duh

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 644

Here's a news flash: according poll results published in today's Washington Post, Americans trust Democrats more than Republicans to deal with the ongoing debacle that is Iraq.

"A Washington Post-ABC News poll of 1,141 adults, conducted April 12-15, found that 58 percent trusted the Democrats in Congress to do a better job handling the situation in Iraq, compared with 33 percent who trusted Bush.

Bush continued yesterday to say that victory in Iraq is pivotal to the larger fight against terrorism, but Americans are increasingly agreeing with the Democratic view that the issues are separate. About 57 percent now say the United States can succeed in the terrorism fight without winning the Iraq war, an increase of 10 percentage points since January, when Americans were almost evenly divided on the question."

Geez, why would that be?

Not All Bad...

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 645


Just because he isn't presidential timber, it doesn't mean he doesn't have his good points. Props to Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich for this:




Taking a moment of silence now in memory of the victims of the Holocaust wouldn't be a bad idea, either. Shalom.

The Obama-Clinton Iowa Tractor Pull

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 647

From the inbox today, a pretty amusing episode of dueling emails between the Obama and Clinton campaigns on who owns Iowa at this point in the cycle.

First up was the Obama campaign's email on what they've been up to in Iowa, complete with stats:

"Obama in Iowa - By the Numbers

Since announcing his candidacy two months ago, Senator Obama has visited Iowa on five different occasions, making stops in 20 different counties, including many smaller communities like Ida Grove and Colo.

Demonstrating his commitment to the hallowed Iowa tradition of retail politics, Senator Obama has hosted 25 smaller gatherings where he was able to hear directly from Iowans about the issues affecting their lives. From riding on buses with teachers to hearing from veterans in Marshalltown and Mason City, Senator Obama has shown a willingness to listen.

Including the 17 other events Senator Obama has hosted in Iowa, he has now answered more than 200 questions from average Americans who attended an Obama campaign event in Iowa.

The combined attendance at campaign events hosted by Senator Obama, according to media reports and our in-house counts, is more than 30,900. And we keep hearing from people that the crowds he’s attracting are young, diverse, and bipartisan. In fact, of those who signed in at events, an astonishing 23 percent are registered Independents and 10 percent are registered Republicans.

During his Iowa visits, Senator Obama has worked hard to give access to Iowa journalists covering our campaign by granting 39 interviews or media availabilities with Iowa-based reporters.

Finally, to capitalize on the enormous interest in our campaign, we have already opened 12 campaign offices across Iowa.

With 276 days until the Iowa Caucuses, we know we have much more work to do, but these early measurements show our commitment to running an inclusive campaign that shows proper respect to Iowans and the caucus process. In addition, these numbers are an indication of the enormous interest in Senator Obama and his vision for the future of our country. It’s our job to build an organization that will turn that interest and energy into votes on caucus night.

Most importantly, this milestone gives us yet another chance to say thanks to the thousands of Iowans who have volunteered, attended an event, or voiced an opinion.

In the weeks and months ahead, we’ll send regular email updates to keep you apprised of our progress here in Iowa. Senator Obama takes very seriously the important role that Iowans will play in choosing the next president of the United States, and we’re working hard to build the kind of foundation we need to earn your support."

Not to be outdone, the Clinton campaign responded - and I think that's the very word: responded - with their own Hawkeye State Travelogue about 2 hours later:

"A giant sign hung on a fertilizer spreader on the side of a long gravel road. A field of cars lined up across the horizon. From the very beginning of Hillary's Four Corners of Iowa tour, it was clear that Iowans want a strong, smart, and experienced leader.

It was a picture-perfect day in Fort Madison where Hillary's tour began in the southeastern part of the state last week. State Senator Eugene Fraise, his wife Faye, and their family opened up their farm -- and kitchen -- to Hillary and hundreds of guests.

You could see the enthusiasm in their faces. It could not have been more clear -- Iowans are ready to support a candidate with the experience take command now and the vision to change the direction of our country.

From Fort Madison to Waterloo, audiences were deeply impressed and motivated to help Hillary win next January. In Burlington, hundreds of Iowans joined Hillary for a conversation on the challenges America faces today.

