Campaigns & Elections articles from April 2008

Campaigns & Elections archives from April 2008

Don't think you can pigeonhole these voters.(From the Editor)(Editorial)
April 1, 2008... From state legislatures to congressional seats, Democrats appear poised to pummel their Republican opponents this election year. But the presidential race looks like a different matter: All signs are that Sen. John McCain will run a very...

Your turn.(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... Thank you for a terrific explanation of the party rules in March's "Delegate Cheat Sheet." A primer on the convention credentials committee is also essential since anything can happen at the convention. Candidates have walked in with enough...

Down and dirty: the slimiest tricks make the best stories.(Briefing Room)
April 1, 2008... In 1948, so the legend goes, Lyndon Baines Johnson, facing a formidable and well-financed primary opponent in his Senate race, turned to his campaign manager and suggested they spread the rumor that his pig farmer opponent had engaged in acts...

Ante up.(Briefing Room)(Intrade.com on the Democratic nominations)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Howard Kurtz recently wrote that the media have all but declared Hillary's candidacy DOA. So we visited Intrade.com, which has been taking candidates' political pulse since 2004, for yet another check-up on this neverending Democratic primary....

$$$ didn't buy him love.(Briefing Room)(money spent at the primaries)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Before March 4, Team Clinton positioned its candidate as the outspent underdog in the Democratic primaries. Looks like they didn't need to worry. Here's how much both candidates spent per vote in two key battleground states: TEXAS ...

We dare you to say yes ...(Briefing Room)
April 1, 2008... "Should the United States continue to tell the rest of the world what to do?" An actual poll question on the CNN International website

Smart states, dumb states.(Briefing Room)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Is your state wisely run, or an embarrassment? That may be a hot campaign issue this year, thanks to the release of the Pew Center on the States' annual management scorecard. Pew researchers judged states on the four key areas of government...

Last dance for Hillary?(Briefing Room)(Hillary Clinton)
April 1, 2008... When the music stops on April 22, Democrats still may not know who they're going home with. Even if Clinton wins Pennsylvania comfortably--as polls suggest she will--Obama will still lead in pledged delegates and in the popular vote tally....

Left field.(Briefing Room)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... "The biggest problem during the primary season has been too many voters." --Electionline.org director Doug Chapin, on continued shortages of voting machines, ballots and poll workers

To get out the vote for McCain, says Republican strategist Blaise Hazelwood, the GOP will have to ditch the Bush model.(Movers & Shakers)(John McCain, Grand Old Party, George W. Bush)
April 1, 2008... Politics: Looking at the large amounts that Democrats are raising online, as well as the incredible turnouts for the Democratic primaries, how much of that would you say is a result of smart strategies and tactics and how much is it just the...

I'm all Hillary, all the time: and that's my life until Pennsylvania votes.(What It's Like To Be ...)(Hillary Clinton)
April 1, 2008... Sitting on a 737 the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell was to my left. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was in front of me, sitting up on her knees in her seat and turned around to talk with the governor about trade...

How to avoid being the sacrificial lamb.
April 1, 2008... People complain that the media are far too powerful during political campaigns--that reporters and columnists decide which candidates live or die by the whims of their coverage. That's not always true, but it never is truer than for a campaign...

The art of political campaigning.(Calendar)
April 1, 2008... 25th Annual Campaign Training Seminar [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] June 12-14, 2008 Washington Marriott 1221 22nd Street, NW Washington, DC Early Bird Deadline--April 15, 2008! Thursday June 12, 2008 8:00am-9:00am...

Think evangelicals vote in lockstep? Meet the Routhe family.(Cover story)
April 1, 2008... Like the families they grew up in, Aaron and Ginny Routhe are devout evangelical Christians. Like his parents and hers, they also consider themselves pro-life. But where that's led them politically comes as a bit of a shock to their staunchly...

Vets: no sure vote, either.(veterans)
April 1, 2008... Sen. John McCain is a war hero. He has credibility on national security and foreign policy that most candidates only wish they could boast. When he talks about his opposition to waterboarding, Democrats applaud while few fellow Republicans dare...

State tectonics: how redistricting will shift the political landscape.
April 1, 2008... In the heat of the Democratic presidential contest, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton held their final debate at Cleveland State University. But that same night, Democrats in New York took a step closer to a goal that...

