Edwards supporters hit the circus

As part of our continuing live coverage of the S.C. primary season, I bring you this true Tale from the Campaign Trail:

On my way into the Ringling Bros. circus in Greenville today with my son, I ran across a group of John Edwards supporters handing out flyers. One approached me and asked: “Are you voting Tuesday.”

“No,” I said. He didn’t asked me why not. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I was probably going to vote for Bush.

Anyway, he started in with his schtick, right away with health care. “John Edwards has a plan that guarantees health care for children until they turn 18, even if you have personal coverage.”

He handed me a flyer that read:

“Edwards on the Issues.” Sure enough, there was the health care plan: “Edwards proposes that for the first time in history, America should require health insurance for every child. His plan provides tax credits to help families with rising premiums so everyone will have access to affordable health care. To bring down healthcare costs, he will take on insurance companies, drug companies, and HMO’s.”

So he’s not going to guarantee health care, he’s going to require it. So does he plan to make child health insurance like auto liability insurance in many states? As for lowering health care costs, it sounds like trial lawyer talk to me, someone who’s “in your corner.”

I don’t know how many votes these folks gained for Edwards, but I didn’t see anyone canvassing for the other candidates.

Dean: Kerry Is "Another Special Interest Clone."

Sharpen ‘em up! Via CNN:

Dean said he was “outraged” and “furious” by a Washington Post report that Kerry has raised more money from paid lobbyists than any other senator during the past 15 years.

Kerry has made standing up to corporate lobbyists a central theme of his campaign.

“It turns out we’ve got more than one Republican in the race,” Dean said. Dean has previously called retired Gen. Wesley Clark, former NATO supreme allied commander, a Republican.

Kerry Leads Senate in Special-Interest Money

The Washington Post reports that John Kerry has received the most special-interest money of any senator over the last 15 years. This while he is campaigning against special-interest influence.

Kerry, a 19-year veteran of the Senate who fought and won four expensive political campaigns, has received nearly $640,000 from lobbyists, many representing telecommunications and financial companies with business before his committee, according to Federal Election Commission data compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

For his presidential race, Kerry has raised more than $225,000 from lobbyists, better than twice as much as his nearest Democratic rival. Like President Bush, Kerry has also turned to a number of corporate officials and lobbyists to “bundle” contributions from smaller donors, often in sums of $50,000 or more, records provided by his campaign show.

The response from Kerry’s camp:

“Senator Kerry has taken individual contributions from lobbyists, but that has not stopped him from fighting against special interests on behalf of average Americans,” said Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter. “If anyone thinks a contribution can buy Kerry’s vote, then they are wasting their money.”

Republicans Concerned About Close Election

The Associated Press is reporting that some Republicans are concerned about the possibility of a close presidential election in November, now that Howard Dean is no longer the front-runner. The concern seems to rise from John Kerry’s military service and his appeal to some veterans.

Republicans feel Kerry is a veteran politician who can avoid the obvious mistakes of a political newcomer and they’re very aware he is a decorated Vietnam war hero running in a time of war.

”I can’t tell you in all honesty that President Bush has a big advantage going into this election,” said Gary Abernathy, executive director of the West Virginia Republican Party.

Both Abernathy and West Virginia party chairman Kris Warner said they expect a competitive contest both in traditionally Democratic West Virginia and nationally. Bush narrowly won West Virginia in 2000.

”Here’s a president who has done so much for the military,” Warner said. ”And you’ve got a guy like Kerry who, whenever he shows up on TV, has veterans standing behind him, including the guy he pulled out of the river.’

‘

Edwards Widens Lead in South Carolina

The latest Reuters/MSNBC/Zogby poll is out, showing Edwards ahead in his home state.

John Edwards, needing a win in South Carolina to keep his campaign alive, widened his lead over Kerry in the state to 4 points in the latest three-day tracking poll.

Kerry, the new Democratic front-runner after back-to-back wins in the first two contests, holds a 33-point lead in Missouri and a 16-point lead in Arizona, where Clark shaved 5 points off his advantage in one day.

Kerry still leads in Missouri and Arizona, while Clark is still slightly ahead in Oklahoma.

The Latest Toast-O-Meter is Up

The 1-31-04 Edition of the Toast-O-Meter is available for your viewing pleasure.

Kerry and Michigan

Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm (D), has scheduled a press conference for later this afternoon, when she is expected to give Kerry her endorsement.

Recent polls show Kerry with the lead in Michigan, but Dean is determined to win at least that state, although he has been saying recently that winning primaries are not as important as getting delegates. A recent poll shows Kerry leading the Dem field with 37% of those polled likely to vote for him.

Kerry has also picked up key union backing in Michigan, including the Michigan Education Association.
Michigan’s caucus will be held next Saturday, February 7.

Not all veterans for Kerry

When listening to John Kerry tout his war record, I’ve often wondered what other Vets think of the fact that he came home to protest the war, aligning himself with the likes of Jane Fonda.

