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* The Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz takes a look at the Chicago media’s coverage of the Rezko-Obama matter and concludes:
This seems like a minor-league issue. But as Bill Clinton learned about his money-losing Arkansas land deal, when you run for president, everything in your past gets magnified.
* A Washington Times editorial today takes a look at Obama’s pre US Senate record and concludes:
In short, Mr. Obama’s record as an Illinois state senator was down-the-line liberal. For someone representing a liberal district in Chicago, that’s not very surprising. What is surprising is how Mr. Obama’s liberal label has been effectively wiped clean since he entered the U.S. Senate.
* CNN’s Jeanne Moos asks people on the street about Barack Hussein Obama’s name:
* The Draft Obama organization is reportedly planning to run this TV ad in New Hampshire.
* Joe Novak jabs again at Obama’s wife, Michelle, for her position on a corporate board of directors involved in massive layoffs.
Hispanic union workers like Santiago Vasquez lose jobs because Michelle Obama wants to improve efficiency? She defends layoffs telling Chicago Crains Business that her firm “hopes to expand and hire more workers, many minorities, once it boosts its efficiency.â€
* New York Daily News columnist/blogger notes that Obama has picked up the support of a bigtime money guy.
Lou Susman, John Kerry’s national finance chairman in 2004 and, reportedly, a supporter of Tom Vilsack in 2008, told me yesterday that if Barack Obama runs for president, he’ll support Obama.
Susman’s comment is another mark of the entree Obama has to the very top tier of Democratic moneymen, one I wrote about in this week’s column.
* Here’s an excerpt from his column:
There were only about a dozen people in George Soros’ midtown conference room to meet Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who is getting used to crowds of thousands at bookstore readings and public speeches.
But the men meeting Obama last Monday still matter more in Democratic presidential politics than your average bookstore crowd. They were some of New York’s elite political donors, including John Kerry’s top New York fund-raiser from 2004, Hassan Nemazee, and the former chief of staff at Bill Clinton’s Treasury Department, Michael Froman.
Also there were financiers Blair Effron, Mark Gallogly and Orin Kramer, each of whom donates tens of thousands of dollars to Democrats and can raise tens of thousands more from friends. (Soros himself had met alone with Obama earlier in the day; that evening, he was reading from his own new book at a Barnes & Noble store.)
When Obama - considered Hillary Clinton’s most serious threat - meets with the biggest of the big-money donors, it sends a clear message.
* Speaking of money, he’s also picking up a lot of small donations.
A political action committee that Obama has formed already has taken in more than $1 million this year in the kind of low-dollar donations that reflect excitement among ordinary voters. More than $165,000 flowed in during a six-week period this fall that coincided with the Democratic senator’s highly publicized book tour, according to federal disclosure documents.
* Alan Greenblatt of Governing Magazine’s blog notices some pushback [eg: this sort of stuff] from the DC punditry about Obama and offers this analysis:
Finally, I think the resistance to Obama is rooted in this — he’s popular with the public way before a newcomer to the national scene should be. By which I mean that only political reporters and the people who work the system for a living are supposed to be paying attention and making their judgments.
“The Gang of 500,” as ABC’s newsletter The Note calls the political insider class, is supposed to weigh and pass judgment on candidates long before voters even in Iowa or New Hampshire have started paying serious attention. At this point, the only stories are supposed to be about which candidate is hiring which adviser, and what that signals about what the smart money thinks about his (or now her) chances.
Obama circumvents all that. He’s a star winning the hearts and minds of the people regardless of whatever skepticism the chattering class in Washington may harbor about him. No wonder that class is starting to hate him.
* George Will, of all people, says: “Run Now, Obama”
* I think Rush Limbaugh played this snippet that “Libertarian Reason” blog wrote about today.
New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd wrote a piece last week in which she teased 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama about his big ears. Well it seems he can’t quite handle that. Microphones picked up a conversation he had with Dowd after a speech of his in New Hampshire last Sunday:
“You talked about my ears, and I just want to put you on notice: I’m very sensitive about - what I told them was - I was teased relentlessly when I was a kid about my big ears.” Dowd replies comradely, “Oh, we’re just trying to toughen you up!” The rest of the conversation is unclear.
He’s “sensitive” about his ears? The cartoonists and blogggers are gonna have a field day with this one. Perhaps he could adjust his hair style or consider ear reduction surgery. And, just to be clear, I’m joking here, as I believe Obama was.
