US Presidential Election Candidates

Obama Not Qualified to be Commander in Chief

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:14:17 +0000

Democrat Hillary Clinton has invited Barack Obama to be her running mate. However, she does not think her rival is adequately qualified to be the commander in chief of the US army! Clinton's statements have attracted condemnation from Obama's supporters and liberals.

Over the week, Hillary Clinton has suggested that she is open to a joint Clinton-Obama ticket. Speaking in Mississippi, her husband Bill Clinton said that such an alliance would be advantageous. Stating that a joint ticket would create an "instoppable force", the former president said, ""I know that she has always been open to it, because she believes that you can unite the energy and the new people he's brought in and the people in these vast swathes of small-town and rural America that she's carried overwhelmingly." Having both things together, he indicated, would be hard to beat.

However Hillary Clinton asserted that Obama was just not fit to become the commander in chief of the U.S. army in case of his emerging the presidential winner. As if to add insult to injury, Clinton claimed that both, she herself, as well as Republican nominee, John McCain, were qualified to hold the post.

Following a meeting, she held with retired military officers in Washington, Clinton said, "Look I have said Senator McCain will bring a lifetime of experience to the campaign, I will bring a lifetime of experience, and Senator Obama will bring a speech he made in 2002." A New York Times columnist responded by suggesting that Clinton had said that Obama was not qualified to become president.

"I think it's imperative that each of us be able to demonstrate we can cross the commander-in-chief threshold," Hillary Clinton said. "I believe that I've done that. Certainly, Senator McCain has done that and you'll have to ask Senator Obama with respect to his candidacy."

Obama, meanwhile, laid to rest any doubts about whether he was open to the Clintons' gracious offer. "You won't see me as a vice presidential candidate - you know, I'm running for president," he clarified during an interview he gave CBS. "We have won twice as many states as Senator Clinton, and have a higher popular vote, and I think we can maintain our delegate count," he added.

New York Times Raises Concerns Regarding McCain's Health

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:18:57 +0000

A New York Times article raised concerns that John McCain could suffer a recurrence of the skin cancer that he suffered eight years ago. The report follows close on the hells of the story alleging an affair between the senior senator and lobbyist Vicki Iseman.

The report, by reporter Lawrence K. Altman, who is also a medical doctor, refers to the melanoma, or skin cancer, that McCain had back in 2000. Altman writes that though McCain is occasionally asked about his age, he has almost never been asked about his health. He suggests that McCain’s melanoma could recur. He does, however, indicate that the chances of a recurrence are extremely slim.

“Doctors advise melanoma patients to have regular checkups to detect new skin cancers and the spread of old ones because melanomas can be quirky,” the report states. McCain’s staff, it points out, has not revealed the tests that his doctors are using to monitor the case, it adds. Altman states that recurrences of melanoma take place in the first few years after diagnosis. He adds that the survival figures for melanomas are often measured in ten-year periods instead of the five-year periods used to calculate survival in the case of some other cancers.”

Altman has described how McCain had undergone a surgery to determine whether the cancer had spread from his left temple to a key lymph node in his neck. The test showed that it had not, he adds. He writes, “But because such a test cannot be definitive, the surgeons, with Mr. McCain’s advance permission, removed the surrounding lymph nodes and part of the parotid gland, which produces saliva, in the same operation, which lasted five and a half hours.” McCain’s staff at the time, according to Altman, had said that the final pathology analysis reported no evidence of the spread of the melanoma, or that chemotherapy or radiation was needed.

However, Altman quotes Dr. Richard L. Shapiro, a melanoma surgeon at New York University, as saying that “With melanoma, a patient is never completely clear.” Altman accepts that a recurrence did not seem likely in the case of McCain. However, he indicates that the typical treatment, in case of a recurrence, involved surgery and a complicated form of chemotherapy, adding that the “chances of long-term survival diminish.”

Altman even goes on to point out that John McCain seemed to be very careful about shielding himself from the sun by using a “powerful sunscreen before outdoor events,” and relying on “spots of shade” or “baseball caps.” Altman said that McCain’s “prognosis for the recurrence of melanoma medical” could be estimated only by talking with experts having no firsthand knowledge of his medical condition. But those “experts say his prospects appear favorable,” he writes.