Apparently, some Vietnam vets have taken notice, and they aren’t too supportive:

Now that it serves his ambition to be president, Kerry reminds the public of his war record daily. But the dark side of that record is not being told. Many Vietnam veterans have taken notice, and many of us will vigorously oppose Kerry’s election to any office. - Vietnam stance irks veterans

Link found via Kathy Kinsley

Gert Clark

Live on C-SPAN, Gert Clark, wife of Wesley Clark, is speaking to a campaign forum in Florence, S.C.

“When people cut medicare, and claim they’re religious, I don’t know what religion they’re practicing.”

Promises 2 year, $12,000 grants for people to go to college, “so you won’t owe money to the government.”

“Flag, faith and values” are country’s values, “not something that can be claimed by one party or another.”

“The most important thing in this country now is jobs. My husband is going to put you back to work.”

Minimum wage immediately increased to $7. Money to states for hiring people for homeland security, education, etc.

John Kerry, Cookie Monster

I doubt that this story has any legs, but its interesting. John Kerry’s only foray into the business world (read: real world) was as owner of a cookie store, one that he allegedly ripped off. Read the story here.

S.C. Primary News 1/31

[Cross-posted at Backcountry Conservative]

Yesterday’s Primary News

Remaining Schedule:
2/1 6:25 p.m., Super Bowl Party, Manny’s, 12 Cumberland Street, Charleston
2/2 10 a.m. John Edwards, Rally, Stern Center Ballroom, College of Charleston, Charleston
2/2/ 12 p.m. John Edwards, Rally, Massachusetts Hall, Voorhees College, Denmark
2/2/ 12 p.m. John Edwards, Rally, Seneca Institute Family Life Center, W. South 3rd and Poplar Street, Seneca
2/3: 10 a.m. John Edwards, Rally, Belk Auditorium, Presbyterian College, Clinton
2/3 7:30 p.m., Charleston County Democrats Election Bash, City Bar, 192 East Bay Street, Charleston

News:
The Associated Press reports on two endorsements. Former DNC Chairman Don Fowler endorsed Kerry and State Treasurer Grady Patterson endorsed Edwards.

Taegan Goddard links to the latest S.C. primary poll (CBS) which has Edwards at 30% and Kerry at 18%.

President George W. Bush will visit Charleston two days after the primary on February 5.

Edwards, Kerry neck and neck, Charleston Post & Courier

Candidates pitch job plans, Greenville News

Diversity of views manifest at forum, The State

South Carolinians get another look at Democratic candidates, AP

Clark tries to distance himself from D.C. in battle for votes, Knight Ridder

Kerry promises to keep eye on Dixie, The State

King day in national spotlight, Greenville News

Debate less than inspiring, Furman professors say, Greenville News

Greenville shines, returns to normal, Greenville News

Running mate could be key for Kerry in South, The State

Complete coverage at Google News and SC Hotline. Other S.C. Links at Glenn Reynolds.com. Election 2004 section at Greenville Online features more news.

Yesterday’s Primary News

Delegate Tally Update (And Dean Still Leads)

We keep the count over there in the left-hand column, but here’s the latest:

Delegates needed: 2,162

• Dean: 114
• Kerry: 96
• Edwards: 39
• Clark: 30
• Lieberman: 25
• Gephardt: 7
• Sharpton: 4
• Kucinich: 2
• Other: 1

Bubba Chips In

Bill Clinton spent time yesterday on Capitol Hill advising Dem leadership on the campaign. Read more here at the Chicago Tribune.

FL Rep. Meek Endorses Kerry

Via ED / Miami Herald:

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts will win the public support today of U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami, adding a major Florida name to the list of prominent black leaders embracing the new front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination as the race heats up in the South.

EC Curbs 'Endorsement' Ads

Courtesy ED comes this WaPo article noting that Bush will have a more difficult time appearing in ads for other candidates a ruling announced yesterday by the Federal Elections Commission.

Debate Transcript

Here’s the transcript from last night’s debate, courtesy WaPo.

Medical Experts: John Kerry Received Botox Treatments

From an article dated January 29, 2004, by Alexandra Wolfe in the New York Observer:

“He’s definitely gotten Botox,” said Dr. Michael Kane, the Manhattan-based plastic surgeon and author of The Botox Book. Sen. Kerry, the doctor explained, “has certain facial motions, characteristic expressions that he makes all the time. Like when he frowns, he tends to push the center of his eyebrows up. It’s a trademark of John Kerry’s — and he just can’t make that happen now,” said Dr. Kane. “That’s the look that’s normally plastered on his face and it never happened once on his victory speech.”

Indeed, Dr. Kane suggested that Sen. Kerry might seek a second opinion. “What he’s got isn’t Botox, it’s bad Botox,” the doctor said. “He has what I call the classic rookie mistake which is, in a man who has a lot of horizontal lines on his forehead, the botox is overdone in the person’s forehead. It changes normal emotions, facial expressions; now his eyebrows are incredibly low because someone has over-injected them. His forehead is bizarrely smooth, his eyebrows now sit right on his eyes and if you look at the Drudge Report pictures he now has classic bunny lines.” He explained that “bunny lines” happen “when so many muscles are over paralyzed” that the Botox recipient begins to rely on “the unusual muscles on the sides of his nose, making those little scrunchy lines on his nose — so he looks like a bunny.”

