McCain Stresses Common Sense Conservatism

Last night, John McCains presidential exploratory committee e-mailed supporters. The e-mail was titled, "Common Sense Conservatism." Here is an excerpt of that e-mail:

I believe this truly is a time that we must put self-interest, partisanship and "politics as usual" aside. And that's because I believe that America is genuinely facing some of the gravest and most complex challenges in our history.

That's why we need to elect a leader with strong principles who will begin the presidency by listening - and I mean really listening - to the American people ... a President who will restore trust in the greatness of our democracy and hope for our future.

Everywhere I speak across this great land I try hard to remind Americans that we can no longer afford to play politics with the critical issues that confront our country today.

But beyond any specific policy or program, I believe the American people are looking for a renewed sense of community, a recognition that whatever our differences, we Americans are in this together, that citizenship means service to a cause greater than ourselves.

Santorum Declines Presidential Run

Former Pennsylavania Senator Rick Santorum has announced that he will not run for the White House. Santorum said, "Absolutely, positively not. Absolutely not. My wife would throw me out of the house if I do anything in '08." Some social conservatives were hoping that the author of the book, It Takes A Family, would enter the race and act as an alternative to Romney, McCain and Rudy.

Draft Rudy Airs Ads

The "Draft Rudy Giuliani" movement has begun airing radio ads in New Hampshire. At first, the ad sounds like an official Rudy For President radio spot. The spot promotes Rudy's leadership and bi-partisan approach. So far, it is the only 2008 radio ad airing on New Hampshire airwaves. The ad says:

At times of crisis, Americans look to their leaders for strength, hope, and leadership. Five years ago, Americans looked to our president first, but we also looked to another man to help guide us through the darkness, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. He wasn't just the mayor of New York, he was America's mayor . . . Rudy Giuliani has shown us what it takes to lead in the toughest of circumstances.

As America begins to focus on who will be our next president, we want change. We want someone who will rise above partisan politics and get things done . . . Please join us in asking Rudy Giuliani to run for president of the United States. We need his steady hand and his steadfast leadership. Sign a petition to draft Rudy Giuliani for President at draftrudygiuliani.com.

Thompson Courting Supporters

Current Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen said he was contacted by a Tommy Thompson supporter. The supporter was wondering if Stephen would meet with Thompson. Stephen said, "I'm going to leave all options open in terms of an endorsement, but I was impressed with his being so available to New Hampshire." Thompson's last trip to the state was in 2004, so expect a trip to be announced within the next couple of days.

McCain Jumps In The Race

According to Marc Ambinder, John McCain will announce the formation of a presidential exploratory committee tomorrow morning. McCain's website, www.exploremccain.com, will stream a live speech on the future of the GOP. In an e-mail to supporters, McCain wrote "Over the past year, I have traveled the country campaigning with candidates running for local, state, and federal office and I've been constantly proud to stand with Republican candidates in supporting a secure homeland, fiscal responsibility, ethics in government, and common sense conservative principles. With the formation of John McCain 2008 - The Exploratory Committee, I will continue my conversation with the American people over the direction of the Republican Party and the future of our country." McCain joins Rudy and Tommy Thompson, as the only Republicans who have entered the presidential race. Expect Romney, and others, to announce the formation of his exploratory committee after Turkey Day. If they annouce now, it will look like that they are simply trying to play catch-up with Rudy and McCain.

Tommy Thompson Forms Committee

According to the Des Moines Register, former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson plans to run for the Oval Office. Gov. Thompson will establish his presidential exploratory committee early next year. His two main policies will be health care and energy.

It's Game Time!!