Obama: Clinton is Calculating, Divisive

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:18:42 +0000

The mudslinging match between the two leading democratic presidential contenders, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton seems to be continuing unabated. Obama recently remarked that Clinton's campaign was too polarizing for her to win the presidential race. He also said Hillary adopted positions on issues held by President Bush and Senator John McCain to suit her convenience. With the third democratic contender, John Edwards, pulling out of the race, the stakes are now higher for both Obama and Clinton.

Obama, speaking at the University of Denver, described Clinton as scheming and divisive, and said Clinton's support for Republican stands on issues such as trade, political lobbying, and security tactics would only lead to greater split within the electorate. He also referred to McCain as likely to win the Republican nomination.

Obama also said that it was understandable that some people would feel comfortable at the idea of another Clinton at the helm after Bush. However, he warned voters about falling for the line that it would be good for the country. "It is about the past versus the future," he said. "And when I am the nominee, the Republicans won't be able to make this election about the past.

Obama said, "If you choose change, you will have a nominee who doesn't just tell people what they want to hear." He continued, "Poll-tested positions, calculated answers might be how Washington confronts challenges, but it's not how you overcome those challenges; it's not how you inspire our nation to come together behind a common purpose, and it's not what America needs right now. You need a candidate who will tell you the truth."

Obama also said, "Democrats will win in November and build a majority in Congress not by nominating a candidate who will unite the other party against us, but by choosing one who can unite this country around a movement for change". He added, "It is time for new leadership that understands the way to win a debate with John McCain or any Republican who is nominated is not by nominating someone who agreed with him on voting for the war in Iraq or who agreed with him in voting to give George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran, who agrees with him in embracing the Bush-Cheney policy of not talking to leaders we don't like, who actually differed with him by arguing for exceptions for torture before changing positions when the politics of the moment changed." He said, "We need to offer the American people a clear contrast on national security, and when I am the nominee of the Democratic Party, that is exactly what I will do."

His spirited criticism brought forth a retaliatory reaction from the Hillary Clinton campaign. Clinton's supporters pointed out that Obama seemed to be forgetting his resolve to maintain a positive campaign as he was resorting to sullying her image. They pointed out that he had condemned this style of politics in his book, Audacity of Hope, even quoting an appropriate section from the book.

Obama: Clinton is Calculating, Divisive

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:17:04 +0000

Obama: Clinton is Calculating, Divisive

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:10:57 +0000

Clinton Makes a Thundering Comeback

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:13:55 +0000

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton landed a surprising knockout in the primary in Ohio, Texas, and Rhode Island, ending Senator Barack Obama's winning streak of 11 straight nominating contest wins. This spree had led may prominent politicians to suggest that Clinton reconsider her candidature. However, these three major triumphs will help Clinton put behind her, a month of defeats. Now, in her own words, "We're going on, we're going strong and we're going all the way."

Clinton won the Rhode Island primary with more than 58 percent of the vote. The Ohio and Texas wins, though, remain the prize victories since they are rich in delegates. She won by 55 percent in Ohio in nearly complete returns, and her winning share in Texas is around 51 percent.

Of the four states, Obama led only the Vermont primary, by turning nearly 60 percent of the votes in his favor. Countering Clinton's claims about the three-state win having had a race-altering effect, he assured his league, "We have nearly the same delegate lead as we did this morning and we are on our way to winning this nomination."

In the four-state competition for delegates, Clinton cornered nearly 100 delegates as against Obama's count of about 77. The total tally for Obama is 1,466 delegates, including superdelegates (specially chosen party and elected officials), while Clinton has 1,376 delegates. The magic figure to win the Democratic nomination is 2,025.

The two Democratic rivals have indulged in an expensive, cut-throat campaign, especially in the past two weeks. Clinton had questioned Obama's sincerity in opposing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and his experience to be the commander-in-chief. In Ohio and Texas, according to the polling place interviews, these remarks seem to have worked. The economy seemed to be the chief concern for voters in Ohio, Texas, and Rhode Island. Vermont voters said the war in Iraq was their top concern.

