: "Howard Dean may be the gadfly of the 2004 Democratic presidential hopefuls, but that could be enough to separate himself from the pack," reports U.S. News and World Report's Washington Whispers. "Presidential analyst John Kenneth White, author of the new political book The Values Divide, says Dems are thirsty for a nonBush. And that could be Dean, he adds. Pollster Zogby says that mood is strong in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. 'The candidate who differentiates himself the most from Bush,' says Zogby, 'gets the redmeat support.'"

Dean's "fortunes appear to be rising in tandem with the military's recent frustrations on the battlefield," the New York Times reports. "Crowds turning out to see him in Iowa are bigger and feistier than they were just three weeks ago," and "his fund-raising receipts have jumped."

Meanwhile, Dean's campaign manager Rick Ridder will officially "be stepping down," effective April 15, according to a press release. No explanation was given. ----EXTENDED BODY: 188911975X ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Howard Dean ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Another Site Sits Out The War STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/30/2003 10:42:56 PM ----BODY: "Punditwatch is not going to grasp at the ether of pundit speculation and opinion on this war until enough time has passed to make it informed speculation and opinion. I trust David Brooks and Mark Shields to tell me who's up and who's down in the political arena. I don't trust them to tell me where a war is and where it's going after only 10 days. Punditwatch will return when the fog of war lifts."

U.S. News and World Report's Washington Whispers looks at the former generals hired as war pundits by cable news channels: "Two remain 'general pains,' says the Bush aide: Barry McCaffrey, who predicts 3,000 coalition deaths, and Wesley Clark, who's eyeing a 2004 presidential bid. Meanwhile, associates of former President Clinton say the White House provides him war updates both to compare notes and give 'guidance.' (Ditto for former defense secretaries and national security advisers.) One result: Clinton turned an analytical war speech last week into a three-minute call for support for Bush." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: war pundits ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: GOP Still Hurts Over Tax Vote STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/30/2003 04:31:32 PM ----BODY: Robert Novak says Republican Senate leaders accuse Democrats of a "sneak attack" in bringing up a budget amendment cutting in half President Bush's proposed tax cut "when his only Democratic supporter, Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia, was absent. With Miller gone because his son was ill, halving of the tax cut was passed, 51-48. Had Miller been there, the 51-49 vote would have meant only one Republican defector need have been turned to make it 50-50 -- a tie that would have been broken by the vote of Vice President Dick Cheney." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bush tax cut ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Graham And Edwards Vie For Southern Democrats STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/30/2003 08:55:58 AM ----BODY: "Political observers are wondering which candidate will capture the crucial bloc of Southern, and significantly rural, voters in the 2004 Democratic presidential primary," the Washington Times reports. Before Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL) "joined the Democratic presidential primary race in February, most early primary watchers gave" Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) "the edge in winning the Southern vote."

"Edwards hired one of the best-known rural strategists to run his political action committee last year and created a position of National Rural Liaison to reach rural and Southern voters... But rural strategist Steve Jarding and National Rural Liaison David Saunders left Mr. Edwards' camp recently over 'philosophical differences.' Both men signed on with Mr. Graham's campaign late Friday." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Edwards Graham South vote ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: The Wooing of House Democrats STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/30/2003 08:51:24 AM ----BODY: "House Democrats don't matter much to GOP leaders, but they matter a lot to their party's presidential hopefuls," the Washington Post reports. "The 205 Democratic House members are automatic delegates to the party's national convention in 2004." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: House Democrats ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Gary Hart Starts A Blog STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/28/2003 08:47:47 AM ----BODY: Gary Hart has launched a weblog: "From time to time, I'll post my thoughts on current policy matters, as well as share some stories about where I'm traveling and the people I'm meeting. I'll also ask some of my friends to share their thoughts as well. I cannot promise to be as skillful at this as many of those who have made the blogger universe such an important part of the internet. However, I'm committed to using the Internet as a vital tool to engage people on critical policy matters and the future of our country."

Hart joins Howard Dean as the only other 2004 presidential hopeful with a weblog. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Gary Hart ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Iowa Sets Caucus Date STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/28/2003 08:44:58 AM ----BODY: "Despite criticism after the 2000 Iowa caucuses, the Iowa Democratic Party will conduct the nation's first presidential nominating contest essentially the same way in 2004," with minor changes "to accommodate the news media," the Des Moines Register reports. "The caucuses will begin on Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. -- 30 minutes earlier than in the past." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Iowa caucuses ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Democrats On Defensive STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/28/2003 08:42:58 AM ----BODY: "In the delicate politics of war, leading Democrats support Mr. Bush's use of force against Iraq but bash him when it comes to defending the home front," the Wall Street Journal reports. "Hammering Mr. Bush for underfunding homeland defense allows Democrats to claim the high ground on national security while appealing to traditional Democratic constituencies, like the unionized police officers, firefighters and other government workers who would benefit from the extra money."

However, Reuters says "while public schedules and partisan attacks have been pared back during the war, candidates cannot afford to slow their fund raising." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Democrats homeland defense ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Edwards Says Campaign Continues STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/28/2003 08:39:49 AM ----BODY: Although "the tone is more subdued," the presidential campaign of Sen. John Edwards "is continuing, largely undeterred by the war in Iraq," the Raleigh News and Observer reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: John Edwards ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Kerry Says He Will Compete In South STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/28/2003 08:38:22 AM ----BODY: Sen. John Kerry "has been passing notes on the Senate floor, assuring his Southern Democratic colleagues that he plans to compete in their home states," the Boston Globe reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: John Kerry ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Bush Alters War Message Strategy STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/28/2003 08:19:35 AM ----BODY: President Bush "has effectively taken personal control of the message machine for the war," the Washington Post reports. "That may be necessary, but by doing so, he risks personalizing the war even more than he has, putting him at greater jeopardy for anything that may go wrong."

Bush aides says they "initially emphasized a hands-off approach because they wanted to insulate him from bad news and because they did not want him to appear obsessed with or emotional about the war. These aides quickly realized they had overdone it, potentially making Bush look out of touch. But his advisers have concluded that scripted remarks, rather than off-the-cuff comments, may be required in assuring that the message of the day gets delivered forcefully."

Now, however, the Chicago Tribune says that "in many ways, the administration is engaged in the ultimate political campaign, with the information war emerging on a track nearly parallel to the one being waged with weapons."

Meanwhile, the New York Times contrasts Bush's communications style with that of British Prime Minister Tony Blair: "Blair was today the talkative, forceful partner of the Atlantic alliance's two closest allies at a time of anxiety about the course of the war... Bush, in contrast, spoke unusually softly today, and appeared impatient with questions about the length of the war. Asked three times if the war would go on for months... Mr. Bush seemed to treat the question like a missile."

For the latest in Iraq, see the War Wire. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bush war message ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Conservatives Decry Pessimism STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/28/2003 08:14:30 AM ----BODY: "Conservative pundits like Rush Limbaugh are on the offensive, echoing President Bush's optimism and denouncing what they see as pessimism in the news media," the New York Times reports.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post says broadcast news consultants have been "advising news and talk stations across the nation to wave the flag and downplay protest against the war." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Conservative pundits ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Perle Resigns STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/28/2003 07:16:54 AM ----BODY: Richard Perle "resigned as chairman of a Pentagon advisory board after the disclosure that he was also advising a communications company," the New York Times reports. ----- EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Richard Perle ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Kosar Declines Senate Bids STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/27/2003 05:13:56 PM ----BODY: Former Dolphins quarterback Bernie Kosar said that "the national Democratic Party contacted him about running for U.S. Senate in Ohio in '04 against incumbent Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), but he has passed," the South Florida SunSentinel reports. "Kosar also said that the Republican National Committee recently contacted him to gauge his interest in potentially running for Senator in Florida in '04, but he declined that as well." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bernie Kosar senate ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Graham Signs Up Jarding STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/27/2003 01:22:02 PM ----BODY: Steve Jarding, former "national campaign manager" for Sen. John Edwards (D-NC), has signed on "with the fledgling campaign" of Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL), the Manchester Union Leader's John DiStaso reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bob Graham ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: A Beautiful Mind STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/27/2003 10:19:56 AM ----BODY: George Will writes a wonderful tribute to former Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY), who died yesterday.

Update: The Hotline also mourns Moynihan: "While it's become commonplace for political epitaphs to become fictionalized beyond reality, this is one of those rare occasions where the following phrases actually are deserved:

"He was our Jefferson, our Lincoln ... Awed by the power of his intellect ... The standards he lived and worked by will define the term 'statesman' for years to come ... a man who enjoyed himself and the lesser politicians around him ... shining example of what a United States senator should be ... now he's gone, and so is a link to greatness."