The next morning, Governor Tom Vilsack and his wife Christie hosted Hillary and area supporters at their home in Mount Pleasant for coffee and cinnamon rolls.

Hillary then toured the Riksch Biofuels Plant in Crawfordsville, discussing her plan to bring new jobs to rural America. She rounded out her trip by joining hundreds of supporters in Iowa City and Waterloo.

Iowans from all over the state have had a chance to discuss with Hillary the solutions to the challenges America faces today. In many cases it has been you who have already taken action to help solve these problems.

We saw it at the biofuels plant Hillary toured last week. Neil and Darin Rich and Don Miksch are the three founders of Riksch Biofuels, a company that not only reduces our dependence on foreign oil and protects the environment, but creates well paying jobs in rural Iowa.

Neil and Darin started the company in 2004 in an effort to help subsidize their fuel usage on their family farm. The two then worked with Don to create a full-fledged business plan that has truly become a family effort -- relatives old and young stopped by the plant the day of Hillary's visit. At 27, 25, and 21, they are three of the youngest biodiesel executives in the country.

The Rich and Miksch families share the same drive, determination, and innovation that many that Iowans have -- it is why today Iowa is a leader in renewable energy.

As President, Hillary will restore America's reputation and leadership in innovation around the world. Hillary is a battle-tested candidate with the strongest track record and the most experience.

Over the coming weeks, Hillary will continue her Four Corners of Iowa tour, talking and listening to Iowans about her vision for the country. We will let you know when Hillary comes to your area.

We'll see you on the campaign trail."

I can hardly wait for the next round of emails, featuring photos of the candidates hugging tornados and kissing cornstalks!

Wolkenkuckucksheim

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 648

I just got back from lunch with Dennis Kucinich. That is to say, Dennis Kucinch, his wife Elizabeth, Iowa staffer Marcos Rubenstein and campaign spokesperson Sharon Jimenez joined me and four other people for Vietnamese food (Dennis had the veggie egg rolls) at the A Dong restaurant in Des Moines today. And lunch means, y'know, lunch, just us and the wait staff.

Frequent visitors to this blog - both of you - will recall that I covered a little campaign faux pas from the Kucinich camp a couple of weeks ago called "Eyes and Ears" (see posts here, here and here). Congressman Kucinich issued a statement renouncing his campaign's Eyes and Ears project, but to date had not indicated what action he took beyond sending out an email mea culpa. Until now. Keep reading.

After shaking hands and sitting down, Kucinich looked around at the five of us...and waited. We waited back. I think most of us were expecting a few brief remarks about the campaign, the issues, why it is Kucinich thinks he should be President of the United States, something. Nope. Didn't happen. Nada. So, people began to talk tentatively between themselves. Dennis sized up the menu. His spokesperson took some phone calls.

Finally, the congressman asked us what we wanted to talk about. Didn't need to ask me twice.

"Congressman," I began, "I'd like to ask you about a campaign matter. On March 28, your campaign sent out an email soliciting volunteers for something called the 'Eyes and Ears Proje - "
"And I sent out an email the next day cancelling it," Kucinich interrupted.
"Yes," I replied, "and I commend you for it. But beyond issuing an email statement, did you take any action within your campaign with regard to those who conceived of and approved this project?"
"That," the congressman shot back, "is an internal campaign matter. I dealt with it. That's it."
Kucinich's spokesperson attempted to intervene at this point. "I'd like to address this question, if I may."
"No," I replied, "I would like to hear what the congressman himself has to say about this."
Now a little agitated, Kucinich asked, "What are you really asking?"
"I'm asking if you took any action beyond issuing an email statement. Did you take any action against those who came up with and approved this idea?"
"I'll tell you exactly the action I took. I talked to the entire campaign staff, first at the higher level, then lower down, that they weren't going be sending any more campaign emails without clearing them. So, yeah, they have less freedom than they did before."
"So you didn't dismiss or reassign anyone in connection with this?"
"No."
At this point, one of my tablemates abruptly interjected that the congressman hadn't yet finished his lunch, and I should leave him alone and let him eat. Nice try.
"Did you know about the email before it went out?"
"No."
"So," I said, trying to wrap this up, "you're saying that..."
"I already gave you my answer," a clearly fed-up Kucinch replied. "What I want to know is what's in your mind about this? Why are you pressing about it?"
"Because," I said, "your email statement on March 29 renouncing the Eyes and Ears project characterized it as a teachable moment for your campaign. I think it was also an accountability moment. Accountability in politics is a big thing to a lot of people. You maintain that yours is a different kind of campaign. So was anyone held accountable for this?"
"What would you have done?" Kucinch asked me.
"I would have fired them."
"You would have fired them. Have you ever fired anybody?"
"Yes, I have."
"Have you ever been fired?" Kucinich asked me.
"Yes," I replied, "I have. Is that relevant?"
"Sure!" Kucinich said.
"Tell me how?"
"Because I chose to deal with this from a position of forgiveness. Firing people for making a mistake comes from a position of power, and that's not how I do things. I dealt with this from a position of love."