With the Mississippi primary scheduled for next week, Obama has already begun advertising there. He is also set to pay a visit to Mississippi and Wyoming. Pennsylvania, the largest share of the pie remaining, has its primary scheduled for April 22.

Bush Endorses Former Rival McCain

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:08:03 +0000

US President George Bush has finally endorsed fellow Republican Senator John McCain's presidential bid after he clinched the Republican nomination. It would be interesting to recollect that McCain's candidature had earlier been crushed by Bush during the 2000 presidential election campaigns. Now the one-time rivals claim to be 'friends'. "I've got to know him well, I've campaigned against him and with him," the president revealed.

McCain received the endorsement in a brief visit at the Rose Garden at the White House. Bush believes that his former rival would be an able president with the "determination to defeat an enemy and a heart big enough to love those who hurt". Bush added that McCain was "going to win."

McCain returned the compliment by divulging his "great admiration, respect and affection" for the US president. Since Bush is quite unpopular with many voters, McCain was questioned regarding the worth of Bush's endorsement. Regarding the prospect of the damage that this support could mete to his campaign, McCain simply said: "I hope he'll campaign for me as much as is in keeping with his busy schedule."

He also corroborated the promise to fight a "respectful" campaign that he made in his victory speech.

Hollywood Star Jack Nicholson Backs Clinton

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:41:38 +0000

Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign has received support from Hollywood titan Jack Nicholson. Nicholson has endorsed a video compilation of some of his famous film roles in support of Democrat Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. The video endorsement, popularly dubbed Jack and Hill, has garnered over 1.2 million hits since being posted on YouTube last Friday.

Director Rob Reiner helped Nicholson edit scenes from his movies, including Batman, The Shining, and A Few Good Men, to spell out his support for the former first lady. But it was made without Clinton's approval. As "Jack and Hill" spokesperson Yusuf K Robb clarified, "They (Nicholson and Reiner) decided to do this as something on their own to assist her campaign."

Movie clips juxtaposed with onscreen messages like "Don't we need a president we can trust to be ready to go on day one?" generally give the feeling of "Things could be better, Lloyd. Things could be a whole lot better." And nothing sums it up like the last clip from A Few Good Men that goes "There is nothing on this earth sexier, believe me gentlemen, than a woman you have to salute in the morning." In the wrap up, Nicholson appears as himself to assert, "I'm Jack Nicholson, and I approve this message."

The usually reticent actor has admitted that the Clinton campaign had appealed for help. "Yes, I got a call. They asked me to do something. I explained to [former] President Clinton that I admire a foot soldier but I'm too old to be one. I'm not looking for so-called followers. I'm not that crazy about being interviewed. I don't like the sound of my own voice after 20 minutes."

Elaborating his stand on MTV news, he admitted, "On the other hand, I am Irish. I like being involved in the community. As they say, if you don't educate yourself about the political system you're doomed to be led by inferior people. That's one of my fears."

Like in physics, in politics too every action has an opposite reaction. The parody that Hillary Clinton's rival, Barack Obama's supporters have responded with, in the form of another video, is equally popular online.

On the Eve of Super Tuesday

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 03:16:43 +0000

Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama campaigned fiercely on Monday, preparing themselves for the upcoming primary election in Texas and Ohio. Clinton made several stops in Ohio before heading to Texas where Obama was also campaigning hard for a final showdown before the voters started polling. In the Republican camp, John McCain is expected to win his campaign nomination. McCain hopes to win the 250 delegates that are at stake in Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island to win the GOP’s nomination at the national convention in September.

The primaries of Ohio and Texas are crucial for Clinton, if she is to ride over the momentum that the Obama campaign is gaining. Obama has currently had 11 consecutive wins that have pulled him ahead of Clinton. Clinton may face some pressure to step aside from the race for her party nomination if she looses.

There are 370 delegates for the Democrats to win from Texas and Ohio. While Clinton enjoyed an early lead in these States, Obama’s campaign has managed to gain enough momentum to overtake her.

