Campaigns & Elections articles from June 2007

Campaigns & Elections archives from June 2007

Editor's note.(Rising Stars of Politics award)
June 1, 2007... Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence when he was 33. Michael Dell founded Dell Computers when he was 19 and was on the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans at 26. Sallie Krawcheck was named CEO of Smith Barney at...

The presidential primary safari.(Calendar)
June 1, 2007... October 1-2, 2007 The Wayfarer Inc, Bedford, NH For political professionals, candidates, campaign specialists and political junkies Monday, October 1 8:ooam-8:45am Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:45am-9:00am...

The presidential smorgasbord: eggs, fried fish, pizza and hamburgers top the list.(INSIDE POLITICS)
June 1, 2007... John Edwards sat in a tiny booth looking down happily at a plastic tray piled high with fried apples, fried fish, corn bread, baked macaroni and country vegetables. A few feet away, his state campaign manager, John Moylan, sat over his own...

By the numbers.(INSIDE POLITICS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... $1 billion Amount spent on national ads in top 100 media markets in 2004 1,325,619 Number of national ads run in the top 100 media markets in 2004 $624 million Amount spent on presidential ads in top 100 media markets in...

A slew of swag: one donor's $75 mouse pad is another donor's treasure.(INSIDE POLITICS)
June 1, 2007... While civic duty might inspire some to donate, others may just be in it for all the free stuff. From bumper stickers to tote bags, campaigns are always thinking up new ways to keep the gift bags well stocked at fund-raising events--and to...

District attorney Arthur branch or president Fred Thompson?(INSIDE POLITICS)
June 1, 2007... With actor Fred Thompson rising in presidential polls and Republicans pushing for him to announce his candidacy, "Law and Order" fans could lose their favorite district attorney. Thanks to the 1934 Federal Communications Act, all candidates...

Alabama.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(constitutional amendments)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Alabama voters will go to the polls in June on two statewide constitutional amendments. One of them deals with a requirement to make sure money dedicated to pay for the healthcare costs of retired state employees actually goes to those people....

Alaska.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(funding for Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority, which is planning one of Alaska's proposed "bridges to nowhere," wants better press. The proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges became synonymous with irresponsible pork barrel spending when...

Arizona.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Gabrielle Giffords's fund raising efforts)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... First-term Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) has been busy accumulating a sizable war chest of over $420,000. That puts her fourth among Democrats from the freshman class and 20th among all House Democrats. She will need all of this money, as she...

Arkansas.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(use of electronic voting machines)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Arkansas leaders are still at odds over voting equipment almost eight years after the term "hanging chad" entered the American psyche. Democrats want to strengthen the Help America Vote Act of 2002 by requiring electronic voting machines...

California.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(special election to fill uanita Millender-McDonald's seat)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... California's 37th District is preparing for a June 26 special election to fill the seat of Juanita Millender-McDonald, who died of cancer in April. Democratic state Sen. Jenny Oropeza and state Rep. Laura Richardson have already declared, and...

Colorado.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(presidential elections)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... High-profile Coloradans are picking sides in the presidential race, with a few early surprises. Mitt Romney, who garnered the support of former Gov. Bill Owens late last year, has also been endorsed by failed 2006 gubernatorial candidate Bob...

Connecticut.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(same sex marriage law)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Connecticut's General Assembly has been revisiting a bill that would allow gay couples to marry. Recently, the bill was approved by the Judiciary Committee and awaits action by the House. Gov. Jodi Rell (R) has stated her opposition to the...

Delaware.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Michael D. Protack to contest in 2008 gubernatorial elections)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Perennial higher office-seeker Michael D. Protack has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2008 gubernatorial race, as the first Republican to publicly announce his candidacy. Last year, Protack came close to beating Jan Ting, the GOP-endorsed...

Florida.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(political fund raising)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Presidential hopefuls together raised more than $6.6 million in political contributions from Florida in the first quarter of 2007. Democrats out-raised Republicans $3.8 million to $2.9 million. Leading the fund-raising pack was Democratic Sen....

Georgia.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(re election for Charlie Norwood's seat)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Voters in Georgia's 10th District should know by mid-June who their new member of Congress will be. The seat opened when Rep. Charlie Norwood died in February. Of course, the winner may or may not hold on to the seat very long, since the spot...

Hawaii.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Hawaii's congressional delegation is moving forward to gain sovereignty for native Hawaiians, putting them on par with American Indian Tribes. The bill, which the Senate Indian Affairs Committee passed swiftly to the Senate, probably will fall...

