Mike Huckabee – Lifesaver

Mike Huckabee is campaigning across the country for John McCain and other candidates who he feels have the experience and t he character to lead. A can-do leader, Huckabee apparently saved a life by performing the Heimlich maneuver on Robert Pittenger, a candidate for Lieutenant Governor at the North Carolina GOP convention today. WRAL Raleigh Durham Fayetteville reporting. Conservatives such as Lauran Ingram, who once maligned Governor Huckabee, are now acknowledging that he would be an excellent choice for Vice President. Huckabee connects with people, literally, a more than capable campaigner, he is also likable. There’s that likable factor again.

Likable

John Kerry Faces Multiple Challenges – The Obama Factor

John Kerry will face opposition from within his own party in the September primary. Edward O’Reilly secured 22.5% of the votes at today’s convention. Baltimore Sun story here.
As noted in the Sun article, Kerry has run without opposition for the past 24 years. Although it was expected he would easily pass the convention as the sole Democrat on the ballot – O’Reilly succeeded in securing more than the necessary 15% of the delegates to place his name on the primary ballot. The press is playing the fact that Kerry voted for the Iraq War as the primary cause of his woes (not to mention his virtual absence from Massachusetts the majority of the time). The main reason for the sudden shift is Kerry’s backing of Obama over the wishes of the majority of his constituents. Although Hillary Clinton made a lovely speech today regarding party unity, it is doubtful that those who understood the relentless anti-feminist rant of the press and her peers in the Senate will easily forget and forgive. This is especially true for of an incumbent, like Kerry, who is vulnerable.

Photo NY Times

Kerry will most likely succeed in the primary (then again, he was supposed to easily sweep the convention today), to face a solid grassroots Republican, Jeff Beatty, who secured 17,000 plus signatures from Republicans and Independents (and possibly a Democrat or two) in order to place his name on the ballot. Noting that the Democrats seem to focus lately on how charismatic a candidate might be (rather than say qualified), Kerry might be in real trouble here, in the heart of the People’s Republic of Massachusetts.

John Kerry Faces Opposition

The Massachusetts Democrat Party will hold their primary this Sunday in Lowell, MA and although John Kerry is expected to win his party’s nomination, it is not without some opposition. A percentage of party members are unhappy that he endorsed Barrack Obama over his constituents preferred candidate Hillary Clinton and are supporting fellow Democrat, Edward O’Reilly. (Full article Worcester Telegram)

Additionally, CBS News is reporting that Kerry faces opposition from Republican candidate, Jeff Beatty in November. Beatty will run unopposed. Jim Ogonowki, the Republican backed by the National Republican Senate Committee, has withdrawn from the race after failing to collect the signatures necessary to place his name on the ballot.

Beatty, who amassed 17,000 certified signatures (10,000 were required) obviously has the grassroots support necessary to win an election. The Massachusetts Republican Committee along with the NRSC should now scramble to get their collective acts together and endorse Beatty post haste. With credentials and plenty of time to brand, these Republican Organizations have the candidate and the opportunity to make national headlines by defeating Kerry. Kerry is viewed as unbeatable by the media, however, with his own party disillusioned with his lack of performance and a high number of unerolled voters (50%) who may be even more hostile, the task at hand would not be insurmountable. Think Ted Daschle.


New England Cable News Jeff Beatty Interview

Laura Ingram changes tune – Suggests Mike Huckabee V.P. Spot

Throughout the Republican Primary process, Talk show hostess, Laura Ingram and the Club for Growth consistently defended Mitt Romney and directed venomous attacks on Gov. Mike Huckabee. In an interview with Fox’s Greta Van Susteren, Ingram discusses Gov Huckabee in a completely different light:

VAN SUSTEREN: Well, he's got to pick somebody! He can't -- I mean, he's got to -- so he's got to pick somebody. He can't just go it alone.
INGRAHAM: No, but I think he has to pick someone who can connect with the broad base of conservatives.
VAN SUSTEREN: Like?
INGRAHAM: Oh, I think -- I think -- you know, Mike Huckabee -- you know, I've -- I've been fairly critical of him in the past, but he does have a presence and he does connect with people. I just think the problem with McCain...”