Clinton remains un-perplexed with regard to the outcome of these two primaries. She vowed to carry on her campaign even if she did not secure wins in these two states. Clinton stated that she did not believe that the primaries were a make or break event. She told reporters that she was looking forward to the contest in Ohio and that she was just warming up. Clinton has been focusing her attacks over the weekend on Obama’s foreign policy and his inexperience in handling issues of national security. She underlined this fact by referring to one of her campaign advertisements that asked who would respond better to a national emergency in the middle of the night.

Obama refuted Clinton’s attacks by questioning the kind of foreign policy experience Clinton claims to have. Obama indicated that he felt that Clinton should reconsider continuing her campaign if she lost in the primaries of Texas and Ohio. Where delegates are concerned, Obama has secured 1,385 delegates to Clinton’s 1,276. The total number of delegates required to win the Democratic Party’s nomination at its national convention is 2025.

Hillary Will Continue Campaigning Against Obama

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:24:58 +0000

Senator Hillary Clinton's camp has shot down all talk of moving out of the Presidential trail after the pivotal March 4 nominating contests in Ohio and Texas, where competitor Senator Barack Obama is expected to land a knockout. Clinton's decision followed talks by prominent politicians that she reexamine her contest prospects at this primary.

Several key politicians have suggested that Clinton fold her campaign if she fails to win the landslides in the contests. A prolonged Clinton-Obama combat, they believe, could work in favor of the likely Republican nominee, Senator John McCain.

Clinton's communications chief, Howard Wolfson, insisted that the race would continue after this primary into the next key showdown in Pennsylvania in April and the Puerto Rico primary in June. "We're going to win this nomination. This nomination fight is going to go forward after Ohio and Texas. We're going to go to Pennsylvania, where a lot more Americans are going to vote, and we're going to be the nominee in Denver," he said.

Meanwhile, Obama is spending lavishly in Texas and Ohio, reportedly outspending Clinton by a ratio of about two to one on television ads, in the run-up to the March 4 primaries, in order to deliver a knockout blow to Clinton. This, combined with the extensive travel schedule all over Texas and Ohio, highlights the anticipation of the deciding nature of this voting.

Obama hopes to extend his current winning streak of 11 straight nominating contests. He has closed important Clinton leads in the past three weeks, with most polls having him in the lead in both states. In fact, he is said to have started planning the makeup of his Cabinet, which includes two prominent Republicans.

A total of 2,025 delegates are needed for victory at the Democrats' convention. The current count of nominating delegates shows Obama leading by 1,389 to Clinton's 1,279. The Democratic rivals are currently in Ohio. Polls reveal that the race is virtually tied in Ohio and Texas, and a shift in this deadlock will help decide the much-awaited Democratic contest.

Obama, Clinton Prepare for Ohio and Texas

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:53:34 +0000

The candidates in the Democratic camps ramped up their campaigning ahead of tomorrow’s primaries in Ohio and Texas. Currently Barack Obama is leading ahead of Hillary Clinton, having won 11 consecutive victories, in the last few primaries.

The Clinton camp released a new television commercial that implied that she had the required experience that would help her make disaster averting decisions. The Obama camp was quick to retort to the ad by highlighting Clinton’s endorsement of the controversial war in Iraq.

Both candidates continued to trade comments at each other’s campaign and strategies over the weekend. Obama called Clinton’s pledge to ignite political change an empty promise. He went on to say that, "Real change isn't voting for George Bush's war in Iraq and then telling the American people it was actually a vote for more diplomacy when you start running for president." Clinton retorted in a rally in Texas by highlighting Obama’s inexperience in foreign policy once again.

Clinton not only faces stiff competition from Obama, but also falling support within her own camp. On Friday, she lost the support of the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Jay Rockefeller. Rockefeller stressed on the fact that Obama was able to predict the outcome of what would happen in Iraq when others could not. Rockefeller stated that sound judgment and decisive action were required in the Oval office and Obama was the most likely candidate who had such qualities.

