Politics Daily

Presidential Primaries: Why We Need a Better Way to Pick Nominees

Robert Schmuhl — 2011-02-20T22:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Primaries, Democratic Convention, 2012 President, Campaigns, 2012 Elections

What's the matter with Iowa?

That's a question worth asking as news from the Hawkeye state circulates about
next year's presidential caucuses, scheduled for Feb. 6, 2012.

According to a recent Associated Press dispatch from Des Moines, Mitt Romney and other potential Republican White House aspirants are considering strategies of avoiding or not emphasizing Iowa in their nomination bids.

With conservatives, particularly evangelical Christians, so involved in Iowa GOP politics, Romney and someone like Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana (who is on record for wanting "to call a truce on the so-called social issues") could face a less-than-fertile political landscape.

Presidential Primary Calendar in Peril as Florida Insists on Early 2012 Date

In Romney's case, a different approach to the caucuses would be an attempt to keep history from repeating itself. In 2008, $10 million and 200 staffers resulted in a weak second-place finish to the penny-pinched, little-assisted Mike Huckabee, 34 percent to 25 percent. Romney learned the lesson that the state's caucus system invariably brings out a high percentage of the most committed party faithful, which can pose problems for candidates who are perceived as mainstream.

For 2012, the former Massachusetts governor and early front-runner in polls could well follow John McCain's 2008 example of subordinating Iowa -- McCain ended up fourth with 13 percent -- to devote more resources and time to the New Hampshire primary, set for Feb. 14.

Although the national committees of the Republicans and Democrats jointly agreed months ago to allow Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada to keep their February first-in-line dates for the contests a year from now -- with everyone else voting in March or later -- there's already less-than-secret plotting in certain states to jump ahead and break the rules.

In Florida, for instance, GOP state legislators want a January primary -- and all the news coverage it would bring. And Florida isn't alone in wanting more clout and attention.
Whatever actually happens, when will Americans realize the (to-be-kind) shortcomings of the state-vs.-state nominating system and demand a more logical, purposeful national process that operates beyond the whims and ambitions of individual states?

Since 1968, when there were just 15 states with presidential primaries, Democratic and Republican candidates have had to endure a growing number of state-based contests spread out over several months. Some states hold Democratic and Republican primaries on different days, while others conduct a primary for one party and a caucus for the other. Is this any way to select the nominees for the nation's highest office?

One plan to remove this every-state-for-itself arrangement (or derangement) is to create a regional nominating system with, say, 10 states forming each region. Then, over a five-month period, beginning in March, candidates could compete in a specific, defined region rather than in one state or the mishmash of more than 20 state contests that occurred on Feb. 5, 2008.

To keep the playing fields as level as possible, the order of regional voting wouldn't be determined until the January of that election year, possibly as part of the State of the Union address or some other civic occasion.

Such a set-up means that candidates could be touring the United States during preceding months, trying out their messages and building support on a national basis before embarking on campaigns in specific areas of the country.

One advantage of a regional system is that candidates would not have to target their appeal to narrow, state-centric constituencies that cater to a party's more extreme followers. Moreover, with each passing cycle, the random ordering would give larger numbers of voters the feeling they have more of a say in the nominating process.

In other words, it's time to look beyond individual states -- like Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada -- and consider a more representative, democratic way of selecting presidential nominees. To be sure, the 2008 race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton proved thrilling all the way to early June when it was finally decided. But that extended, competitive slugfest is the exception.

Usually, the likely Democratic and Republican standard bearers are known in either February or early March -- as was the case with McCain in 2008 -- with citizens in most states harboring the feeling of being left out.

No potential White House aspirant will ever utter a discouraging word about the current system or any early state, but that shouldn't stop the people from lobbying Congress to initiate reform. A more methodical, rational process would involve more voters in the choice of presidential candidates and, just as important, impose order on the current chaos.

Instead of asking what's the matter with Iowa, the real question should be: What's the matter with America for not having a coherent procedure for selecting presidential nominees?

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Harvey Gantt to Shape Charlotte's Plan for Democratic National Convention in 2012

Mary C. Curtis — 2011-02-17T08:37:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, Conventions, Democratic Convention, Mayors, 2012 Elections

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx has named former Mayor Harvey Gantt to develop Charlotte's action plan for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Gantt will work with leaders of past conventions and officials of the Democratic National Committee, which chose Charlotte as the convention host city.

"Mayor Gantt is the perfect person to help Charlotte transition from recruiting the 2012 convention to now making it a great event for all concerned, and I thank him for his willingness to help on such a short timeline," said Foxx on Wednesday. "He will do a great job of surveying the best practices of previous convention cities and helping to apply those lessons as we seek to build the best organizational and staffing model for the Charlotte Host Committee."

Gantt said he is "excited to assist Mayor Foxx in this very important endeavor to make sure that Charlotte puts on the best convention possible."

Gantt served as mayor from 1983 to 1987 and twice ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate against Republican Jesse Helms. He is manager of Gantt Huberman Architects in Charlotte and has remained active in public and political service.

