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Headlines from December 4th, 2007
Obama Pool Report for Finance Team Thank You Event
After leaving his transition office in Chicago’s Loop at 5:55 p.m., the PEOTUS and his motorcade traveled approximately two blocks to The Standard Club. The private club, located at 320 South Plymouth Court, played host to a thank you reception for many of Barack Obama’s fundraisers, mostly from Illinois. Obama entered the building at 5:56 p.m. and the pool was held in the van. After holding at the base of a stairway inside, we were ushered into the room about 7:17 p.m. There were about 100 people in the small room and they all stood as he spoke. In the back were the standard buffet tables and a bar (cheese, bread and crackers were some of the offerings). Obama had spoken privately with people before we entered and also posed for photos. Michelle Obama was in the room as well, but did not speak as part of the brief program that we saw. The president elect spoke for about seven minutes (a few quick quotes are below). He was introduced by John Rogers and James Crown, key members of his Illinois finance committee. Penny Pritzker, the chairwoman of his national finance committee, was also in the room, although did not speak while we were there. Aides said the crowd was a mixture of Illinois finance committee members and national finance committee members. “I could not have asked for better leadership,” Obama said of his finance committee leaders. Obama said he wanted to do the small event because of the long friendships in the room. “This is a gathering of ... , 9:44 PM
LA Times/Bloomberg National Poll Shows Huckabee Up, Clinton Stable, Giuliani Down
GOP: Giuliani 23, Huckabee 17, Thompson 14, McCain 11, Romney 9 Dems: Clinton 45, Obama 21, Edwards 11 For more on the new national poll, including comparisons to October, click here. Permalink
NPR Debate is Civil, Informative, Substantive, and Newsless
Edwards' attempts to contrast with Clinton on Iran are the exception, as Democratic candidates talk wonkishly about NPR-chosen topics of Iran, China, and immigration for two (long) hours. MARK HALPERIN’S GRADES: John Edwards A- Hillary Clinton B+ Barack Obama B+ Joe Biden B Chris Dodd B- Dennis Kucinich C Mike Gravel C- Halperin's full report cards here. Permalink
Romney Camp Asks IA Attorney General to Investigate Pro-Huckabee Group's Calls
Writes letter questioning legality of Trust Huckabee's calls. Read it here. Read the Romney campaign statement here. But: AP reports this is the same firm Romney employed in August to place calls on his behalf before the Iowa straw poll. Meanwhile: Huckabee says an investigation "would be fine with me," adding of the calls "It does not help us. I believe it hurts us." Plus: New Hampshire attorney general nears finding on anti-Romney phone calls. Announcement expected shortly. . . . Permalink
Dan Bartlett Opens Up to Texas Monthly
Says "Hillary Clinton will very much excite the Republican faithful to get out and work hard. I don’t know if a similar case can be made if Obama is the candidate." And says when it comes to the Washington Post, he would do an interview with Dan Balz before one with Chris Cillizza. Permalink
Giuliani Interviewed on C-SPAN
40-minute interview touches on political experience, the presidential race (including what kind of VP he'd want). Watch full interview above. Permalink
Huckabee Nabs IA Pastors, Conservative Endorsements
At press conference Tuesday 60 Iowa pastors and Chuck Hurley, influential Iowa conservative who had backed Brownback, put their support behind the former Ark. Gov. Permalink
Potential Legal Questions for Yet Another Giuliani Pal
ABC News story identifies Giuliani business partner Hank Asher as part of ongoing corruption investigation (though no charges have been filed, and he’s not part of indictment in current bribery case). Permalink
Tancredo Ties Gang Violence to Immigration in Second TV Ad
Another startling ad airing in Iowa focuses on images of gang violence, ending with: "Secure the borders. Deport those who don’t belong." Watch it above. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
Coverage all around of Bush press conference, response to new intelligence on Iran ABC--Brief report on NPR debate. CBS--Campaign Notebook includes NPR debate, Giuliani stepping down from consulting firm, Romney firing lawn service. NBC--Kelly O’Donnell looks at Huckabee’s new frontrunner status in IA (and associated increase in attacks). Airs preview of Mika Brzezinski interview with Ann Romney, talking about faith and her MS diagnosis. Full interview airs Wed AM on MSNBC. Permalink
Bill Clinton: Media Critic
Tells NH students “a lot of the people covering the race think” experience is irrelevant. Permalink
Clinton Campaign Accuses Obama of Dirty Tricks
Claims rival is directing people to wrong caucus locations and doing negative phone banking. Read letter to supporters from campaign manager Solis Doyle here. Setting up “dirty tricks hotline” for tips. Update: Purported recipients talk here and here. "Every little thing, he just kept arguing and arguing with me." Obama spokesman Burton responds: “This flat-out falsehood is the latest attack in a silly season where our opponents have promised to stop at nothing in an effort to tarnish Barack Obama's character." Full statement here. Permalink
Ron Paul Gabs With the Ladies
On "The View," talks about abortion, immigration, and why he can't (as of now) support another candidate if he doesn't win the GOP nomination. Watch clip above. Permalink
New GOP Polling Data
AP/Pew Research Center: NH: Romney 37, Giuliani 19, McCain 15, Paul 9, Huckabee 7 IA: Romney 25, Huckabee 24, Giuliani 14, Thompson 12, Paul 5 SC: Giuliani 19, Romney 19, Thompson 18, McCain 13, Huckabee 10, Paul 6 Click here for more on the three new polls. Permalink
New Edwards Iowa TV Ad
"20 Generations" uses background of son as millworker, says he's fighting for "every American to be able to give their children a better life."Watch it above. Permalink
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