Campaigns & Elections articles from August 2007

Campaigns & Elections archives from August 2007

Editor's note.
August 1, 2007... Pop culture and politics? Let's face it--in the world of political junkies, politics is pop culture. The presidential candidates are the equivalent of Hollywood celebrities (and in one case the candidate is both). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Letters to the editor.(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... In my role as political director for Joe Slade White, I was very happy to see in your June issue, that Joe Trippi was a fan of our work. Many people, including myself, agree with Mr. Trippi that the "Bodyguard" spot Joe Slade White created is...

Ames Iowa straw poll: cavalcade or cattle call; No matter what you call the madness, the Ames Straw Poll is back.(INSIDE POLITICS)
August 1, 2007... The Republican straw poll in Ames, Iowa, has been compared to everything from a political Super Bowl to a cattle show. No matter which metaphor you use, it's always a media circus, with good reason: Candidates who do well see increased...

Last candidate standing: the broken record candidate.(INSIDE POLITICS)
August 1, 2007... Stop me if you've heard this one before. A man in a dark blue suit walks into a greasy-spoon diner and tells a story from his past. He gets some laughs. An hour later, he walks into a convention hall 100 miles away and tells the same story....

The new dollar-a-year guy.(INSIDE POLITICS)(Mitt Romney)
August 1, 2007... Working for free is nothing new in Washington. Hordes of interns pack congressional offices and non-profits, slinging coffee, hovering over photocopiers and licking stamps to work their way to the next rung of the employment ladder. But...

Got rhythm? Rhyme? Turn it into a Web video that can change the election.(INSIDE POLITICS)
August 1, 2007... Ben Relies was walking home from work one day when he passed a woman saying she thought Sen. Barack Obama was "cute." The random comment planted a seed in his mind that led to the "I've Got a Crush on Obama" music video and over two million...

All things political.
August 1, 2007... 2 days of the best campaign training in the country! August 27-28, 2007 Catamaran Resort, San Diego, CA For political professionals, candidates, campaign specialists and political junkies Special Hotel Rates Available ...

The presidential primary safari.
August 1, 2007... 2 days of the best campaign training in the country! October 1-2, 2007 The Wayfarer Inn, Bedford, NH For political professionals, candidates, campaign specialists and political junkies Special Hotel Rates Available ...

Alabama.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(special elections up in Alabama)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Alabama voters will know by the end of the month who will replace state Sen. Bradley Byrne, the Baldwin County Republican who resigned in May to become chancellor of the state's two-year colleges. A special election is being held Aug. 7. There...

Alaska.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens and the state's only congressman, Rep. Don Young, both Republicans, likely will face a serious challenge for the first time in decades. The two legislators are facing backlash from news reports linking them to the Veco...

Arizona.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Janet Napolitano travels to mexico to discuss investment)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) recently made multiple trips to Mexico to talk with business leaders and government officials about ways to attract additional investment. Arizona exported about $4 billion in goods to Mexico last year, while Mexican...

Arkansas.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(election for state delegation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Residents in the northwest counties of Arkansas should see some major political battles starting in the next few months, as term limits open up numerous holes in the state delegation. In Benton County, for example, six of the seven House seats...

California.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Gene Mullin files election bill)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Democratic Assemblyman Gene Mullin has authored a bill that would allow voting in local government elections to be ranked-choice. The new system would allow voters to pick candidates in order of preference, instead of just their first choice....

Colorado.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(congressional elections)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Colorado has turned from dark red to solidly blue since 2004, and perhaps in a sign of Democrats' growing strength in the state, two congressional seats will see hotly-contested primaries in 2008. Three Democrats, state Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald,...

Connecticut.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... State Rep. Jim Shapiro (D) decided against challenging Greenwich Town Committee Chairman Jim Himes (D) for the right to challenge U.S. Rep. Chris Shays. Shays, the lone New England Republican in the House, is expected to run again. In the 2nd...

Delaware.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Joe Biden supports preservation of underground railroad )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Senator Joe Biden, D-Del., is advocating for a piece of legislation designed to preserve and protect more than 300 Underground Railroad programs and sites. The legislation is named the "Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Reauthorization...