Click here to follow Mary C. Curtis on Twitter.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx Juggles 2012 DNC -- and Everything Else

Mary C. Curtis — 2011-02-11T21:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, Race Issues, Fundraising, Democratic Convention, Obama Administration, 2012 President, Woman Up, Mayors, Barack Obama, 2012 Elections

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's an exciting and heady time for Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, a leader in the city's successful campaign to win the 2012 Democratic National Convention. But he hardly has time to savor the moment.

"What's next?" is a question he'll be answering from now until then, while he reassures a city anxious about financial and other costs, and plans his own 2011 re-election bid. And, of course, Foxx has to continue to serve as mayor of the nation's 18^th largest city, one with charms but also challenges that an international spotlight will only magnify.

In Foxx's regular press briefing on Friday, he wore a "Charlotte in 2012" button while fielding questions on city water rates and taxi cab contracts at the airport - the juggling act in full view.

"As mayor of this city, I've still got to lead it," he told me later. "It's a matter of not getting seduced by the flashbulbs and staying true to the things I got into this office to do."

How Do N.C. Republicans View Democrats' 2012 Charlotte Convention?

Mary C. Curtis — 2011-02-06T22:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, Republicans, Fundraising, Conventions, Democratic Convention, Obama Administration, 2012 President, Woman Up, Barack Obama

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- It was no surprise that elected officials here would write a letter of welcome to the Democratic National Committee while anticipating the millions of dollars expected to follow the delegates, media and assorted visitors when the party's 2012 convention comes to town.

We "extend our greetings and heartfelt thanks" to the committee, said the letter from the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, read loud and clear at last week's meeting. It went on to extol the "Southern traditions and hospitality" of Charlotte's "vibrant, diverse community."

But while the message was routine, the messenger -- none other than GOP Commissioner Bill James - was a surprise. James is known for expressing far more critical sentiments about Charlotte's diversity, most recently in December when he disapproved of a letter that commission chair, Democrat Jennifer Roberts, wanted to send to Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina thanking him for backing repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Democrats Pick Charlotte: Southern Charm Meets Political Steel

Mary C. Curtis — 2011-02-02T22:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, Conventions, Democratic Convention, Obama Administration, 2012 President, Woman Up, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, 2012 Elections

In the end, was it Southern charm or the lure of the number 15 - as in North Carolina's 15 electoral votes? That combination, along with a compelling story and city leaders who really, really wanted the 2012 Democratic National Convention pushed Charlotte past St. Louis, Minneapolis and Cleveland. "Reaching for tomorrow" -- Charlotte's slogan while campaigning for the convention - fittingly echoes the president's "win the future" State of the Union refrain.

Charlotte welcomes its first national political convention and the international attention, the better to highlight the city's "can-do spirit." (It's a phrase you'll hear a lot in the next year and a half; Democratic National Committee chair Tim Kaine dropped it at a Wednesday walk-through with Mayor Anthony Foxx at the Time Warner Cable Arena, convention central.)

The initial televised views of the sunny city skyline after Tuesday's news played well across a snowbound country, though in the first week of September 2012, the possibility of lingering summer heat and humidity might not be quite so inviting. In this first post-announcement week, however, the mood of the city -- except for a few complaints about traffic -- is euphoric.

Kaine stressed that it was a tough choice, and he denied the conventional judgment that St. Louis was a close second. Each city had a story to tell, he said. But Charlotte's Southern profile and a state economy that has moved from "tobacco, textiles and furniture" to one driven by research and new industries won out. After his arrival at Charlotte's airport Tuesday night, Kaine seemed pleased with a decision he said was made with the support of a "very involved" president and first lady. "The feel was right."

He remembered that as governor of Virginia, North Carolina was a friendly competitor as both states worked to attract new business and economic development. Now, he hopes the enthusiasm generated by the Democratic presence in Charlotte might rub off on its neighboring swing state.

Kaine was even more upbeat during the Wednesday arena tour, led by Mike Crum, chief operating officer of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. Crum touted the size and flexibility of the space that's home to the NBA's Bobcats and the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers. "This one, though, is the Super Bowl," Crum said.

Between peeks into locker rooms and private club rooms, trailing journalists and Democratic officials, Kaine and Foxx continued to reinforce the Charlotte (and Democratic) narrative of "an innovative economy," one that's growing and diversifying. Kaine was then off to an afternoon meeting with Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, the Denver mayor during the party's 2008 convention there that nominated Barack Obama. Charlotte's convention would be special since it's hosting "a sitting president of the United States," Kaine said before his flight to Denver.

Kaine was looking forward but also back, to 2008. Virginia and North Carolina voted for President Obama, shaking up the status quo, particularly in North Carolina, which - by a narrow 14,000-vote margin - went for a Democrat for the first time since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

"In 2012, we're not going to play on the old electoral map," Kaine said. A week after the Republicans meet for a Tampa, Fla. convention, the Democrats will plant their flag in the South, as well.

Obama also helped sweep in Gov. Bev Perdue, the state's first female chief executive. Perdue said in a statement that the state, the nation and the world will see "what hundreds of businesses already know - Charlotte's smart investments in infrastructure, cultural attractions and amenities have produced a climate perfect for work and play."

