Campaigns & Elections articles from December 2007

Campaigns & Elections archives from December 2007

Publisher's note.
December 1, 2007... Campaigns & Elections--in fact the entire political community--lost a pioneer and I lost a friend last month. Stanley Foster Reed, the founder of our magazine, passed away after a long life filled with extraordinary ideas in growing business...

In defense of frontloading: not everyone thinks the compressed primaries are a ridiculous mess.(INSIDE POLITICS)
December 1, 2007... The bellyaching is almost over. The front-loaded primary season is nearly here. Everyone knows the complaints by now: The schedule, with contests clustered in January and early February, doesn't give enough time for candidates to recover...

Tough call: political grad school vs. the school of hard knocks.(INSIDE POLITICS)
December 1, 2007... So you want to be a campaign professional, but you don't have any practical experience. The obvious place to start is on the ground in the real world of campaigns, right? Well, more and more aspiring politicos are testing another route....

Party animals: check out these networking events for young politicos on both sides of the aisle.(INSIDE POLITICS)
December 1, 2007... In the spring of 2003, Justin Krebs was a frustrated liberal. The war in Iraq, which he disagreed with, had just begun and the president was enjoying 70 percent approval ratings. "Even living in New York City and being surrounded by people...

Alabama.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Alabama politicians criticizes Medicaid)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Alabama politicians are in somewhat of a tizzy over Medicaid numbers. State leaders have said there is a shortfall from anywhere between $199 million and $600 million. Members of two state legislative joint committees have criticized the...

Alaska.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Anchorage, Alaska's mayor Mark Begich considers challenging Republican Party's Ted Stevens)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... National Democratic leaders are aggressively courting Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, who is under federal investigation. Begich recently met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen....

Arizona.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Republican Party versus Democratic Party in campaign funds)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The state's Republican Party is trailing Democrats by a more than 3-to-1 fundraising ratio so far this year. While the state Democratic Party has raised $1.41 million this year, the GOP has managed to come up with just $441,000. Also, the...

Arkansas.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Arkansas' natural gas severance tax allocation)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... A possible increase in the state's natural gas severance tax is causing unrest. Gov. Mike Beebe (D) proposes to use the tax for state roads, while Republican Sheffield Nelson, who is running to replace Beebe in 2010, has proposed a ballot...

California.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Rep. Darrell Issa's role in 2008 electoral voting)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., is becoming a major player in the process of changing how California handles its electoral votes in 2008. He's pushing to divide the 55 votes among congressional districts, which would allow a Republican...

Colorado.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Tom Tancredo's run for presidency)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo has decided not to run for re-election. Tancredo, who is currently a presidential candidate, has said he feels like he has done "all I can do in the House." Given that his district favors registered Republicans...

Connecticut.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(bipartisan review committee investigates State Sen. Lou DeLuca's case)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The bipartisan review committee investigating State Sen. Lou DeLuca is finishing its business in November, and will make a recommendation on whether to censure, expel or do nothing to the longtime lawmaker. DeLuca pleaded guilty to a...

Delaware.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Bruce Ennis vacates his House seat)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Right on the heels of Smyrna Democrat Bruce Ennis' convincing win in a Nov. 3 special election for the late James T. Vaughn Sr.'s state Senate seat, politicos are gearing up for the fourth legislative special election this year, this one for...

District of Columbia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(improvement of Washington, D.C.'s public school system communications)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee has hired a communications firm led by a prominent Democratic spokesman to improve the school system's image. New Future Communications, founded by Jamal Simmons (a former campaign aide for both Al Gore and Gen....

Florida.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Florida's presidential campaign funds)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Florida is a big spender in the presidential races. The state has supplied at least $19.1 million of the more than $400 million raised so far by all candidates still in the race. Florida residents and companies have donated $4.84 million to...

Georgia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... A new tax plan proposed by House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R) has left not only individuals but cities and counties wondering just who will benefit. If the state eliminates property taxes and imposes a broader sales tax, counties would be left...

Hawaii.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D) has followed other Hawaii politicians in donating his congressional records to the University of Hawaii. Case, who left the House of Representatives for an unsuccessful Senate bid last year, joins former Sens. Hiram...