Surveying the “Before” and “After” shots of Mr. Kerry that were posted, along with the WRKO soundbite, on Matt Drudge’s website, New Jersey plastic surgeon Barry Citron let out a whoop and exclaimed, “That’s definitely the most effective $600 he could spend on his campaign!” That would be the cost of the 30-40 units of Botox that Dr. Citron guessed Mr. Kerry would have needed to smooth the expanse above his eyes.

“I’m willing to bet that between the beginning of Iowa and end of New Hampshire he had some Botox done,” said Dr. Michael Sachs. The Manhattan-based plastic surgeon said he could tell because Mr. Kerry looked much less haggard last Tuesday night than he did in Iowa, and because, he added: “His eyebrows didn’t move.”

Dr. Sachs, explained that Botox, which is created from the botulinum toxin type A (there are seven different types), starts working its muscle-relaxing magic in three to five days, peaks at two weeks and lasts between three to five months.

“Down the road, he may look even more relaxed and his eyebrows may droop even more,” Dr. Sachs explained. Come convention time in July, however, the candidate will need a booster shot.

One plastic surgeon, Manhattan’s Dr. Patricia Wexler, disagreed with the pack. “No, I don’t believe he has,” she said. “Much more is being made out of this than reality. It’s the vertical lines” — she called them “scowl lines” — “that are considered negative, and I don’t think he’s had those done.” Dr. Wexler then recommended that all politicans have their scowl lines removed. “It would’ve done Gore or Dole good to get rid of them,” she said. Her diagnosis of Sen. Kerry: “He’s more relaxed because he’s been winning,” she said.

Or was Mr. Kerry winning because he looked relaxed? Hamptons cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bruce Nadler opined that Mr. Kerry’s new look was responsible for his win in New Hampshire. “The issues are 50 percent, but voters are also looking for someone who is likeable, who has a calming influence. He has a more relaxed look whereas you’d expect him to look more haggard, more tired as this campaign grinds away,” said Dr. Nadler. “If Edwards is so much younger and winning votes as a result, and that’s going to sway the crowd, Kerry thinks, ‘If this other guy has a youthful look, then youthful looks are going to help me. I could win over some of his supporters if I look a little more youthful as well.’ It’s a campaign strategy. Look at poor Joe Lieberman, he’s not doing very well, maybe he looks a little too senior.”

Whatever the case, Sen. Kerry’s press secretary David Wade, sounded flabbergasted by the accusations. “John Kerry has not had botox treatments,” Mr. Wade wrote in an email. “And since when do plastic surgeons make diagnoses from Drudge Report photos? While it’s amazing how two big victories in Iowa and New Hampshire can put a smile on your face, it’s equally astounding how desperation leads our opponents to invent accusations. They can’t run against John Kerry on health care, education, or national security, so they’re attacking his looks.”

Of course, in New York, a town where plastic surgery ranks right up there with cable and psychotherapy on urbanites’ necessity lists, what’s really driving the did-he-or-didn’t-he? debate is whether Sen. Kerry lied about something as minor as a question about his physical upkeep. As Dr. Kane observed: “If it becomes an issue it goes right to his credibility.”

But New York-based political campaign consultant Hank Sheinkopf explained why a presidential candidate might not be eager to admit he’s a primper. “I don’t think this country is ready for the Botox president yet,.” said Mr. Sheinkopf, who was a member of Bill Clinton’s media team from ‘95 to ‘96 and has helped elect numerous New York politicians such as Bill Thompson and Betsy Gotbaum. “I can’t imagine the president having facial peels every month or having electrolysis. His problem is to be man enough to convince the Reagan Democrats in the Midwest, and Botox ain’t gonna help!”

- - - - - - -

Via the Drudge Report.

See, also, the related story in the January 30, 2004, edition of the Washington Times.

S.C. Primary News 1/30

[Cross-posted at Backcountry Conservative]

Yesterday’s Primary News

Today’s Schedule:
7:30 a.m. “Breakfast with the Boys,” Palmetto Exposition Center, 1 Exposition Ave., Greenville
8:30 a.m. Al Sharpton, Dreher H.S., Columbia
8:45 a.m Wesley Clark, Conversation with Clark, Fine Arts Center, Benedict College, 1600 Harden St.,Columbia
9 a.m. John Kerry, town hall meeting, Russell House ballroom, Univ. of S.C., Columbia
John Edwards, community breakfast with Rep. Bill Clyburn, Shoney’s, Whiskey Road, Aiken
9 a.m Dennis Kucinich, People’s Agenda for Economic Justice forum
11 a.m Candidate Forum moderated by Tom Joyner, Center for Community Change, Township Auditorium, Columbia
1:30 p.m. John Edward, Smith University Center, Francis Marion Univ., Florence
1:30-3:30 Al Sharpton, Benedict College, Columbia
3:30 p.m. John Edwards, Anderson Library, USC-Sumter,Sumter.
2 p.m. Dennis Kucinich, forum, W.V.M. Fine Arts Center, Claflin University, Orangeburg
8:30 p.m. John Edwards - Hootie & the Blowfish Concert, Jillian’s, 800 Gervais St., Columbia
9:30 p.m Al Sharpton, Club Inzone, North Charleston
11:30 p.m. Al Sharpton, Club V-12, Columbia
[Remaining Schedule at the bottom of this post.]