"It's Game Time!!" Those were the opening words of Jennifer Donahue, at a post-election panel discussion. Tonight at St. Anselm College, Ms. Donahue moderated a panel talk with Professors Dante Scala, Dean Spiliotes, Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report, Scott Spradling of WMUR and Anne Kornblut from The New York Times. Each politico had a different take on the election. Scala described it as a "tsunami," while Walter said it was more like a tornado. All the analysts said that it is to early to calculate the impact of the Dems sweep and whether this is a permanent realignment of the country. They also agreed that the election was not a mandate for the Democrats, rather it was a vote against the GOP. The funniest part of the night was when Ms. Walter said, "Bernie Sanders now has a filibuster power...think about that" and compared the chairmans of the Congressional committees to the cast of "That 70's Show." Also, a student urged the panelists to call George Bush, "President Bush, not Bush."

Pataki's Not Running...Yet

After giving a speech at Harvard, George Pataki said "he's not running for anything "yet" but wouldn't say whether he'd form a presidential exploratory committee." He went on to say, "Republicans didn't have an optimistic vision. (Democrats) came across as the party that was broad-minded and more inclusive. The Republicans came across as the party that was looking again to polarize."

Go To The Website!!

Last on The Daily Show, John Edwards said "I actually do have an announcement, just between us. If people go to my website, johnedwards.com, in the next few weeks, they may see something new and exciting." New and exciting like a presidential announcement or more blog entries?

Rudy, Clinton Still Lead

Here are the latest results from the latest Gallup poll

GOP:
Giuliani 28
McCain 26
Rice 13
Gingrich 7
Romney 5
Frist 4
Allen 2
Pataki 1
Huckabee 1
Hagel 1
Brownback 1

Dems:
Clinton 31
Obama 19
Edwards 10
Gore 9
Kerry 7
Biden 4
Clark 3
Richardson 2
Bayh 2
Vilsack 2
Feingold 1
Daschle 1
Dodd 1

Obama Courts Religious Figures

Barack Obama has begun to court prominate Christian figures. On World AIDS Day, Obama will appear at an event at Rick Warren's church. Obama will be on stage with Warren, Bono and Kansas Senator Sam Brownback. Warren is the author of best-seller The Purpose Driven Life and a rising figure in evangelical circles. Obama and Warren continue to have a "dialogue."

Hillary Clears Her Plate

Hillary Clinton is quitting her job as chairwoman of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee. Clinton's spokesman said, "Sen. Clinton indicated months ago to Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) that she'd like to focus on the work of her four committees." With the Dems now controlling the Senate, if Hillary was sticking around than, now would be the opportunity to gain a leadership post. However, by stepping down this is probably an example of Hillary's intentions to run for the Oval Office.

Frist: We Have Big Issues

Last night, outgoing Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist appearead on Hannity & Colmes. On speculation that he might form an exploratory committee, Frist said "Everybody is moving very quickly, and I think for good reason. Right now, we have big issues out there, things like health care and entitlement reform, the war on terror itself, reducing our dependence on energy." Asked again he responded "I'll go back home. I'll think about it"

Edwards on Letterman

This morning, Elizabeth Edwards e-mailed supporters with a very important message. She wanted to announce that this Friday, John Edwards will be David Letterman. He will be promoting his new book. Thanks Elizabeth for the heads-up!

Tancredo Bows Out

Today, Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo bowed out of the presidential race. He said that, “I get the feeling that I will not have to do this. This issue [immigration], it’s got legs, and they’re not necessarily mine anymore.” Tancredo feels that running as the immigration candidate is no longer meaniful, because the immigration issue is being debated nationwide. Plus, he was polling somewhere between Duncan Hunter and John Cox and had raised almost no money.

Rudy Runs For President

The AP has learned that Rudy Giuliani has taken the first steps towards a presidential run. Rudy has filed papers to create the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee, Inc. The panel would allow him to raise money for a possible candidacy. So far, Rudy, McCain and Vilsack has filed exploratory committee reports. Biden has announced that he still intends to run for president, but will not take any formal steps until early next year.