Idaho.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Democrat Walt Minnick, the former CEO of Trus Joist MacMillan, has expressed interest in running for Idaho's 1st Congressional District. Minnick ran against U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (R) in 1996, losing by 16 points. Attorney Larry Grant and North...

Illinois.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Democrats have fielded another Iraq war veteran to make a congressional run in Illinois' 6th District. Former Army spokeswoman Jill Morgenthaler will try to unseat Republican Peter Roskam, who narrowly beat veteran Tammy Duckworth (D) last...

Indiana.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The race for Congress always seems the same in Indiana's 9th District. For the fourth straight time, Republican Mike Sodrel will face Democrat Baron Hill, the current incumbent. Sodrel lost a close election to Hill in 2002, and then defeated...

Iowa.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Caucus media spending is shattering all previous records, with Democratic spending shaping up to be more than five times that of 2004. State residents expect an even greater onslaught leading up to their Jan. 3 vote. --Justin Schardin,...

Kansas.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Just days after U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (R) dropped out of the presidential race, he endorsed former rival Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. It is rumored that Brownback is considering a run for governor in 2010.

Kentucky.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... State Democrats are trying to convince voters that U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) is vulnerable next year. In addition to ethics scandals that surrounded the administration of Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R), whom McConnell backed in his failed...

Louisiana.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal made history on Oct. 20, winning an overwhelming victory in the gubernatorial race and becoming the nation's first Indian-American governor. Jindal defeated twelve opponents in the primary election, collecting 54 percent...

Maine.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Two Iraq War veterans are among the candidates vying for Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen's 1st Congressional District seat. Democrat Adam Cote served as an Army Reserve platoon leader in Iraq. Republican Charlie Summers is a Navy Reserve...

Maryland.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Bills currently moving through the legislature would put slots at the Laurel Park Racetrack, located within Anne Arundel county. A new poll by Anne Arundel Community College finds that most county residents support legalizing slot machines to...

Massachusetts.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... GOP optimists saw in James Ogonowski's underdog pursuit of Democrat Niki Tsongas traces of a Republican playbook that could boost the party's congressional ranks. Ogonowski chased Tsongas over illegal immigration and Washington insider-ism....

Michigan.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... After years of legal wrangling, Michigan's controversial law requiring voters to have a photo ID was enforced in November. Although the state passed a law in 1996, it was never imposed because the state's attorney general opined that it...

Minnesota.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., is a former mayor, a Brooklyn native, a prosecutor and a staunch moderate. He recently endorsed former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani's presidential bid, citing their many shared attributes. Coleman also cited...

Mississippi.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Republican U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran is considering retiring at the end of his term in 2008. While Republicans are hesitant to discuss a replacement before Cochran makes his decision, possible Democratic candidates include former state Attorney...

Missouri.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The 2008 primary picture got considerably clearer for Missouri Republicans when U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway announced that she would not be seeking her party's nomination for attorney general. The announcement from the former Missouri House...

Montana.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... State Sen. Roy Brown (R) appears to be the Republicans' choice to try to unseat popular Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D). Brown embarked on a 50-town tour after announcing his candidacy, and though his race will be uphill, state experts say Brown...

Nebraska.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Democrats are intensifying the search for a candidate to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel. Former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey has decided against a run; many considered him the party's best chance to regain...

Nevada.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Despite its January caucus date, Nevada is getting little attention from the presidential candidates. Democratic presidential contenders have made about 168 visits to Iowa and about 122 to New Hampshire, but just 50 to Nevada. Republicans have...

New Hampshire.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Concord lawyer Jim Steiner, a Republican, is reportedly preparing for a congressional run against freshman U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H. The West Point graduate and former Green Beret Captain has made no official announcement but has set up a...

New Jersey.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... In a nearly unprecedented move, the mayor and entire town commission of Lyndhurst, located in Bergen County, recently switched their party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in a single day. The switch holds added significance because no...

New Mexico.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Now that Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici has announced his retirement, it looks like Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Udall is reconsidering a run for the Senate. At press time, he had made no public statement on running, but a growing "Draft Udall"...

New York.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Will Eliot Spitzer be a one-term governor? Spitzer's latest faux pas was backing a plan to allow illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses. This came on top of the disclosure earlier this year that one of his key staffers was using the state...