Idaho.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Larry Craig may not run for re-election in 2008)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Sen. Larry Craig (R) said he is uncertain whether he will run for re-election in 2008. Craig, who has yet to make a formal announcement, has told the local media he is concerned about serving another term because of his age. He is neither...

Illinois.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Taxpayers could be footing a $1.4 million bill for business subsidies to keep flights in the air between Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Airport and Dulles International Airport just south of Washington, D.C. Sen. Dick Durbin (D), who played a...

Indiana.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(legislators salaries hiked)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Lawmakers will be getting a bump in pay beginning in 2009. Legislators now receive base pay of $11,700, but that figure will jump to over $21,700 when the new law takes effect. The raise will be the first for legislators since 1985, though...

Iowa.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(presidential primary)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... lowa voters may still be working off their New Year's Eve hangovers when they vote in the 2008 presidential primary. The date is currently set for Jan. 14, but since Florida has moved its primary to Jan. 29, former lowa Democratic Party...

Kansas.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Jim Ryun raised funds for rerun)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Former Rep. Jim Ryun (R), who was upset by Democrat Nancy Boyda in the state's 2nd District last fall, has announced that he has already raised over $275,000 to run again in 2008. Ryun, who had been a five-term incumbent, lost despite a major...

Kentucky.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(runoff election rules)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Calls to change the commonwealth's runoff election system are growing louder in the wake of the recent, and crowded, gubernatorial primary. Under current law, any winning candidate who fails to receive at least 40 percent of the primary vote...

Louisiana.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(gubernatorial elections)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Within the past few weeks, three top Louisiana Democrats decided to forgo the race for Governor. Governor Kathleen Blanco decided not to run for re-election after facing consistently low poll numbers. Former U.S. Senator John Breaux is out of...

Maine.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(economy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Gov. John Baldacci (D) and the state legislature are grappling with recent projections that indicate revenue will be down $75 million over the next three years. The news comes at a bad time for Maine, which is struggling to find ways to reduce...

Maryland.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(gambling law)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Maryland horse racing fans are already gearing up for the next fight. The racing industry is still limping along, struggling to keep up with neighboring states whose tracks enjoy revenue from slot machines. The state General Assembly failed to...

Massachusetts.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(governor Deval Patrick's tax policy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Deval Patrick proved his popularity last year, sailing to 56 percent of the vote, little over 18 months from virtual obscurity in the Bay State. But it remains uncertain how appealing the Democratic governor's ideas will be in the legislature....

Michigan.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(primary)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... After much ado between state Democrats and Republicans over when to have Michigan's primary, the state will likely join the nearly two dozen states that have chosen Feb. 5. Although the state's consolidated election law technically sets the...

Minnesota.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(crime policy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The state will likely get a new, comprehensive crime bill after House lawmakers found compromise with Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The $2 billion package funds law enforcement and the courts for the next two years, but was stalled because Pawlenty...

Mississippi.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(economic growth)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Mississippi has seen its strongest economic growth in over a decade, largely as a result of Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts. Harrison County, one of the three coastal communities, suffered a heavy blow to its casino industry during the...

Missouri.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(presidential elections)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Democratic and Republican elected officials have already begun throwing their support behind their respective party's presidential contenders. Gov. Matt Blunt was an early supporter of Mitt Romney, and former Sen. Jim Talent has signed on to...

Montana.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(energy policy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Even neutral reporters are calling Montana's 60th Legislature an unmitigated disaster at reaching compromise on the session's biggest issues. But some parts of the dead bills, like certain aspects of Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer's "Clean...

Nebraska.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Lawmakers voted against asking for a pay increase less than a year after residents voted down a similar proposition. Nebraska legislators currently earn $12,000 a year. The $10,000 raise referendum would have come up for a vote during May's...

Nevada.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Nevada Republicans recently approved a plan to push up their presidential caucus to Jan. 19, the same day that the state's Democrats will vote for their candidates. The GOP's action follows the Democratic National Committee's decision last...

New Hampshire.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Republican Committee aims to regaining control of the legislature)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Fergus Cullen, the newly appointed New Hampshire Republican Committee chairman, said his party is concentrating on regaining control of the legislature, state house and two congressional seats lost to Democrats in the 2006 mid-term elections....

New Jersey.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(presidential primary)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... New Jersey is one of several states that moved its 2008 presidential primary up to Feb. 5. Lawmakers, party activists and many citizens were tired of the Garden State simply being a "check book" to presidential hopefuls from both parties who...