Edwards New Book: New Hampshire: Blueprint For Victory

Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards will be back in New Hampshire. Edwards will visit Manchester, November 27th. He will be promoting his new book at the Barnes & Noble on South Willow Street. John Edwards new book is labeled, HOME: The Blueprints of our Lives. Edwards website says that "In Home, John Edwards has collected nearly sixty moving stories that reflect how these places, in many ways, are the blueprints of our lives. Home features uplifting, touching, and engaging narratives from all kinds of people across the country—everyday Americans with deeply inspiring stories share the pages with well-known figures from entertainment and religion, from politics and sports." Also, his wife, Elizabeth Edwards, was in Portsmouth promoting her book. Let the presidential book tours begin!

Thompson Is "Very Interested"

Former HHS Secretary and governor of Wisconsin, Tommy Thompson has increased speculation that he might make a presidential run. Thompson recently said "There's no question I'm very interested." He has already established a fundraising PAC and will "probably set up an exploratory committee after the first of year."

CPAC: No Rinos

The Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, is an annual gathering of conservative political groups and their supporters. The conference is from March 1-3, 2007. However, out of the major Republican presidential contenders only Newt Gingrich has been scheduled to speak. Senator Frist and Gov. Huckabee have also been invited to speak. So far though, none of the major Republican contenders have been invited to speak. No Romney, McCain or Rudy.

DNC Attacks McCain

The DNC has already begun to attack John McCain. They released a statement that said “If the reports are correct, we welcome John McCain to the race. The question is, which McCain is running: the McCain who called right-wing extremists like Jerry Falwell an evil influence, or the McCain who spoke at Liberty University as he attempted to cater to the far right in advance of a presidential run...As an opportunist who supports the Bush Administration’s failed policy in Iraq and changed his mind on tax cuts, a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her health care, and campaign finance reform, it’s hard to tell which John McCain will enter the race.” Is the DNC doing the dirty work for Romney and Rudy?

Feingold: Gore/Obama in '08

A after dropping out of the presidential race, Russ Feingold said that Barack Obama and Al Gore are two candidates to look out for. He said that both potential candidates initially opposed the war. However, he his not endorsing either one...yet. What about a Gore/Obama ticket in 2008?

Romney Goes To McCain's Backyard

Most political pundits are predicting that John McCain would do well in the western half of the nation. However, Mitt Romney could also do well in McCain's backyard. Today, he is attending events in Colorado and Arizona. Not to mention, the significant Mormon population in Utah, Arizona and Nevada could potentially favor Romney.

McCain Begins To Court Conservatives

This week, Senator John McCain will give major speeches to the Federalist Society and to GOPAC. The courting of conservatives and other groups who might be weary of a McCain run has begun.

McCain Endorses Nevada Ahead of New Hampshire

This past weekend The Union Leader had an interesting article. In it, it appears that a John McCain supporter is endorsing have the Nevada caucuses before the New Hamshire primary. Former Republican State Representative Keith Hirschmann said he expects John McCain will benefit from the fact that the Nevada caucuses have been added between Iowa and New Hampshire, adding that Arizona is right next to Nevada. "Between New Hampshire and Nevada, John McCain will do very well." Thus, McCain would presumably win in Iowa and Nevada then come into the primary with huge momentum.

Ford Beats Reagan...Again

Today former President Gerald Ford became the longest living president in history at 93 years and 121 days old, surpassing former President Ronald Reagan. Gerry Ford has beaten Ronald Reagan in another competition. Ford beat Reagan in the 1976 GOP primary, and today he surpassed Reagan's record on being the longest living president. Keep Truckin' President Ford!!!

Feingold Steps Out of Race

This afternoon the Dems presidential field got smaller. Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold said that he will not be seeking the presidential nomination. Feingold said, "I never got to that point where I’d rather be running around the country, running for president, than being a senator from Wisconsin. It would have required the craziest combination of things in the history of American politics to make it work." As one Democrat announces, Vilsack, another one declines, Feingold. When will someone on the GOP side start to make some noise?