Final Day for the NPR News Blog

Just a note to let folks know that today is the final day for the News Blog. We hope you'll continue to visit our politics section, where you'll find extensive coverage of Election 2008.

1:42 PM ET | 05- 2-2008 | permalink | comments (53) | e-mail post

McCain Seeks Center-Right Voters, Annoying Conservatives

When George Bush ran for president in 2000 and 2004, he and Karl Rove, his political guru, had a very definite election plan that featured getting as many conservatives as possible to the polls.

But the Washington Times reports that Sen. John McCain knows that this strategy won't work for him, so he has taken a completely different route - trying to pick up as many independents and right-wing Democrats (the return of Reagan Democrats?) as he can.

"This time, we are working to get a larger share than normal of independents and conservative Democrats, mainly because our own base is narrower than four years ago," said McCain campaign senior adviser Charles Black, who has been a part of every GOP presidential campaign since Ronald Reagan's nomination run in 1976 ....

Noting there are more Democrats and independents up for grabs than in recent elections, Frank J. Donatelli, the Republican National Committee's deputy chairman, says Mr. McCain needs a center-right coalition to win, just as the Democrat will need a center-left coalition. "We intend to beat them to the center," he said.

This strategy has some dangers, the Times reports. His more centrist positions on some issues will "inevitably will rub orthodox conservatives the wrong way and worsen his relations with them."

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports that supporters of Texas Rep. Ron Paul don't look all that eager to switch their support to McCain. (Paul is still officially running for president, don't forget.)

Continue reading "McCain Seeks Center-Right Voters, Annoying Conservatives" »

9:27 AM ET | 05- 2-2008 | permalink | comments (20) | e-mail post

Brit Paper Picks 50 Most Influential Pundits

Toby Harnden, the U.S. editor/reporter/blogger for Britain's The Daily Telegraph has put together a list of the 50 most influential pundits in the United States. This kind of stuff is often inside baseball, and the only people who really care about it are the pundits themselves. (Helps in contract talks.) You might call it an ordering of the usual suspects.

The Telegraph described their list this way:

As with our previous lists of the 100 most influential conservatives and the 100 most influential liberals, we leaned towards those with the most potential to influence events over the coming months rather than simply the stalwarts of past years -- though many on our list fall into both categories.

While being opinionated did not guarantee consideration, having strong opinions was a key factor. Many important journalists have been left out because they portray themselves as objective and seek to inform rather than persuade.

(Inform rather than persuade? ... what a concept!)

The most influential pundit? Karl Rove according to the Telegraph. (Point of order, your honor. Is Mr. Rove really a pundit? Or just a former political guru in-between consulting gigs?)

But let's make our own list. Which "pundit" influences your opinion the most? Or to boldly go where the Telegraph feared to tread, are there journalists or commentators who you believe aren't just trying to persuade you, but to help you make up your own mind? (The News Blog casts votes for Ron Elving and Ken Rudin.)

9:00 AM ET | 05- 2-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Indianapolis Star Endorses Clinton

Sen. Hillary Clinton picked up an important endorsement today from the Indianapolis Star, Indiana's largest newspaper. While the paper's editorial board praised both Clinton and her rival Sen. Barack Obama, board members felt that Clinton' experience was the deciding factor.

Obama offers an attractive vision for the way things could be. He speaks eloquently of hope and change. He connects with voters, many who formerly felt disenfranchised, on a level few political leaders have attained.

Clinton offers a clear-eyed view of the way things are. She offers nuanced positions on how to address the war in Iraq, trade with China and economic expansion. Her depth of knowledge is remarkable.

As impressive as Obama appears, he is still in his first term in the U.S. Senate, and only four years ago was serving as an Illinois state senator. His inexperience in high office is a liability.

Clinton, in contrast, is well prepared for the rigors of the White House. She is tough, experienced and realistic about what can and cannot be accomplished on the world stage.

The paper did say that Clinton had done more pandering to voters, particularly on the gas tax holiday idea. And the board pointed out that she was a part of her husband's "political machine, which earned a reputation for flattening opponents. That factor understandably gives many voters pause about whether another Clinton should serve as president."