"One wonders in this age of media scrutiny whether an intellect like Moynihan with his unique personality traits would even be tempted to pursue elective politics. Let's hope so." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Daniel Patrick Moynihan ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Internet Mudslinging STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/27/2003 09:43:19 AM ----BODY: The Houston Chronicle says "political campaigns are learning to use the Internet as an effective, efficient and, sometimes, entertaining method of transmitting" the "gossip grapevine of political assassination." Increasingly, political operatives "target groups of voters or opinionmakers with poison pen e-mails that discuss an opponent's alleged transgressions."

To stay underground, "campaigners can march to a public library's Internet-connected computer and dump thousands of e-mails without fear of getting traced." ----EXTENDED BODY: 1591960363 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: political campaigns ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: In California, Davis Recall Campaign Begins STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/27/2003 09:35:58 AM ----BODY: "After weeks of delay, the campaign to recall Gov. Gray Davis began in earnest Tuesday, when backers received the go-ahead to start collecting nearly 900,000 voter signatures required to place the issue on a ballot," the Sacramento Bee reports. The San Francisco Chronicle says "proponents now have 160 days to gather" the signatures. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Gray Davis recall ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Will Pataki Run For Senate? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/27/2003 09:29:40 AM ----BODY: Roll Call notes that "an eye-catching New York Times article Monday on Gov. George Pataki's (R) national ambitions was as notable for what it didn't say as what it did." The article "does not even mention that some Republican leaders would love Pataki to challenge Sen. Charles Schumer (D) in 2004 -- or better still, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) in 2006. Surely defeating Clinton -- or even coming close enough to damage her politically -- would be a huge feather in the cap of any ambitious Republican." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: George Pataki ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Daschle May Be Hurt in South Dakota STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/27/2003 09:25:22 AM ----BODY: "One week after Senate Minority Leader Thomas Daschle (D-SD) blistered the Bush administration over its unsuccessful diplomatic efforts in Iraq, national strategists on both sides of the aisle are debating the effect the comments will have on his likely re-election bid in 2004," Roll Call reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Daschle ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Primary Mischief STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/26/2003 08:39:40 PM ----BODY: DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe responds to a New York Times editorial that criticized the compressed presidential primary schedule: "The 2004 calendar will be more balanced than the 2000 calendar and will keep our candidates in the headlines, laying out their vision for the country's future and providing enough time to unify around our presumptive nominee." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Terry McAuliffe ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Former Sen. Moynihan Dead At 76 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/26/2003 07:07:48 PM ----BODY: "Former Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a New York City shoe shine boy who became an iconoclastic scholar-politician and served four terms in the Senate, died Wednesday," the AP reports. President Bush issued a statement saying Moynihan "was an intellectual pioneer and a trusted advisor to Presidents of both parties."

The Washington Post says "Throughout his 24 years on Capitol Hill, he was one of the most trenchant and memorable voices in the ongoing national debate on such issues as national security and Social Security, as well as on welfare reform and family matters."

The New York Times notes Moynihan "was more a man of ideas than of legislation or partisan combat. When other senators used August recesses to travel or raise money for re-election, he spent most of those respites... writing books, 9 as a senator, 18 in all." ----EXTENDED BODY: 0395860423 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Daniel Patrick Moynihan ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean Apologizes To Edwards STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/26/2003 05:14:37 PM ----BODY: "Howard Dean sent a handwritten letter to Democratic presidential primary rival John Edwards, apologizing for saying that Edwards avoided talking about his support of the Iraqi conflict before a largely anti-war audience," the AP reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Edwards Dean apology ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: White House Struggles For New War Message STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/26/2003 08:47:20 AM ----BODY: "For the first time since taking office, President Bush faces the possibility that large numbers of American troops may die on his watch, and his aides are scrambling to prepare the public for a toll that could rapidly erode support for the war," the Washington Post reports. "A variety of other pollsters and political scientists said support for Bush and the war could ebb rapidly if casualties mount, because the wartime rally in public opinion has been fragile and has excluded most Democrats."

USA Today says the United States "faces an enemy in the attack on Iraq as implacable as any military division Saddam Hussein can deploy: the calendar."

For the latest on the conflict in Iraq, see the War Wire. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: White House war message ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Lieberman Counts On Arizona STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/26/2003 08:37:38 AM ----BODY: Sen. Joe Lieberman's presidential campaign "could ignite and lift off" in Arizona, the Hartford Courant reports. The advantages: It is politically moderate, ethnically diverse, "and, as Lieberman likes to remind Arizona voters, 'It's the first state where one of the candidates doesn't live next door.'" ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Joe Lieberman ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Brazile: Democrats Must Back Troops STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/26/2003 08:35:29 AM ----BODY: Democratic strategist Donna Brazile "says she backs President Bush's war to overthrow Saddam Hussein and wants her party's leaders to project a stronger message that they support what U.S. troops are doing in Iraq," the Washington Times reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Donna Brazile ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Lautenberg Chafes At Lack Of Seniority STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/26/2003 08:13:14 AM ----BODY: Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) complains to The Hill that his frustrations these days are with Democrats, not Republicans. "Indeed, it was his Democratic colleagues who decided not to recognize Lautenberg's previous service in the Senate when determining his seniority on committees -- the very same colleagues he tried to help out when he stepped in to run for the seat created by Sen. Robert Torricelli's withdrawal last year under the cloud of an ethics scandal." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Frank Lautenberg ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Clinton Continues Her Rise To Power STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/26/2003 08:09:02 AM ----BODY: Although Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) "has labored to portray herself as just 'one of a hundred' senators" a recent fundraiser "made clear that she is a powerful and growing force in the party," The Hill reports. "The assiduously nurtured public image is of a freshman senator learning the ropes, but behind the scenes, it is increasingly Hillary Rodham Clinton who is pulling the strings." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Hillary Clinton ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: DeLay Stays Silent About Grand Jury Probe STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/26/2003 08:02:09 AM ----BODY: House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) "doesn't want to talk about a Texas grand jury's probe that includes questions about the operations of 'Texans for a Republican Majority,' a political action committee he helped found," the Washington Post reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Tom DeLay ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Senate Slashes Bush Tax Cut STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/25/2003 10:01:14 PM ----BODY: "Unexpectedly reversing a position taken only last week, the Republicanled U.S. Senate voted to slash President Bush's proposed $726 billion tax cut plan to around $350 billion," Reuters reports. The Wall Street Journal says "behind the outcome was anger among senators of both parties that Mr. Bush had waited until Monday to make public his request for $74.7 billion in new war spending."

The Financial Times called it a "surprise setback" for Bush. The AP called it "a major coup for Democrats."

Beverly Goodman summed up the situation: "With our country at war, the last thing President Bush wants is a mutiny -- but that's exactly what he just got. This mutiny isn't taking place on the battlefield, nor does it have anything to do with foreign policy. Rather, the Senate just gutted the administration's cornerstone piece of domestic policy: the proposed tax cuts." A New York Times editorial called it "budgetary shock and awe."

Update: The Wall Street Journal reports the Congressional Budget Office said that "Bush's tax and spending proposals will do far less to spur growth than the White House has suggested." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bush tax cut ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Tennessee May Cut Primary STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/25/2003 09:54:27 PM ----BODY: "Tennessee's presidential primary may be scrapped to help avoid a projected $80 million deficit for the next budget year," the AP reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Tennessee presidential primary ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: What Channel Do You Watch? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/25/2003 02:34:47 PM ----BODY: A new Zogby poll shows CNN's war coverage "is grabbing the largest share of the audience of 'likely voters' with 25 percent." They are followed by Fox News (22 percent), NBC (14 percent), ABC (14 percent), CBS (10 percent), and MSNBC (10 percent).

Not surprisingly, Fox News' viewers are "most supportive" of the war (81 to 18 percent), followed by NBC viewers (71 to 28 percent), CNN (65 to 33 percent), MSNBC (64 to 35 percent), ABC (62 to 37 percent), and CBS (60 to 40 percent). ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: war television coverage ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Brill-iant STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/25/2003 12:15:51 PM ----BODY: Michael Wolff reviews Steven Brill's new book, After: How America Confronted the September 12 Era and says "I don't like Brill and he doesn't like me, but he took me to lunch and got me reading his book, and here I am praising it." ----EXTENDED BODY: 0743237099 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Steven Brill ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: In Lousiana, Democrat vs. Democrat? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/25/2003 10:44:41 AM ----BODY: The Bato n Rouge Advocate explores the "real possibility" that under Louisiana's runoff system, "the Republicans would so split up the vote in the Oct. 4 primary that there would be two Democrats on the Nov. 15 ballot." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Louisiana runoff system ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Lieberman Is Most Recognized STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/25/2003 10:42:50 AM ----BODY: The Washingtonian asked people in the Washington area "to identify photos of the Democratic contenders," and Sen. Joe Lieberman was the mostrecognized presidential candidate, with 93 percent naming him correctly. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Joe Lieberman ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Michigan And D.C. Move Up Primary Dates STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/25/2003 10:41:05 AM ----BODY: The Michigan Democratic Party "settled on one proposed date for its 2004 presidential caucuses -- Jan. 27, the same Tuesday New Hampshire is expected to hold its presidential primary," the AP reports.

