Monday Morning Democratic Roundup

Barack Obama

The Washington Post gives an overview of the relationship between the Clinton and Obama campaigns; while neither side is openly negative, the subtext of each campaign is somewhat of a shot at the other: Clinton provides the experience that Obama presumably lacks, and Obama is running against the cynicism and politics that presumably Clinton embodies. … An anonymous source tipped the Post that Al Sharpton is trying to tear down Obama’s candidacy. The only I’ve read by Sharpton on Obama was to the extent that Obama needed to do better in polls among the black community. I think the language in the article is overstated, no matter how Sharpton really feels, which I do not know. (and he just might support Clinton over Obama). … Michelle Obama will be more involved in the campaign trail fron now on; she’s recently added as her chief of staff, Joe Lieberman’s former assistant for the past ten years, including 200 and 2004 as part of the presidential campaigns, as her chief of staff. … Obama campaigned Saturday and Sunday in eastern Iowa, talking about participation and Iraq, specifically saying on Iraq that regarding the Iraqi government making changes, “In the absence of those conditions we’re just throwing money away.” The swing was his third trip to Iwa, and he’s started to meet supporters in smaller groups as opposed to his previous larger rallies. … Sen. Richard Lugar will not endorse or support Obama’s candidacy, but Obama strongly believes in Lugar’s type of foreign policy and would likely hold his advice in high regard upon being elected. … Is it me or does this story seem to end in the middle? This guy gave Obama money years ago and - that’s it? OK, then, …

Bill Richardson

Richardson’s push to allow medical use of marijuana combined with his ties to George Soros are starting to anger some people. … Richardson is keeping busy in the last week before the New Mexico legislature goes on a break. … Richardson thinks California is now a key state in the primary season, and thinks it will effect which issues are discussed. … Richardson might appeal to libertarian-leaning Democrats.

Christopher Dodd

Dodd raised $100,000 at a fundraiser in providence, coming closer to his goal of $5 million in donations for the first quarter. He also comments on this article on immigration, saying that stopping the flow of illegal immigrants without building a wall ought be the goal; he also is championing energy reform, saying “I think the country would like to be part of an idea like energy independence. … I think the country is willing to do it.” … Clinton and Dodd are two of the speakers lined up for a webcast of the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference today and tomorrow. … Dodd’s campaign called Chris Matthews and reminded him that Dodd ought be mentioned when talking about second tier candidates. … Anecdotes and stories from the Dodd campaign trail, including his father running for office against Prescott Bush and his sister becoming close friends with Nancy Pelosi in college. … Dodd is not concerned about the trend of banks merging.

Dennis Kucinich

Kucinich’s mixed history with abortion is still an issue; it is hard to believe that at one time he had a 90% rating from pro-life/anti-abortion groups. … Kucinich issued a strong statement condemning the cancellation of the debate scheduled to be on Fox News, saying, “If you want to be the President of the United States, you can’t be afraid to deal with people with whom you disagree politically. … No one is further removed from Fox’s political philosophy than I am, but fear should not dictate decisions that affect hundreds of millions of Americans and billions of others around the world who are starving for real leadership.”

Hillary Clinton

Clinton was in Nashua, NH, on Saturday. Speaking to the state Democratic Party dinner, she discussed health care, the war in Iraq, and the economy. She also joked about her fashion sense. … The Washington Times writes about how the aura of inevitability around Clinton’s nomination continues to fade: it’s a question of if she will win, not that she will win. Not only that, they are starting to question whether she could win a general election against the likes of Giuliani. If the rank and file feel she can’t win, they ultimately will not vote for her; that was the main reason why Kerry won the primaries last cycle. … Clinton is trying to appeal to middle class voters. … An influential Group of NJ Democrats is throwing their support behind Clinton after initially supporting Mark Warner.

Joe Biden

Biden spoke this weekend in Iowa, focusing again on the importance of experience in the next President. … Biden again called for a fully dunded COPS program to lower crime, this time with a Brookings Institution policy paper backing him up. … Biden thinks Atty. Gen. Gonzalez ought resign. … Biden talked about foreign policy, Walter Reed, and more at a forum in New Hampshire.

John Edwards

Edwards was in southeast Iowa talking about his health care plan this weekend. … Elizabeth Edwards visited Nashville to talk about education as the keynote speaker at the National Education Association Conference . … Edwards this weekend used smaller venues as a means of intimately reaching people; his numbers are still high in the state, so it’s no ploy to cover up for diminishing support. … John Edwards is making strides in gaining support among women, previously assumed to be a demographic that would strongly support Clinton.