But the paper went with Clinton because it sees America and the world in a tough place and that Clinton "is the better choice, based on her experience and grasp of major issues, to confront those challenges."

8:15 AM ET | 05- 2-2008 | permalink | comments (11) | e-mail post

New Poll Shows Big Lead for Obama in N.C.

A new daily tracking poll by Zogby International shows that Sen. Barack Obama seems to have regained his footing in North Carolina, and is giving his rival Sen. Hillary Clinton a run for her money in Indiana.

The poll, conducted with live operators, of 668 likely Democratic voters in North Carolina showed Obama with a 50% to 34% lead. A similar survey of 680 Indiana voters showed the two candidates tied at 42% each -- but with 16% saying they still have to make up their minds.

Here is the breakdown of the North Carolina polls:

"Clinton leads by 10 points among white voters in North Carolina--47% to 37% - but Obama dominates among African American voters, 73% to 10% for Clinton. Among men, Obama leads, 57% to 30%, and he leads among women voters as well--winning 44% support to Clinton's 37% backing."

And likewise for Indiana:

"Obama leads in northern Indiana, a large section of which is influenced by Obama's hometown Chicago media market. In the southern half of the state, which features a population much like that of Ohio next door, Clinton enjoys a double-digit lead. Obama enjoys an 11-point lead among Indiana men, while Clinton leads by seven points among women."

Here's how they conducted the poll (readers have been asking to see more about how these polls are done):

Zogby International commissioned a telephone survey of [Likely Democratic Primary Voters].

Approximately [30] questions are asked. Samples are randomly drawn from purchased voter registration lists. Zogby International surveys employ sampling strategies in which selection probabilities are proportional to population size within area codes and exchanges. Up to six calls are made to reach a sampled phone number. Cooperation rates are calculated using one of AAPOR's approved methodologies and are comparable to other professional public-opinion surveys conducted using similar sampling strategies.

Indiana N=680 MOE +/- 3.8 percentage points Weights: region, age, race, gender

North Carolina N=668 MOE +/- 3.9 percentage points Weights: region, age, race, gender

6:50 AM ET | 05- 2-2008 | permalink | comments (9) | e-mail post

Pelosi Says No Way to Gas Tax Holiday

Not to put too fine a point on it, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi more or less said to Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John McCain today "You know what you can do with your gas tax holiday idea."

The Washington Post's The Trail blog reports that Pelosi said this afternoon that Congress will not consider an 18-cent gas tax holiday.

"There is no reason to believe any moratorium on the gas tax will be passed on to consumers. That's first and foremost," she said. "Second, it will defeat everything we've tried to do to lower the cost of oil," noting that Democrats have been trying to shift the nation to alternative fuel sources, not promote gasoline consumption.

That puts the kibosh on that. Clinton says she will return to the Senate to introduce her measure and that she'll have several co-sponsors. But without support in the House, it's all window dressing.

9:07 PM ET | 05- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (15) | e-mail post

Pew Poll Shows Obama, Clinton Both Beating McCain

Sen. Barack Obama is losing support among white-working class Democrats at an alarming speed. But his popularity with independents helps him make up lost ground. In a national poll of Democrats by the Pew Research Center, reported on All Things Considered, Obama leads Clinton 47% to 45% (although a month ago it was 49% to 39% for Obama).

But unlike other recent polls, the Pew poll shows both Obama and Clinton beating McCain - Obama 50% to McCain 44% and Clinton 49% to McCain's 45%.

The president of the Pew Research Center, Andrew Kohut, told NPR's Robert Siegel that the Illinois senator's "slippage [is] powered by an even greater role of both race and class in the patterns of the answers."

"For instance, Clinton's lead among white Democrats who did not attend college rose from 10 points in March to 40 points in the current survey, which was based on phone interviews of 651 people from April 23-27. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percentage points."

But Clinton has her problems too. She has made gains but the poll doesn't show that her image has improved in the eyes of voters. "In fact, in some respects, her image is worse than it was when she was 10 points behind," Kohut says.