Full Interview here: Fox News
What is amusing is the concept put forth by Van Susteren that McCain choose Clinton as a running mate, in order to connect with Feminists - True Feminists, conservative and liberal, regardless of party, are feeling put out – as that glass ceiling just lowered a bit.

Joe Lieberman in Support of John McCain

An email was sent out to McCain supporters yesterday from Sen. Joe Lieberman with a resounding endorsement for McCain’s candidacy. In essence Lieberman will chair the” Citizens for McCain grassroots organization. (Full Text below) Joe Lieberman understands what has happened to Hillary Clinton as it almost happened to him in 2006 – the party, not the people, decided Joe Lieberman was no longer “progressive” enough to be a Democrat and put up a candidate that was more to their liking (sound familiar?). Lieberman defied the party by running as an independent and trounced the DNC darling. Lieberman was one of the few Democrats left with any sense of what the general public within the party wants. It is that disconnect with the voters and a belief in the power of the “elite” to control the masses - that will continue to frustrate Democrats as elections that should be won are lost.

To: Fellow McCain Supporters

From: Senator Joe Lieberman

Date: June 5th, 2008

Today, I asked Senator McCain if I could create and chair a new grassroots organization, "Citizens for McCain."

Citizens for McCain is an organization within the McCain campaign for people who put country before political party and support the candidate for President who has a proven record of bipartisanship.

As you know, I caucus with the Democrats as a United States Senator and was the Democrat Party's nominee for Vice-President of the United States against President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

But first and foremost, I am an American. I have an obligation to do what I think is best for our nation regardless of political party. My love for this country and strong belief in John McCain's character, judgment, and willingness to work with leaders of both parties has convinced me to support him for President.

I have worked with John McCain for many years in the U.S. Senate and know from experience that he can unite Democrats, Republicans and Independents like no one else in this country. He did it in the United States Senate and he can do it as President of the United States.

But we need help from McCain supporters such as you to reach out to Americans who are not currently involved in the campaign. Will you help us by recruiting your friends, family, and co-workers who may not consider themselves members of the Republican Party and ask them to join the Citizens for McCain organization?

I am confident we will find many Democrats and Independents who like John McCain and me, put country before political party and will support a leader with a real record of bipartisanship.

Time and time again John McCain has put his country first. He refused early release when he was held captive in Vietnam. He continued to put his country first as a national leader in the U.S. Senate. He put country before party when he fought to pass campaign finance reform, sought a bi-partisan solution to the immigration problem, and consistently supported pro-environment policies. His courage to stand up to the failed Iraq war plan of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and lead the fight for a new strategy in Iraq will go down in history, and it saved American lives. These were not always the easy things to do. In fact, they were usually very difficult, and often threatened his political career. But John McCain did what was right.

He said it best in his speech in New Orleans on Tuesday night:
"(The American people) know I have a long record of bipartisan problem solving. They've seen me put our country before any President -- before any party -- before any special interest -- before my own interest. They might think me an imperfect servant of our country, which I surely am. But I am her servant first, last and always."

The phones at the campaign headquarters have been ringing with disaffected Democrats calling to say they believe Senator McCain has the experience, judgment, and bipartisanship necessary to lead our country in these difficult times. Many of these supporters are former supporters of Senator Clinton.

Senator McCain has had a very good working relationship with Senator Clinton and will continue to do so in the future. In the same New Orleans speech he said:
"Senator Clinton has earned great respect for her tenacity and courage. The media often overlooked how compassionately she spoke to the concerns and dreams of millions of Americans, and she deserves a lot more appreciation than she sometimes received. As the father of three daughters, I owe her a debt for inspiring millions of women to believe there is no opportunity in this great country beyond their reach. I am proud to call her my friend."