Meanwhile, Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams (D) "signed legislation Monday that could give the capital the nation's first presidential primary," the AP reports. "The measure would move the D.C. primary to Jan. 13, 2004, two weeks before the tentatively scheduled New Hampshire primary and a week before Iowa's party caucuses."

Update: The Man chester Union Leader notes that New Hampshire's Democratic Party Chairman Kathleen Sullivan "says she is surprised and disappointed that Michigan Democrats have taken an initial formal step toward holding a Presidential caucus on the same day as New Hampshire's first-in-thenation primary next year." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Democrats Tread Carefully STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/25/2003 07:03:33 AM ----BODY: "Democratic presidential candidates say they are weighing what is appropriate to do or say at a time when the nation is absorbing endless images of soldiers in combat," the New York Times reports. "Whatever the risks, after initially laying low, at least some Democrats are venturing back into the daylight of the campaign trail."

"Democrats remain so bitterly divided over the U.S. war in Iraq that some of the party's advisers privately fear it could damage its prospects in the 2004 presidential election," the Washington Times reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Democrats presidential campaign ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Leading A Nation At War STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/25/2003 07:01:13 AM ----BODY: R.W. Apple says President Bush has learned lessons from past wars and knows he "needs to keep the country convinced of ultimate triumph if he hopes to have it marching in solid ranks behind him."

"History suggests that Mr. Bush would do well to get out into the country often in the weeks ahead, particularly if the war hits a lengthy bad patch. Presidents who have holed up during wars or their equivalents have tended to lose public support." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Fraud Of The Century STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/25/2003 12:06:40 AM ----BODY: Jeff Greenfield praises Fraud of the Century by Roy Morris: "In 1876, a Democratic candidate won the presidency, but through a lack of nerve lost the recount. Sound familiar?" ----EXTENDED BODY: 0743223861 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: fraud of the century ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Pataki Gearing Up For 2008? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/24/2003 03:07:20 PM ----BODY: "Ever since his re-election to a third term, Gov. George E. Pataki of New York has been talking and acting like a politician who has his sights set on Washington," the New York Times reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: George Pataki ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: The Rumsfeld Brief STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/24/2003 09:36:06 AM ----BODY: "Was there ever a better Washington briefer than Donald Rumsfeld?" the Washington Post's Robert Kaiser reports. "Squarejawed, square-shouldered, utterly calm, utterly commanding, his rimless spectacles a reminder of the last defense secretary of his type, the allknowing Robert S. McNamara -- Rumsfeld is to a Pentagon briefing as Jimmy Stewart was to a Frank Capra movie, a case of perfect casting." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Donald Rumsfeld ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Unexpectedly, Presidential Campaign Continues STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/24/2003 09:12:48 AM ----BODY: "The Iraqi war has not driven the 2004 presidential campaign underground, but it has dampened criticism of President Bush's military policy," the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

However, the Palm Beach Post says Sen. Bob Graham's media consultant "suggested Friday that Graham and other candidates will not be able to get on the campaign trail until the war is over and there has been a suitable lapse of time." And the Des Moines Register reports that Rep. Dick Gephardt "will curtail his public campaigning during the war's early going." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: 2004 presidential campaign ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Kerry Will Not Use Wife's Fortune STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/24/2003 09:11:21 AM ----BODY: Sen. John Kerry "has effectively ruled out using any significant part of a family fortune estimated at $550 million in his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination," the Washington Post reports. "Kerry's stand is a setback to Democratic strategists who have been privately arguing that Kerry should reject public financing of his campaign and the roughly $45 million spending limit that goes with it."

In a profile of Kerry, Newsday reports that "in person, he is more formal than aloof, a term so often used to describe him that when he announced last month that he had prostate cancer, he joked he was having surgery to remove his 'aloof gland.'" ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: John Kerry ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean Takes Moral High Ground STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/24/2003 09:09:06 AM ----BODY: Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards are "united on at least one point: disdain for the political and moral supremacy claimed by" Howard Dean "over war with Iraq," the Boston Globe reports. Dean says "that his position about the war and his rhetoric surrounding it has been clear and consistent." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Howard Dean ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Lieberman Makes Inroads In Arizona STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/24/2003 09:07:48 AM ----BODY: While "it's too soon to tell how" Sen. Joe Lieberman is "playing" in Arizona, "he got endorsements Sunday from 11 of the 20 Democratic state representatives, got polite reactions from audiences, and was given a standing ovation by a crowd of 1,500 at an interfaith assembly in Mesa," the Hartford Courant reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Joe Lieberman ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Sharpton May Run As An Independent STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/24/2003 09:02:33 AM ----BODY: The Rev. Al Sharpton (D) "indicated Friday he might run for president as an independent if he fails to win the Democratic nomination," the Columbia State reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Al Sharpton ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: White House Threatens Retaliation Against BBC STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/21/2003 01:41:05 PM ----BODY: The Reliable Source says the White House "is vowing a strong retaliatory response after the BBC aired live video of President Bush getting his hair coiffed in the Oval Office as he squirmed in his chair and practiced on the teleprompter minutes before Wednesday night's speech announcing the launch of military operations against Saddam Hussein."

Update: The Smoking Gun has the video feed. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: BBC pool feed ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean Ties Kerry In New Hampshire STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/21/2003 12:33:46 PM ----BODY: Howard Dean "has jumped into a virtual tie" with Sen. John Kerry "in ballot preference among likely Democratic primary voters in the New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Preference Primary," according to a new American Research Group poll. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: New Hampshire primary ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Are Democrats Trying To Change The Subject? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/21/2003 11:03:49 AM ----BODY: The Note says that "the number of political emails from Capitol Hill we are getting -- almost all from Democrats -- on non-war related matters remains staggeringly high." The same is true for Political Wire's Tip Line. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Democrats war strategy ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean Says He's Not Backing Off STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/21/2003 09:06:46 AM ----BODY: A letter on Howard Dean's website says today's Los Angeles Times story that notes Dean was "backing away from earlier plans to continue criticizing the war after the shooting began" is incorrect. A report yesterday is also incorrect.

"Dean's view that this is the wrong war at the wrong time is well known and has not changed. Dean will continue to criticize the President's Iraq policy." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Howard Dean ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Lieberman Losing Support Over War Position STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/21/2003 09:05:48 AM ----BODY: Sen. Joseph Lieberman's "hard line support for the ouster of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is beginning to erode his support among Democrats," the Norwich Bulletin reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Joe Lieberman ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Hart Says Criticism Is Irrelevant STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/21/2003 09:04:41 AM ----BODY: Gary Hart said that "the wartime criticism Democrats have leveled at the White House was now irrelevant," the AP reports. "But he lit into the Bush administration for beginning a war with Iraq before the Department of Homeland Security was firmly established." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Gary Hart ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Daschle Backs Off STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/21/2003 09:03:19 AM ----BODY: "A few days after blaming President Bush for war with Iraq -- and getting blasted for it" -- Sen. Tom Daschle "said it's time to unite behind the commander-in-chief," the New York Post reports. But the Washington Times says the DNC "is asking party members to defend" Daschle's criticism of Bush. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Daschle ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Presidential Campaign On Hold STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/21/2003 08:59:59 AM ----BODY: "War in Iraq has changed the political schedules of some of the Democratic Presidential candidates and caused the cancellation of a key campaign event slated for this morning," the Manche ster Union Leader reports.

"War with Iraq is likely to mean less criticism of President Bush from Democratic presidential candidates and fewer visits to Iowa," the AP reports.