What the political pros know: there's a reason they've risen to the top. In the second of a two-part series, experts reveal their winning tips.
April 1, 2008... How to Avoid Catastrophe in Your Advance Work "Plan your work and work your plan." "Fail to plan and plan to fail." Usually we only hear these pearls of wisdom right after something has gone wrong, no? In the world of advance,...

"I'm Bob's daughter": the pain and pride of being a candidate's child.(Bob Menendez)
April 1, 2008... IT IS MY LAST WEEK OF WORK AT Regional News Network, a television station in New York, and I've been sent to cover Michelle Obama's appearance at a nearby diner. The proud proprietor hip-checks her way through the crowd, barking orders at...

New York.(Reds & Blues: States in the Spotlight)
April 1, 2008... WHOA! HOW ELSE does one respond to the political wreckage in New York after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's dramatic collapse last month? Spitzer's resignation over a prostitution scandal has had far-reaching political implications throughout the...

Pennsylvania.(Reds & Blues: States in the Spotlight)
April 1, 2008... WHO WOULD HAVE thought Pennsylvania's April 22 primary would have been in a position to play such a substantial role in the Democratic battle for the White House? Now, as the world awaits the Keystone state's verdict, some Democrats running for...

Montana.(Reds & Blues: States in the Spotlight)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... MONTANA'S LONGEST-SERVING U.S. senator in history will probably breeze right into his sixth term next year, but Democrat Max Baucus still looks as if he's preparing for battle. His three potential GOP challengers are all fairly unknown, and...

California.(Reds & Blues: States in the Spotlight)
April 1, 2008... THE CALIFORNIA GOP has faced criticism in recent weeks from some frustrated Republicans concerned with the grim state of the party's finances. One major source of friction surfaced in February when a $3 million loan that was incurred...

New Jersey.(Reds & Blues: States in the Spotlight)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... NEW JERSEY GOV. JON CORZINE has expressed such great concern over disenfranchising voters in Michigan and Florida that he's offered to raise $15 million for re-votes in those states. But some critics are questioning the integrity of the Garden...

Connecticut.(Reds & Blues: States in the Spotlight)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... THE LAST HOUSE Republican in New England is facing what many are describing as his most formidable challenge ever. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ten-term incumbent Christopher Shays has easily won most of his reelection bids. But Democrat...

Chill on those early polls.(Ask The Campaign Doc)
April 1, 2008... Q: My candidate wanted me to ask how seriously to take early polls. He's running as a challenger and our first poll is discouraging. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A: Early polls measure name ID and the electorate's mood. They also help...

Private acts, public consequences.(The High Road)
April 1, 2008... Q: Do Americans hold elected officials to unreasonably high standards in their personal lives, considering that many of our most revered presidents weren't exactly paragons of virtue? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A: Yes and no. Personal...

Why Women Should Rule The World.(Book review)
April 1, 2008... Why Women Should Rule The World By Dee Dee Myers Harper, 288 pp., $24.95 There's a lot of discussion about style vs. substance in politics lately. Dee Dee Myers, the former White House press secretary under President Bill Clinton...

Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics.(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2008... Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics By Glenn Greenwald Crown Publishing, 320 pages, $24.95 Glenn Greenwald, an unabashedly partisan columnist for Salon, rebuts what he calls the myths of...

Voting Technology: The Not-So-Simple Act of Casting a Ballot.(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2008... Voting Technology: The Not-So-Simple Act of Casting a Ballot By Paul S. Herrnson, Richard G. Niemi, Michael J. Hanmer, Benjamin B. Bederson, Frederick C. Conrad and Michael W. Traugott Brookings Institution Press, 215 pp., $19.95 ...

The New Political Targeting.(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2008... The New Political Targeting By Hal Malchow Predicted Lists, 295 pages, $49.99 At the beginning of his book, Democratic strategist Hal Malchow says that, "Now, more than ever before, political communicators must speak individually...

The generation gap is back.
April 1, 2008... How ironic that a presidential election involving a woman and an African-American would create a new divide in U.S. politics having nothing to do with either race or gender, but related to age! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After the tumult...

Nasty no longer works: Americans are tired of feeling like the collateral damage in a war between the parties.
April 1, 2008... Political attacks are the favored tool of distraction to bump an adversary off message. It is the politics of politics, and it used to work like a charm. But not this year. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Just ask former presidential candidate...