New Mexico.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(state natural resources trustee Martin Heinrich to take leave of absence)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Martin Heinrich has announced he is taking a leave of absence from his position as state natural resources trustee and is setting up an exploratory committee for a possible bid for Congress in 2008. Heinrich said he is leaning toward running...

New York.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Eliot Spitzer's policy on economic reform)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Symbolic of the changed political environment in Albany brought about by the election of Eliot Spitzer is the fact that both the governor and the Senate Republicans have competing post-budget reform agendas. Spitzer's top priority is campaign...

North Carolina.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(smoking bans)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... North Carolina remains a tobacco state, which may explain the odd polling numbers that come out of the state when people talk about second-hand smoke. State lawmakers have considered banning smoking in public places. Voters want smoke-free...

North Dakota.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(elections)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... In 2006, Democrats narrowed the Republican hold on the state legislature by 13 seats, but failed to pick up any new statewide elected positions. Next year, about half the Legislature is up for re-election. Voters also will be choosing a...

Ohio.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(presidential candidates)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections will have a new lineup for the 2008 presidential election. After clearing out the last board, new Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (D) has appointed two new Democrats and two new Republicans to the...

Oklahoma.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(civil lawsuits)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Republican leaders say they don't expect to find another way to restrict civil lawsuits before the state legislature's session ends in early June. Democratic Gov. Brad Henry vetoed a bill earlier this year that included a $300,000 cap on...

Oregon.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Gordon H. Smith's election chances)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Republican Gordon H. Smith is something of a sitting duck. The senator is the Oregon's lone statewide Republican elected official. He voted in 2002 to authorize the use of military force in Iraq and last June voted against a phased withdrawal...

Pennsylvania.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(political ethics reform)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Ethics reforms continue to shape the debate in Harrisburg. New proposed rules would require all House members to undergo ethics training and compile a handbook on ethics. House officials say new reforms are meant to improve public perception of...

Rhode Island.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(medical marijuana bill)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Rhode Island legislature has passed a medical marijuana bill. Although Gov. Ronald Carcieri (R) vows a veto, the votes in both the House and Senate were by veto-proof margins. The Edward 0. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act...

South Carolina.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(campaign debates)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... South Carolina is still recovering from its presidential hangover of the last two months, since both parties held debates in the state. However, there are several interesting local campaigns coming in the fall, including the city of Greenville,...

South Dakota.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Democrats' candidate recruitment drive)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... South Dakota Democrats have started a candidate recruitment drive in hopes of having more say during the next legislative redistricting process in 2011. Democrats have never controlled either house of the state legislature during a...

Tennessee.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Zach Wamp may contest 2010 gubernatorial elections)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... First, Rep. Zach Wamp (R) was a major booster in trying to get former Sen. Fred Thompson to run for president. Now, it seems some people are pushing for Wamp to make a 2010 gubernatorial run. Wamp had flirted with the idea in 2006, but decided...

Texas.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Nick Lampson to challenge John Cornyn for House seat)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Democratic Rep. Nick Lampson is seriously considering a challenge to Republican Sen. John Cornyn, a Lampson spokesman told The Hill. Lampson's district is No. 1 on Karl Rove's wish list, and House Democrats are concerned that if Lampson tries...

Utah.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(partnership with Google Inc. to enhance employment opportunities)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Job seekers will be able to hunt for state employment a little faster now that the state has partnered with Google. The new working partnership will make it easier to search for hard-to-find public information on Utah.gov and several other...

Vermont.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(governor Jim Douglas vetoed the budget adjustment bill)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Republican Gov. Jim Douglas vetoed the budget adjustment bill. The vote to override failed, with all 49 Republicans holding fast, and one Independent, one Progressive, and one Democrat joining them in sustaining the veto. Democratic Rep. Jim...

Virginia.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(governor Tim Kaine's gun control policy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... From Queen Elizabeth to singer R. Kelly, Virginia has been awash in high-profile support after the Virginia Tech shootings. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) closed a loophole in the state's gun laws that allowed the mentally ill student to buy the guns used...

Washington.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(governor Christine Gregoire signs same-sex marriage rights law)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a law extending some spousal rights to same-sex couples, moving the state a bit closer to a debate on marriage equality. The legislation creates a state-run registry of domestic partnerships for couples...

West Virginia.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(Jay Rockefeller's fund raising efforts)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Democrat Jay Rockefeller, who turns 70 in June, is starting to pick up his fund-raising efforts despite the lack of a declared challenger in his fifth Senate campaign. Although some Republicans hope 2nd District Rep. Shelley Moore Capito will...