But the Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire says "Life goes on in political-fund-raising world. As deadline nears for first-quarter reports, Sen. Kerry has six fund-raisers before month's end; he's seen leading Democratic presidential candidates' money race." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: presidential campaign war Iraq ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: War Wire STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/21/2003 08:47:40 AM ----BODY: Get the latest news from the war in Iraq from Political Wire's War Wire. For future reference, there's a link to the War Wire in the sidebar as well. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Iraq War ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: In Massachusetts, Frank Considers Senate Bid STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/21/2003 08:01:52 AM ----BODY: Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) said "he would seriously consider running for Senate if Sen. John Kerry wins the presidency," the AP reports. "The only thing that could deter him, Frank said, is if the Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives, giving him chairmanship of the Financial Services Committee." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Barney Frank ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: The Political Oscars STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/20/2003 08:17:13 PM ----BODY: With the unveiling of its 2003 Political Oscars, EVote.com recognizes "those political actors who have delivered the most outstanding performances over the previous year. And the best part is -- no silly acceptance speeches!" ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: political oscars ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: War Schedule Leaked? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/20/2003 02:55:26 PM ----BODY: A reader points to a March 4th TV Barn posting that predicted the start of the war in Iraq: "A senior producer who shall remain nameless, at a major cable television news operation based in the southeastern United States which shall remain nameless, told me today with a wry confidence I found quite amusing that the 'the war is scheduled for the evening of March 19th.'" ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: war schedule ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Gore Joins Apple Board STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/20/2003 11:32:53 AM ----BODY: Al Gore was elected to the Board of Directors of Apple Computer, the first private sector board he agreed to serve on. The press release also says Gore is a "senior advisor" to Google. The San Jose Mercury News notes Gore is known for having said he "took the initiative in creating the Internet." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Al Gore ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean Will Avoid Criticizing Bush STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/20/2003 10:38:52 AM ----BODY: Howard Dean said "he planned to rein in his blunt critiques of President Bush while U.S. troops are fighting in Iraq," Reuters reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Howard Dean ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: "The Note" Loses Key Staffer STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/20/2003 09:42:42 AM ----BODY: Heard on the Hill reports that NBC News "has stolen away the highly regarded Elizabeth Wilner from the ABC News political unit in Washington. Wilner is wellknown within the Beltway for being one of the authors of The Note, ABC's must-read, daily summary of the morning's political stories... Political insiders all around town, meanwhile, have been buzzing about the potential for Wilner to start a rival Note-like tip sheet at NBC."

Meanwhile, Washington Wrap says it will "cease publishing" when CBS News begins "wall-to-wall coverage" of the war in Iraq. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Elizabeth Wilner ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Presidential Campaign Goes Silent STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/20/2003 09:19:08 AM ----BODY: "A sudden hush will likely fall over the crowded, raucous field of Democrats running for president" as war in Iraq begins, since most of the candidates have promised to "curtail public schedules and tone down partisan rhetoric," CNN reports. "But every candidate, regardless of his or her views on a war, plans to take a wait-and-see approach on exactly how to campaign in this new, unfamiliar environment."

However, Roll Call notes that "more than 160 House Republicans gathered with lobbyists and donors from around the country for their annual fundraising gala Tuesday night." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: presidential campaign Iraq ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Hart Raising Money STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/20/2003 08:41:30 AM ----BODY: Gary Hart "has begun asking for money as he continues exploring the idea of another run for president," and his web site "already urges people to donate online," the Washington Times reports.

The Stamford Advocate covers Hart's swing through Connecticut where he told people "many municipalities are woefully unprepared for the terror threats they'll face as the country goes to war with Iraq." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Gary Hart ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Lieberman Firms Up Strategy STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/20/2003 08:40:09 AM ----BODY: Sen. Joseph Lieberman "appears to have developed a strategy for locking in early support in states that are moving up their presidential primaries next year. He's making a strong bid for the 'middle tier' states, including Arizona, Oklahoma, Delaware and Virginia, that are holding primaries in February," the Forward reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Joe Lieberman ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Graham's Doctors Clear Him For White House Bid STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/20/2003 08:13:19 AM ----BODY: Sen. Bob Graham's "heart problems should not prevent him from resuming normal activity or limit his ability to campaign for president or serve if elected, according to his doctor and other experts," the Washington Post reports.

Graham "is beginning to make key hires and raise money as he gears up his campaign for president," the Miami Herald reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bob Graham ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Hughes's New Role Questioned STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/20/2003 08:10:43 AM ----BODY: Former White House aide Karen Hughes, "now a $15,000-a-month consultant to the Republican National Committee, has been playing a key role in advising President Bush and the administration on a communications strategy for the Iraq war," the Washington Post reports. "The arrangement has prompted accusations from Democrats and government watchdog groups that the role of Hughes improperly blends politics and government business." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Karen Hughes ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Missing Bill of Rights Copy Recovered STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/19/2003 01:59:16 PM ----BODY: "The FBI has recovered a valuable copy of the Bill of Rights that had been missing for 138 years," CNN reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: bill of rights ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: The Power Behind The Throne, Supposedly STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/19/2003 01:27:00 PM ----BODY: "It is now an axiom of American political reporting that behind every president, however shrewd, there is a smarter, wilier political consultant," Daniel Casse writes in the Wall Street Journal. "Since the press is endlessly fascinated by these characters, they are endlessly written about. Michael Deaver, Lee Atwater and James Carville have enjoyed a celebrity that nearly rivals that of the presidents they served. But none is believed to be as powerful as Karl Rove, President Bush's top strategist.

"In any case, barely two years into the Bush presidency we have two books by political reporters that attempt to gauge Mr. Rove's effect on American politics, for better or worse... In Boy Genius by Lou Dubose, Jan Reid and Carl M. Cannon, Mr. Rove is compared to Bobby Fischer, Michael Jordan and George Patton, among others. In Bush's Brain by James Moore and Wayne Slater he is seen as a troubling, momentous figure, an un-elected consultant who has risen to a position of unprecedented power."

The Austin Chronicle notes that "while the competing authors flog their wares on the various talk shows, we shall endure a great deal of talk about the transformation of American politics by professional handlers like James Carville, Dick Morris, Lee Atwater, and Rove." ----EXTENDED BODY: 0471423270 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Karl Rove ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Clinton: Trust Tony STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/19/2003 12:33:02 PM ----BODY: Bill Clinton, who has been publicly critical of the Bush administration's diplomatic efforts to disarm Iraq, writes in The Guardian that we should trust British Prime Minister Tony Blair's judgement on the issue. Blair made his case for war before the British House of Commons yesterday. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bill Clinton ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Daschle Shifts Focus To Own Bid STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/19/2003 09:23:39 AM ----BODY: In a sign it might be an uphill fight to regain Democratic control of his chamber, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) "has revamped his political operation, putting a stronger emphasis on fundraising for his own re-election," Roll Call reports. "Daschle, the workhorse of Senate Democratic fundraising efforts in recent years, has scaled back his commitment to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Tom Daschle ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Hart Gets Good Reviews STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/19/2003 08:51:29 AM ----BODY: "The onetime Mr. Monkey Business" -- former Sen. Gary Hart -- "is now addressing the gravest issues in America before rapt audiences" and "getting good reviews and decent crowds," the Washington Post reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Gary Hart ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Kerry Questioned On War Stance STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/19/2003 08:50:10 AM ----BODY: Sen. John Kerry "is becoming a fresh target of some Democrats for supporting a resolution giving President Bush authority to wage war, but scolding Bush on the stump," the Boston Herald reports. The Boston Globe notes that Kerry said "a failure of diplomacy of a massive order" by President Bush "has left the country on the brink of war with Iraq, with an unnecessarily small group of fighting partners... and without the strongest possible support of the American people." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: John Kerry ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean Is Focus Of Anti-War Democrats STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/19/2003 08:47:27 AM ----BODY: House Majority Leader Tom DeLay "is drawing as much attention as possible to" Howard Dean "in the hope that this will compel other Democratic presidential candidates to go out on a limb and match his anti-war rhetoric," The Hill reports.

"Even if the war is over quickly, Dean's stance has won him fans who are not going anywhere," the Washington Post reports.

Meanwhile, Dean's campaign is the first to start an official weblog. Patrick Ruffini says "it's a great idea, and every '04 campaign should get one. That said, the way they executed it is all wrong, showing they have a long way to go before they fully grasp the medium." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Howard Dean ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Bush "Message Machine" Ready To Roll STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/19/2003 08:19:30 AM ----BODY: "When American troops move into Iraq, the Bush administration's message machine, in its own way as massive and disciplined as the U.S. military, will be equally ready to roll," the Washington Post reports. "Staffed with veterans of countless political campaigns, and honed on the communications lessons of Afghanistan, its war plan is in place." ----- EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bush war media strategy ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Divided Democrats Concerned About 2004 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/19/2003 08:16:38 AM ----BODY: "The turmoil in the Democratic party -- and the rising voices of the antiwar wing -- are shaping the nation's view of the Democrats as they approach a national election that could turn on the question of the country's security," the New York Times reports. Many are worried that recent events "could reinforce a perception that Republicans are better suited to deal with threats from abroad." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Democratic party Iraq war ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dixie Chicks Slip As Criticism Mounts STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/19/2003 08:05:14 AM ----BODY: "Natalie Maines' comments about President Bush cost the Dixie Chicks the top spot on the Billboard country singles chart this week," USA Today reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: B00006BIMO ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Dixie Chicks ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Blair Defends War STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/18/2003 10:32:45 PM ----BODY: For those who wonder why British Prime Minister Tony Blair is such a steadfast supporter of the Bush administration's policy towards Iraq, read his speech before the British House of Commons.