* Old poll conducted in Iowa for special interest group passed off as new development.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 1:09 pm
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Big ears,less scandals, more hope Barack is head and shoulders about Ms. Clinton who we can blame for not having some sort of natl. health insurance in place. Hilary is not Bill. It is time for a new Democratic candidate who can win a debate.
Comment by decaturboy Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 1:16 pm
United States Senator Barack Obama represents a new generation of leadership. If Barack determines to run, he will be the next President of the United States.
Comment by Senator Mike Jacobs Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 1:24 pm
Hilary is not Bill.
No, But she has great access to the premier politican of our time. Does anyone think she isn’t intelligent and ambitious enough to make use of that fact?
Not I!
Obama represents a new generation of leadership
At least you aren’t saying he’s different. But John Edwards is a new generation also. Buzz seems something behind it.
Or, to channel Walter Mondale “Where’s the Beef”?
Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 1:52 pm
Sorry, that last should be:
“Buzz needs something behind it”
Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 1:53 pm
Surprised your blog did not reference a seismic event in national politics: Senator Johnson’s (D-S.D.) medical crisis. If Senator Johnson has to vacate his seat, South Dakota’s Republican governor will have the power to appoint his successor, who will serve until a 2008 special election. This incident may hand over the reigns of power in the U.S. Senate to the Republicans, greatly diminishing Barack’s importance over the next two years.
Another reason to comment on this here in Illinois: the DNC may take a clue from the John Stroger formula (and the Democrats may already be doing so) and prevent disclosure of any information regarding Senator Johnson’s medical condition, yet have his family proclaim that he is “well but recovering” and “fully intends to resume his senatorial duties in the near future once his physical strength returns”, because “well, that’s what he told us.” The Stroger family may have invented a new political stratagem for many others around the country to exploit–to the detriment of the voters.
Comment by Conservative Republican Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 1:53 pm
Here’s a good article about Obama that was recently published on WorkingForChange.
The number one issue for Greens is majority elections. Obama had better come out stongly in support of either runoff elections or instant runoff voting, at the federal level, if he hopes to reach across party lines and earn support there.
Of course, the Green Party will likely be running its own presidential candidate; and unlike the last presidential election, they will definately be on the ballot here in Illinois.
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 2:00 pm
Greenblatt’s analysis is on the mark, but I would take it an explicit step further. The Gang of 500 thinks it’s their job to tell us what to think and who’s important, and they see Obama’s stardom as a usurpation of that power.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 2:21 pm
I think Hillary has about double Obama’s support in a recent poll among Democrats, I’m not sure if it was registered or just likely Dem voters, but it’s significant that she has much more coy than Obama about whether she will run or not yet still has double his support. And it’s the Dems who will be picking the Dem candidate.
I think Giuliani could beat either of them. First of all, he is sort of Democrat-like himself in a sort of moderate-conservative country Secondly, the Iraq situation is not going to improve in the next 23 months to election day and is likely to get worse. The president will dig in his heels and “stay the course”. The Dems won’t have the guts to cut funding for the war (that’s how we got out of Vietnam finally) so voters will be exasperated with both parties. Giuliani will be the best of a bad choice…liberal on social issues, tough on security issues, executive experience. Emotional appeal as “Mayor of America.” The inexperienced if glib Obambi and the controversial Hill (and Bill) won’t be able to beat him.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 2:43 pm
Obama has as much support from the Media 500 as the next chump, so rumors otherwise should be suspected. Greenblatt is just jawing and trying to make himself look better than the other 499.
Obama doesn’t have enough experience to offset most rumors. If he had something to show for himself, news could cover that. But he doesn’t. So we see silly stories about his smile, clothes, name, wife, and People magazine type crap. He can surf this wave of news-lite all he likes, but if there is no there there, then he needs to wait and grow up in the Senate before trying to impress us.
Obama offers nothing beyond pretty painted pictures of generic grandeur. Thats not leadership, that is a United Airlines commercial.
He is not ready for prime time.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 2:47 pm
So the pro-gay rights, pro-choice, pro-gun control guy, guy living with his mistress while still married is going to get through the Republican primary? How exactly is that going to happen again? Oh, Bernie Kerik too.
Early polling doesn’t have much meaning–it is primarily name ID related and especially in the early states the retail politicking has a lot more to do with it than early name ID.
Name ID and buzz help you raise money. For all the worry about Barack flaming out, that’s a legit issue, but at the same time it reinforces his fundraising abilities which then then reinforces his electability.