Clinton successfully managed to raise funds for her campaign this month. She publicly announced that she had raised $35 million. However, Obama’s campaign representative stated that he had managed to raise considerably more. The $35 million figure is considered to be $8.2 million more than what was dominated during the last financial quarter. The average contribution was around $100 with more than $30 million being donated over the internet.

Bloomberg Ends Rumors of White House Bid

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:12:03 +0000

New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, denied that he was joining in the race for the White House. With this Bloomberg squashed the two-year long rumors that had been circulating that he would be running for President as an independent candidate. However, this has also sparked off a new round of speculation – this time on which candidate would win an endorsement from him.

Bloomberg's clarification appeared in the form of a statement in an article in the New York Times, which stated, "I am not and will not be a candidate for president." Bloomberg went on to say that he would gladly support a candidate who had an independent, non-partisan approach. He, however, did not indicate if he was endorsing any of the current candidates. The article quelled almost two years of conjecture about whether the 66-year-old billionaire businessman would make a bid for the White House.

The speculation began two years ago when Bloomberg decided to quit the Republican Party and become an independent. Bloomberg is known for his views emphasizing a non-partisan approach in politics. In the New York Times article mentioned above, he has stated, "An independent approach really can produce progress on the most critical issues, including the economy, education, the environment, energy, infrastructure and crime. I believe... that an independent can win the presidency."

Concerning his involvement in the current presidential race, Bloomberg stated that he would instead concentrate on trying to "steer the national conversation away from partisanship and toward unity; away from ideology and toward common sense". If he did decide to run for the presidency, his political experience, gained during his stint as mayor of New York, and the vast personal wealth at his disposal, would make his candidacy a serious threat to the current front-runners.

By now, it is clear that John McCain will be winning the Republican nomination for president. However, Democratic candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, are both locked in a close tie. It is to be seen if Bloomberg's endorsement will be an influencing factor in this race.

Ralph Nader Enters the Presidential Race

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:10:59 +0000

Ralph Nader, a prominent anti-establishment consumer advocate since the 1960s, clearly announced his will to step into the election fray as a third-party candidate in NBC's Meet the Press, by simply stating, "I'm running for president." He has selected former member of San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Matt Gonzalez, as his running mate. Democrats believe that Nader's presidential bid in 2000 cost Al Gore the election. He ran again, in 2004. This time Nader will be up against Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton from the Democrats, and Senator John McCain from the Republicans.

Carrying his anti-establishment card high, Nader said Americans were disenchanted with the Democrats and Republicans since they avoided discussing voters' key issues. In his words, people were feeling "locked out, shut out, marginalized, and disrespected." He accused the main parties of "political bigotry" and said that they "don't stand for the people".

Calling Washington DC a "corporate-occupied territory", Nader accused it of keeping the government from addressing the important issues. "We have to shift the power from the few to the many," he asserted.

Nader has also questioned the integrity of the three main contenders in the race. "Do they have the moral courage, do they have the fortitude to stand up to corporate powers and get things done for the American people?" he queried, emphasizing the closeness of the top contenders to big business.

As expected, his questions have not been kindly received by them. The Democratic candidates, Obama and Clinton, were quick with repartees relating to his spoiler candidate status from the 2000 election.

During the 2000 presidential elections, a record three million people, making up more than 2 percent of the vote, backed Nader, who was then the Green Party candidate. Even a small portion of these votes, especially from Florida, could have helped Al Gore win. However, this was not the case and Nader ended up being called a spoiler candidate.