So, there's your answer. True, there is nothing at all unusual about the lack of accountability in American politics; there are plenty of Mike Browns and Paul Bremers who collect rewards for doing "a heck of a job," no matter how great their ineptitude or its consequences. But it is, to say the least, a mixed message from a candidate who boasts of running his campaign on a higher level than his opponents.

Leading the world's only superpower isn't a game. As tempting as it sometimes is to think so, it is not American Idol gone political. It is serious, demanding, unforgiving work, where the actions of the president and those who work for him directly impact the lives of millions, at home and around the world. Presidential campaigns are about, in part, a candidate putting him or herself on full view before the American public in order to let them decide who is most fit to lead them. Running for president is a brutal and unrelenting marathon. But as hard as running for president is, it is nothing compared to how hard being president is. Being president demands absolute integrity and absolute accountability to the people you lead. No exceptions. No exemptions. No excuses.

I saw nothing in my meeting with Dennis Kucinich today to indicate that he in any way understands this. He is utterly unfit for the office of President of the United States.

Dodd on Foreign Policy

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 648

I attended Chris Dodd's foreign policy speech at the Des Moines Club last night. As with last month's foreign policy town hall with Joe Biden, this was sponsored by the US Center for Citizen Diplomacy, and was once again an excellent event. Small but engaged crowd, wine and cheese, views from the 34th floor, a speaker who is running for President - what's not to like? So any poligeeks out there looking for the ideal first date with that cute analyst from legislative affairs you've had your eye on, these events are your dream come true. But you knew that.

I must say that this event had quite a bit more amperage than the one with Biden last month - probably 10 news outlets were there last night, in addition to Congressman Leonard Boswell (D - IA03), State Senator Matt McCoy (D - 31st District) and Robert Pratt (U.S. District Judge, Southern District of Iowa). And - wonder of wonders - it started pretty much on time.

Dodd took to the podium and spoke a bit about what he characterized as Iowa's long-standing tradition of involvement in foreign affairs, citing, among other things, Henry Wallace's car trip to Mexico as FDR's emissary just before Wallace was sworn in as Vice-President (which story Dodd attributed to "American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace," by John C. Culver and John Hyde), as well as the 2,000 retired Peace Corps volunteers now living in Iowa. Dodd himself served in the Peace Corp for two years in the 1960's, working in the Dominican Republic, because, he said, "an American President asked me to," and cited this as an example of the willingness of the American people to respond to leadership that encourages, rather than dismisses,engagement with the rest of the world.

Speaking of the Peace Corps and other civilian programs to engage Americans with the rest of the world, Dodd delivered some of his best lines of the night, saying that he believed that "You can't hate America if you know America," and "American power comes not from the example of our force, but from the force of our example." Home runs, both.

Addressing the Big Question for all presidential candidates, Dodd said he is running because he wants an America that is more secure and more prosperous than it is today. He said that 2008 is an historically important election, one in which the country is less secure and less prosperous than it should be, and confronted with challenges on Iran, Iraq, the global AIDS crises that, he said "is devastating entire continents," economic disparity and ecological dangers.

