Clark: Bush is blind to reality

Yesterday General Wesley Clark campaigned for Carol Shea-Porter in Manchester, Goffstown, Concord and Portsmouth. While in Manchester, Clark made the following comments:

"This is some new fabrication of American policy that we won't talk to people we disagree with. Are we too weak to talk to them? Are we afraid that we might not prevail with our principles? It's time for the United States of America to show leadership."

"This administration is blind to the realities of the world we live in."

"The greatest gift we could have given Osama bin Laden was to invade Iraq ... It helped him recruit and train a new generation of fanatics. The number of terrorists has increased by two and a half times since 9/11. There is no terrorist gene. People are not born as terrorists. They become that way and we don't want to feed the recruiting process."

General Clark was also noncommittal on a future presidential candidacy.

Novak: Gore In?

Veteran White House reporter Robert Novak wrote:

Virginia Gov. Mark Warner’s decision to withdraw from consideration for the 2008 Presidential nomination has produced speculation at high levels of the Democratic Party that former Vice President Al Gore may run again.

Warner was to challenge front-running Sen. Hillary Clinton from the right, while Gore is on her left. Nevertheless, Gore succeeds Warner as the most likely “non-Hillary” to battle her for the nomination.

A footnote: Warner’s withdrawal, after nearly two years of pursuing national support, puzzles Democrats. Only a month ago, he was asking prominent members of the party to back him. Even after getting out, he still told friends he believes he could have won the nomination.

Weekend

Don't Forget that this weekend we will see John Kerry, Wesley Clark and Chris Dodd in New Hampshire. You can check previous posts for their exact schedule. Also, I will post comments from all three once they become available.

Whose The Fiscal Conservative?

Today the Cato Institute realized their Governor rankings. Below are listed the results for the governors that are thinking about running for President.

Overall Current-Term Grades

Governor State Score Grade

Bill Richardson (D) New Mexico 56 C
Tom Vilsack (D) Iowa 56 C
Mitt Romney (R) Massachusetts 55 C
George Pataki (R) New York 51 D
Mike Huckabee (R) Arkansas 46 F

The Graduating Class: Final Overall Grades of Governors Leaving Office in 2007

Governor State Grade

George Pataki (R) New York C
Mitt Romney (R) Massachusetts C
Tom Vilsack (D) Iowa C
Mike Huckabee (R) Arkansas D

Will Bill Defend Hillary?

Speaking at a Ladies Home Journal luncheon, Elizabeth Edwards made the following comments, "She [Hillary Clinton] and I are from the same generation. We both went to law school and married other lawyers, but after that we made other choices. I think my choices have made me happier. I think I'm more joyful than she [Clinton] is." She went on to say "As a woman, you couldn't help cheering from the sidelines. That will be a factor for John. She will be a formidable opponent." Will President Clinton defend his wife, and future presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton?

Rudy and Victory NH

Here are some excerpts from an essay written by Rudy Giuliani for Victory NH

"I respect tradition."

"The primacy of the New Hampshire primary is a hallowed American tradition that should be preserved and protected."

"New Hampshire has an uncanny knack for focusing the country's attention on issues that will shape the upcoming elections. Candidates do not necessarily need to win in New Hampshire to win in November. But those who ignore the message of New Hampshire's voters do so at their peril."

"When assessing how strong a candidate is based on how he performs in New Hampshire, a meaningful comparison can only be made if New Hampshire retains its primacy."

Here is the information for the event:

Inaugural First in the Nation Forum on Leadership with Rudy Giuliani

Friday, November 3, 2006
7:30am - 9:00am

The Derryfield
625 Mammoth Road
Manchester, NH

Kerry's Saturday Schedule

Below is Senator John Kerry's travel schedule for his Saturday visit.