North Carolina.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Lobbyists for the North Carolina Association of Realtors and the North Carolina Home Builders Association have spent more than $441,000 to finance local groups fighting land transfer taxes on their ballots. Some question whether the...

North Dakota.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Two rising stars may make the 2008 battle for insurance commissioner a fascinating race. Adam Hamm (R), 36, appointed to fill out the remaining term of recently deceased Jim Poolman, is expected to face first-term Rep. Jasper Schneider (D), 28....

Ohio.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... State Democrats think they have a shot at capturing a longstanding Republican congressional seat this month. The death of Rep. Paul Gillmor left a void in the 5th Congressional District, a conservative stronghold, and Democrats hope the...

Oklahoma.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... State House Majority Leader Lance Cargill (R) says one of his top priorities for the 2008 session will be to modernize the state government, a move likely to include consolidating 515 state agencies, commissions and boards.

Oregon.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Intimating that President George W. Bush's veto of the SCHIP children's health care legislation was partisan, U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R) is one of a number of Republican senators supporting the legislation. Smith is considered one of the most...

Pennsylvania.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... A new bill would allow local police departments to use radar guns to catch heavy-footed drivers. Pennsylvania is the only state where local officers aren't allowed to use the guns. This bill, introduced by state Rep. Bryan Lentz (D), would cap...

Rhode Island.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Secretary of State Ralph Mollis' 2008 election reform package includes requiring photo identification and expanding the 50-foot no-canvassing zone at polling locations that requires campaign staffers to steer clear. The election reform package...

South Carolina.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... With the South Carolina primaries finally set, the state legislature is the big political news in the state now. Immigration, DUI laws and school choice are expected to set the agenda when the state House starts up again in January. --John...

South Dakota.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D), who suffered a brain hemorrhage last December, has announced he will seek a third term. Thus far, three Republicans have announced a bid for Johnson's seat.

Tennessee.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Former state GOP chairman Chip Saltsman is getting kudos for leading the efforts that transformed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee from unknown to contender in the last few months.

Texas.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Now that U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) has announced she will not seek re-election in 2012, speculation is she has her eye on the governor's mansion in 2010. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is a likely candidate as well.

Utah.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Utah Republicans are playing a major role in the upcoming primary season. Utahans are second only to California when it comes to funding the presidential campaign of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Vermont.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The Vermont legislature's session opens soon. Republican Gov. Jim Douglas's agenda includes tax reform, opening health insurance markets and a "new neighborhoods" housing plan with a streamlined permitting. --James Dwinell, Dwinell...

Virginia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Former Gov. James S. Gilmore III (R) just announced that he'll run for U.S. Senate next year. He is the most high-profile name expected to run, now that U.S. Rep. Thomas Davis III decided against a bid. The Democratic nominee will likely be...

Washington.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Republican Dino Rossi will challenge first-term Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire next year, setting up a rematch of their 2004 race that turned out to be the closest gubernatorial election in state history. --Jerry Cornfield, Everett...

West Virginia.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D) doesn't have an opponent in his 2008 re-election race, but he already has $3.18 million on hand, according to Federal Election Commission reports.

Wisconsin.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... A decades-old power, popularly called the "Frankenstein veto," allows Wisconsin governors to strike out specific words, letters and numbers from a bill to create something the legislator never intended. The legislature has tried to repeal the...

Wyoming.(INSIDE POLITICS: ACROSS STATE LINES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Democrat Gary Trauner has announced his bid for Wyoming's lone House seat in 2008. Trauner lost to U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin in 2006 by 1,012 votes. Cubin, who has served in the House for 13 years, has announced that she will not run again.

J. Scott Jennings, White House deputy political director, has left to join Peritus Public Relations in Kentucky.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... J. Scott Jennings, White House deputy political director, has left to join Peritus Public Relations in Kentucky. Jennings is the public relations firm's director of strategic development. He had served under senior adviser Karl Rove while in...

Tarah Donoghue has left her post as Laura Bush's deputy press secretary to join Gibraltar Associates' D.C. office as an associate.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Tarah Donoghue has left her post as Laura Bush's deputy press secretary to join Gibraltar Associates' D.C. office as an associate. "After nearly three years at the White House, I was ready to make a move professionally," Donoghue said. "I...