Wisconsin.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(governor Jim Doyle signs law that allows stores to hand out free beer samples)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Politicians face criticisms from all sides on practically every piece of legislation they support. But Gov. Jim Doyle (D) has signed a bill allowing grocery stores and liquor stores to hand out up to 6 oz. of free beer samples, which is about...

Wyoming.(INSIDE POLITICS: Across State Lines)(budget deficit)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... At press time, the state's legislature was wrangling with Gov. Jennifer Granholm over the state's budget. Both sides blame one another for the budget mess, which, if not resolved, could lead to cutbacks of up to $125 per K-12 pupil and a 6...

All things political.(Calendar)
June 1, 2007... August 27-28, 2007 Catamaran Resort, San Diego, CA For political professionals, candidates, campaign specialists and political junkies Monday, August 21 8:00am-8:45am Registration and Continental Breakfast ...

Apple/Hillary "1984" ad.(NEW JOBS)(Phil de Vellis hired by Murphy Putnam Media)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Apple/Hillary "1984" ad might not have boded well for Phil de Vellis at his old job at Blue State Digital, but it certainly got the attention of Mark Putnam, his new employer. De Vellis was recently hired at Murphy Putnam Media (formerly...

Dickstein Shapiro.(NEW JOBS)(Dickstein, Shapiro and Morin L.L.P. hired Patricia Madrid)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... She might not have gotten the job she wanted--that is, Rep. Heather Wilson's seat--but Patricia Madrid, former New Mexico attorney general, now has a new gig. She'll be consulting with law firm Dickstein Shapiro, where she will be working with...

HSP Direct.(NEW JOBS)(hired Dan Gray as vice president of creative services)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Dan Gray has been named vice president of creative services at HSP Direct, a Republican direct mail agency. Gray also co-authored "Betrayal: How Union Bosses Shake Down Their Members and Corrupt American Politics." Gray previously worked at the...

Leadership Institute.(NEW JOBS)(named Christopher Malagisi as grass-roots coordinator)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Christopher Malagisi has been named the new grass-roots coordinator at the conservative Leadership Institute. Prior to joining LI, Malagisi served as the regional political director for the Republican Party of Virginia, serving as the Northern...

American Association for Justice.(NEW JOBS)(named William Schulz as vice president of communications)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... William Schulz has been named vice president of communications at the American Association for Justice, formerly known as the American Trial Lawyers Association. Before joining the American Association for Justice, Schulz worked as the chief of...

M+R Strategic Services.(NEW JOBS)(Lindsay Roitman is hired as vice president)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... M+R Strategic Services has brought on Lindsay Roitman, who led the campaign to overturn South Dakota's abortion ban through her work with the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families. She will serve as vice president in M+R's Seattle office...

Lang Taylor.(FIRM CHANGES)(political consulting firm formed by Ian Lang and Catherine Taylor)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Ian Lang and Catherine Taylor have formed the company Lang Taylor, a public affairs and political consulting firm based out of Providence, R.I. Lang and Taylor previously worked together for former Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., Lang as the...

After eight years, the partners of Mammen Pritchard are splitting up.(FIRM CHANGES)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... After eight years, the partners of Mammen Pritchard are splitting up. Anil Mammen, Josh Grossfeld, Andrew Mullin and Jordan Karp will continue with the Mammen Group. Beth Hernandez is joining MSHC Partners. Amy Pritchard's company, AP...

With impeccable timing, the eco-minded Wild Bunch consulting firm launched just before Earth Day.(FIRM CHANGES)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... With impeccable timing, the eco-minded Wild Bunch consulting firm launched just before Earth Day. The firm was founded by Mark Longabaugh, Josh Kurtz and Michael Powell. Before starting Wild Bunch, Longabaugh worked as the political director at...

Hamilton Beattie & Staff.(FIRM CHANGES)(is changing name to Hamilton Campaigns)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Democratic polling firm Hamilton Beattie & Staff, started in 1964, is changing its name to Hamilton Campaigns. Along with the name change come new staffers. The company is bringing on Tiffany Muller, who will be working on opposition and...

Republican Party of Virginia.(FIRM CHANGES)(named Christian Curto as political director)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Christian Curto has been named Northern Virginia political director for the Republican Party of Virginia. Before joining the RPV, Curto was the executive director of the Fairfax County Republican Party and an aide to state Sen. Jeannemarie...

