From the spin room
Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2007 12:08 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
Democrats
From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
DES MOINES -- There were a lot more people in general and candidates
themselves in the spin room for the Democrats than there were for the
Republicans.
Of the candidates, Biden, Dodd, Gravel, Kucinich (and adoring wife in
tow) all stopped in the spin room for an extended length. Edwards was
also accessible outside, as he did one TV interview and moved on to a
post-debate party next door to the spin room. Obama stopped by Planet
Subs to meet supporters and Clinton also attended a debate watching
party in Des Moines.
Elizabeth Edwards was in the spin room and accesible for interviews.
Howard Dean was there for the DNC, though he wouldn't comment on what
some analysts have seen as a parallels between his 2004 run and Obama's
campaign excitement. He is, however, optimistic about Democrats'
congressional and Senate seat chances in Minnesota, New Hampshire and
Colorado.
Obama had image-maker David Axelrod on hand. Edwards had David Bonior. Clinton had former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack. Axelrod and Bonior both spoke to First Read about trying to distinguish their candidate from the other. Bonior was much drew sharper and more specific distinctions, saying Edwards has more experience, his "change is bolder," his health care plan "covers everybody," he's the only candidate to call for minimum wage to be $9.50 by 2012 and is "much more out front" on these issues.
Axelrod instead said, "These things have a way of sorting themselves out," called Obama "a guy who can unify this country," and that they're just "different candidates."
Biden also spoke to First Read and when asked even if he doesn't win the nomination if it is critical for Democrats to articulate a specific post-Iraq strategy, he said, "First of all, I'm going to win the nomination," but that Democrats have to "communicate a responsible position that's believable on Iraq."
Some (admittedly trivial) style notes: First Read got pretty close to Edwards while he was outside. He was tanned and comfortable in leather black loafers and dark suit. His tie was blue with light blue octopi on it. Incidentally, Dean was wearing a similar tie, but with whales on his. Children could be seen through the spin room as well. Dodd carried his daughter in, and Biden brought his made-for-TV smile and had his two granddaughters in tow -- one comfortable in her purple crocs sandles, the other with chic gold open-toe sandals.