Brian Jones has joined Mercury Public Affairs, a Fleishman-Hillard-owned Republican public affairs firm, as its managing director.(NEW JOBS)
December 1, 2007... Brian Jones has joined Mercury Public Affairs, a Fleishman-Hillard-owned Republican public affairs firm, as its managing director. Jones held the communications director post at the Republican National Committee and with Sen. John McCain's...

Dan Bartlett, President Bush's former communications director, is joining Public Strategies, the high-powered political consulting firm in Texas.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Dan Bartlett, President Bush's former communications director, is joining Public Strategies, the high-powered political consulting firm in Texas. Bartlett joins another former Bush media strategist, Mark McKinnon, at the firm. Before Bartlett,...

Julie Rochman is leaving her post as senior vice president at the Glover Park Group to join the Institute for Business & Home Safety, where she will be the president and CEO.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Julie Rochman is leaving her post as senior vice president at the Glover Park Group to join the Institute for Business & Home Safety, where she will be the president and CEO. Rochman will replace Harvey Ryland, who will retire at the end of the...

Patricia Lynch Associates.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Patricia Lynch Associates, an Albany, N.Y.-based Democratic lobbying firm, has hired Darren Dopp to become a partner and communications consultant. Dopp was an aide to Gov. Eliot Spitzer, D-N.Y. Last summer, Republicans accused Dopp of...

Dan Woodley, a former aide to Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., has joined Crosby-Volmer International Communications as an account executive.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Dan Woodley, a former aide to Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., has joined Crosby-Volmer International Communications as an account executive. He had been Burr's legislative correspondent, often dealing with agricultural issues, including the 2007...

FD Dittus Communications has named Christine Cimko and Paul Carothers as senior vice presidents.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... FD Dittus Communications has named Christine Cimko and Paul Carothers as senior vice presidents. Cimko, a former spokeswoman for Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., will lead the firm's public affairs practice. She...

Faulkner Strategies has hired Annie Palisi, a Bush-Cheney 2004 alumna, to help grow its political direct mail business.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Faulkner Strategies has hired Annie Palisi, a Bush-Cheney 2004 alumna, to help grow its political direct mail business. Palisi, Bush's former Northeast Iowa field representative, will serve as a business development associate at the...

Douglas Richardson is the new vice president at mCapitol Management, a government relations firm and public affairs firm that has worked on every presidential campaign since 1980 and is working on both national conventions next year.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Douglas Richardson is the new vice president at mCapitol Management, a government relations firm and public affairs firm that has worked on every presidential campaign since 1980 and is working on both national conventions next year. Richardson...

Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates, a corporate public relations firm, has hired Dan Ronayne away from the Republican National Committee.(NEW JOBS)
December 1, 2007... Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates, a corporate public relations firm, has hired Dan Ronayne away from the Republican National Committee. Ronayne was the RNC's deputy communications director and is a former spokesman for the National...

Dean Aguillen, a senior adviser to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has joined Ogilvy Government Relations as a senior vice president.(NEW JOBS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Dean Aguillen, a senior adviser to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has joined Ogilvy Government Relations as a senior vice president. Aguillen joined Pelosi's congressional staff in 2002 and had been her member services director.

Four Republican spokesmen have created a new public relations firm, HDMK.(FIRM CHANGES)(Terry Holt, Trent Duffy, Chad Kolton, Jim Morrell)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Four Republican spokesmen have created a new public relations firm, HDMK. Terry Holt, a former spokesman for Minority House Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, has joined with Trent Duffy, a former White House deputy press secretary; Chad Kolton, a...

John Podesta, President Bill Clinton's former chief of staff, has started a new 527 group called The Fund for America with two other Democratic bigwigs.(FIRM CHANGES)(Rob McKay, Anna Burger)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... John Podesta, President Bill Clinton's former chief of staff, has started a new 527 group called The Fund for America with two other Democratic bigwigs. Podesta joins Rob McKay, a Democratic donor and president of the McKay Family Foundation,...

