First thoughts

Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:19 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts, Democrats, Republicans

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carly Zakin
*** Fundraiser-In-Chief: Many Republicans might be furious at Bush over his advocacy for the Senate immigration bill, but they are more than happy to have him raise money for them. Tonight, he headlines a fundraiser for the GOP House and Senate campaign committees. Bush, however, rolls into this annual event weakened politically by the immigration debate. How weakened? Tune into NBC Nightly News at 6:30 pm ET -- or click onto MSNBC.com at the same time -- for the answer to that question, plus Congress' standing, the 2008 race, and much more.

*** Not Made For TV: Watching Giuliani deliver his “12 Commitments” speech yesterday on a TV screen, we couldn't help but notice that it wasn't designed for TV. It was an event that was likely better in person than on camera. It's interesting that the two best candidates for rallies right now -- Obama and Giuliani -- aren't the best TV performers yet. Both are conversationalists, and while that's great in-person, it doesn't always play well through the camera lens. Here's guessing, both candidates are working to be better on camera (and both have made performance improvements in the televised debates).

*** Fred Thompson vs. Arthur Branch: Speaking of TV, ex-“Law & Order” star Fred Thompson didn’t make any real news on Leno last night. When he officially gets into the race, we have this thought: Thompson’s biggest obstacle might be Arthur Branch. What if he’s not as good on the campaign stump as he is scripted on TV? Do remember that he didn’t exactly draw rave reviews from his two big appearances prior to Leno -- his speeches to Orange County Republicans and the Virginia GOP.

VIDEO: former U.S. senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee, left, appearing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in Burbank, California, on Tuesday.

*** More Rezko Troubles? The Chicago Sun-Times reports today that, as a state senator, Obama wrote letters supporting indicted developer Tony Rezko’s bid to win more than $14 million in contracts, which appears to contradict Obama’s earlier claim that he’s never done favors for Rezko. Obama’s camp responds that the letters he wrote were intended to benefit the community, not Rezko. “As the Sun Times acknowledges in today’s article, Senator Obama didn’t support this project as a favor to anyone -- he did in an effort to have the most positive impact on his community possible,” the campaign says. One thing seems to be sure, however: So far, Obama is getting tougher treatment from his hometown newspapers (especially the Sun-Times) than Clinton is from hers.

*** What Happens In Vegas…: Richardson has a busy day campaigning in Las Vegas, as does Michelle Obama, who hosts a “Women for Obama” event there.

*** On The Trail: Elsewhere, Edwards raises money on Obama’s turf -- in Chicago; Huckabee makes three stops in Iowa; and McCain and Romney continue to raise money in California. McCain also holds a media avail in Los Angeles.

Countdown to GA-10 Special Election: 5 days
Countdown to CA-37 Special Election: 12 days
Countdown to the Ames Straw Poll: 58 days
Countdown to MA-05 Special Election: 82 days
Countdown to LA GOV election: 128 days
Countdown to Election Day 2007: 145 days
Countdown to LA GOV run-off (if necessary): 156 days
Countdown to Iowa: 214 days
Countdown to Tsunami Tuesday: 235 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 509 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 586 days

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Comments

Good point, regarding Thompson. The GOP jumped into bed with H.W.'s son eight years ago, sight unseen. He was the president's son, a popular governor of a big state and someone who promised to win at least his share of latinos. So much money poured in so fast, it in effect coronated Bush as the nominee long before we saw much of him on the news. Then when he did starting facing a little of that candidate scrutiny - I think a lot of those supporters must have been thinking, 'oh my gosh, what did we do?' So are these folks jumping on Thompson's bandwagon now, without having seen any campaign skills beyond his ability to portray a role in a TV show? Maybe. He does play that role well, I'll admit.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:45 AM)

As an interesting bit of trivia, if Bush should become president of Australia, that means Australia would swirl down the toilet clockwise. Whether that would be an improvement over America's counter-clockwise trip is mainly academic. And for a bit of dirt on Fred Thompson: he allowed himself to be interviewed on FOX News Sunday. Any further crap to come his way now will be anticlimactic.

JIrby, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:54 AM)

The community more than benefitted from the projects that Obama brought in. More than a positive benefit. But you know the Sun-Times is trying as hard as they can to try to blow up smoke in peoples' faces. This is desperation reporting and quite pathetic at that.

Lionel, IL (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 10:00 AM)

Don't care. Kill the immigration bill and get Gonsouless out of our Goverment.

