Tuesday Night Roundup

Republicans

Chuck Hagel - Sen. Hagel is repeatedly named in connection with the internet based Unity Party. It’s far too early to determine the potential of the Unity Party. I wonder myself how many people will buy the concept.

John McCain - Obama, McCain, and Clinton participated in a Senate hearing on global warming where all three said in strikingly similar language the time had come to address the issue. McCain and Obama are cosponsoring a bill calling for action with Joe Lieberman… A conservative article criticizing McCain. The substance for now isn’t the important part. Instead, it’s that articles like this are starting to get more and more common. Normally, it’s the Democrats who eat their young (metaphorically) in the primaries. But with the difficulties Romney and McCain are having with the base putting them to the fire (see this as well)- and the Democrats all getting hit for the most part from the Republicans, not the Democrats, the shoe seems to be on the other foot this time around… McCain is also getting hit with this video, posted by a Democratic operative. I anticipate a long look at these criticisms sometime in the next day or so in this space… Also, some good news for McCain as he picks up endorsements from 5 key Republicans in New Hampshire… Meanwhile, House Republicans are lining up against him and for Romney, including a rumor that Boehner may be next…. Lastly, here is the text from McCain’s speech at the dedication of the Center for the Intrepid. It’s distinctly apolitical for the most part.

Mitt Romney - House Republicans are lining up against him and for Romney, including a rumor that Boehner may be next…. The current Attorney General of Massachusetts says Mitt Romney’s rules prohibiting stem cell research were far too strict. I imagine this will probably play well with anyone that matters, and be brought up in the general election - should Romney get there - as something by his opposition … Romney was in South Carolina today.

Rudy Giuliani - Hillary and Giuliani are leading in polls in New York State… Rudy may be flip-flopping on the federal assault weapons ban. I doubt that will become an issue until the general election, unless the Clinton campaign smells blood in the water… Rudy will be Houston, Texas this week, working the base and raising money.

Sam Brownback - Sam Brownback compares himself favorably to other candidates on pro-life issues that he thinks hold sway. I’m extremely doubtful that those issues trump a war. Not to mention some other candidates are probably just as pro-life as him (Huckabee, who if not as pro-life is breathing down his neck). Brownback needs to move beyond being a one trick pony sooner or later - keep mentioning it, but stake out other areas as well…And as if on cue, Brownback joins McCain, Hillary, and Obama calling for action on global warming. And here, he’s selling everything as well… The only word to describe his speech today at a Michigan law school tomorrow is opportunity.

Tom Tancredo - In this article, we find Tancredo is not running for re-election to the House… Here, we find grades on immigration for a bunch of Democrats and Republicans … and it’s not at all down party lines.

Democrats

Barack Obama - Obama, McCain, and Clinton participated in a Senate hearing on global warming where all three said in strikingly similar language the time had come to address the issue. McCain and Obama are cosponsoring a bill calling for action with Joe Lieberman… In big news, Obama introduced legislation (or in other words, offered a plan, since the chances of this legislation going anywhere with this President are roughly equivalent to me learning to breathe in deep space tomorrow) that calls for combat troops to leave Iraq by March 2008. “Our troops have preformed brilliantly in Iraq, but no amount of American soldiers can solve the political differences at the heart of somebody else’s civil war … That’s why I have introduced a plan to not only stop the escalation of this war, but begin a phased redeployment that can pressure the Iraqis to finally reach a political settlement and reduce the violence.” The political effects of this? First, Obama is to the left of Hillary … but not by much. Neither of their plans is going to happen under Bush. The long term ramifications are that while they see Iraq slightly differently, Obama’s both taking a chance this can box out Hillary by stealing her momentum (much like the last bidder on the price is right bids $1 dollar more) and at the same time, if Obama ultimately falls to Hillary, he’s still in a position to accept a VP spot. He’s disagreed … but not in a disagreeable way. (And, for that matter, Hillary just said ‘get out by the next inauguration - she’s set no timetable at all of her own to my knowledge.)… The news that Obama has reserved the old state capital in Springfield Illinois - Lincoln’s home base when he was elected - is about proof positive that he’s planning on running. Or bowing out in spectacular fashion… nah, he’s in.

Bill Richardson - Video on the aforementioned sales tax. Also see prior post about his fundraiser.

Christopher Dodd - Dodd in the news! First, he has a new initiative for families to keep benefits while caring for il family members. Secondly, he calls for FDA reform.

Dennis Kucinich - Kucinich was on Hannity and Colmes today and will be on with Cavuto tomorrow. That should be … interesting video.

Hillary Clinton - Obama, McCain, and Clinton participated in a Senate hearing on global warming where all three said in strikingly similar language the time had come to address the issue. McCain and Obama are cosponsoring a bill calling for action with Joe Lieberman… Neil Cavuto found himself between Hillary Clinton and the White House… Hillary is leading in polls in Ohio (what you will hear), but is also leading in unfavorability rating (what you should hear)… Hillary is going to New Hampshire this weekend… Hillary and Giuliani are leading in polls in New York State… Ten things you didn’t know about Hillary - biographical quirks for the most part, but possibly some insights if you like to read into those sort of things.

Joe Biden - As I’ve been saying for a week now, tomorrow is Biden’s big day.

John Edwards - Edwards hired a blogger-in chief who is pretty far left.