Clash of the Titans: Obama and Clinton Engage in Heated Debate

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:17:46 +0000

Both the Democratic Party candidates once again locked horns with each other. This time the battlefield was a telecast debate, their final onscreen encounter before next week’s primaries in Ohio and Texas. Clinton and Obama lashed out at each other, on topics such as negative campaigning strategies, policies on health care, trade and foreign policy, and the war in Iraq.
The candidates engaged fiercely in a verbal repartee accusing each other of dirty tricks and negative campaigning over the past few weeks, merely in the name of gaining an upper hand. Each candidate accused the other of having spread misinformation about each others professed policies. While Clinton highlighted the flyers that the Obama camp had circulated regarding Clinton’s policies on North American Free Trade Agreement and her health care plan, Obama brushed it aside saying that his rival had been constantly indulging in negative attacks against his campaign and he was not whining about it, as he understood the intent of such moves.
Obama, however, sought to quell the recent uproar over a photo that had been distributed over the internet. He said that he believed Clinton when she said she had no idea where that photo had originated. The greatest contrast between both candidates was seen on the issue of foreign policy. Clinton once again harped on her prior qualifications in the field as a former first lady and a New York Senator making her a better choice to handle such affairs. Obama retorted that longevity in Washington should not be confused with experience; he highlighted Clinton’s vote in favor of authorizing the Iraq war in 2002, which was a large-scale strategic blunder.
Both candidates are set to face off next in Texas and Ohio. The stakes are high for Clinton who needs wins in both states to reduce the growing gap between her and Obama. Initial polls seems to indicate that Obama is leading in Texas and is expected to secure 50% of the votes while Clinton trailed at 46% according to a CNN poll.

Dodd Gives Obama the Nod

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:34:51 +0000

Senator Christopher Dodd, one-time rival of Barack Obama, has given his endorsement to Obama’s drive for the presidency. Dodd now feels that Obama is ready to be the next President. He also indicated that he felt there should be party unity behind Obama, saying, "…this is the moment for Democrats and independents and others to come together, to get behind this candidacy". Dodd stated that it was time to concentrate on taking the fight to the Republicans and was worried of a divisive campaign evolving, taking into account the current presidential race. Dodd also went on to say that he was worried that Clinton’s supporters were overreaching themselves trying to halt Obama’s momentum.

Dodd abandoned his own presidential campaign last month. He is the first Democratic candidate to have dropped out who has endorsed another party member. Both democratic candidates, Obama and Clinton tried ardently to woo Dodd over. Dodd is said to have received numerous calls from former President Bill Clinton. His support comes at a time when Obama is pulling ahead of Clinton in the presidential race. Obama has won 11 consecutive primaries since Super Tuesday and is considered by many to be the Democratic front-runner.

Dodd commented on the kind of scrutiny that Obama had been subjected to and how the Democratic candidate had yet managed to garner the support of so many. Both democratic candidates are campaigning hard before the next set of primaries in Texas and Ohio. Initial polls seem to indicate that Obama is gaining ground in both of these states. In fact, this is the first time Obama is leading Clinton going into a primary. Initial polls seem to indicate that Obama is leading in Texas and is expected to secure 50% of the votes, while Clinton trailed at 46%, according to a CNN poll. Dodd’s support comes at a critical time when Clinton is floundering to make a comeback and desperately needs to win in the States of Texas and Ohio.

When Dresses Count

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:33:59 +0000

A recent photograph of Barack Obama dressed in traditional African dress, while on a visit to Kenya in 2006, has added fuel to the fire in the rivalry against both democratic candidates. The picture, submitted to the Drudge Report website, shows Obama garbed in a white turban and white traditional African robe.

Obama’s camp claimed that the distribution of the image was a smear campaign tactic initiated by rival Hillary Clinton's camp. The Clinton camp denied this, stating that they had nothing to do with the photograph becoming public. Obama’s father was originally from Kenya and this is probably the reason why he made the visit.

Tempers are fraying in both camps with the crucial debate in Ohio at stake. Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe, stated that the distribution of the photo was "…the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we've seen from either party in this election". In response Clinton's campaign manager, Maggie Williams, said, "If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed. Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely."

Clinton continued to try to gain an upper hand by trying to project Obama as a rash and inconsistent politician who lacks foreign policy experience. She likened him to George Bush Jr. who had the same kind of inexperience when he was elected to the presidency.

Obama has, for some time now, enjoyed a winning streak, securing 11 primaries consecutively. Clinton requires a win in both Ohio and Texas to ensure that she continues in the race for the presidential nomination. For the first time, Obama is leading in a poll, having secured 50% in Texas as compared to a 46% secured by Clinton. Obama is edging forward as the Democratic front-runner and unless Clinton manages a remarkable turnaround, Obama is expected to be the likely Democratic front-runner.

