Veepstakes: Edwards on the trail
Posted: Thursday, July 03, 2008 11:54 AM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC/NJ’s Mike Memoli
John
Edwards introduced Obama for a speech to steelworkers in NV. "This is our moment, this is our time to build the one America we all believe in," Edwards said. "If you believe we can do better, trust your heart, help Barack."
Gov. Bobby
Jindal (R-LA) attended a Pentacostal group meeting last night and said: “I believe in the power of prayer.”
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) is introducing a bill to open coastal areas and ANWR to drilling.
Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) appeared with Sen. Ted Stevens, and denied any rift between the two. “His voice, his experience, his passion needs to be heard across America so Alaska can contribute more.”
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) was on a McCain conference call. “I don't think there's any question that Barack Obama should change his plan in Iraq. His old plan is the wrong way to go.”
Gov. Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) is “basking in the glow of a budget deal through which she landed some of her biggest legislative priorities.”
Meanwhile, Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) continues to battle his own Republican legislature.
ON THE RECORD. Colin Powell spoke with reporters in Aspen, and said he likely won’t attend either party’s convention. He offered no hints of when he’d endorse.
VEEP VETTING. Big Spender: Cantor ranks as the No. 1 credit card spender in the House for campaign purposes.
A Republican state senator in Virginia says of a special legislative session: “I think Tim Kaine is a good governor, but this whole special session could not have been handled worse, not only from the governor's office but from the Democratic leadership.”
BUZZ METER. Mike Madden writes that the best signal that Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) is angling for veep came when he “cut his hair. Gone was the mullet he'd worn for years, even though Minnesota media outlets and political blogs mocked him for it.”
Conservative evangelical leaders met this week to discuss backing McCain, and urge him to pick Mike Huckabee for VP.
Hmm, enthusiasts of the Bill-Gates-for-Veep rumor will like this one.
Microsoft just announced that it will build a half-billion dollar data farm near Des Moines.
CHATTERING CLASS. A Virginia columnist says one of the best reasons to put Sen. Jim Webb (D) on the ticket “is his willingness to engage in debates that scare off less courageous and, to be honest, less intelligent politicians.”
Chris Cillizza makes the case against Mitt Romney. “There's absolutely no question that during the primary, McCain had a visceral dislike for Romney.” Also, there is “the Mormon thing.” And there’s worry that “Matinee Mitt” will overshadow McCain.
THE VETTERS. Politico says Caroline Kennedy “is emerging as an active participant” in Obama’s search, “slipping largely unnoticed around Capitol Hill for private meetings and exercising the kind of discretion that made her an appealing choice in the first place.” And Rep. Joe Baca said he was asked what Republicans they should consider.