District of Columbia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Michelle A. Rhee)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Michelle A. Rhee will serve as D.C. school chancellor as part of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's school reform plan. Her salary of $275,000 plus $41,250 signing bonus has caused some discomfort from city officials; the salary is part of a new measure...

Florida.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(preparations for primary election )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... While the primary election is a year away, election supervisors in both Lee and Collier counties are counting down to the installment of new voting machines. Under a new state law, the machines and procedures that require a paper ballot must be...

Georgia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Georgia lawmakers are pushing for alternative energy sources, and may have found something that can benefit the Peach State: Pine trees. U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., has introduced legislation to boost fuel derived from pine trees and...

Hawaii.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Linda Lingle explores energy sources)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has started to examine ways for state and local government facilities to buy electricity generated by renewable sources. Hawaii's main energy supplier is Hawaiian Electric Co. Lingle plans to have the renewable...

Idaho.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(running for the senate seat)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The GOP U.S. Senate primary in Idaho will be a competitive race. Rex Rammell, a veterinarian angry at strict restrictions on his ranch imposed by the state, has decided to run for Larry Craig's Senate seat. Last summer, 160 elk escaped from...

Illinois.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(senator embroiled in nepotism controversy)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Senate President Emil Jones Jr. (D) is knee-deep in a nepotism controversy. His stepson's technology company, Synch-Solutions, is set to make more than $700,000 as a subcontractor on government initiatives. Critics are concerned that Jones is...

Indiana.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(protests over Michael Latham's appointment)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Critics are beginning to cry foul 16 months after Rev. Michael Latham was appointed to establish a network of clergy volunteers to staff the state's Family and Social Services Administration. Clergy who attended a one-day conference in October...

Iowa.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(David Loebsack)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Freshman Rep. David Loebsack is the only Democratic member of Iowa's delegation expected to raise money for the party this year. The other two House members--Leonard Boswell and freshman Bruce Braley--have been declared "Frontline" (aka...

Kansas.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Nancy Boyda)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Freshman U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kansas, continues to move her campaign to the right as part of her strategy to keep her seat in 2008. A former Republican, Boyda has spoken out against amnesty for illegal immigrants and opposes gun control....

Kentucky.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The national spotlight may fall on the Bluegrass State this November. The gubernatorial race between Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher and Democratic challenger Steve Beshear is one of only three states electing a chief executive this fall....

Louisiana.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... GOP businessman John Georges of New Orleans, who entered the gubernatorial race in June, is focusing on his leadership ability and his business background, stressing that he is the only non-politician among the four major candidates. Among...

Maine.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)
August 1, 2007... Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen has announced he will try to unseat U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in 2008, and a host of Democrats want to take his place. Candidates include Chellie Pingree of New Haven, who is the former Maine Senate majority leader...

Maryland.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Ex-convicts allowed to vote)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Ex-convicts were given the right to vote in July, The law extended the right to vote for 52,000 people who were previously ineligible. Maryland had been among the most severe on the issue, having been one of 11 states that revoked felons'...

Massachusetts.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(gaming rights )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Would-be profiteers from an expansion of gaming rights have been placing their bets, meeting with top aides to Gov. Deval Patrick (D) and working to line up support in the Legislature. Until now, the only direct beneficiaries have been the...

Michigan.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Michigan voters in 2008 would see many more choices on their ballots if it were up to a new coalition formed to ensure more equal access to elections by third parties. The Michigan Third Parties Coalition--made up of the Green, U.S. Taxpayers,...

Minnesota.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Minnesota may have one less seat in Congress, said officials, if a census were taken today. Although the state has had eight seats in the House of Representatives since 1960, this could change after the 2010 U.S. Census. Losing the eighth seat...

Mississippi.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(voters discrimination)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Discrimination against voters is an issue in Mississippi, according to a federal district judge in Mississippi. Judge Tom Lee found that officials in Noxubee County, Miss., had discriminated against white voters through the issue of illegal...

Missouri.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(state governor's election)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... With neither Democrat Jay Nixon nor Republican Matt Blunt likely to face serious opposition in next August's gubernatorial primaries, attention is turning to the intraparty battles to fill Nixon's attorney general slot. Rep. Jeff Harris of...