Lose the clutter, save the files.(TechBytes)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Does your desk need some spring cleaning? Several new devices can help you work more efficiently and effectively--or at least make it look like you do. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One new device that helps tame clutter around your laptop is...

Cracking the social networks.(TechBytes)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Looking for supporters in the wilderness of online social networks can be as easy as gathering e-mail addresses. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A free online service called Upscoop.com allows users to submit their e-mail contact lists and find...

Don't give up on geezers: a few smart tricks can bring them into the high-tech fold.(TechBytes)
April 1, 2008... Years of experience have shown Joyce Cotten the best approach to instructing students of all ages in anything computer-related. Gotten seats people who know their way around a mouse and a keyboard next to those who don't. That generally...

Think it ... blog it.(TechBytes)(CoverItLive)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... People who talk back during debates, speeches and TV newscasts no longer have to mutter under their breath or shout in vain. Now they can create live blogs to post their thoughts as they happen. The online service Twitter is useful for...

Here's your real online advantage: and no, it's not viral videos; Too many consultants think of the Internet as just an automated teller machine.(Playbook)
April 1, 2008... For several years now, we've known certain truisms about the Internet: It can help candidates raise money, generate e-mail lists useful for all sorts of campaign activities and lead to massive earned media (especially when Obama Girl is...

Karen Hanretty is now communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee.(Who's where in the political world ...)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Karen Hanretty, who was the deputy communications director for Fred Thompson's presidential campaign, is now communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee. "This job offers me the opportunity to do what I enjoy...

Molly Beth Malcolm is now an independent consultant with the Tyson Organization.(Who's where in the political world ...)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Molly Beth Malcolm is now an independent consultant with the Tyson Organization. Malcolm specializes in public policy, government relations, public relations and politics. She was the first woman chair of the Texas Democratic Party, and has...

Republican National Committee.(Who's where in the political world ...)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... The Republican National Committee has added Carly Fiorina, Lew Eisenberg, Frank Donatelli and Michael DuHaime to its ranks in preparation for John McCain's presidential bid. Donatelli is now RNC deputy chairman. He was assistant to the...

After working for the Mack Crounse Group for three years, Karen Petel is striking out on her own.(Who's where in the political world ...)(Petel Company)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... After working for the Mack Crounse Group for three years, Karen Petel is striking out on her own. The Petel Company specializes in political strategy, targeting and customized direct mail. "I've been doing this stuff for years and I really felt...

Taylor West is the new communications director for the Senate campaign of Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.).(Who's where in the political world ...)(Colorado)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Taylor West is the new communications director for the Senate campaign of Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.). West most recently served as Iowa communications director for the presidential campaign of Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.). She also worked on the...

Franny Starkey has been hired as the new campaign communications director for Minnesota state Sen. Terri Bonoff.(Who's where in the political world ...)
April 1, 2008... Franny Starkey has been hired as the new campaign communications director for Minnesota state Sen. Terri Bonoff, a Democrat running for U.S. Congress in the 3rd District. Most recently, Starkey served as Iowa trip director and national...

Sign-ups ...(Coming & Going)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... These candidates and groups have signed on with the following consulting firms: All Points Communications, LLC D -- Media Phil Steck, NY, H21 '08 North Carolina House Democratic Caucus 2008 Election Impact Group ...

Fund raising.(Buyer's Guide)(Directory)
April 1, 2008... A.B. Data Ltd. ADDRESS: Milwaukee, WI PHONE: 414-352-4404 FAX: 414-352-3994 CONTACT: Charles Pruitt EMAIL: cpruitt@abdata.com WEBSITE: www.abdata.com YEARS IN BUSINESS: 24 PARTY AFFILIATION: Democratic,...

Quips & slips.(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... "It's two parts vinegar, one part honey and a splash of Mitt Romney's bitter tears." --Jon Stewart on John McCain's recipe for the best BBQ baby back ribs [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Well, David, we won Michigan and Georgia and...

Mr. subtle strikes again ...(Howard Wolfson)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... "I, for one, do not believe that imitating Ken Starr is the way to win a Democratic primary election for president." --Howard Wolfson, Clinton's campaign manager, on a conference call with reporters on March 6 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Headlines you may have missed ...(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Hillary's LAFTA on NAFTA--AFTA Barack Got the SHAFTA --Satirical Political Report [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bush Says He Lets Red Phone Go Straight to Voicemail --The Borowitz Report Cash-Rich Obama Buys Yahoo! --The Borowitz...