NASHUA, NH, 11:00 AM
Rally with Congressional Candidate Paul Hodes
Nashua City Hall 229 Main Street

LACONIA, NH, 1:45 PM
Event for State Senate Candidate Kathy Sgambati
Health Link at Lakes Regional General Hospital
557 Main Street

PORTSMOUTH, NH, 4:00 PM
Eevent for Executive Council Candidate Bev Hollingworth
The Gas Light Company
64 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH

Organizing The Mormons

The Boston Globe reported today that, "Over the past two months, Romney's political operatives and church leaders have discussed building a grass-roots political organization using alumni chapters of Brigham Young University's business school around the country. More recently, representatives of BYU, which is run by the church, and Romney's political action committee have begun soliciting help from prominent Mormons, including a well-known author suggested by the governor, to build the program, which Romney advisers dubbed Mutual Values and Priorities, or MVP." The Romney camp said that the discussions were informal and not part of an overall strategy. It appears that The Globe will continue to investigate Romney as he prepares a presidential run.

Bayh The Way

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh will appear at a Politics and Eggs forum Wednesday, October 25th, at the Bedford Village Inn. This will be his sixth visit to the state.

Coburn Serves It Up To Lynch

Above is a picture of GOP candidate for governor, Jim Coburn. He was taking questions at Franklin Pierce College and the above photograph was taken. To check out the whole clip go to the link below and select the Jim Coburn video. The action takes place at the 38th minute.

http://www.fpc.edu/pages/institutes/fitz/tuesbrfgs/videos.htm

This also will begin a new tradition at the blog. E-mail me with a caption for the picture. The winner will have the option of being a guest blogger.

Clark's Schedule

Here is General Clark's visit. He will be in NH on Friday and Saturday.

Friday
Portsmouth Democrats Dinner, Sheraton Harborside, Portsmouth, NH 6:00 PM

Saturday
Reception with Carol Shea-PorterFaro Gardens Banquet Facilities Hampton Falls, NH 10:00-11:30 am

Fundraiser home of Dr. Jeffrey and Lee Forgosh Manchester, NH 4:30 - 6:30 pm

Town Hall Meeting (with Carol Shea-Porter) New Hampshire Institute of Art, Manchester, NH 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Pataki Making Friends

The AP reported that, "Pataki's latest filing with the Federal Election Commission for his federal 21st Century Freedom PAC shows the political action committee contributed $32,000 to 15 individual state Senate candidates in New Hampshire, another $10,000 to two state Senate GOP campaign committees there and $10,000 to the New Hampshire GOP." GOP Chairman Semprini said that Pataki is "developing a lot of good friends in New Hampshire." Maybe these connections and good will, will prove to be Pataki's secret weapon in the primary. If Pataki finishes third behind McCain and Romney, will the media see this has a victory and the momentum would slingshot Pataki into South Carolina?

Calling All New Hampshire Hair stylist!!!

On October 21st, both Senator Chris Dodds and John Kerry will be in New Hampshire. Dodd will be speaking at the Rockingham County Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner in Epping. While, John Kerry will be showing his support for Executive Council candidate Bev Hollingworth in Portsmouth. This will be Dodd's sixth visit and will be Kerry's tenth visit. Hair stylists throughout New Hampshire are rejoicing.

Pataki In The News

This Boston Globe article comes on the heels of a book called, "Wasted Opportunities: New York Pataki Years." Today the Globe is reporting that New York Senate Minority Leader Joseph Bruno said, "When you have a governor in an exit mode, that's a problem. I'm not blaming the governor," Bruno said, but added: "His focus hasn't been on the structure of the Republican committee." The article comes on the heels of a book that will be published in November by a former Pataki appointee.

Adding Some Meat To The Bones

Governor Romney has hired more staff for his Commonwealth PAC. "They include one of Jeb Bush's closest advisers, Sally Bradshaw; a former speechwriter for Pres. Bush, Noam Neusner; former RNC strategist/DoJ comm. dir. Barbara Comstock, and press secretary Jared Young." Over the past couple months, the Commonwealth has been operating on a "skeleton staff" with Beth Myers the executive director of the PAC. -The Hotline

Biden on Hodes

Senator Joe Biden urged for voters to elect Paul Hodes by arguing that "It's time for Congress to reassert the idea that there should be a balance of power."