I am proud to call John McCain my friend and ask you to help our friend become the next President of the United States.

Please forward this email to your lists today and ask your friends, family, and coworkers who do not consider themselves Republicans to join me in filling out the Citizens for McCain form today.

Thank you for your willingness to help me expand this new organization. Together, we will make history.

Visit: Citizens for McCain or John McCain.com for more information.

The Nation Now Turns to John McCain

In an email delivered last evening, Hillary Clinton spoke to supporters and suspended her campaign. The tone was less than rousing, and with good reason. A good percentage of those supporters who backed Hillary Clinton, did so because she actually had a plan, had the experience and the ability to be a moderate. She remains one of the best candidates the Democrats have put forth since John Kennedy and her supporters are savvy enough to know it. On the flip side, they also know that Barrack Obama is in the same mold as McGovern and Carter and Mondale, which gives them one other choice, and that choice is McCain (although I have heard Ralph Nader’s name bandied about as well as an increased interest in Bob Barr and the Libertarian party. In other words, those voters that were behind Hillary 110% will now be shopping elsewhere. She may also understand that wise supporters will not just fall into line because the party tells them they must.

John McCain is an open book to the American public. The only comment that I have heard regarding him that is at all negative is: “He’s a scary old man”. Ok, I’m a scary old woman! With all those baby boomers in denial, using 70 as the new 30, John McCain is in the prime of his life! I prefer age and wisdom to youth and inexperience any day of the week. Those boomers who supported Hillary Clinton will not be considering age as a factor. Although McCain was not this conservatives first choice, he has decidedly grown on me, as he will on millions of other conservative and moderate voters across this nation who understand what’s a stake – the preservation, not of the Republican Party, but of the nation.

Hillary Clintons Email to Supporters

I wanted you to be one of the first to know: on Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.

On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.

I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.

When I decided to run for president, I knew exactly why I was getting into this race: to work hard every day for the millions of Americans who need a voice in the White House.

I made you -- and everyone who supported me -- a promise: to stand up for our shared values and to never back down. I'm going to keep that promise today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.

I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Senator Obama. The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.

I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the commitment that you have shown me in the past 16 months. And I will always keep faith with the issues and causes that are important to you.

In the past few days, you have shown that support once again with hundreds of thousands of messages to the campaign, and again, I am touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.

I can never possibly express my gratitude, so let me say simply, thank you.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

To learn more about John McCain and to contribute to his campaign visit:
John McCain.com

Massachusetts Senate Race 2008
Ogonowski fails to submit Required Signatures

The Boston Globe is reporting that Jim Ogonowski failed to submit the required 10,000 certified signatures necessary to place him on the ballot in November. Read Full Article Here The article mentions that Ogonowski was favored by the Mass. Republican establishment, specifically calling attention to a fundraiser held for Ogonowski by former governor, Mitt Romney, and noting that the Mass. Republican party establishment was “anemic”. The problem with this assertion is that, like other political parties, the candidate favored by the “elite” or “elder statesmen” may not be the candidate that resonates with the base. See Blog “Springfield Intruder” here

Jeff Beatty, who collected above and beyond the required signatures, and has the grassroots support, allows the “establishment” an opportunity to rethink the political landscape in Massachusetts and begin a concerted effort to regain a seat long-held by an incumbent who would be vulnerable to a candidate that was given the full attention of his or her party. Those in position of party power should keep Ogonowski in mind for another seat that, in all likelihood, will be in play before long. Instead of opting for a write-in campaign or challenging the process through the courts as outlined in the article, Ogonowski, for the good of t he party, should get behind Jeff Beatty along with the establishment in order to get the job done. Republicans cannot afford to play local politics at a time when the nation faces the potential of a Senate that may go to a supermajority of Democrats, effectively eliminating the voice of conservatives. To learn more about Jeff Beatty and how he stands on the issues go to Jeff Beatty.com

What Did Hillary Know all Along?