The advantage that Clinton has among white working class voters is matched by Obama's popularity among African-Americans, college-educated workers and independents. Among black voters, Kohut says, Clinton's number resemble the kind of support -- or lack thereof -- that Republicans get from that community these days.

8:26 PM ET | 05- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

N.C. Attorney General Says WVWV Robocalls Illegal

A charity organization with ties to Hillary Clinton has come under criticism for running apparently illegal robo-calls in advance of next week's hotly contested Democratic primary in North Carolina. The group, Women's Voices Women Vote, says it's just trying to get single women registered to vote.

Last week, this automated robo-call went out in North Carolina.

"Hello. This is Lamont Williams. In the next few days, you will receive a voter registration packet in the mail. All you need to do is fill it out, sign it, date and return the application. Then you will be able to vote and make your voice heard. Please return your registration form when it arrives. Thank you."

But the deadline to register for the primary had already passed. And the call went to many registered voters -- people who already were expecting to vote in the presidential primary next Tuesday. The call and follow up mailings made many wonder whether they were registered for the primary or not.

This sounds like a classic example of voter suppression -- sowing confusion and driving down turn-out. And these calls seemed to be aimed at African American communities, places where Barack Obama is expected to win easily.

The group behind the calls is Women's Voices Women Vote. It's a 501-c-3 charity, and the robo-calls seem completely at odds with the group's usual, upbeat message.

Continue reading "N.C. Attorney General Says WVWV Robocalls Illegal" »

5:46 PM ET | 05- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

Carter Hails Obama's Ability to "Transform Image of U.S."

This one sort of escaped much notice here in America.

Toby Harnden, the Washington-based reporter and blogger for England's The Daily Telegraph, has a rather interesting interview with former President Jimmy Carter that was published in the paper on Tuesday. In the interview, Carter (who hasn't 'officially' endorsed anyone yet) spoke glowingly of Sen. Barack Obama, and called on the party to decide on a winner by June 3rd.

"I don't see any reason at all to continue after June 3rd when we know who got the most [pledged] delegates, who got the most popular votes, who won the most states and so forth," said Carter, 83.

As Harnden writes, he even "sketched out the kind of inaugural address the first black United States president could deliver."

"If the first statement he made was while I'm president of the United States we will never torture another prisoner and while I'm President of the United States we will never go to war unless our own security is directly threatened...it would transform the image of the United States in the minds of many people around the world.

Carter, who is on a promotional tour for his new book about his mother, Lillian Carter, said his mother would be "delighted" with a black president, but just "pleased" with a woman president.

Here is the transcript of the entire interview.

5:15 PM ET | 05- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

Clinton Support Gas Tax Holiday Because of "Leadership"

It's been a particularly unpopular idea - the gas tax holiday. Economists across the political spectrum think it's a bad idea. Yet Sen. Hillary Clinton continues to push the idea. (Although it has changed a bit in the past few days; it's not longer a "gas tax holiday" it's 'let the oil companies pay the gas tax over the summer" -- an idea the experts also say won 't work.)

So why is Clinton so intent on pursuing this idea? Leadership.

(Although Sen. McCain had the "idea" first. At least this time -- it's been a popular position for Republicans to take whenever gas prices do rise.)

Earlier today during a conference call, when asked why she continues to back the idea when it lacks support, Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson explained it this way: ""We believe that the presidency requires leadership. There are times when a president will take a position that a broad consensus of quote unquote experts will agree with, and there are times when a president will do something that, the group of experts quote unquote does not agree with.

"And you know, this is something that Senator Clinton believes is the right policy...she believes it's the right policy in the short term to help consumers who are struggling, and she has, as I said, a very comprehensive plan to deal with this in the long term as well. And she's going to continue to talk about this and continue to push for it. And I understand that there may be some people who disagree with it and of course they're entitled to disagree with it. You know, this is something that Senator Clinton believes is important. And presidents listen to advice, get advice, and then, and then act. And that is what Senator Clinton is doing.""

Marc Ambinder makes a good point at theAtlantic.com about listening to the two camps conference calls today: like "dipping into parallel universes."

2:58 PM ET | 05- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (30) | e-mail post