Obama, Clinton Spend Extravagantly on Campaigns

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:47:03 +0000

It could be an indication of how close the competition between the two leaders is, and how high the stakes involved are. Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are both spending extravagantly on their electoral campaigns. In contrast, Republican John McCain has spent only about a third as much.

For instance, Obama has already spent $30.5 million in the January, going by his report to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Out of this, more than $18 million was used for ads to be broadcast on television and radio. Hillary Clinton too was on par, spending $28.5 million in January, from which $11 million went in campaign ads. In addition, she spent $3.5 million on direct mail expenses; Obama's expenses for the same came up to a little less than half of the amount.

However, the campaigns of the two leaders differ in their choice of vendors. Obama, for instance, uses the services of different strategists and consultants for major events. His campaign has already spent $2.7 million to pay for the services of four firms: Harstad Strategic Research, David Binder Research, Benenson Strategy Group, and Brilliant Corners. He has spent $1.2 million for media consulting and production services provided by his strategist, David Axelrod; besides he has also worked with other consultants.

In contrast, Clinton relies largely on her own strategists' firms for major campaign functions. She paid her senior strategist Mark Penn's firm, Penn, Schoen & Berland, $3.5 million for the direct mail campaign, and another $315,000 for polling in January. Over and above the $7.5 million that she has already paid the firm, she still owes another $2.1 million. Clinton's campaign also paid her media strategist Mandy Grunwald's firm more than $2 million to create ads.

The campaign spending reveals interesting information into the strategies employed by the campaigns of the two leaders. Obama, for instance, relied heavily on television to make his presence known amongst voters. Clinton, in contrast relied more on direct mail posts to her supporters.

Obama's campaign, however, does enjoy the edge when it comes to finance. While Clinton, who has lent $5 million to her campaign ran up$7.6 million in debts, Obama, in January had about $1 million in debt with $18 million cash. In January, Obama raised $35 million against the $13 million raised by Clinton.

Find more about US Presidential Elections 2008 and Presidential Election Candidates on http://www.electionspeak.com

McCain Involved in Sex Scandal Claims NY Times

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:37:11 +0000

Senator John McCain's presidential nomination from the Republican Party is almost just a matter of time now. However, the senior senator seems to have other things to worry about. A major newspaper has insinuated that he is involved in a sexual scandal.

The New York Times, has published a story that Republican presidential frontrunner, McCain, has enjoyed an affair with a lobbyist named Vicki Iseman. In an article, "For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk", the paper says Iseman "had been turning up with him (McCain) at fund-raisers, in his offices and aboard a client's corporate jet." The article says, "Convinced the relationship had become romantic, some of his top advisers intervened to protect the candidate from himself — instructing staff members to block the woman's access, privately warning her away and repeatedly confronting him, several people involved in the campaign said on the condition of anonymity."

The article also says that when the media reported that McCain "had written letters to government regulators on behalf of the lobbyist's clients, the former campaign associates said, some aides feared for a time that attention would fall on her involvement."

"Even as he has vowed to hold himself to the highest ethical standards," the New York Times article says, "his confidence in his own integrity has sometimes seemed to blind him to potentially embarrassing conflicts of interest."

Both McCain and Iseman have denied that they had a romantic relationship. A press release issued by McCain's campaign responded to the article by saying, "It is a shame that the New York Times has lowered its standards to engage in a hit and run smear campaign. John McCain has a 24-year record of serving our country with honor and integrity. He has never violated the public trust, never done favors for special interests or lobbyists, and he will not allow a smear campaign to distract from the issues at stake in this election." It said, "Americans are sick and tired of this kind of gutter politics, and there is nothing in this story to suggest that John McCain has ever violated the principles that have guided his career."

Soon after the report was published, Iseman's bio, it seems, was pulled off the website of her employers, Alcalde & Faye. While Huffington Post has a screenshot of the bio, blogger Will Bunch has a photo of Iseman with President George Bush.

