Poll Vaulting: Iowans Call For Al Gore And Condoleezza Rice

An interesting new poll from The DesMoines Register gives high marks amongst likely Democratic primary voters to Al Gore and high marks amongst likely Republican primary voters to Condi Rice, Newt Gingrich and Fred Thompson…

Usually, I don’t find polls particularly meaningful, but they can be interesting or entertaining; this poll is both. The one take away from this poll is that yet again it appears as though Republicans are significantly less satisfied with their choices than the Democrats are. Enjoy!

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Romney: Sharpton’s Comments Bigoted

Al Sharpton debated Christopher Hitchens this past Monday at the New York Public Library on “the malignant force of religion in the world.” (Listen to audio at this link; we’re working on getting audio upon here.)

At about the 25 minute mark, Hitchens discusses the role of religion in the civil rights movement: “The belief that it is illegal as well as evil to keep black Americans in subjection does not require any supernatural endorsement. It had been proved repeatedly in law and in morality and in ethics and demonstrated in practice. The only thing that has always been consistently justified by the churches was initially slavery, the right to hold someone as a slave, biblically warranted; and the right to keep the races separate, which is endorsed by a Church that, just to give a contemporary example, one of the current candidates for the republican nomination is a member of a church - the so-called Mormon Church of Latter Day Saints - that until 1965 had it as an article of faith that the Bible separates the sons of ham and makes them lesser. I don’t have to disparage a text like that because I don’t think it has any authority.”

Sharpton responds to that passage at just after the 31 minute mark. Including the entire context, Sharpton was talking about the background of Martin Luther King Jr, saying “And as for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don’t worry about that, that’s a temporary situation.” The remark was met with some laughter.

Sharpton’s office issued a statemment today clarifying his remarks, and spoke to the New York Times regarding the controversy:

“In response to him, I predicted that believers (not atheists) would vote against the candidate, in this case, Mr. Romney, for political, not religious reasons,” he said in a statement released by his office. “In no way did I attack Mormons or the Mormon Church, when I responded that other believers, not atheists, would vote against Mr. Romney for purely political reasons.”
Mr. Sharpton said he believed Mormons are Christians, something many conservative Protestants and Roman Catholics disagree with, but said Mr. Romney should be pressed about his church’s history and beliefs.
“I believe if any religion preaches supremacy or unequalness, they are not true believers in God,” Mr. Sharpton said in the telephone interview.
“Even though I didn’t bring this up, maybe one should ask Mr. Romney whether these were the articles of faith of his church to preach segregation and whether he was a member of the church at that time,” his statement said.

Romney commented on the issue, saying, “It shows that bigotry still exists in some corners. … I thought it was a most unfortunate comment to make.”

And furthermore, “I don’t know Reverend Sharpton. … I doubt he is personally such a thing, but the comment was a comment which could be described as a bigoted comment.” And also, “Perhaps he didn’t mean it that way, but the way it came out was inappropriate and wrong.”

Sharpton is trying to use the excuse that he was contrasting ‘real believers’ with Hitchens, who obviously does not believe in God. But that doesn’t explain why Sharpton said ‘real believers’ instead of just ‘believers.’ It sounds and reads like he’s making a swipe at Mormons, and as such I’d agree with this take. The one mitigating factor is that he he was in the middle of an ad hoc debate off the top of his head and may have misspoken.

In any event, this is a prime example of Romney turning his religion into an asset, much like JFK did when he ran, and much like Hillary Clinton has done and will do being a woman running, and much like Obama and Richardson will do with their race. It’s just a smart political move to portray oneself as a victim. The same principle regarding Obama and JFK is reviewed here.

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On TV Tonight: McCain et al.

Larry King Live (CNN): John McCain is on as his campaign launches today.

Hardball: McCain’s campaign manager, Charlie Black. Also, Al Sharpton and Bob Shrum among others discuss the Democratic debate to be held tomorrow.

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Sunday Talk Shows: Tommy Thompson, Joe Biden

ABC’s This Week: Sen. Dick Durbin, presidential counselor Dan Bartlett; ex-Gov. Tommy Thompson; Cal Ripken Jr.

CBS’ Face the Nation: Sens. Charles Schumer and Arlen Specter; Dan Bartlett.

NBC’s Meet the Press: Sens. Patrick Leahy and Orrin Hatch; Rep. Charles Rangel.

Fox News Sunday - Sens. Mitch McConnell and Joe Biden; Kevin Martin, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

CNN’s Late Edition: Sens. Kit Bond, and Dianne Feinstein; Rev. Al Sharpton; Richard Haass, Council on Foreign Relations president.

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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.

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Thursday Morning Democrat Roundup

Democrats

Al Sharpton - The Biden comment pushed Sharpton into talking about his bathing habits.

