I'm Just Saying

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 614

Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota is in Des Moines this weekend. And he's not even running for President.

Among other things, Daschle will be delivering a speech Friday night at the Temple for the Performing Arts downtown on the future of American national security. Then, on Saturday, Daschle will be the featured speaker at the "grand opening" of Barack Obama's Iowa HQ over in the East Village at 12 noon. Never mind that the Des Moines HQ has been up and running since, what, March? February, maybe? The main point for Saturday is that it's about introductions. Introduction of Obama to Iowans? Hardly needed, since I think just about every Democrat in the state has crammed one gym or another to crane their necks around the TV cameras for a gander at Barack. Introduction of Tom Daschle to Iowans? Could be. But Tom Daschle is not running for President.

So here's the thing: Obama/Daschle 2008?

I'm just saying.

Richardson to Unveil Energy Proposals

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 614

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will make what his campaign is touting as a "major policy address" on energy tomorrow in a speech to the New America Foundation at the Washington Hilton in D.C.

Since one of Richardson's past jobs was Secretary of Energy in the Clinton administration, his proposals should be interesting. At a speech in Des Moines last month, Richardson proposed a 10-year "Apollo program" to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy; one feature of the plan would be a 40 mpg target for automobiles, which Richardson said would in itself completely eliminate the need to import oil from abroad. We'll see what he has to add to that tomorrow.

I'll also be on a conference call with Richardson following the speech, so check back for updates after noontime tomorrow.