Montana.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(republican party mulls plan to regain control of state legislature)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Republican leaders met in Helena, Mont., in late June to discuss ways to regain control over the state legislature. Republicans lost control of the Senate in the mid-term elections and hold onto a very slim majority in the state House. Erik...

Nebraska.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Attorney general raised campaign funds)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Nebraska Republican Attorney General Jon Bruning raised $721,200 through the first two quarters of the year for a run against U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel. Hagel, an outspoken critic of the Bush administration's foreign policy, is rumored to be...

Nevada.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(presidential hopefuls' fund raising)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Some presidential hopefuls are hoping to score some blackjacks in Nevada as money from the casino lobbies continues to pour in. Because the state is holding its caucuses in January, presidential hopefuls are paying unprecedented attention to...

New Hampshire.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(campaign donations bill rejected)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The state legislature defeated a bill that would have allowed corporations and unions to donate to New Hampshire campaigns without reporting their donations. Campaign finance activists held a press conference with Secretary of State Bill...

New Jersey.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(monetization as a term for attacking politicians)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Monetization has become the new term du jour for Republicans when attacking Gov. Jon Corzine and other state Democrats this election season. The GOP has criticized the proposed plan to lease or sell the New Jersey Turnpike. The governor has...

New Mexico.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(democrats party leaders look for candidate to challenge republican incumbent)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... State Democrats are looking for a candidate to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici. Following his association with the firing of a U.S. district attorney, some party leaders are saying Domenici could be vulnerable. Thus far, Leland...

New York.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(legislation to extend power for jobs program signed)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Gov. Eliot Spitzer has signed legislation that will extend the 10-year old Power for Jobs program, The program was originally created to provide millions of dollars in subsidies for energy costs to businesses that would then create and keep...

North Carolina.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(scholarship funds scandal )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... A storm is brewing over the use of funds by the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus after news broke that some legislators' relatives received scholarships. State Rep. Alma Adams (D), the group's chairwoman, said there was no intent to help...

North Dakota.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Jason Stverak resigns from post)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Jason Stverak, former executive director of the state Republican Party, stepped down from his post to run former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign in North Dakota. Stverak, who led the state GOP for six years, is a...

Ohio.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(state primaries influence on 2008 presidential elections)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... More than a few Republican leaders in the state think Ohio may be important as both a general election and a primary state in 2008. While the state is consistently viewed as one of a handful of key swing states in November, Republicans in Ohio...

Oklahoma.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Federal disaster aid)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Federal disaster aid has been made available to Oklahoma by the head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. The money will help fund recovery efforts after severe storms, floods and tornadoes ravaged...

Oregon.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(legislative session)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... For the first time in 16 years, Oregon wrapped up a legislative session in which the Democrats held a majority in both the state Senate and House. The 172-day session saw legislators draft over 3,000 laws, of which about 1,000 were passed. The...

Pennsylvania.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(smoking ban)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Philadelphia health advocates and proponents of local jurisdiction are fuming at lawmakers' attempts at a state smoking ban. A state Senate ban allows exemptions for a myriad of places, including nursing homes, casinos and some bars....

Rhode Island.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(lawsuit calls for revamp of state foster care system)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Minority Legislative Leadership Caucus is supporting "Alston's Lawsuit," which seeks an overhaul of the state foster care system. Child advocate Jametta 0. Alston filed the suit, which names Gov. Donald Carcieri (R), the state Department of...

South Carolina.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(smoking ban)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The simmering battle over public smoking in South Carolina could come to an end in August. Many municipalities expect the state Supreme Court to rule whether local governments can create stronger smoking laws than the ones already in the state...

South Dakota.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Joel Dykstra runs for senate)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... South Dakota state Rep. Joel Dykstra (R) faces an uphill battle in his attempt to unseat Democratic incumbent Tim Johnson. Dykstra is the first candidate to officially enter the race against Johnson, who is recovering after suffering a brain...

Tennessee.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Ron Ramsey on Fed Thompson's presidential run)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R) feels that Fred Thompson could do more than just make a good presidential candidate. His run for the White House could also mean newfound support for the Tennessee GOP. Ramsey says a Thompson run would help the GOP...