Turning to Iraq, Dodd launched into a criticism of John McCain and his support of military escalation. Dodd noted that the Baghdad market McCain toured on his recent visit to Iraq (a tour, Dodd noted, made possible only by a contingent of 100 Army soldiers, 2 Blackhawk helicopters and 3 Apache gunships) was on the very next day the scene of a sectarian kidnap/ambush that resulted in the deaths of 21 Shia civilians. Dodd said that this incident illustrated that there is no military solution to the violence in Iraq and that it also "makes clear the point many of us have made for some time. We don't need a surge of troops in Iraq - we need a surge of diplomacy." Dodd followed this up with by calling on all the candidates in the race to support the Feingold-Reid bill, which sets a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraq by March 31 of next year.

Then, in a clear shot at Barack Obama, Dodd said, "Let me be clear - hope alone will not wipe away the damage to America's moral authority these last six years. Hope alone will not restore America's leadership. Like never before, we need a president who is ready to lead from day one. There will not be a single day, a single moment for on the job training - not one."

As an aside: like John Edwards last week, this broadside from Dodd is another clue that the Democratic field, from top to bottom, perceives Obama as vulnerable on experience and specifics, and is going after him on those points. From what I've seen so far, Obama has been slow to respond to this trend, and this could hurt him unless he addresses it soon.

Dodd went on to say that he would immediately redeploy American forces out of urban areas in Iraq, shifting them to the boarders, or to bases in Kuwait or Qatar, and to assignments in an increasingly unstable Afghanistan. The new mission in Iraq would be to train Iraqi forces, go after terrorist bases, and police Iraqi boarders to intercept arms and insurgents.

Dodd then added that America has challenges not only with its enemies, but also with some of its friends, notably Saudi Arabia and Russia, who, according to Dodd, "continue to suppress freedom and democracy and permit conditions that allow our enemies to thrive." He criticised Saudi Arabia for simply shipping dissenters to other countries, thereby passively exporting terror to the rest of the world, rather than confronting it at its source within the Kingdom itself. Speaking of Russia, Dodd said, "What America needs is a president who will look into Vladimir Putin's eyes not to get a sense of his soul, but to tell him America wants to work together with Russia, not against her, but cannot in the face of his blatant disregard for a free press and suppression of political dissent."

Dodd connected problematic allies with dependence on foreign oil, saying "it is time we help countries end their alliances of necessity with dictators simply because they are desperate for oil and aid." Dodd added that he would undertake technology initiatives to create renewable energy, and would then share that technology with our friends. This, Dodd, concluded, would make "the oil bribes offered by Iran's Ahmadinejad and Venezuela's Chavez irrelevant," and would "open new doors in [America's] relationship with nations from Latin America to Africa to Asia."

I talked with Senator Dodd for a few minutes following the post-speech press availability. During the conversation, I noted that pretty much all the candidates agree that there's no military solution Iraq, and everyone agrees that the entire war has been spectacularly mismanaged; addressing all of these things will be high on the next president's agenda. But beyond agreement on what's gone wrong in the past, I said, there's the reality that Iraq is not the last military action America will be required to suit up for. I asked the Senator what would be the "Dodd Doctrine" on when and how to deploy American military force if he were to become president. Dodd responded that he would seek much closer engagement with our allies and would not entire a sustained military engagement without a congressional resolution of support. I asked if that meant a declaration of war; Dodd, said no, not a declaration of war, but a congressional resolution of support. A disappointingly generic answer, I thought.

In his speech and the ensuing audience Q&A, Chris Dodd said some important things last night. But equally important, I think, are the things he did not say: nothing about increasing foreign aid, only passing mention of increasing America's role in addressing global climate change, nothing about North Korea, and little about the rise of China as a military and economic power in the 21st Century.

Notwithstanding, my overall impression on the night was positive. Chris Dodd looked presidential, spoke with passion and conviction about American leadership, and demonstrated a deep understanding of the complexities and interconnectedness of the challenges awaiting the next president. No sales closed last night, but I think his stock went up a few points.