Update: Andrew Sullivan says "This speech is one of the finest any prime minister has given in the House of Commons. Period." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Tony Blair ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Bush Declares War STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/18/2003 09:45:54 AM ----BODY: President Bush "stands on the threshold of war with Iraq in his weakest political position since before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks," USA Today reports. A USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll taken over the weekend found that 45 percent of voters said they would re-elect Bush, while 42 percent said they would support an unnamed Democrat.

But Americans appear to be backing Bush on the war. A Washington Post-ABC News Poll conducted last night says Americans "have rallied strongly around President Bush and accepted his call for war with Iraq as the only practical way to remove Saddam Hussein and end the threat posed by his weapons of mass destruction." And a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll also shows "Americans are rallying behind President Bush's plans for war with Iraq."

PoliticsNH.com says many Democratic presidential candidates will suspend their campaigns during the war.

Sen. Joe Lieberman expressed his "full support" for Bush's "decision to use military force to disarm Iraq," the Norwich Bulletin reports.

Sen. John Kerry said "he would hold his fire against Mr. Bush's foreign policy once shooting begins in Iraq," the Washington Times reports.

Rep. Dick Gephardt said "there will be plenty of time later" to look at the Bush administration's diplomatic record but that "now is the time to unite the country," the Quad City Times reports.

Sen. John Edwards called on Saddam Hussein "to choose peace by leaving Iraq and offered his prayers to 'our troops, their families and our commander in chief,'" the Charlotte Observer reports.

Howard Dean (D) said "war with Iraq will not silence his outspoken criticism of the presidential policies that led to it," the AP reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bush support Iraq war ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Graham's Indecision On Re-Election Causes Concern STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/18/2003 08:50:01 AM ----BODY: Sen. Bob Graham's (D-FL) refusal to say whether he plans to run for reelection to the Senate next year "is putting party strategists and wouldbe successors in an awkward position," the Miami Herald reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bob Graham ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Lieberman Leads In South Carolina STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/18/2003 08:48:13 AM ----BODY: A new poll of likely South Carolina Democratic voters showed Sen. Joseph Lieberman with "a slight lead over 10 other contenders," the Columb ia State reports. Forty-six percent were undecided and 12 percent backed Lieberman. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Joseph Lieberman ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: There's Only One Issue STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/17/2003 10:51:55 AM ----BODY: "Democrats are finding, despite their best efforts in some cases, only one issue matters on the caucus campaign trail right now -- the potential war with Iraq," the Des Moines Register reports.

Update: The Hotline says "Iraq will only be an '04 issue if things go bad." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Democrats presidential campaign ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Book Looks At Bush's Grandfather STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/17/2003 10:44:55 AM ----BODY: Roll Call reviews Duty, Honor, Country: The Life and Legacy of Prescott Bush by Mickey Herskowitz and notes the man who was "father to one president and grandfather of the current commander in chief, stands as something of an enigma." ----EXTENDED BODY: 1401600093 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Prescott Bush ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean Attacks Kerry And Edwards Over War STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/17/2003 10:38:57 AM ----BODY: Howard Dean (D) stepped up criticism of "White House hopefuls who voted in Congress to authorize military force against Iraq," the Los Angeles Times reports. Dean cited Sen. John Edwards and Sen. John Kerry by name.

"What Dean has, it was apparent over the weekend, is a zeal to challenge President Bush not just on a host of domestic issues from the economy to health care, but also on his determination to go to war with Iraq," the Ventura County Star reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Howard Dean ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Louisiana Democrats Want To End Runoffs STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/17/2003 10:36:06 AM ----BODY: Louisiana Democrats "met recently to begin charting a strategy to change Louisiana's election laws and do away with the December runoff in congressional elections," the Baton Rouge Advocate reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Louisiana Democrats ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Kerry Attends St. Patrick's Day Event STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/17/2003 10:32:47 AM ----BODY: Sen. John Kerry "made a surprise appearance at the annual St. Patrick's Day roast" in Boston over the weekend -- "blunting criticism that he was chickening out of the political slugfest because of controversy over his non-Irish roots," the Boston Herald reports. The AP says Kerry "poked fun at his much-disputed heritage."

Stuart Rothenberg asks "Was the Senator under an obligation years ago to correct a record that he must have known was wrong? I think so. Kerry was taking political advantage of a mistake -- a mistake I’m willing to bet he would have corrected had it not worked in his favor." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: John Kerry ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Hollings To Quit? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/17/2003 09:33:25 AM ----BODY: Robert Novak says "Democratic campaign operatives are convinced that Sen. Ernest F. (Fritz) Hollings, the fourth most senior U.S. senator and a onetime presidential aspirant, will not seek election in South Carolina for the seventh time next year at age 82." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Ernest Hollings ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Pelosi Winning Unlikely Friends STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/16/2003 08:42:05 PM ----BODY: The San Francisco Chronicle profiles hometown congresswoman and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and notes that "for a San Francisco liberal critical of President Bush's approach to Iraq, Pelosi is winning friends and influencing people in some of the most unlikely places. Although not a polished public speaker, she is wowing them with her message and charm."

"Even Republicans, lately, have stopped chortling about how Pelosi is so liberal that she is likely to steer the House caucus further from the mainstream and become a major money-maker for the GOP." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Nancy Pelosi ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Which Political Stereotype Are You? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/16/2003 07:06:55 PM ----BODY: Take the quiz and find out. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: political stereotype ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Gingrich Is Advising Bush STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/16/2003 04:43:06 PM ----BODY: U.S. News and World Report's Washington Whispers says "the universe of ousted House Speaker Newt Gingrich continues to expand. Not only is he giving advice to war planners at Central Command, but he's also suggesting policy strategies to the White House and offering lines for Bush speeches."

Meanwhile, St eve Forbes suggests President Bush name New Gingrich "highcommissioner" of Iraq after the war. "He is politically skillful. He knows history as well as anyone. He has the absorbent mind to learn quickly what he'd need to know about the area, both before and after he arrived on the scene. And experience has taught him how to be politically nimble, a necessity in dealing with the treacherous political and social currents over there." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Newt Gingrich ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Protesters Smash Dixie Chicks Discs STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/16/2003 04:16:54 PM ----BODY: "The Dixie Chicks may have a little more trouble getting a friendly audience in this part of Dixie," the Sarasota Herald Tribune reports. "Using a 33,000-pound tractor to obliterate compact disks and other items, a few hundred protesters, referring to themselves as backers of President Bush... lashed back at lead singer Natalie Maines."

The AP says "radio stations nationwide are boycotting the Dixie Chicks, even though Maines publicly apologized for telling a London audience last Monday: 'Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.'"

Nonetheless, the Dixie Chicks' "Travelin' Soldier" tops Bill board's Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart this week. ----EXTENDED BODY: B00006BIMO ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Dixie Chicks ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Bush Bets Future On Iraq STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/16/2003 03:27:53 PM ----BODY: "By accident or design, President Bush has allowed Iraq to become the gamble of a lifetime. Today, the Washington Post summarizes what's at stake in four areas of crucial national interest -- America's stature, Middle East politics, the war on terrorism and conditions at home."

Meanwhile, Will Saletan sorts out the hawks from the doves among Democrats running for president. And Slate provides a "field guide" to the Iraq war pundits "arranged in order of bellicosity, from blood-red hawks to snow-white doves." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Iraq war ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: War Will Stall Presidential Race STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/16/2003 02:44:29 PM ----BODY: "If the U. S. goes to war in Iraq, the Democratic presidential race will freeze in place," the Hartf ord Courant's David Lightman writes. "No one is likely to get sudden momentum; no new frontrunners will be anointed. Politics will go on, but in a more subtle way." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: war presidential race ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Book Says Clinton Lost Nuclear Codes STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/16/2003 12:23:14 PM ----BODY: U.S. News and World Report's Washington Whispers gives an unusually strong plug for a new book that says former President Clinton lost the codes to nuclear war the day the Monica Lewinsky affair broke. The book, Dereliction of Duty: The Eyewitness Account of How President Bill Clinton Endangered America's Long-Term National Security, was written by Lt. Col. Robert Patterson. ----EXTENDED BODY: 0895261405 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Clinton nuclear codes ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Some States May Skip Presidential Primaries STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/16/2003 11:33:19 AM ----BODY: Along with Missouri, Kansas and Arizona "are also considering dropping their 2004 presidential primaries," the Los Angeles Times reports. "Utah and Colorado already have. In all those states... the no-vote movement is being led by Republicans, who assume their primary will be about as suspenseful as a cup of vanilla pudding, with President Bush coasting to victory."