Texas.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(state border security budget)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Out of $110 million dollars approved by lawmakers this year to protect the state border, $93 million will go toward state police and state-run operations, including the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Department of Emergency...

Utah.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Jon Huntsman Jr. ends lobbyist's contract )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The state will soon be without a Washington, D.C. lobbyist for the first time in more than two decades. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. decided not to renew a $90,000-a-year contract signed two years ago. Two-thirds of the states and three territories...

Vermont.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(campaign finance law )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The state won't likely see a new campaign finance law before the 2008 elections. The state House came one vote short of overriding Gov. James Douglas' (R) veto of a reform bill, which would have set new limits on campaign contributions. The...

Virginia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Department of Labor grants fund to Virginia Employment Commission )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The U.S. Department of Labor has granted $4.9 million to the Virginia Employment Commission to help respond to the impact on the workforce caused by the 2005 Base and Realignment Closure in Northern Virginia. The grant will fund programs to...

Washington.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Maria Cantwell writes off debt from Ron Dotzauer)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell has forgiven a personal loan to Ron Dotzauer, a former campaign advisor who runs the lobbying firm Strategies 360. The loan, reported as being between $15,001 and $50,000, was made before Cantwell began her...

West Virginia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Robert C. Byrd )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D), who went from his humble coal miner's hometown to the U.S. Senate, recently passed a milestone when he cast his 18,000th vote in Congress. Byrd, 89, is the oldest U.S. senator and the longest serving in history, with...

Wisconsin.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(democratic activists favors former Sen. John Edwards for president)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Democratic activists voting in the annual WisPolitics.com Democratic State Convention Straw Poll this year favored former Sen. John Edwards for president. Of the 389 delegates, alternates and guests who voted, 153 backed Edwards, and 83 backed...

Wyoming.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Dr. John Barrasso was sworn in last month to the U.S. Senate, replacing Sen. Craig Thomas, who died June 4 while being treated for leukemia. Barrasso is a conservative Republican who was selected by Gov. Dave Freudenthal out of a pool of three...

Fenton Communications.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Fenton Communications, a Democratic communications firm with offices in San Francisco, New York and Washington, D.C., has brought on a new vice president in its San Francisco office. David Talbot is the founder and former editor-in-chief of...

American Association of Political Consultants.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The American Association of Political Consultants has named Anthony Bellotti to take the helm as executive director. He replaces Martha Lockwood, who served in the position for the last two years. Belloti most recently worked as a research and...

John Billings has been named the new executive director of the centrist Republican Main Street Partnership.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... John Billings has been named the new executive director of the centrist Republican Main Street Partnership. He comes from the office of Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., where he served as policy director.

National Association of Manufacturers.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The National Association of Manufacturers has named Dallas Lawrence as the new vice president of broadcast and Internet communications. The former communications director for Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., also served as spokesman for Iraq's...

Whitman Insight Strategies.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Brian Ziff-Levine has been promoted from analyst to political coordinator at New York-based Whitman Insight Strategies, a Democratic strategic research and communications firm that has worked with Hillary and Bill Clinton, Al Gore and the...

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Scott LaGanga has been named director of alliance development for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). He leaves his position as the executive director of the Property Rights Alliance.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Ellen Golombek has been named vice president for external affairs at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Before that, she worked as director of government affairs for the Service Employees International Union.

Americans for Tax Reform.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Karri Bragg has been promoted from operations manager to state government affairs manager at Americans for Tax Reform. She replaces Elizabeth Karasmeighan, who is ATR's new national policy analyst.

Patrick Brennan has left his position as a top aide to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to serve as president of strategic communications at the Parkside Group.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Patrick Brennan has left his position as a top aide to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to serve as president of strategic communications at the Parkside Group, a New York-based political consulting and lobbying firm. Brennan was formerly...

Smart Media Group.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Smart Media Group, a D.C.-based Republican media firm, has opened an office in Dallas. Amber Lyons will serve as director of operations, Paul Winn will serve as a planner and buyer and Ian Samuel will be media research director.