News:
Spotted on cable news nets in the past 24 hours:
Lee Bandy, The State
Katie Fowler, S.C. Young Democrats
Blease Graham, Univ. of S.C.
John Moylan, S.C. Chairman, Edwards campaign

S.C. Debate Summary

Fact-Checking the Democratic Debate

OxBlog discusses Brokaw’s “Nation of Islam” gaffe at last night’s debate as well of the rest of Brokaw’s questions. Wonkette doesn’t agree. Mickey Kaus discusses Kerry’s debate performance.

Taegan Goddard discusses the latest poll numbers:

In South Carolina, Edwards “is in a dead heat lead over red hot” Kerry at 25% to 24%. Dean is in third place at 9%, followed closely by Clark at 8%.

Mike also discusses the latest poll.

S.C. no longer big prize for Democrats by Lee Bandy, The State

Bubba 4 Kerry picture from outside the debate.

Families drawn to Sharpton’s, Lieberman’s messages, Greenville News

Candidates Blast Bush, Say South Key To Unseating Him, WYFF

Candidates stress their ability to compete with Bush in the South, The State

Dean, Kerry spar in S.C., Charleston Post & Courier

The State features a look inside the “spin room.” and how the candidates fared in the debate. The democratic debate dartboard is another story they feature today.

Candidates spin their take on debate, Greenville News

Voters rally around their guys, Greenville News

Debate photo gallery and Post-debate festivities from the Greenville News.

Debate picture from the Post & Courier.

What They Said: Candidates’ Debate Statements, WYFF

Democratic rivals converge on S.C., Charleston Post & Courier

Outside The Debate; Crowds Gather, Supporters Campaign, Opinions Vary, WYFF

Hotel wired for debates, Greenville News

Crowds come for debate, but stay for party, Greenville News

Photo gallery of Candidates spend debate day campaigning.

Dems embrace candidates’ messages, Greenville News

What the national media is saying, The State

Jesse Jackson cancels rally at Statehouse, Charleston Post & Courier

The State features a look at participants in today’s forum and other facts on the forum.

Brian and Mike both missed the debate, but expect more from them between now and Tuesday night.

Remaining Schedule:
2/2: John Edwards, Seneca
2/3 7:30 p.m., Charleston County Democrats Election Bash, City Bar, 192 East Bay Street, Charleston

Complete coverage at Google News and SC Hotline. Other S.C. Links at Glenn Reynolds.com. Election 2004 section at Greenville Online features more news.

Yesterday’s Primary News

Poll Position 1/30

MSNBC/Reuters Zogby Poll

The most striking finding of Zogby’s survey of the four primary states, Arizona, Missouri, South Carolina, and Oklahoma, is that Dean holds the lead in none of them, and in fact the best he can place is 12 percent in Arizona.

The amount of people still undecided is quite striking as well, and could make all the difference in the world.

The poll surveyed people on other topics related to the primaries as well. Read them all here.

Bush Goes to New Hampshire

Demonstrating once again his political savvy, Bush showed up in New Hampshire yesterday to remind voters there of their other choice. From the Sun-Times:

MERRIMACK, N.H. — President Bush, taking the New Hampshire political stage all for himself after the Democrats decamped, defended his economic record Thursday against his rivals’ charges that he has favored the rich and let 2.3 million jobs slip away.

”You can tell I’m upbeat,” Bush said, almost drowned out by cheers. ”And I got reason to be. Not only do the numbers say things are looking pretty good, the American people are telling me that they feel pretty good.”

S.C. Debate Summary

[Cross-Posted at Backcountry Conservative]

I am making this post to unify all the ones I made before, during and after the debate into a single location. The rest of Thursday’s primary news is here.

I started my debate blogging a few minutes early. The debate was broadcast across the state and nation and held in Greenville, South Carolina. Following the NBC Nightly News from the stage, local news anchors discussed final preparations for the debate.

The debate began with discussion of the horse race. This discussion continued with Dean being asked about his campaign shakeup following Iowa followed by Clark and Lieberman discussing their viability. Kucinich and Sharpton also discussed their chances.

A lengthy discussion on Iraq was interrupted by the first commercial break. Iraq was also discussed after the break.

After the next break, jobs were the topic of discussion. Following the next break, Medicare and healthcare were discussed.

The debate ended with other issues discussed including gay rights, guns, faith, the Confederate flag and affirmative action. WYFF concluded its coverage which included Dan Hoover of the Greenville News and then mentioned their Committment 2004 special newscast from 11-12 tonight.

Other Debate Blogging
Steven Taylor:
Debate Blogging
Trade, the Economy and Such (More Debate Blogging)
NAFTA “Sends” Jobs Abroad

Dappled Things:
The Democratic Debate in Greenville
the debate continues….
Mellow debate?
Gays, guns and God?