"Democrats, on the other hand, anticipate an interesting -- or at least somewhat competitive -- race featuring six or eight candidates. So they're not all that eager to save a few million dollars by shutting down the polls." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: presidential primaries ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dodd Will Back Lieberman STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/16/2003 12:33:21 AM ----BODY: Sen. Christopher Dodd, "who until March 3 was a potential rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, is expected to formally endorse Joe Lieberman's White House candidacy Monday," the Hartfor d Courant reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Joe Lieberman ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Kerry Laptop Stolen STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/16/2003 12:28:52 AM ----BODY: Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA) campaign "lost a laptop computer containing sensitive campaign information," the AP reports. "Campaign spokesman Chris Lehane said the laptop was stolen from his car while he was eating lunch. Lehane said a waiter told him he saw a middle-aged man pull up next to Lehane's car, smash a window, snatch the computer and speed off."

Meanwhile, the AP notes "Kerry headed into the California Democratic Party convention Friday bolstered by a successful fund-raising run in San Francisco and two polls that showed him doing well in Iowa and New Hampshire." For good coverage of the convention, see the regular dispatches from Kos and MyDD. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: John Kerry ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Note To Readers STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/11/2003 10:21:53 PM ----BODY: Political Wire will be updated sporadically for the rest of the week. For the latest political news, please check the sidebar for headline scans and the links page for some of the best political sites.

If you get a chance, I'd appreciate it if you would email suggestions on how to make Political Wire an even better resource. And please keep sending your tips, memos and story ideas!

Thanks for reading! ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: political news ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Gary Hart Will Raise Money STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/11/2003 01:26:24 AM ----BODY: Gary Hart, "inching toward a run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, said on Monday he will soon begin raising small amounts of money to explore a White House race," Reute rs reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Gary Hart ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Bush's Moment Of Fate STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/11/2003 12:28:46 AM ----BODY: "Whether President Bush is remembered as a bold and successful president or a reckless and failed leader could be determined by what happens in the next few weeks and months," Howard Kurtz writes.

Meanwhile, the Times of London notes that "the first President Bush has told his son that hopes of peace in the Middle East would be ruined if a war with Iraq were not backed by international unity... He also urged the President to resist his tendency to bear grudges, advising his son to bridge the rift between the United States, France and Germany." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bush war Iraq ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Reich Uncovered STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/11/2003 12:07:57 AM ----BODY: The Smoking Gun was disappointed when it found out that former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich was the administration member posing nude last week for a pin-up calendar. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Robert Reich ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Brits Want Rudy's Advice STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/10/2003 09:31:08 AM ----BODY: Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's book, Leadership, "has become the bible for a new mantra in Downing Street: Deal with the small issues and the rest of the world will follow." This week the book "will be revealed as the basis for one of the biggest crack-downs on what the Government describes as 'anti-social behaviour,'" the Gua rdian reports.

"Giuliani built his political reputation on what became known as the Broken Window Theory of public behaviour. If the authorities do not bother cracking down on the small acts of criminality, they will soon preside over a situation where criminality is spiralling out of control." ----EXTENDED BODY: 0786868414 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Giuliani ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Who's Pushing Braun? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/10/2003 09:19:57 AM ----BODY: Robert Novak says the Rev. Al Sharpton "is privately accusing Democratic National Chairman Terry McAuliffe of pushing former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun to enter the party's crowded field for president, thereby splitting the African-American vote between her and Sharpton... Whispers in Washington that the Rev. Jesse Jackson encouraged Braun appear to have no foundation. She did not support Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. in his contested 1995 Illinois primary election, and views the Jacksons as adversaries." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Al Sharpton ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Watts Wants Back In STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/10/2003 09:16:48 AM ----BODY: "J. C. Watts, the former No. 4 House Republican leader who retired to spend more time with his family in Oklahoma, seems to be having pangs of regret," according to U.S. News and World Report's Washington Whispers. "Watts, who achieved the highest leadership post ever for a black Republican, is talking about returning to politics within 'two to eight years,' says an associate. His first choice: running for Senate if incumbent Sen. Don Nickles gives up his seat in 2004. Next best: Oklahoma guv." ----EXTENDED BODY: 0060194367 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: J.C. Watts ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Hart Schedules TV Interviews STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/10/2003 08:50:07 AM ----BODY: Is Gary Hart preparing an announcement today? Hart, who wrote a piece in the Washington Post over the weekend opposing a war in Iraq, has scheduled interviews on CNN's Inside Politics and Larry King Live today.

The Rocky Mountain News says "Hart has look of a man who's ready to run again." And the New York Daily News reports that Bill Bradley "has offered to serve as an adviser to Hart if the former Colorado senator decides to run for the White House in 2004." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Gary Hart ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Potential War Interrupts Politics STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/10/2003 08:37:48 AM ----BODY: The White House "has clamped a lid on President Bush's re-election campaign efforts until after the Iraq crisis is solved, a strategy that will place the president above the political fray in the early months of the 2004 presidential-election cycle and leave Democrats with only one another to debate," the Washington Times reports.

Democratic presidential candidates in Iowa "got a taste of the complicated new world that presumably awaits them this spring -- a world of trying to campaign for president at a time of a war, or a near-war, that has captured the attention of the nation while sowing ideological divisions within the Democratic party and among the candidates," the N ew York Times reports.

"With the nation poised for war with Iraq, presidential contenders, House and Senate leaders and party strategists are considering cancelling fundraising events, toning down their rhetoric and finding symbolic ways to stand with the troops if and when fighting breaks out," Roll Call reports.

Update: Even The Note has suspended publication for the next few weeks. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: war campaigning ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Clinton And Dole Lacked Sparks STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/10/2003 08:26:27 AM ----BODY: Tom Shales reviews the debut of "Clinton and Dole" on 60 Minutes last night. "Bill Clinton wore a dark red tie. Bob Dole wore a bright red tie. And that was about as striking as the contrast got last night when the two preening politicos made their debut as a debating team on 60 Minutes."

The Baltimore Sun says "Jerry Springer, this wasn't. Actually, the best word to describe what this was is ... boring." The Akron Beacon Journal sums it up: "Not exactly Lincoln-Douglas, was it?"

Despite the limited time and lack of real debate, USA Today says "Still, after the current president's embarrassingly enervated news conference Thursday, it was a relief to hear two leaders who, if asked, would be able to depart from their prepared remarks and expand upon and defend their views."

Pat Buchanan was blunter in his criticisms of Clinton: ""He demeans the presidency; he demeans himself, by sinking to the level of a local politician." But the Las Vegas Review-Journal doesn't share Buchanan's concern: "Oh, please. A moment of silent contemplation may be in order on a worldview which could hold that Bill Clinton -- subject of multiple legal actions over his unwelcome advances on and extramarital dalliances with women not his wife, a man who famously lied to the entire nation on television and was brought down by a stain on a blue dress which does not appear to have been tobacco juice -- could further demean himself or his former office by reading on TV some scripted remarks about the issues of the day." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Clinton Dole ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean Gains Credibility STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/10/2003 08:25:01 AM ----BODY: Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, a "family doctor-turned-politician," has "spurred his insurgent drive for the presidency into high gear, turning what had been considered a quixotic, long-shot bid into a more credible campaign with bombastic rhetoric against a war in Iraq and fiery challenges to fellow Democrats to stand up for liberal principles," the Burlingt on Free Press reports.

Meanwhile, Newsday also has a positive profile: "Telling it like it is for Howard Dean creates an unusual assortment of liberal and conservative positions." A sidebar reviews Dean's family history in New York. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Howard Dean ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dodd Almost Ran For President STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/10/2003 08:20:22 AM ----BODY: "Chris Dodd had come close to running, closer than anyone realized," the Hartford Courant writes about the senator's presidential ambitions. "In the end, Dodd opted out, but not for the obvious reasons. The candidacy of fellow Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman was not a factor. Neither were his qualms about waving goodbye to his family for at least a year. Nor was Dodd concerned that his long-ago playboy days would be resurrected for a media frenzy." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Christopher Dodd ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: The Connections Of Karl Rove STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/10/2003 08:12:41 AM ----BODY: The Washington Post runs yet another piece on the power of Karl Rove: "Methodically and ambitiously, Rove has developed a web of contacts in Washington and across the country to give him the latest intelligence on politics and policy -- which he then synthesizes and forwards to the president in private meetings." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Karl Rove ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Bush Lacked Passion In Press Conference STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/07/2003 08:52:41 AM ----BODY: Tom Shales was not impressed with President Bush's press conference last night. "Bush kept seeming to lose interest in his own remarks last night as the president did that rarest of rare things -- for him -- and held a prime-time news conference. Televised live on all the major networks from the East Room of the White House, the occasion found Bush declaring this to be 'an important moment' for America and the world, yet he spoke with little urgency and no perceptible passion. Have ever a people been led more listlessly into war?"