Geneva Overholser has been tapped to lead the board of directors of the Center for Public Integrity.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Geneva Overholser has been tapped to lead the board of directors of the Center for Public Integrity. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group conducts investigative reporting and research on an array of topics. "Given what's happening to the...

Kevin P. Talley has been named the assistant director of governmental affairs for the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Kevin P. Talley has been named the assistant director of governmental affairs for the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association, where he will be responsible for overseeing all House lobbying operations and policy strategies. Talley has...

Tax Foundation.(NEW JOBS)
August 1, 2007... Tonya Barr has been named manager of state relations at the Tax Foundation. Previously, she served as outreach coordinator at the State Policy Network.

Public affairs firm the Herald Group has acquired Phillip Stutts & Company.(FIRM CHANGES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Public affairs firm the Herald Group has acquired Phillip Stutts & Company. Phillip Stutts joins Herald as vice president, establishing a grass-roots practice. Stutts worked with the RNC's 72-Hour Task Force in 2004 and has worked in senior...

Steve Pinkos has opened the eponymous Steve Pinkos Global Policy Solutions.(FIRM CHANGES)
August 1, 2007... Steve Pinkos has opened the eponymous Steve Pinkos Global Policy Solutions. Most recently, he served as deputy undersecretary at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Erik Iverson has been elected chairman of the Montana Republican Party.(PARTY LINES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Erik Iverson has been elected chairman of the Montana Republican Party. He had been chief of staff to Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont. In his new post he has pledged to make gains for Republicans in the legislature in 2008, including returning to...

Mike Schatz has been named the new executive director of the North Dakota Republican Party.(PARTY LINES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Mike Schatz has been named the new executive director of the North Dakota Republican Party. The former state representative is also involved as a precinct committee person in his home district. The retired history and government teacher is...

10 questions for Philip de Vellis: creator of "Vote Different" ad.(INSIDE POLITICS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)(Interview)
August 1, 2007... Philip de Vellis is the creator of the now-infamous "Vote Different" ad about Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. The video, also called the "Hillary 1984" ad, has received about 3.5 million views on YouTube and has been featured on every major news...

10 questions for Matthew Taylor: co-founder, Electrolift Corp.(INSIDE POLITICS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)(Interview)
August 1, 2007... With a bachelor's of fine art in sculpture from Washington University in St. Louis, Matthew Taylor has developed a unique style with video. Along with business partner Brett Murphy, he created a creative consulting company, Electrolift Corp,...

Inside politics: campaign consultant sign-ups.
August 1, 2007... A.B. Data Ltd./D -- direct mail Robert Byrd, WV, Sen. '08 Benenson Strategy Group/D -- polling Jill Long Thompson, IN, Gov. '08 Blue State Digital/D -- Internet Jill Long Thompson, IN, Gov. '08 Brendan Quinn/R --...

Reel time: behind the scenes of a campaign ad operation.(FEATURE)
August 1, 2007... Biographical Ad Every candidate has to define herself at the beginning of a race, or risk the opponent doing the job for her. But Rome wasn't built in a day, and a good media strategy takes time. Here's a look at what goes on before an ad...

HCD Research mapped!(Organization overview)
August 1, 2007... At HCD Research, we combine traditional and web-based tools to conduct non-partisan research to measure voter reactions to candidates' advertisements, debates, direct mail communications and speeches. As a result of our ongoing political...

Building blocks: they didn't get here overnight. There was a time when TV didn't chronicle their every haircut and policy flip-flop. The choices they made back then are the building blocks of their presidential bids now. Here's the final installment of C & E's 'Early Lessons' series.
August 1, 2007... The Accomplisher Mitt Romney hopes his business background gets the job done When Romney was running Bain Capital in 1996, one of his employees stopped coming to work. No one knew why. Romney called the employee and found out that his...

From Madison Ave. to K Street.(FEATURE)
August 1, 2007... Unless you zap all television ads using TiVO, you know this HeadOn! commercial. How could you forget? The 1970s production values, complete with clumsy computer animation, cheesy-looking models and garish green digital background catch the eye,...

Money can't buy votes.(real politics)
August 1, 2007... Think money matters most this cycle? Think again. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The irony of the current deadly competition for money among the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates is that money probably matters less in this...