The Command Post:
Debate Alert
Debate Blogging [Updated]

Insults Unpunished

The Spoons Experience

RNC Chair Rips Kerry on National Security

The long knives are coming out for John Kerry now. Here’s the key portion of RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie’s speech today, which previewed what is likely to be a significant line of attack from the GOP if Kerry holds his lead in the race for the Democratic nomination - attacking Kerry’s record of votes to cut spending on the military and on intelligence:

Debate Blogging [Updated]

Brokaw is feeling just a bit feisty tonight.

He went straight at Dean, asking about the firing of Trippi, and basically pissed all over Neele. Dean responded by saying he didn’t “fire” Trippi and defended his choice of Neele, a Washington lobbyist.

The main message by the candidates so far: Standing up for their beliefs and American values.

Brokaw asked the bottom Clark, Lieberman, Sharpton and Kucnich each if they would stay in the race if they didn’t win a state in the next two weeks.

None of them gave a direct answer, but used the opportunity to do a little cheerleading for themselves.

____________

Lieberman: (paraphrased) I seriously doubt that Libya would have given up their nuclear weapons if Saddam was not captured - I seriously doubt that Iran would have accepted international help [in Bam] if Saddam had not been captured.

- Circumstances have given a bad name to a just war. Saddam is a weapon of mass destruction. I will never waiver in my belief that the world is safer now that Saddam is in jail.

_________

Pardon my editorializing, please - I’m writing on the fly here and I will move my editorial comments to OpEd later.

Brokaw lists some of the bin Laden-related terrorists attacks on U.S. (here and abroad) that happened during the Clinton administration. Brokaw asks - was the response of that administration too lax (again, paraphrasing), was enough done to prevent future attacks?

Clark says - Oh, they did stuff. I don’t know what they did and I don’t know why it didn’t work, but they did stuff. It’s Bush’s fault that bin Laden struck the U.S. 9 months after Clinton left office. Clark basically let Clinton off the hook and stuck all the blame for bin Laden on Bush.

Kucinich then said that Clinton’s way of trying to use the international community and cooperation was good, but Bush’s “unilateral” and “arrogant” way of doing things is not good.

Well, Clinton didn’t take out bin Laden, he did not make those responsible for the attacks under his administration pay, he did not prevent other attacks from happening.

My opinion - the Dems are wasting too much time saying what’s bad about Bush and not enough time saying what is good about them. These debates come off like anti-Bush rallies. Where’s the “a chicken in every pot” speeches?

[Will be updated]

Debate Alert

Tonight’s Debate:

7:00pm at the Peace Center inGreenville, South Carolina.

Broadcast on MSNBC, MSNBC Radio and moderated by Tom Brokaw.

Check with The Command Post for quotes and commentary.

S.C. Primary News 1/29

[Cross-posted at Backcountry Conservative]

Yesterday’s Primary News

Today’s Schedule:
(See also today’s primary calendar in the Post & Courier)
12 p.m. Lunch forum with Wesley Clark, Margarette H. Miller Cosmetology Center, 1509 Fontaine Road, Columbia
1 p.m. “Candidate Welcome Lunch & Drop-In,” Allen Temple Community Development Center, 404 Vardry St., Greenville
6 p.m. “Heat It Up In January” Debate-Watching Party, Allen Temple Community Development Center, 404 Vardry St., Greenville
6 p.m. “South Carolina Victory” Debate-Watching Dinner & After-Party, Coliseum Ristorante (formerly Occasionally Blues), West End Market, 1 Augusta St., Greenville
6:30 p.m. Greenville Technical College Debate-Watching Assembly, Verne Smith Library/Technical Resource Center, Greenville Tech
6:30 Clemson University Debate-Watching Assembly, Lee Hall Auditorium on Campus, Clemson.
7 p.m. (doors close at 6) Democratic Primary Debate, Peace Center for the Performing Arts, 600 S. Main St., Greenville
8:30 p.m. S.C. Democratic Party Chairman’s Reception, Poinsett Restaurant, Westin Poinsett Hotel, 120 South Main St., Greenville
[Remaining Schedule at the bottom of this post.]

News:
According to Fox News, Clark made his stop in Charleston yesterday just a fuel stop for his plane so that he could still make it to Missouri and Arizona yesterday under FAA regulations for pilot rest.

Democrats distribute ballots, The State
S.C. requires parties to run their own presidential preference primaries (one of two states that still does so) and that usually means old-fashioned paper ballots.

Politics has a past in South Carolina, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Welcome, Dems, to an uneasy state, The Greenville News

Candidates aim for middle in South Carolina, USA Today

Steven Taylor points out that Dean is not airing ads in South Carolina, or any other state with a February 3 primary. Taegan Goddard has more.

Four Peas In a Pod, S.C. GOP News Release

Clyburn Endorses Kerry from my post yesterday.

Kevin McGeehee discusses the effect of the Kerry endorsement by Clyburn on Edwards and the possible withdrawal of Dean endorsements by some union leaders.

Clyburn to endorse Kerry, Greenville News

Kerry, Edwards vie for S.C. prize, The State
Photo of Edwards in Orangeburg

James Joyner links to and discusses Black voters play key role in S. Carolina, Missouri in the Washington Times.