While it’s also legit to say he isn’t as experienced as some, he does have a good record on foreign relations—including Lugar-Obama which is the first major update to Nunn-Lugar, Darfur, and AIDS related advocacy. Take that experience compared to the current occupant of the White House who had been to Mexico a few times and one trip to Europe and Obama is a bit more substantial looking with serious trips to Russia, the Middle East and Africa.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 2:55 pm
===If he had something to show for himself, news could cover that.
Okay, so how many news stories over the last week focused on Lugar - Obama? It was just signed.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 2:56 pm
“So the pro-gay rights, pro-choice, pro-gun control guy, guy living with his mistress while still married is going to get through the Republican primary?”
Oy, but that bug me, even though I generally like Giuliani. Fellas, if you’re falling head over heels for someone, then get out of the marriage first if it just must happen. Oy, oy, oy.
I hope he can survive that and make it through the primary, because the guy is complete grace under pressure and had the principles intact as he gave back that check to the Saudi after 9/11 (the one who gave a check and said nasty things, and so Rudy just gave the money right on back).
Really. When have you heard of a politician who won’t take someone’s money? Unless they are in major legal trouble and you just have to, like the Abramoff scandal?
Rudy. Stay married to the lady and behave from now on. We need “leadership” in this post 9/11 America and dangerous world. “Hope” is wonderful, but “leadership” is even better.
Comment by Angie Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 3:42 pm
” Conservative Republican” there are several reasons for not blogging about Tim Johnson.
1) He’s from South Dakota, not Illinois
2) The media goofs in DC are once again displaying an uncanny knack for being wrong, or have they never heard of Karl Mundt? Even if Johnson’s condition is really bad, there’s no reason for him to resign yet. Let the guy heal before you have him resigning.
3) And, finally, we don’t even know how serious this is yet. I don’t like burying a guy before he’s even dead, or before we even know that he’s even dying. The conduct of the DC media, particularly the cable outlets, has been appalling. Your comment is no better.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 3:45 pm
The Republicans are going to be really desperate in 2008. The Iraq war will not be going well and they can’t fix it. The Middle East will be in more turmoil than ever with the threat of oil supply disruptions thrumming in the background.
And they don’t want to lose power. Jeb Bush says he won’t run. McCain is ancient and is fighting the last war. Giuliani, should he choose, can be lipsticked up (as in putting it on a pig) to appeal to conservatives, Kerik and the domestic
irregularities notwithstanding.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 3:53 pm
CQPolitics:
====• Styles Bridges, New Hampshire Republican: January-June 1942; fractured a hip in a fall on Dec. 31, 1941.
• Carter Glass, Virginia Democrat: June 1942 until his death on May 28, 1946; absent because of old-age infirmities, even as he held the posts of Senate president pro tempore (1941-45) and chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Despite his declining condition, Glass was re-elected by Virginia voters in November 1942.
• Robert F. Wagner, New York Democrat: January 1947 until his resignation on June 28, 1949; had a heart ailment that prevented him from attending any sessions in the 80th or 81st Congresses.
• Arthur H. Vandenberg, Michigan Republican: October 1949 until his death on April 18, 1951; after a major surgery to remove a tumor on his lung in October 1949, he returned to the Senate briefly in January and February 1950, then was absent for most of 1950. He had a second surgery that April and another brief return to the Senate in May of that year.
• Clair Engle, California Democrat: Various periods from 1963 until his death on July 30, 1964; underwent repeated operations for brain cancer, which left him partially paralyzed. In June 1964, he was carried into the Senate chamber to cast a key vote on the Civil Rights Act; unable to speak, he signaled in the affirmative.
• Karl E. Mundt, South Dakota Republican: November 1969 to January 1973; suffered a stroke that prevented him from returning to the Senate, but he declined to resign and served until the expiration of his term.
• Joseph R. Biden Jr., Delaware Democrat: Feb. 12-Sept. 7, 1988, after undergoing surgery for a brain aneurysm.
• Al Gore, Tennessee Democrat: April 3-May 1, 1989; on opening day of the major baseball season in Baltimore, the senator’s son — four-year-old Albert Gore III — was struck by an automobile and seriously injured as he and his father were leaving the stadium. The elder Gore spent much of his absence at Johns Hopkins Hospital caring for his son until his release en route to a full recovery.
• David Pryor, Arkansas Democrat: April 15-Sept. 10, 1991, after suffering a heart attack in Washington, D.C.====
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 3:57 pm
The voters in the country can handle the big ears. When they start to get a big head and a big ego, that is when all hell breaks loose.