October, last year, journalist Ron Rosenbaum had written in a blog that he had come to know from "a well-connected media person" that "...the LA Times was sitting on a story, all wrapped up and ready to go about what is a potentially devastating sexual scandal involving a leading Presidential candidate." The LA Times apparently never published the story, which, it is conjectured may have been the same as reported by the NY Times.

Bill Clinton: Texas is Do or Die for Hillary

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:35:12 +0000

Texas, according to former President Bill Clinton, would be the litmus test that would decide the fate of his wife Hillary Clinton's presidential ambitions. The results in the primary elections to be held on March 4, 2008, in Texas, as well as in Ohio, he indicated, would determine whether Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama would win the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

The former president has throughout played an active role in his wife's presidential campaign. Addressing a rally in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, he asked voters to vote for her to ensure that she is nominated. "This whole nomination process has come down to Texas and Ohio," he told a 300 strong audience comprising of Hillary Clinton's supporters. "If she wins Texas and Ohio I think she will be the nominee. If you don't deliver for her, I don't think she can be. It's all on you," he added, for good effect.

Hillary Clinton, once a frontrunner in the presidential race has, for some time, seen her position gradually lagging behind her rival Obama. A candidate needs 2,025 delegates to be nominated. With the Illinois senator's recent victory in Wisconsin, Clinton has 1,233 delegates as compared to Obama's 1,303. For Hillary Clinton, who desperately needs to improve her count of delegates, the primaries in Texas and Ohio could very well be the last ray of hope. Both, Hillary Clinton and Obama will be vying hard for the 228 delegates in Texas and 161 in Ohio.

As Martin Frost, a congressman from Dallas, with a neutral position explained, "Clinton could win the statewide vote, but she could still just break even or end up behind in the delegate count," adding, "The press is playing attention to who wins the delegates, so that will be important."

Obama Wins the Wisconsin Primary

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:24:17 +0000

It was yet one more point scored for Barack Obama—and one lost for Hillary Clinton. Democrat Barack Obama won the Wisconsin primary on Tuesday. With this win, Obama's victories over the past three weeks now total nine. Clinton, meanwhile, has lost another chance to make up for her fast flagging fortune.

While the white female votes were split almost equally between Obama and Clinton, the Illinois senator also scored well with the working class by winning a significant number if the blue collar votes. Speaking to a loudly cheering crowd in Houston, Obama said, "The change we seek is still months and miles away."

Economy and trade were held to be the key issues in the race. Seven out of ten voters held that international trade had caused people to lose losing their jobs in Wisconsin. Less than one of five voters said that trade had given rise to more jobs than it has lost.

Clinton, who seems to have lost a good portion of what was traditionally her turf, to Obama, however, did not seem perturbed. Addressing an audience in Youngstown, Ohio, she did not show any sign of defeat, nor did she mention Obama's win.

"Both Senator Obama and I would make history," the former first lady said. "But only one of us is ready on day one to be commander in chief, ready to manage our economy, and ready to defeat the Republicans. Only one of us has spent 35 years being a doer, a fighter and a champion for those who need a voice."

That television networks chose to interrupt a telecast of Clinton's speech to cover Obama's address is indicative of the popular perception of the rankings enjoyed by the two rival leaders.

Meanwhile, on the Republican side, Senator John McCain won. Having defeated Mike Huckabee, McCain is now even closer to winning the1,191 delegates that he needs to secure his nomination from the Republican Party. Evidently indicating that Obama's campaign rested on an empty premise, McCain said, "I will fight every moment of every day in this campaign to make sure that Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change."

Following the defeat of most of his rivals, McCain now seems certain of winning the Republican Party's nomination. However, the outcome of the race is not all that clear amongst the Democrats. With the Ohio and Texas primaries approaching, it is said, Clinton would need to win at least one of them—and maybe even both—if she has any chance of catching up with Obama.

According to poll surveys, about a quarter of the votes in Wisconsin were independent votes, while 15 percent were first time voters. This is significant when one considers that Obama has earlier scored strongly amongst the independents and younger voters.