Barack Obama - In the middle of the Biden storm, Obama slyly used the gaffe as an opportunity to praise former African-Amercans who have run for the presidency, saying, “African-American presidential candidates like Jesse Jackson, Shirley Chisholm, Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton gave a voice to many important issues through their campaigns, and no one would call them inarticulate.” I wouldn’t call them inarticulate either - but I wouldn’t be offended if someone said they weren’t mainstream candidates in the way Obama is. Of course, Biden could have saved a lot of trouble if he had just said that instead of what he actually did say… Larry Elder talks about Obama’s polling numbers among blacks.

Bill Richardson - Small towns are the key to Richardson’s strategy in Nevada… Did someone really ask Bill Richardson if Bill Clinton would campaign for him? Really?

Christopher Dodd - Dodd is apparently involved in a Confederate flag controversy with Joe Biden and John McCain… Dodd is leading a campaign fro transparency in the budget to get rid of pork…

Dennis Kucinich - Up next for Kucinich: Maine and New Hampshire.

Hillary Clinton - Bill Clinton’s stepfather died recently, and Hillary is putting off her trip to New Hampshire indefinitely. Early word is it will be rescheduled for within the next month… Another poll for Hillary, and again she is both the most popular and unpopular candidate, this time in Maryland. As name awareness of other candidate increases, it will be interesting to see if Hillary’s numbers move at all… Her campaign manager Terry McAuliffe handicapped the race in a way I don’t agree with. The article does a good job in explaining the flaws of his criticism …

Joe Biden - As predicted in this space yesterday, the Obama comment blew up on Biden. Sad thing is I don’t think it was ill intended in any way whatsoever. The good news for Biden is that the general public is willing to see through gaffes like that where no ill will was intended - just look at Bush. The bad news? That what the public sees in Biden after looking past that is still a poor presidential candidate. Look for other media to get caught up in the innocent slip or use it as a springboard into complaining about Biden. Bloggers that get caught up in deep analysis of this are just looking at the superficial - the electorate doesn’t care that much. The big winner in this thing might be Edwards, actually - Biden’s scathing comments on him have fallen by the wayside… This article gives a good summary of what the major parties said about Biden’s comments yesterday - Biden himself, Obama, and Jesse Jackson. Also, there’s a pretty funny picture of an angry Biden… An interesting sociological take on the Biden phenomenon… Video of Biden … Another recap of the incident, plus background on other Biden verbal gaffes, such as, “you cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.” Biden has said that quote was taken out of context… Biden’s apparently also involved in a confederate flag controversy with Chris Dodd and John McCain? Um, ok…

John Edwards - Edwards held a town hall style meeting at Dartmouth. A good portion of his speech was about honesty in the White House, poverty, and Iraq… A conservative commentator reviews the Edwards housing controversy and examines why he feels its OK to criticize him… Meanwhile, the controversy is everywhere, even in the Washington Post newsroom…

Tom Vilsack - Vilsack got less than one percent in the Ohio poll that Hillary came out on top of, and that has some people wondering what he’s doing running. Not that he can’t make up the ground, but rather will he make enough money to be able to make up ground…

Wesley Clark - Wesley Clark’s assertion that ‘New York Money’ people are driving the US towards war with Iran is not going over so well in some quarters.

Later today: DNC meeting preview, fundraising update, and Republicans are next…

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Sharpton Throws His Weight Around

Al Sharpton’s threats to run for president are (and should be) taken seriously by the democratic candidates. A Sharpton candidacy could force candidates further to the left on critical issues in order to ensure a primary victory, while at the same time damaging their position for the general election.

Watch Sen. Dodd court Rev. Sharpton in the coming weeks/months.

In my opinion, Sen. Clinton has the most to lost from a Sharpton candidacy since she is more prepared for a general election right now than a democractic primary.

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Sharpton Commits to Nothing; Everything relieved.

CNN: Al Sharpton is holding off on endorsing any candidates or deciding whether to run for President again in 2008, following the series of meetings with Democratic candidates already previously reported. Sharpton told reporters: “I’m not making any endorsements today.”

Specifically regarding his meeting with Barack Obama, Sharpton stated: “I assured him that I not only want to hear his views and thoughts and policy recommendations, but publicly any of us who step into this fight for the nomination have to be held accountable and speak to these issues… We are going to keep talking and he knows I’m talking to everybody.”

Sharpton also met with Sens. Dodd, Clinton, and Biden.

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Sharpton visiting Democratic Candidates

Politics on the Hudson is reporting that Al Sharpton is visiting Washington tomorrow to meet with Democratic candidates Dodd, Clinton, Obama, and Biden (who was ‘just added.’) There might be interesting press on him tomorrow.

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