National Republican Congressional Committee.(FIRM CHANGES)(named Bob Honold as deputy director of incumbent retention)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Bob Honold has been named deputy director of incumbent retention at the National Republican Congressional Committee. Prior to joining the NRCC, Honold was the director of public affairs at CTIA-The Wireless Association. Honold has also worked...

DNC.(PARTY LINES)(Leah Daughtry named as cheif executive officer of Democratic National Committee)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... DNC Chief of Staff Leah Daughtry has been named the CEO of the DNC's senior leadership team for the 2008 presidential nominating convention. Daughtry previously worked at the Department of Labor under the Clinton administration as the assistant...

Missouri Democratic Party.(PARTY LINES)(named Ken Franklin as executive director)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Ken Franklin has been named executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party. Franklin has served as deputy legislative director to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. Prior to working for Slay he worked for former governor Bob Holden and ran...

D.C. Republican Committee.(PARTY LINES)(Paul Craney appointed as executive director)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The D.C. Republican Committee has appointed Paul Craney as executive director. No stranger to working for the Republican Party in traditionally Democratic areas, Craney previously served as regional director for the Massachusetts Republican...

10 questions for Joe Trippi: founder, Joe Trippi & Associates.(INSIDE POLITICS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)(Interview)
June 1, 2007... Joe Trippi is the founder of Joe Trippi & Associates, a Democratic media firm. His political career began with Sen. Edward Kennedy's 1980 presidential campaign and has since included Walter Mondale, Gary Hart, Richard Gephardt and Howard Dean....

10 questions for Fred Davis: chairman, Strategic Perception, Inc.(INSIDE POLITICS: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)(Interview)
June 1, 2007... Fred Davis is the chairman of Strategic Perception, Inc., a Republican media firm in Hollywood, Calif. Davis has been working in advertising since 1972, but has only been working in politics since 1994, when he got his start on Sen. Jim...

Inside politics: campaign consultant sign-ups.(List)
June 1, 2007... Avenet's CampaignOffice/N -- Web Development Tom Libous, NY, state Sen. '07 Richard Saslaw, VA, state Sen. '07 Rip Sullivan, VA, state House '07 Mark Anderson, Duluth City Council, MN San Fernando Valley Young ...

Rising Stars.(FEATURE)
June 1, 2007... Competition is fierce for Campaigns & Elections' Rising Star award. And with good reason: The title is a coveted bragging right. Previous Rising Stars include leaders who are now practically household names in political circles, like George...

It's that time again.(FEATURE)(presidential primaries)
June 1, 2007... Americans have been going to the polls to elect their leader since the dawn of the nation in 1776. But until the last three decades of the 20th century, party presidential nominees were more often than not picked by a select few in smoke-filled...

The new kid on the block: just a few short years ago, politicos, the media and even his fellow community organizers were asking, "Obama who?" Nobody's asking that anymore.(Barack Obama)
June 1, 2007... in 1996 a young staffer at the Greater Southwest Development Corporation in Chicago--an influential nonprofit that tries to revitalize the city's all-important South Side corridor--got the opportunity to meet his new state senator, Barack Obama...

Dollars & cents; Campaigns are like any other business: it takes money to make money.(FEATURE)
June 1, 2007... GOP fund raiser Nancy Bocskor likes to look at what you have to spend to make money as a pyramid. At the top, she says, you should have your big donors, "the people who are only going to give if you personally ask them." This is the most...

Bigger isn't always better when it comes to media buys.(real politics)
June 1, 2007... In past years, media buying was simply a way to pay consultants more than they dared charge directly. While no consultant to a $4 million campaign would easily hand his client a bill for $600,000, charging a nominal fee and 15 percent...

Will Katrina be our defining moment?(figuratively speaking)
June 1, 2007... I have been saying for some time that the top issue in the 2008 presidential campaign is going to be the Iraq war, with the war on terror a clear second. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This is not rocket science; our polling has shown this for...

Television is no longer the silver bullet.(proving ground)
June 1, 2007... For media buyers and strategists in both parties, the 2008 presidential primary season could be among the most fascinating and complex in American history. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The decisions of where to buy, when to buy and with what...

Online lockdown.(TECH BYTES)
June 1, 2007... A campaign's home page sits in the sort of neighborhood where it's best to make sure all the doors are shut tight. The Internet is teeming with hackers and viruses probing for weak spots like a burglar at the window. An unguarded opening...

Online players are vying for your vote.(TECH BYTES)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Every week sees another online player adding new features for the 2008 presidential campaign. So far, this election cycle will feature online debates, an Internet-only primary and Web video channels for candidates. Most of these features, like...