Headlines from October 17th, 2007

Mass. Governor Deval Patrick to Support Obama

AP breaks the story of one path-breaker supporting another.

Lynne Cheney "Uncomfortable" With Clinton as Potential President

She tells the Associated Press she wishes the Democratic front-runner were more like her own husband. AP, 3:10 PM  

Giuliani Shifts on Taxes

Associated Press: Says he'd rule out a tax increase to help shore up Social Security, a shift apparently designed to reassure anti-tax conservatives, including the Club for Growth. Washington Post: Did Giuliani take a "no new taxes" pledge?

Obama Passes $1 Million Return on “Close the Gap” E-mail

Another Romney Ally Warns of Giuliani

E-mail from South Carolina activist on Romney's payroll raises the specter of "a general election contest between two 'pro-choice' candidates." Politico, 2:45 PM  

Romney Attacks Clinton in Clinton

Slams her tax plan, health care proposal, poll numbers and husband’s presidency, mentioning her by name five times in the first 25 minutes of his speech in Clinton, Iowa. Des Moines Register, 1:44 PM  

"Cute Day" on the Campaign Trail...

Romney borrows $5 to buy some coffee for an Iowa mayor. McCain’s mother campaigns with him in South Carolina: “I am so happy to be here. I think I'm going to cry.” McCain loves hot dogs...and ABBA.

CNN Poll: Clinton Beats Obama Among Black Women

Says 68 percent chose Clinton, versus 25 percent for Obama. Among black registered Democrats overall, Clinton had a 57 percent to 33 percent lead over Obama. CNN, 1:00 PM  

McCain Says Religion Got Him Through Tough Times

Tells Christian Science Monitor he used God to get through his times as a prisoner of war, but he's not "born again" and has not been baptized. And: Ann Romney tells Linda Douglass of National Journal her views on her husband giving the Mormon speech.

Thompson Snared in Clash with Anti-Gay Group?

The Westboro Baptist Church is urging him to support anti-homosexuality stance, saying he once "saw eye to eye" with them. Associated Press, 12:40 PM  

McCain: Romney Too "Inexperienced" for Presidency

Also tells a South Carolina blogger aboard the Straight Talk Express that Romney does "respect" voters. Update: Later on the campaign trail, McCain hits Romney on taxes and Giuliani on spending, per the New York Times. Romney spokesman Kevin Madden responds: "Governor Romney has run a state and balanced budgets, while other campaigns have only run a Senate office on Capitol Hill or have mismanaged their campaigns to the point that they are mired in debt."

Texas Gov. Perry Endorses Giuliani

Says on Fox News: "...the individual who has the experience, the individual who cleaned up a city that was absolutely on its back is mayor Rudy Giuliani." Read Associated Press story here. AP also reports that some Texas conservatives are mystified by the endorsement.

Obama Campaign Memo: Women Want Obama, Not Clinton

On Clinton’s week of focus on women, Obama campaign says numbers show there’s no “gender gap” in Iowa. Read memo here.

Obama's Dilemma

Essential Washington Post story on how Obama rhetorically balances his call for a "new kind of politics" with the Democratic Party's desire to rally against George W. Bush and the Republicans. Explains the challenge -- and why it might be holding Obama back -- as well as anything you have read yet.

New Quinnipiac State Polls...

CT: Clinton 43, Obama 16, Edwards 8, Dodd 7; Giuliani 42, McCain 14, Thompson 10, Romney 9. NJ: Clinton 46, Obama 20, Edwards 9; Giuliani 48, Thompson 12, McCain 12, Romney 7. NY: Clinton 49, Obama 12, Edwards 11; Giuliani 45, Thompson 12, McCain 9, Romney 7. Release, 10:30 AM