Even Bush supporter Andrew Sullivan was critical: "Man, he looked and sounded exhausted. The spin is that he was trying to look calm and reassuring. I just thought he looked wiped. There were moments when he almost seemed catatonic with fatigue."

The Washington Times notes that Bush ended "a long-running Washington tradition" when "for the first time in memory," Helen Thomas, "the doyenne of the White House press corps was not called on in a presidential press conference." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bush press conference ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Frist Decision Increases 2008 Speculation STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/07/2003 08:46:47 AM ----BODY: Sen. Bill Frist's (R) "decision not to seek re-election in 2006 has prompted speculation he'll make a White House bid in 2008," the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bill Frist ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Bush Stays Close To Home STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/07/2003 08:44:32 AM ----BODY: The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire notes President Bush's travel schedule "is blank for near future, but shows administration still expects a short war: Bush goes to Moscow in May, and reschedules for summer an Africa trip scrubbed in January amid war and budget planning." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bush war Iraq ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: In South Carolina, Hollings Still Undecided STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/07/2003 08:30:31 AM ----BODY: Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-SC) "remains undecided about 2004" and "has much to weigh," the Columb ia State reports. One factor weighs heavily against a re-election bid: "It's a presidential election year, and South Carolina is one of the Republicans' strongest states in the nation." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Fritz Hollings ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Bush Trails Generic Democrat In New Poll STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/06/2003 03:36:09 PM ----BODY: "By a 48 to 44 percent margin, American voters say they would vote for the as yet unnamed Democratic party candidate for President over Republican incumbent George W. Bush," according to a new Quinnipiac University poll. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bush trails in poll ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Frist Will Not Seek Re-Election STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/06/2003 09:21:00 AM ----BODY: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) said that "he does not intend to run for reelection to the Senate in 2006," the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bill Frist ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: States Battle Over Primaries STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/06/2003 09:16:15 AM ----BODY: "The overhaul of the 2004 Democratic presidential primary calendar has set off a battle among states struggling to dominate the party's selection of a nominee, creating what campaign aides today described as an extraordinarily complicated political terrain for the presidential candidates to navigate next year," the N ew York Times reports. The Des Moines Register has Iowa reaction to Washington, D.C. moving its presidential primary to be first in the nation.

Meanwhile, the Forward notes that "as the race for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination gains momentum, the nine declared candidates in the field are in an unusually tough scramble for the backing of wealthy donors who fuel the nation's campaign apparatus." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Democratic presidential primary ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Kerry Said He Was Irish STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/06/2003 09:14:12 AM ----BODY: Sen. John F. Kerry's (D) "insistence that he has been 'clear as a bell' in never having claimed Irish ancestry is undercut by a statement" introduced 17 years ago "in which he identified himself as IrishAmerican," the Boston Globe reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: John Kerry ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: In Missouri, Carnahan May Run For Gephardt's Seat STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/06/2003 09:10:58 AM ----BODY: Missouri state Rep. Russ Carnahan (D), "the son of the late Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan (D) and former Sen. Jean Carnahan (D-Mo.), is likely to run for the open seat of retiring Rep. Richard Gephardt (D)," Roll Call reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Carnahan ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Clinton And Dole Sign With 60 Minutes STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/06/2003 09:04:00 AM ----BODY: Bill Clinton and Bob Dole "are teaming up to revive the commentary segment Point-Counterpoint on 60 Minutes," the New York Times reports. USA Today says the two men "will alternate picking topics; Clinton hasn't yet chosen the first. The two men will tape their points separately, and 60 creator Don Hewitt will produce the segment." Matt Drudge says Clinton will be paid $1 million for ten segments. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Clinton Dole ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Hart Gives Final Speech Before Decision STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/06/2003 09:03:11 AM ----BODY: "In his last major policy address before deciding whether he'll run for president," former Sen. Gary Hart "called for every American child to receive $1,000 at birth in a fund that would be invested until he or she wanted to buy a house or go to college," the Denver Post reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Gary Hart ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: In New York, Spitzer Raising Money For Statewide Run STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/06/2003 08:04:43 AM ----BODY: "Widely viewed as a leading contender for the 2006 Democratic nomination for governor," New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D) "has begun raising money for a 'statewide' campaign which he has yet to identify," the AP reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Elliot Spitzer ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Karl Rove, Master Of Political Moves STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 01:36:50 PM ----BODY: Nina Easton, author of Gang of Five: Leaders at the Center of the Conservative Crusade, reviews Boy Genius: Karl Rove, the Brains Behind the Remarkable Political Triumph of George W. Bush and says the authors "hype their subject as a brilliant political thinker who reshaped American politics, first by transforming Texas into a Republican state and then by catapulting the conservative Bush into the Oval Office," but note "Rove is less a strategist who shifted Texas's political sirocco than one who understood how to fill his candidates' sails with its gusts." ----- EXTENDED BODY: 1586481924 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Karl Rove ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Broken Promises STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 12:15:39 PM ----BODY: For President Bush's father, "Read My Lips, No New Taxes" was the broken promise that ultimately cost him re-election. The Wall Street Journal's John Harwood looks at a potential problem for the president in 2004: "The most significant campaign promise George W. Bush has broken was perhaps one of the least noticed: Candidate Bush vowed 'to be humble' toward the rest of the world. Yet President Bush doesn't do humble convincingly." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: President Bush humble ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: New Jeffords Book Out STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 10:24:09 AM ----BODY: "In his recently published autobiography, An Independent Man: Adventures of a Public Servant, Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-VT) guides readers on a tour of his formative years in Rutland, Vt., through current-day events," Roll Call reports. "The book follows on the heels of his 2001 work, My Declaration of Independence, which focused on the lawmaker's decision to bolt from the Republican Party in the 107th Congress."

Heard on the Hill notes that, at one book signing event, Jeffords called himself a Democrat and didn't correct himself until his wife "nudged" him. ----EXTENDED BODY: 074322843X ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: James Jeffords book ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Black Caucus Chooses Mississippi For Debate STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 08:59:22 AM ----BODY: The Congressional Black Caucus chose Mississippi as a site for one of its presidential primary debates because the state "has one of the highest percentages of black voters" and "because it wanted to take the presidential discussion outside of traditional debate cities," the Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: black caucus debates ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Hillary Clinton's Rise To Power STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 08:57:38 AM ----BODY: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), "after lying low for most of her first two years, is emerging as one of the Senate's most prominent and influential Democrats, moving aggressively on fundraising and policy matters and fueling speculation that she plans to run for president in 2008," the Washington Post reports.

Byron York warns Republicans that "the White House Hillary is ancient history. What Republicans should be watching -- and worrying about -- is the New York Hillary." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Hillary Clinton ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Shays Investigates Leaks To Woodward STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 08:53:10 AM ----BODY: Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT), "who chairs a subcommittee that oversees national security policy, has inquired whether Bush administration officials passed classified information to journalist Bob Woodward for Bush at War, his latest best-selling book," The Hill reports. "For his part, Woodward sees Shays's request to find out whether the administration officials broke secrecy rules as akin to a 'witch hunt' for his sources." ----EXTENDED BODY: 0743204735 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bob Woodward ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Mixed Review For Stephanopoulos STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 08:46:54 AM ----BODY: The New York Observer offers a mixed review of George Stephanopoulos since taking over as host of This Week, but highlights why time is probably on his side: "All of the Sunday-morning network shows, including Mr. Stephanopoulos', are profitable, with revenues in the tens of millions. An NBC source said that the network charges $70,000 for a 30-second commercial spot on Meet the Press and makes $50 million annually on the show." ----EXTENDED BODY: 0316930164 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Stephanopoulos ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Sharpton's Strengths STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 08:41:44 AM ----BODY: Howard Kurtz on Al Sharpton's presidential candidacy: "He's a great speaker, and has been since he started preaching at the age of 4. He's funny. He's incredibly media-savvy. He's audacious. He connects with at least a portion of black America. He knows how to poke and prod and bob and weave and draw attention to himself and make other people squirm."

The Washington Times' Inside Politics column says Sharpton called to complain about former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta's comments that his campaign was about hate. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Al Sharpton ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: D.C. Moves Primary STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 08:37:34 AM ----BODY: "A unanimous D.C. Council voted yesterday to move next year's presidential primary to Jan. 13 -- ahead of every state -- in what members characterized as a bid to highlight the city's long struggle for home rule and congressional voting rights," the Washington Post reports. The vote "puts the city at odds with leaders of both major parties as they struggle to maintain orderly nomination calendars."