Apparently, that there was more to Barrack Obama than meets the eye. Bob Beckel indicates that a bomb will drop on the Obama Campaign tomorrow, after Barack has the nomination in hand, leaving Hillary Clinton in the position to take the controls. The blame, he noted, would fall on Republicans who had possession of the tape.
The problem with that scenario is that after watching Karl Rove gleefully anticipate an Obama candidacy last night, the last thing the RNC would do would be to pre-maturely release a tape that would hurt their preferred nominee. Hillary Clinton, to her credit, would do anything to save the Democrat Party from itself.


Bob Beckel's Comments on Fox and Friends.

Of course, this all remains to be seen, but Beckel appears to be a fairly reliable source.

Barack Obama
Crawls to a Finish

From: Telegraph UK

The last primary contests will be held today, and although most of the media had been giving Obama Super-Star status, the reality of the past primary and caucuses held since the Rev. Wright and Trinity Church headlines, have given pause to even those bastions of the left such as the Boston Globe. The article this morning entitled “Trouble Signs as Obama Closes In” is indicative of enlightenment. With so many failed Democrat candidacies coming from the Bay State, the Globe is in the best position to understand that there are problems in Wonderland.

Looking Presidential

Although it is clear to many pundits that McCain and the RNC would rather face Obama in the general election, they are now pointing to McCain’s lack of support from Conservatives. (That should be current lack of support.) What they are hoping (those pundits), is that the lack of enthusiasm for Obama in the Democrat electorate - those voters, specifically the working class, blue collar, bread and butter of the DNC, who will look to McCain as an alternative, will not be an overly vocal group, or a disenfranchised group that stays home in November. The balance is clear, should those conservatives who have reservations about McCain stay home, those disenfrancised blue-collar voters will compensate. Should they be joined by the conservatives in a last minute change of heart - it will not bode well for Obama. This allows Hillary Clinton to be well-positioned in 2012. Those Progressives who have a stranglehold on the DNC may just have to listen to the voice of moderate reason after this election is over. McCain will benefit from the blind zeal of the Progressives.

Romney Downplays V.P. Spot,
Hillary Clinton Outstanding Performance in Late Primaries and
McCain Gains

The Boston Herald reported today that Romney stated McCain never “broached the subject” of the V.P. spot with him. In deciding upon a possible running mate, McCain will most likely choose someone who is capable of helping the campaign with logistics and grassroots support, something Romney never had.

With Hillary Clinton being edged out of the race by a party led by Howard Dean and company, McCain is in a better position to pick up those disenfranchised Democrats who are more moderate. Clinton understands that the country, in general, is not Progressive and that Obama’s less than stellar performance in the late primaries are indicative of what will happen in a general election. What is most striking is the general media’s collusion with Dean. The primary in Puerto Rico was just another indicator of division within the party and distrust of the Illinois Senator that has grown since the voters have gotten to know him a bit better. Would Barack Obama have gotten as far as he did if several incidents had come to light earlier? Once his statements regarding Pennsylvania voters clutching their “guns and bibles” out of frustration became general knowledge, once his affiliation with controversial individuals became general knowledge, the focus of the electorate swung to Clinton. The Clinton’s are known to be the most politically astute individuals in the party and she understands that with Obama as the party’s choice, the map in November may resemble one in which Carter lost to Reagan.

Obama’s campaign will undoubtedly try to tie McCain to Bush which, is about all they have. McCain has been visible and his record is clear. The same cannot be said of Obama –it is what’s lying in wait to be discovered, that Hillary Clinton may already be aware of, that has her defying Dean and Company. Although McCain was not the first choice of conservatives, he does attract more moderate Republican’s, Independents and Democrats and with the diverse party leaders behind him, Romney and Huckabee, he should fare well against the “hype of hope”.