The Frists Are Coming To New Hampshire

Karyn Frist, wife of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's wife, on a book tour in New Hampshire from October 23rd-27th. She will be promoting her book, Love You, Daddy Boy: Daughters Honor the Fathers They Love. Senator Frist will also be in the state on the 23rd for a spaghetti dinner with New Hampshire GOP Chair Wayne Semprini.

Romney Favors Constitutional Amendment

Today, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney pledged his support for a Federal Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Below are his remarks:

"But marriage is not primarily about adults. Marriage is primarily about the nurturing and development of children. A child’s development is enhanced by the nurturing of both genders. Every child deserves a mother and a father. Of course, the principal burden of the Court’s ruling doesn’t fall on adults. It falls on children. We are asked to change the state birth certificate. To prevent “heterocentricity,” mother and father would become parent A and parent B. An elementary school teacher reads to her 2nd graders from a book titled “The King and King” about a prince who marries a prince. And a 2nd grader’s father is denied the right to have his child removed from class while that book is being read. Our state’s most difficult-to-place adoptive children may no longer be placed by Catholic charities because they favor homes where there’s a mother and a father.

The price of same sex marriage is paid by children. Our fight for marriage, then, should focus on the needs of children, not the rights of adults. In fact, as Americans, I believe that we should show an outpouring of respect and tolerance for all people, regardless of their differences or their different choices. We must vigorously reject discrimination and bigotry. We are all God’s children. He abhors none of us."

Watch Out It's Students for Hagel!!

"Students for Hagel is now forming. If you are a student and would like to help out in the writing of this blog, or would just like to stay informed of what we are doing, email or post a comment. We are particularly interested in getting people from around the country involved that are already involved in college (or high school) Republican groups." Visit their website at: http://students4hagel.blogspot.com/

General Pays A Visit

This Friday in Goffstown, October 20th, General Wesley K. Clark will be the featured guest at a reception for the seven-member Democratic slate of state House candidates from the Hillsborough 7th District. The event is scheduled for 1:00 at the Travers Village Eatery.

Grab That Stash With Both Hands

These are the disclosures for various presidential PACs. The first number is the "Cash on Hand" and the second number is "Total Disbursements"

GOP
Pataki: $1, 062, 584; $728,254
Romney: $699, 166; $1, 491, 205
McCain: $858, 210; $5, 994, 895
Frist: $336, 401; $4, 217, 706
Allen: $14, 618; $258, 889

Dems:
Bayh: $794, 555; $2, 662, 898
Edwards: $290, 362; $1, 861, 955
Biden: $462, 021; $617, 695
Clinton: $22, 162, 694; $18, 807, 814
Kerry: $519, 990; $4, 217, 706

Romney: I'll Decide in Early 2007

While campaigning in Michigan for Mike Bouchard, Governor Romney said that he will decide in early 2007, if he wants to run for the Republican presidential nomination. Romney also said "Right now I'd say Hillary Clinton will be the nominee for the Democrats. She'll be a formidable candidate. Sen. (John) McCain is the front-runner for Republicans right now. But you don't want to be the front-runner, My dad knows that.'' Romney was recently ranked third behind McCain and Rudy, in a New Hampshire poll. He is now polling at 15%, up from the single digits he had in the summer.

Biden confident of Victory

In Hooksett, Joe Biden said that he is confident of a Democrat takeover of Congress. "I'm very confident of a House victory. I am hopeful for a Senate victory." Biden also said that Hurrican Katrina showed that "It ... completely undermined ... the entire rationale for the Republican philosophy for the last 26 years, which was that it's not about community, it's about individuals. Government has no role to play. Free enterprise will take care of everything."