Meanwhile, in a related story, the Wilmington News-Journal says "Delaware's two major parties want the state's 2004 presidential primary to mean something and are willing to bow to the demands of New Hampshire politicians to make it happen." Party leaders propose "to move the state's second-in-the-nation primary from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 to get out from under party rules that discouraged most presidential candidates from campaigning in Delaware in 1996 and 2000." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Washington D.C. primary ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: In Ohio, Taft's Weakness Could Hurt Bush STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 08:27:38 AM ----BODY: A new poll shows Ohio Gov. Bob Taft's (R) "popularity nose-diving to depths not seen among Ohio leaders in 20 years" and "will reverberate in Columbus and in Washington," the Lancaster Eagle Gazette reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Ohio Taft ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: In Connecticut, Dodd May Have First Challenger STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/05/2003 07:46:22 AM ----BODY: Paul Streitz, author of Oxford: Son of Queen Elizabeth I, "who has never held an elected office, said he is 'considering' seeking the Republican Senate nomination" to challenge Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) in 2004, Congress Daily reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: 0971349800 ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Christopher Dodd ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Democrats Cautious About Michigan's Challenge STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/04/2003 04:05:04 PM ----BODY: Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), "a longtime critic of the special place Iowa and New Hampshire hold in the presidential nominating process, has asked the Michigan Democratic Party to hold its caucuses the same day as the New Hampshire primary," the Quad City Times reports. The Detroit News says Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) is joining the fight.

"Is it just us or is the candidate rhetoric over Michigan's challenge to New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation status extremely tepid?" The Hotline asks. "New Hampshire's getting 'support,' but not a single '04 Dem has dared to confront Michigan publicly." Nonetheless, the Man chester Union Leader notes the New Hampshire state Democratic Party chairman "says she has won support for the primary from six of the nine presidential campaigns." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: New Hampshire primary Michigan ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Campaigns Frozen In Time STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/04/2003 01:46:47 PM ----BODY: "Campaign sites from 505 races for U.S. congressional and gubernatorial offices were archived between July-November, 2002," according to PoliticalWeb.Info. The Election 2002 Web Archive is now Web-accessible from the Library of Congress. Scholars, journalists, citizens, elected officials and future candidates, both now and in the future, will find value in this Web archive." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: election web archive ----- -------- AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: A Divided Nation STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/04/2003 01:28:44 PM ----BODY: Charlie Cook's latest email analyzes the results of the last two presidential elections and each method he uses "points to a very evenly divided country, with Republicans having an ever-so-slight advantage -- but certainly not one that could easily withstand a tough economy or a war going badly."

Review past election results on your own. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: electoral college ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Moseley Braun Gives Headline Writers A Break STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/04/2003 01:22:42 PM ----- BODY: Although Howard Mortman insisted last week that the media was getting Carol Moseley Braun's name wrong by inserting a hypen, the Chicago Tribune says the former senator specifically added the hypen in January 1993. "Stationery was printed and newspapers started squeezing Moseley-Braun into headlines." It wasn't until she launched her presidential bid, that she asked the hypen be removed. "By way of formal introduction, she will now be Ms. Braun, not Ms. Moseley-Braun." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Carol Moseley Braun ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: A Flooded Field of Democrats STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/04/2003 08:45:32 AM ----BODY: "With Bush's popularity dropping, Democrats are jostling for position in the 2004 race." Business Week's Washington Watch gives "an early handicapping of the contenders." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Democratic presidential candidates ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dodd Will Likely Back Lieberman STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/04/2003 08:40:32 AM ----BODY: Announcing he will not run for president, Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) "declined to formally endorse" Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) but "hinted that he would eventually back" his campaign, the New Haven Register reports.

"Dodd said he intends to run instead for reelection to a fifth term next year," the Middletown Press reports. Dodd "would have had to choose to either run for a fifth term or seek the presidency, and forfeit his political career if he lost." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Dodd Lieberman ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Candidates Take To The Web STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/04/2003 08:39:33 AM ----BODY: Political candidates are taking their message to the Internet in record numbers, the Christian Science Monitor reports. A new study shows that "more than three-quarters of candidates for US Senate, House, and governors' seats used the Web to document their stands on at least three issues." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: candidate web sites ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: In Ohio, Springer And Fingerhut To Meet STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/04/2003 08:37:36 AM ----BODY: In Ohio's Senate race, state Sen. Eric Fingerhut (D) and TV talk show host Jerry Springer (D) are expected to make their "first joint appearance since Fingerhut's formal entry into the race," the Dayton Daily News reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Jerry Springer Senate ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Democrats In Disarray On Capitol Hill STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/04/2003 08:24:32 AM ----BODY: "Nearly four months after unexpected election losses prompted a reevaluation of their priorities, congressional Democrats are conflicted over their party's direction, deeply divided over Iraq and struggling to agree on a domestic agenda," the Washington Post reports. "While the 2004 elections are 20 months away, Republicans open the campaign with some notable, albeit surmountable, advantages. They control the White House and both houses of Congress for only the second time since the Eisenhower administration... Republicans also are jumping out to a big lead in fundraising." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: House Democrats ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: An Elder Statesman For President STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/04/2003 08:18:14 AM ----BODY: The New York Times profiles Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL), a Democratic contender who "stands out in the crowded field of presidential politics" and "knows education, health and tax policy cold." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bob Graham ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Washington's Best and Worst Newsmakers STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/03/2003 02:59:56 PM ----BODY: Television Week surveys "the best, the worst, the hardest-to-get and the hardest-to-take TV guests in the nation's capital, home of the issueoriented interview and discussion program known as the newsmaker show." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: newsmakers ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dodd Is Out STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/03/2003 11:29:43 AM ----BODY: Sen. Christopher J. Dodd "is expected to announce today he will not run for president," the Hartford Courant reports. The Note says "there actually were people encouraging Dodd to run, and he is considered a charismatic and well-liked figure in the party, and a good spokesperson. But he would have shared a regional base with Lieberman, as well as Senator John Kerry and former Gov. Howard Dean." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Christopher Dodd ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: O'Neill To Write Book Critical Of Bush STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/03/2003 08:47:26 AM ----BODY: Ousted Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill "is involved in a book project that will be critical of the Bush team's economic stewardship," Time reports. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Paul O'Neill ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Which Kerry Is Running? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/03/2003 08:42:17 AM ----BODY: Sen. John Kerry "celebrated recent Democratic gains in Idaho with a call to arms for party activists over the weekend, but his appearance was rivaled yesterday by a soft-spoken speech in which his wife lambasted the Bush administration's conduct in foreign affairs," the Boston Globe reports.

For the event, the Idaho Statesman says "more than 650 tickets were sold, and people spilled out into an extra room where they watched Kerry on a video monitor." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: John Kerry ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Dean's War Position Questioned STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/03/2003 08:38:25 AM ----BODY: "Outspoken in their opposition to a U.S.-led attack on Iraq, Howard Dean (D) and several Democratic presidential hopefuls are evoking memories of the seminal anti-war campaign, Minnesota Sen. Eugene McCarthy's in 1968," the AP reports.

However, the Des Moines Register reports notes that Dean's "position on Iraq isn't that different from the rivals he criticizes." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Howard Dean ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: The Campus Primary STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/03/2003 08:34:42 AM ----BODY: "New Hampshire's primary is a year away and college campuses are coveted turf in this early battleground state," the Boston Globe reports. "Some of the best-known names in Democratic politics are courting some of the least known, eager to enlist students as foot soldiers in their campaigns." ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: presidential primary college campus ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Black Caucus Seeks Bigger Role in 2004 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/03/2003 08:27:45 AM ----BODY: "The Congressional Black Caucus will host four debates for the Democratic Party's presidential candidates this year, an effort that could bolster the role black voters will play in the 2004 election," accoridng to the Washington Times' Inside Politics column. USA Today says "initial reaction to the black caucus proposal among the candidates appears positive."

Meanwhile, Stuart Rothenberg asks "How will black voters split in the Democratic presidential contest?" ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Congressional Black Caucus ------------ AUTHOR: Taegan Goddard TITLE: Bush Re-Election Campaign Planned Quietly STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 0 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 PRIMARY CATEGORY: CATEGORY: DATE: 03/03/2003 08:18:47 AM ----BODY: "President Bush has postponed his reelection campaign until after a war with Iraq, but White House and Republican Party strategists have begun planning for a contest in which they envision raising as much as $250 million to wage a battle designed to break the political stalemate of the 1990s and make the GOP the country's majority party," the Washington Post reports.

But Heard on the Hill notes that "anyone trying to take a crystal ball to the 2004 presidential election might want to check out an interesting anniversary that passed last week. On Feb. 27, 1991, The New York Times ran a story with the headline, 'Bush's War Success Confers An Aura of Invincibility in '92.'" Meanwhile, Polipundit dissents and reviews why Bush will not suffer the same fate as his father. ----EXTENDED BODY: ----EXCERPT: ----KEYWORDS: Bush re-election ------------