Kerry, Edwards pursue black votes in South Carolina, Charleston Post & Courier
Black voter turnout to make a difference, Greenville News

Ranks of Hispanic voters swelling, Greenville News

Economy on minds in South Carolina, Raleigh News & Observer

Hopefuls try to woo disaffected workers, The State

Kerry likely target as rivals debate tonight in Greenville,Post & Courier

Some advice for the candidates, Lee Bandy, The State

Democrats try to reach state’s voters tonight, Greenville News

Local voters still in listening mode, Greenville News

Brokaw holds candidates to their word, Greenville News
Complete Transcript of Brokaw interview
Photo Gallery of Tom Brokaw doing the NBC Nightly News in Greenville.

Erwin ‘doggedly’ sought local debate, Greenville News

S.C. Young Democrats reveling in big night, The State

Three-ring media circus descends on Greenville, Greenville News
Photo Gallery of debate preparations

City rolling out debate red carpet, Greenville News

Debate worth more than money, Greenville News

Belton songbird to open debate, Greenville News

Wonkette has links to S.C.-related articles.

Remaining Schedule:
1/30: 7:30 a.m. “Breakfast with the Boys,” Palmetto Exposition Center, 1 Exposition Ave., Greenville
1/30: 11 a.m: Candidate Forum, Center for Community Change, Township Auditorium, Columbia
1/30: 8:30 p.m., John Edwards - Hootie & the Blowfish Concert, Jillian’s, 800 Gervais St., Columbia
2/2: John Edwards, Seneca
2/3 7:30 p.m., Charleston County Democrats Election Bash, City Bar, 192 East Bay Street, Charleston

Complete coverage at Google News and SC Hotline. Other S.C. Links at Glenn Reynolds.com

Yesterday’s Primary News

Dean Pulls Ads

WaPo:

Rivals including front-runner John F. Kerry are buying TV ads in South Carolina and other states holding primaries or caucuses Tuesday, but the former Vermont governor has chosen to forgo further advertising in this round, focusing instead on the Feb. 7 caucuses in Michigan and Washington state, campaign officials said.

Meanwhile, according to the article, this is what the other contenders are spending for Semi-Super Tuesday:

* South Carolina, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Three candidates — Kerry, the senator from Massachusetts, Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) and retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark — are prepared to spend heavily in these states. Each has bought $400,000 to a little more than $500,000 in TV time.

• Missouri. Edwards yesterday invested about $120,000 in television ads, signaling he will challenge Kerry, who has put up more than $80,000 in this up-for-grabs state with the largest number of delegates at stake Tuesday.

• Arizona. Kerry and Clark are the only candidates so far to make substantial buys in Arizona: $147,000 and $203,000, respectively.

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.), who finished fifth in New Hampshire, has made much smaller buys in Arizona, Oklahoma and South Carolina, totaling $31,000.

via Political Wire, who notes about the WaPo piece:

But the kicker, sure to anger Dean contributors, is buried later in the article: Joe Trippi “forfeited a salary as a campaign manager but collected commissions — said to be as high as 15 percent in some cases — based on advertising buys.”

And now you know where at least part of that 40 million went. The Dean campaign’s big spending ways has left them choosing between advertising all the way through or holding onto some cash for Super Tuesday. With two states already lost, Dean can’t expect to get by on his good looks come this Tuesday.

Clyburn on FOX: Kerry can unite our country

Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-SC, on FOX this morning said he threw his support behind John Kerry because Kerry has the ability to “unite this country” and heal wounds that remain from the war in Vietnam. When asked why he didn’t endorse Edwards, Clyburn said he still respects Edwards, but felt Kerry was more electable.

Dean campaign "jumped the shark"

Political pundits on Fox Live this morning were sounding the death knell for the Dean campaign after replacing Joe Trippi last night. One reporter mentioned a comment on the Dean Weblog that the campaign had “jumped the shark.” Two internet references in one story.

The pundit spin on the Dean campaign continues to drive reality, which dovetails nicely with this post by Jay Rosen of NYU.

There is something almost nauseating about this cycle, when journalists can both predict the next turn in it and go on to excute that turn.

Lieberman: "pathologically optmistic"

The Hartford Courant helps us grapple with the question, “What is Joe Lieberman thinking?”

He wants to ignore the so-called experts, who think his campaign has gone from quixotic to desperate. Why, the whisperers Wednesday want to know, doesn’t he drop out? He kept saying he wanted to do better than expected in New Hampshire, into which he poured his heart, soul, indeed his life, for five weeks - and wound up pretty much where the polls said he would, a dismal fifth.

Yet there are no telltale signs that Lieberman feels he’s doomed. There are no extra wrinkles, no slouched shoulders, no gossip about blowups at the staff.

“Whatever genes God gave the rest of us to take time out to process disappointment, he didn’t get,” said Sherry Brown, his campaign chief of staff and longtime adviser. …

The answer to what keeps Lieberman going is in the three characteristics that define the Connecticut senator.

He’s foremost an analyst, seeing politics as a game of strategies where moves can be calculated and countered, and he sees the seven states voting Tuesday as winnable.

He’s also deeply religious, believing that what will be, will be and his mission is to practice Tikkun Olam, or doing good. That’s how he survived the 2000 presidential election, when he polled more votes than the Bush-Cheney ticket, but lost and dove back into his Senate work with nary a public complaint.