H P Boston (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 10:01 AM)

it's all about the dollar, politics is a complete joke, and the jokes on us

MK,MO (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 10:04 AM)

Our country is desperatly wanting for Leadership from our elected officials. However this current bunch of Misfits( mostly the ones blindly following Bush off the cliff) care more about the ( PARTY)than what is best for AMERICA. I read this blog everyday ( post intermitteningly), & see the frustrations of many of my fellow citizens in thier post. Some post just to actually show other's how much they Truly beleive in what is being planted inside thier brain's by Talking Point media specialist. Many of the poster's (99%),post about what is actually being lived out in thier respective community's that relate to everyday life. I find that mostly what is being posted actually is in tune with My way of thinking, " Delusional Thinking by Common Sense American's is OVER". No media specialist including you ( CHuck Todd) can smooth over the faults of the many elected & ( wannabe) people who say they will do this or will do that for America. We don't need you ( so-called Media specialist)other than to report the News & let us make Our own informed Opinion's. I'll take Charlie Cook over this bunch anyday. His political wisdom is much more Reliable.

rick,ky (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 10:41 AM)

I thought Moses was Jewish, had a full head of hair and a beard, and refused to kneel before golden idols. Giuliani did get a few things right: he's had more than one wife, he's been wandering around in a veritable desert for years and he won't be leading his sheep into the promised land.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 10:43 AM)

Paul Miller: He also played the role of "Doctor" Knox Pooley on "Wise Guy" very well -- a used car salesman turned demagogic figurehead of the sleazy, racist, anti-semitic "Pilgrims for Progress", who ultimately frustrated Vinnie Terranova by maintaining plausible deniability of any knowledge that his disciples were committing brutal violence against those they deemed to be "The Mud People". An indelible performance that seemed to fit Fred like a glove -- a little residual subliminal suggestion here, perhaps, influencing the pro-Thompson movement?

Harry O., Cleveland (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 11:28 AM)

Boy, Obama is getting be as dirty as Hillary is. Dealing with the mob in Chicago? He better be careful. Charlie Cook, LOL, enough said. What goes on Vegas, should stay in vegas. Bill Clinton needs to remember that. People were mad at Bill Clinton when things went sour for him, but when they needed the money, they turned to him, and still do. Just like in the Sopranos, sometimes the little people got mad at Tony, but as long as they got their envelopes, everything was good.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 11:49 AM)

Jerry, are you still supportive of the rich-boy draft-dodger and the uneducated cockroach chaser? It's not Vegas, it's what happens in the White House stays in the White house unless, of course, you do or say something they don't like.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 12:27 PM)

What first Read no mention of the great white Ducan Hunter troubles, how he took $36,000 in political contributions from the Dupont Corp for jet plane that does not fly, the corrupt old republican took a page out of the dukester book of corruption, and steered 63 million dollars of goverment contracts to Dupont, for plane that is yet to get off the ground. Yeah real presidential material here. Republican corruption at its best. Maybe Hunter and Cunningham can share a cell.

Duncan for Prisoner I mean President (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 12:54 PM)

And that Goerge Bush does business with the bin Laden family doesn't concern Jerry in the least. It's Republican double think in action, folks!

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 1:36 PM)

Jerry, so a letter written over 9 years ago to support a project that would be good for Senator Obama's district means he is dirty. WOW! I thought that mean he was working for those who elected him. I better re-think writing to my representatives asking them to support things that will make my community better.

Kendall (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 1:53 PM)

Kendall, Memphis TN (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 1:53 PM)

LOL, John Doe, better read the Las vegas Newspapers, there was a madame arrested yesterday, a cheerleader coach at Andre Agassi prep school. She ran a service that makes hedi Fleiss look like a pauper. She is naming names and besides Shaq, who is screaming bloody murder and denying everything, A certain ex-president, who's wife is running for president also used her services. I wonder who that ex-president is? and John Doe, I suppose you have all the papers and pictures to back up your claims and not just some goofy movie by some sicko left wing movie wannabe director to back up your claims? And if Duncan Hunter did that, then he should go to jail, Just like Dianne Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi. Boy, there sure are a lot of crooked politicians in california these days. Thought Nancy was going to have the most ethical congress in history?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 3:01 PM)

"Not made for TV" -- we don't need to teach candidates how to play well for the TV cameras -- just run TV personalities and commentators for president.

Russell in Maryland (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 4:27 PM)

Better still, Russell, why bother with any kind of human sock puppet at all? Why not just computer-generate a president or even a whole series of presidents that will unfailingly "look presidential", keep their composure at all times, and mouth the corporate line with all the sincerity master animators can muster; all based on the recommendations of focus groups nation-wide? Kinda like how they came up with the new Betty Crocker persona awhile back, with the eyes, hair, skin-tone, etc. guaranteed to sell the most product and irritate as few of the members of this increasingly multi-national society as is, well ... humanly possible. Once it catches on, you'll find that many folks not only accept but actually identify with this CEO/CGI to the point that tears will be shed when one of them has to be replaced to maintain the "eight years and out" form of the republic this once was.