Here are links to some of the mainstream media coverage of last night's speech:
Des Moines Register
New York Newsday
Hartford Courant

NOTE: According to an announcement following Dodd's address, Iowa Public Radio taped last night's speech, and will broadcast it Sunday, April 22 at 8:00 P.M.

On My Way to See Chris Dodd

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 649

Just on my way upstairs to hear Chris Dodd give what his campaign is billing as "a major foreign policy address" to the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy. The topic is either "Beyond Iraq and Into An Era of Bold Engagement" (according to the Dodd website), or “The Future Role of the U.S. in World Affairs” (according to the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy website).

Full account to follow, either way.

Hillary Takes a Swing at Imus

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 649

From the in box:

"This year the Rutgers women's basketball team defied the odds and lived up to their dreams, providing inspiration to every little boy and girl beginning to pick up a ball or open a book. These remarkable young women reached the pinnacle of success and won the hearts of basketball fans everywhere with their grace, skill, and poise. They are role models deserving our praise -- and our support.

Don Imus's comments about them were nothing more than small-minded bigotry and coarse sexism. They showed a disregard for basic decency and were disrespectful and degrading to African Americans and women everywhere.

Please join me in sending the young women of Rutgers a message of respect and support. Show them that we are proud to stand with them and for them.

Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton"

I think Don Imus deserves every bit of thrashing he gets in response to his remarks. But beyond that, this is clearly a move by the Clinton campaign to beat Barack Obama to the punch in responding to a slur against a) African Americans and b) women. Throw in c) sports, and you've got everybody on board.

Kucinich Coming to Des Moines

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 650

Dennis Kucinich has booked a trip to Des Moines for this Thursday, April 12. His plans include a noontime visit to a well-known eatery downtown.

In the interest of covering the field, I'll be there. You owe me.

Survey Says...

Days Until Bush Leaves Office = 652

From the inbox today, a note from my friends at Gallup:

"Thank you for recently taking part in a Gallup Panel survey. The information you provided will be used to improve commerce and government in this country.

Because you were willing to share your thoughts and opinions with us, we thought you might enjoy reading about some recent findings from Gallup Panel surveys.

--As candidates for the 2008 presidential election continue to emerge, Gallup asked panelists an open-ended question about what quality they deem most important in the next president. One-third of panelists say that honesty or the ability to be straightforward is the most important quality for the next president to possess (emphasis added). This response far outpaced the percentages for any other responses given."

As Letterman would say, I don't really have a joke here. I'm just putting this out there for those not currently in the position to directly shape public opinion. ;->

Why They Come to Iowa

Days Unit Bush Leaves Office = 653


Iowa is tiny, in terms of both geography and population, it is less diverse than the country as a whole, it is far less urban than the country as a whole, and generally is so dull and unimportant that one of the top priorities of the governor and legislature this term is to figure out how to keep native Iowan sons and daughters from fleeing the state before the ink is even dry on their diplomas.

Which leads to the entirely fair and reasonable question asked around the country about why it is that such a tiny place, along with equally small and nationally non-representative New Hampshire, should hold such outsized clout in the presidential nominating process. Why would candidates and the national press even brother with places like these when culturally, financially, demographically and in almost every other respect, the coasts dominate the terms of discussion in this country?

From today's New York Times, recounting an encounter at an Obama event earlier this week at the V.F.W. Hall in Dakota City, here's your answer:

"Mr. Obama was approached by a woman, her eyes wet. She spoke into his ear and began to weep, collapsing into his embrace. They stood like that for a full minute, Mr. Obama looking ashen, before she pulled away. She began crying again, Mr. Obama pulled her in for another embrace.

The woman left declining to give her name or recount their conversation. Mr. Obama said she told him what had happened to her 20-year-old son, who was serving in Iraq.

“Her son died,” he said. He paused. “What can you say? This happens to me every single place I go.”

The next day, at the rally here, Mr. Obama described the encounter for the crowd. The woman, he said, had asked if her son’s death was the result of a mistake by the government. “And I told her the service of our young men and women — the duty they show this country — that’s never a mistake,” he said.

He paused carefully as he reflected on that encounter. “It reminds you why you get into politics,” he said. “It reminds you that this isn’t a game.”"

That's why.