Bill Gardner: New Hampshire Secretary of State.(INSIDE POLITICS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)(Interview)
December 1, 2007... Every four years, Bill Gardner goes through the rigmarole of trying to schedule the New Hampshire presidential primary before all the others. Since being elected New Hampshire's Secretary of State in 1976, he has been the primary's protector....

Inside politics: campaign consultant sign-ups.(List)
December 1, 2007... Adelstein Liston/D -- media Melissa Bean (in), IL, H08 '08 Judy Cates, IL, 5th District Appellate Court '08 John Cranley (in), OH, Cincinnati City Council '07 Margaret Donnelly, MO, Attorney General '08 Beth Hafer, PA, H18...

Think the media is out to get you? (Maybe you're the problem).
December 1, 2007... Not that long ago, in a galaxy that only seems far, far away, a presidential press secretary furiously phoned my boss in an apparent attempt to get me reassigned--or worse. The White House official who made the phone call was Mike McCurry; my...

Who are you again? The long and lonely road of a presidential longshot.(FEATURE)
December 1, 2007... We're a long way from the Oval Office. Presidential candidate Tom Tancredo is tucking into a steak dinner at Biaggi's, a white-tablecloth spot in Davenport, Iowa. He's so tired his chin almost scrapes the plate. As a few members of his...

The winners & losers 2007.(FEATURE)(Table)(List)
December 1, 2007... Every year, Campaigns & Elections tallies up the wins and losses for political consultants across the country. We don't distinguish between moral victories and last-second collapses. Here, the score is a win or loss, pure and simple. This year,...

You can run, but can you win? In 2008, that's all that matters.(real politics)
December 1, 2007... Every presidential nominating season features a fulcrum point. Usually it is only discernible in retrospect. Michael Dukakis triumphed in 1988 because he won the money primary, capitalizing on his governorship in Massachusetts to raise by far...

Voters want change: but which party represents it?(figuratively speaking)
December 1, 2007... With a little less than one year before voters go to the polls, there are four overarching premises that define the mood of the American electorate: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Serious Crisis. Sixty-six percent of all voters continue to...

It's the slogan, stupid: don't expect a debate on issues.(proving ground)
December 1, 2007... The next president will face a job that's more complicated than the one inherited by the last several occupants of the Oval Office. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush came into office...

You know you want it.(TECH BYTES)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... High-tech politicos stock up on their own favorite toys during the holidays. But what are the gotta-have gadgets this year? Tech Bytes writer Joel Berg came up with his own wish list: Smartphones like the iPhone ($400) can replay debate...

Mobilize the millennials: what campaigns can do to fire up young people.(CONSULTANTS' CORNER)
December 1, 2007... If you listen to the rhetoric of most political candidates, you would think that issues concerning young people would be at the forefront of the national policy agenda. We've been hearing since junior high graduation that we're the future of...

Holiday hits: political book lovers divulge their favorite reads.(political bookshelf)
December 1, 2007... Barbara Meade, co-owner of Politics & Prose bookstore in D.C., has some perfect gift suggestions for the political junkies on your holiday shopping list. Her No. 1 pick is "The Bigger Picture" by Diana Walker, an insider's photographic...

Political graduate schools.(BUYER'S GUIDE)(Directory)
December 1, 2007... All information was provided by the companies listed. They are responsible for its accuracy and completeness. For updates, see the Campaigns & Elections Web site at www.campaignsandelections.com. Organized by major office location. ...

Faith and loathing: 'thou shalt not pander' should be a campaign Commandment.(the high road)
December 1, 2007... Q: Can I send a campaign contribution in my child's name in order to contribute more and stay on the right side of contribution limits? Should the child's age make a difference? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A: Carl Jung wisely wrote that the...

Opening a new HQ? Don't skimp on security.(campaign doctor)(headquarters)
December 1, 2007... Q: We plan to open our main headquarters in the next few months (our primary is late and we do not have an opponent). In doing this, we have had a disagreement about security. I am against hiring a firm because of the extra cost. Any opinion on...

Off the record.
December 1, 2007... "I will follow Osama Bin Laden to the gates of hell and I will shoot him with your products."--Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaking at a Smith & Wesson factory [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Here's a woman of great accomplishment with a...