There’s another reason this 61-year-old man, a man who has what would seem to be everything in life, not to mention a place in American history as the first Jewish-American on a major party ticket, spent Wednesday trying to woo voters in a state that barely seems to know there’s a primary.

It’s probably his last shot at the White House. …

But the odds seem insurmountable: Kerry is rolling, Edwards is mounting a strong campaign and Clark has lots of money. “There’s not so much anything wrong with Lieberman,” said Phoenix-based pollster Earl de Berge, “but the other guys are now getting attention.”

Lieberman either wins something next week and looks viable, or logic - or something in his gut - will say it’s over.

Not that he’d betray any disappointment in his face or demeanor, not today and probably not next Tuesday. Whatever happens, said Brown fondly, there’s one constant to Lieberman: “He’s pathologically optimistic.”

GOPopup

I run a Google search tonight, and what do I see: a popup funded by the Grand Old Party. Here’s the proof; click to see life-sized. The World Wide Web: Last frontier for political advertising.

Statements from Dean and Trippi

From the Dean blog:

Statement by Governor Howard Dean
“I am deeply grateful to Joe Trippi, who has decided to leave the campaign. Joe has made enormous contributions not just to our campaign but to American politics – revolutionizing the way in which people are brought into the democratic process and helping hundreds of thousands of people to believe in political change again.

“I am pleased to announce that Roy Neel will be relocating to Burlington to assume the position of Chief Executive Officer of the campaign effective immediately. Roy brings enormous experience both in management and national politics. He will be an invaluable resource to our campaign.

“Last night the people of New Hampshire reaffirmed that their strong support for change and for a campaign based on standing up for what is right and delivering results not rhetoric.

“This campaign is a marathon not a sprint. I am committed to carrying our campaign through the coming weeks to primaries and caucuses all across the country. We will continue to offer the Democratic Party a candidacy based on courage and conviction and a campaign based on hope, not fear.

“This campaign is about all of us. I am grateful for what we have done together so far but our work is far from done. Now we must redouble our efforts, not simply to win the nomination but to change America.”

Statement from Joe Trippi
Dear Friends,

The Governor has asked Roy Neel to come in as CEO of the campaign.

I have resigned as campaign manager.

I’ve always believed that the most important thing was to change our country and our politics.

I’m proud of all of you and the work we have done together. I may be out of the campaign but I’m not out of the fight. Don’t give up — stay with Howard Dean’s cause to change America.

Thank you.

Joe Trippi

Dean Campaign: Trippi Gone, Neel in

Roy Neel long associated with Al Gore, will become the campaign’s CEO. It was reported that campaign manager Joe Trippi may stay on the payroll. But sources close to the Dean campaign told Fox News that Trippi is leaving the campaign altogether.

“Governor Dean asked Roy Neel to join the campaign CEO and Joe Trippi resigned as campaign manager,” said Dean campaign spokeswoman Tricia Enright.

Some sources say Trippi was asked to leave and some say he resigned. Either way, there is discord on the Dean staff.

AP:

Before leaving the campaign, Trippi thanked the staff, telling them how proud he was of their efforts. “I may be out of the campaign, but I’m not out of the fight,” Trippi was quoted as saying.

One official said Dean asked Trippi to stay aboard, but the Trippi declined.

Dean Shakeup?

Various reports coming through in email that Dean is going to shake up his campaign staff…

More as we get it.

Dean's Diminishing Dollars

Taegan Goddard reports on Dean’s shrinking campaign fund:

This item is buried in a Wall Street Journal story on yesterday’s primary: “The major Democratic contenders all have nearly exhausted their campaign treasuries; advisers say that even Mr. Dean, who raised an unmatched $40 million in 2003, has less than $5 million left. That leaves all the candidates largely dependent on attention from the news media to reach voters as they move from small venues and intensive personal campaigning to far-flung contests that play out almost entirely on television screens.”

He spent $35 million dollars and campaign season is just now kicking into high gear.

Goddard has more commentary and links.

Nader Still Making the Effort

Command Post contributor Ed Moltzen received this email from the Nader team today:

Dear Friend,

It is early, but so far it’s starting to look – once again — like the insurgents and the fresh voices in the 2004 elections may be ignored or marginalized by the powers that be.

Please take a minute today to visit the Nader 2004 Presidential Exploratory Committee website to let us know whether you think there needs to be another challenger to the entrenched status quo.

Should Ralph enter the 2004 elections to provide a non-corporate, real choice in November?

Visit our website today to:

1) Fill out our new volunteer questionnaire
;
2) Help us raise money to test the waters - every contribution counts
and we really need it right now to reach out to people
; and
3) Tell us what you think at info@naderexplore04.org

Ralph is going to decide soon based on what kind of support there is for a fresh attempt to advance the power and interests of the people. Your help today is critical.

Thank you,

The team at the Nader 2004 Presidential Exploratory Committee

Considering what happened when Nader ran in 2000, I assume there are many Republicans who would like to see him run again.

Can’t fault the guy for trying.

Edwards Rejects Edwards/Kerry Tickets

[AP]

Presidential candidate John Edwards on Wednesday rejected any notion of sharing the Democratic ticket with front-running rival John Kerry — unless he is at the top.