Harry O., Cleveland (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 4:53 PM)

jerry - how about a link to this supposed story. I've searched the Las Vegas Sun and cannot find the story. I've Googled Shaq and can't find any story's anywhere about this. Would like to see your information.

Zoo Keeper (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 5:08 PM)

Good idea Harry O. Each computer generated candidate could have an avatar which would appear at the debates or maybe even a death match. You wouldn't be voting for a candidate but rather for the sound bites and cliches you like best or the one who is attacked the least. No matter what the same people would still run the country but we would have fun thinking we do.

Russell in Maryland (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 6:53 PM)

Russell -- Guy's sittin' at a bar in late '67, slowly drinkin' hisself into a sad, sad stupor.

"'S'matter?" says the bartender. "Look like you just lost your last best friend."

"Well," says the first guy. "'S'like this: They tol' me if I voted for Goldwater there'd be war, higher taxes, and riotin' in the streets -- but I voted for 'im anyways. And sure enough, now we got war, higher taxes, and riotin' in the streets ... "

"But in your heart, you knew he was right, huh?" says the bartender.

"In my heart I knew he was a schmuck," says the first guy. "But at least he was a Republican schmuck -- an' that oughta count for somethin', ought it not?"

Bartender thinks about that a spell. "Well, 'least it ain't his fault we got war, higher taxes, and riotin' in the streets ... "

"But that's what I'm tryin' to tell you!" moans the drunk, by now just about slipping off his stool. "I'da voted for ol' LBJ, I'da been a Winner!"

Bartender hands him a loaded .38 Smith & Wesson.

"Take this, son," he says. "You're gonna need it ... "

Harry O., Cleveland (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:53 PM)

Let's see here-the repubs have an old ignorant cowboy wannabe, a morman king flip flopper, and of course Rudy, and they all want to jump on board with a lazy slob actor?

Steve (Sent Wednesday, June 13, 2007 11:42 PM)

And on the democratic side, we have a person who is in bed with the mob in chicago, a woman who listems in on taped conversations of her enemies and her husband who works for a company who steals money from alzheimers patients and has a little too much fun in Las vegas, a guy who "borrows" from others and doesn't give the proper credit and adds to the drinking problem in New Hampshire, need I go further?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:04 AM)

I Don't know where the pole is taken,but all the people i talk to want jobs with benfits,and congress to get off their ASSES,and get something done, other then;gop tnis and the gop that; who cares? The democrats so far have done nothing at all,except badger the other party,my 10 year old could do that forless then we pay you over paid waste of time PEOPLE

bill ny state (Sent Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:44 AM)

Zoo Keeper:
Las Vegas review
http://www.lvrj.com/news/7953447.html

Other thoughts

It should have sunk in by now that practically every attack on GW Bush's character has turned out to be based on lies and forged documents.
When Joe Wilson finally admited that he had never seen the forged Niger Document, which was not a factor in the infamous sixteen words, he simply said that he had "Mispoke".

William Jefferson has all but disappeared from the news not because anyone thinks he is innocent, but because they somehow believe that his freezer should have been sacrosanct.

At this time Democrats are lining up to watch Mickey Mooron's latest Marxist propagada film.
I wonder if Moore gets around to mentioning that Cuba's health care system is two tiered with all modern facilities reserved for party officials and foriegn vistors, while the common folk have to pack in their own sheets towels and soap when they check into a rat infested dump to be treated by poorly trained doctors who don't even have access to the minimum of equipment one might have found in a WW1 field hospital.

Luckily for the Cubans they live in an environment much like a tropical paradise, colds and flu can't be that common. They don't over eat like Mr moore because they can't afford to. They don't drink that much, once again because they don't get the opportunity.
Aids isn't that big of an issue there partly because the Regime brutally oppresses Homosexuals, that and isolation from the rest of the world due to sanctions.

Infant mortality is less there in part because the high abortion rate eliminates hundreds of healthy unborn for each unhealthy fetus. They don't get the opportunity to live into infancy so they don't die as infants, they just get flushed. I suppose they might consider that preventive medicine there.

Our own problems with medical care are no secret, we certainly don't need to pay for the privilage of watching a Pro Castro Propaganda screed. Just open your news paper now and again.
Also use a little common sense and you won't be so likely to become ill.

Wayne Young, Morristown Tennessee (Sent Sunday, June 17, 2007 9:37 PM)

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