Those big ears (a perfect logo for his campaign buttons) )are what is going to push him past Hillary in the Democrat Primary. I am not kidding! What a wonderful gift that his ears will prove to be for Barack to help set him apart from the other Democrat candidates.Hillary is stuck with only having a big head and a bigger ego.
Barack should be greatful that LBJ is no longer around. Otherwise, Lyndon might have tried to lift Barack from his senate seat by grabbing hold of his ears.
I can see Barack in a white toga saying, “Friends, Romans, and countrymen, lend me your ears. Mine are at the drycleaners today and I can’t hear a word you say without them.”
Yep, those ears are going to be what pushes him over the top and gets him elected. He will (like Betty Grable and her million dollar legs) windup insuring them with Lloyds of London before it is all over with.
Comment by Beowulf Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 4:18 pm
The Washington Times called a Democrat a liberal?
That’s big news.
Usually the WT’s reporting is Fair and Balanced.
Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 4:28 pm
I too was disgusted by the mainstream media’s quick over-reaction to Sen. Johnson’s illness. The issue may warrant a footnote in the story, not the headlines. The latest update at CNN indicated that it will take “days and weeks, maybe even months at a minimum,” for recovery. Not dismissing the seriousness, it doesn’t sound like a resignation is even close to being necessary.
Comment by Objective Dem Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 4:48 pm
I totally disagree with the idea that Obama doesn’t have substance. Some people are making it sound like he is the Peter Sellers character in Being There (A great movie and an even better book)
He was editor of the Harvard Law Review, which is an indication of how amazingly smart and politically adept he is. His record in Springfield was solid and gave him a lot of good detailed experience. I don’t think he ever lived up to some of the early expectations of stardom in the statehouse, but my impression is the Springfield leadership doesn’t allow stars just planets revolving around them.
I have seen Obama take on hard questions from a sophisticated audience and he handled himself amazingly well. He didn’t overpromise or [word deleted by moderator - please don’t swear in your posts] or say simply what the audience wanted. A friend who was there has never been impressed with any politician, came away in totally impressed. Even if you don’t agree with all his positions (and I don’t), you respect his positions as thought out and reflecting a good value system.
Obama hired Sen. Daschle’s ex-chief of staff as his own. This indicates to me that he is wise enough to surround himself with the right people.
Yes, the hype is a bit much at times, but there is a lot of substance behind the hype.
Comment by Objective Dem Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 5:09 pm
The Senator is right. The White House is Barack’s if he wants it. I think that he will probably not run because he realizes that his family is his first priority. However, knowing how much he loves our country and its citizens, there is still a chance he will take a shot at it.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 5:49 pm
There’s only been talk about Obama and Clinton, but I think that Gore is planning on running again. An Inconvienent Truth is his unannounced campaign advertisement, being shown by 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations everywhere. Gore has a pretty bad environmental record, but that doesn’t matter if he can falsely brand himself as an environmental champion. It certainly fits his pattern–he did the same thing when he wrote Earth in the Balance.
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 8:11 pm
You can thank the Illinois Republican Party for Obama’s ability to walk on water. Due to the incompentance of those that chose Keyes (they are all still there, except Judy) Obama didn’t have to open his mouth once against a real candidate or had to truly debate anyone. He was able to platitude his way into office and continue on with no discernable give and take. Lucky, lucky, lucky….
Comment by anon Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 9:35 pm
Or one more: Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, beaten bloody by Rep. Preston Brooks in 1866. Sumner took three years to recuperate before returning to the Senate in 1869. His seat came back up for reelection during this interval, but the MA legislature was so supportive, they reelected him.
Comment by ZC Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 9:39 pm
There is no question that those of us in the Quad Cities are ready to spend significant time in Iowa to help Senator Obama put together an army of grassroots caucus goers.
Comment by Porter McNeil Thursday, Dec 14, 06 @ 10:14 pm
There is no doubt that those of us in the loan dept. at the Broadway Bank stand ready to give the Senator more loans as needed for the campaign. Our cash drawer is open as usual.
Comment by HeKnowsBarack Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 8:09 am
Al Gore is planning to run again? (snort)
This is the guy who compared debates to bowls of porridge like in the kiddy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In a post 9/11 world, the carbon-based robot doesn’t stand a chance.
Comment by Angie Saturday, Dec 16, 06 @ 3:12 pm