Asked on NBC’s “Today” show if he would accept second place on the Democratic slate to face President Bush in the fall election, Edwards said: “I think you’ve got the order reversed. I intend to be the nominee.”

Edwards said he would not be willing to be No. 2. “No, no. Final. I don’t want to be vice president. I’m running for president,” he said.

A New, Scientific, Foolproof, Intelligent Way of Determining Candidate Electability

Presenting, Slate’s Whack-a-Pol:

According to my whackings, Kerry is the most electable candidate.

Tracking the Pollsters

Real Clear Politics takes a look at how the pollsters fared in New Hampshire:

I assembled a brief (and admittedly crude) scoring system based on two criteria. First, I’ve tallied the overall point differential by which a pollster missed each candidate’s final numbers. For example, if a pollster projected Kerry to finish at 38% and Dean at 29%, and we now know the final returns were 39% Kerry and 26% Dean, the pollster missed Kerry’s number by 1 point and Dean’s by 3 for a total differential of 4.

Eh, just go read the whole thing and check out the chart.

They also have some thoughts on Zogby’s poll from yesterday that showed Kerry with only a three point lead.

The Week Ahead: Dean

It’s a big week for the Dem candidates. The primary schedule for February 3rd:

• South Carolina
• Missouri
• Delaware
• Oklahoma
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• North Dakota

The Command Post will take a look at each candidate’s schedule for the coming week. We’ll start with Howard Dean.

Dean will be traveling to the following cities between now and the next :

• Lansing, Michigan
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Columbia, South Carolina
• St. Louis, Missouri
  *Albuerque, New Mexico
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Seattle, Washington
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin

His campaing will be releasing a schedule of events for those cities today.

The only scheduled campaign event so far is:

February 1st is Super Goal Sunday for the Dean campaign. The idea here is to have Super Goal parties all over the country, with the goal being that each party raise at least $100 dollars and sign up ten new Dean supporters.

S.C. Primary News 1/28

[Cross-posted at Backcountry Conservative]

Yesterday’s Primary News

Today’s Schedule:
8 a.m. Wesley Clark, Charleston
10 a.m. John Edwards, Fine Arts Center, S.C. State Univ., Orangeburg
[Remaining schedule at the bottom of this post]

News:
Note: As of late Tuesday evening, 200,000 S.C. residents were still without power following a winter storm earlier in the week.

Presidential candidate to visit SCSU today from the Orangeburg Times & Democrat discusses John Edwards’ trip to Orangeburg today.

Edwards packed for South Carolina after N.H. verdict from Ross Sneyd of the AP via Boston.com

Howard Kim writes in the Yale Daily News that “South Carolina, and not Iowa or New Hampshire, will be remembered as a crucial turning point in the 2004 Democratic Primaries.”

Taegan Goddard discusses the latest Survey USA poll for South Carolina:

According to a new Survey USA poll, Sen. John Edwards leads the South Carolina primary with 32 percent. Wesley Clark is second with 17 percent, Howard Dean is third at 16 percent and Sen. John Kerry is fourth at 13 percent. Just two weeks ago, Dean and Clark were tied for first.

Once again, Michael Graham offers a caveat regarding South Carolina polling for the Democratic primary.

Analysts say S.C. can seal it for Kerry in The State features analysis from Larry Sabato and Don Fowler.

After wins in Iowa and NH, Kerry must make up for lost time in SC from the Associated Press includes comments from Sabato, Scott Huffmon and former Governor Jim Hodges.

South Carolina Primary Looms Large from the Newhouse News Service quotes Dick Harpootlian, Ferrell Guillory and Don Fowler.

Military retirees urge better benefits by Lauren Markoe of Knight-Ridder discusses military retirees and veterans in S.C. and how they might vote.

Black voters play key role in S. Carolina, Missouri, Washington Times

Another article in The State discusses the reporting from around the country on the S.C. primary.

Mike questions the following tidbit from a Reuters story:

Republicans and independent voters can vote in South Carolina’s Democratic primary, but must sign a pledge publicly declaring themselves Democrats.

I recall some reporting of this before and I seem to remember comments in the local media that it wasn’t a legally binding pledge and had no impact on voting in state primaries later this year.

Lost Jobs Trump All in South Carolina Primary, Reuters

Mike also discusses something he heard on MSNBC:

Alex Witt on MSNBC:

“Dean says he’ll win South Carolina.”

The same Lawrence O’Donnell:

“That’s nuts.”

WIS is accepting questions from viewers for Friday’s candidate forum in Columbia.

Wyeth Ruthven provides an in-depth rundown of the South Carolina Primary for Taegan Goddard.

Democrats’ Greenville debate sparks party atmosphere, Greenville News

Forget the South, Democrats… Stop coddling the spoiled brat of presidential politics by Timothy Noah at Slate.

Jack O’Toole, a S.C. blogger and consultant, responds to Kerry’s comments on the South. The State also reports on Kerry’s remarks.

Kat, another S.C. blogger, discusses why she can no longer support Howard Dean.

Stephen Green discusses the upcoming Southern primaries.

Go Dubya</