Her optimism comes after a 2010 midterm with mixed results in North Carolina. For the first time in more than a century, both houses of the state legislature went to the Republicans. But in U.S. House races, Blue Dog Democratic incumbents Larry Kissell, Heath Shuler and Mike McIntyre - who all voted against initial health-care legislation -- held onto their seats despite substantial financial support for their GOP opponents' campaigns.

During the 2008 campaign, Obama often visited this state few thought he could win; on election eve, he spoke to an enthusiastic crowd at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

As the economy dipped, so did his fortunes, though last month he posted a positive approval rating in North Carolina for the first time in a year. Recently, the president stopped by Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem to celebrate programs that train students, some laid off from textile and furniture industries, in the growing biotechnology field. In his speech there, the president previewed his call for a "Sputnik moment" advocating math and science education.

Michelle Obama, in her e-mail breaking the Charlotte news, said, "My very first trip outside of Washington as First Lady was to Fort Bragg, where I started my effort to do all we can to help our heroic military families."

Despite all it had going for it, Charlotte's initial confidence faltered a bit as the announcement deadline approached. The 18^th largest city in the country isn't good at shaking off controversy, and recently it had more than its share: pushback from some national union leaders who preferred St. Louis's friendlier union climate, a local NAACP leader who called the city a "racist bastion" and a white nationalist trying to book his own - much smaller - gathering. Shrugging things off - especially jokes about its "world-class" aspirations -- is not something Charlotte does easily.

Among those who never lost faith, Mayor Foxx would have to be at the top of the list. After his 2009 election, the youngest person and second African American to win the post received a call from the president. Since then, Foxx has not been a stranger at the White House; his most recent visit came late last month during the National Conference of Mayors.

A few months ago, Foxx told me he was confident the choice would be Charlotte, a city that's "proving its resilience every day." On Wednesday, he touted the city's "good infrastructure, good facilities," a light-rail train that delivers visitors just outside the arena door.

Foxx acknowledged publicized stresses in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools -- the competition over shrinking budgets that has led to charges of discrimination in school closings and assignment changes. But then he pointed to a business and philanthropic initiative announced this week that has pledged $55 million to reform struggling schools and at-risk students. "We don't just have problems," he said. "We deal with them." As the Bank of America and Wells Fargo's Wachovia have struggled in the nation's second-largest banking center, Foxx talked about developing industries and a region poised to now become "the energy capital of the country."

Finally, what has worked for Charlotte in the past -- Southern hospitality streaked with steel -- might have been a deciding factor. In this case, Susan Burgess, the Charlotte city councilwoman who died in June, was an early believer in Charlotte's chances. Kaine said that shortly after he became party chair, she walked up to him and said, "I'm Susan Burgess. Here's a packet I want you to read" that touted Charlotte as the place for a convention. Her son, Jason Burgess, who was voted into her council seat, brought his 4-year-old son, Shade, to Wednesday's tour. "She was definitely a go-getter," he said of his mother. "I'm so proud."

Now, "the real work starts," DNC member Pat Cotham told me on Wednesday. The DNC said it will have a permanent presence in Charlotte by late spring or early summer. An estimated $40 million to $50 million must be raised and security plans finalized (another personal tie: Kaine and city police chief Rodney Monroe knew each other when Monroe had the job in Richmond).

Charlotte has 18 months to get comfortable with its close-up, to act nonchalant when visitors discover the city is more than the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and that a cultural complex that boasts three museums is one of the hottest spots in town. (That insecure defensiveness is catching, I'll admit.)

Cotham, who lived in St. Louis before moving to Charlotte, said she isn't worried. "We have so much to offer," she said, more than St. Louis. "I was in eighth grade when the arch went up."

Bless their heart.

Click here to follow Mary C. Curtis on Twitter.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Charlotte a Step Closer to Bringing 2012 Democratic Convention South?

Mary C. Curtis — 2010-08-07T23:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, Barack Obama, Conventions, Democratic Convention, Republican Convention, 2012 President, Woman Up, Campaigns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Four cities are officially in the running to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention. But after a recent site visit from about a dozen Democratic Party representatives, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx likes his city's chances. Not that he would say one negative word about St. Louis, Cleveland or Minneapolis. He would rather talk about Charlotte's "great new facilities" and "vibrant, can-do attitude."

"For almost an entire generation, the Democratic Party has had a hands off attitude toward the South," Foxx told me on Friday. Though it was barely 8 a.m., we watched as workers in a city that keeps bankers' hours grabbed their coffee-to-go on the way to their offices. "The storyline is making the South a battleground," the youthful Democratic mayor said, "coming to a state that has been significantly impacted by the economic downturn, proving its resilience every day."

During the two-day trip, the Democratic National Committee visitors toured the city's facilities, checking hotel capacity, convention space, and transportation, police and other services. They walked downtown streets and ate lunch at The King's Kitchen, a nonprofit restaurant that employs troubled community members and uses its profits to aid causes that feed the hungry.

Foxx said he thought the group was "impressed," an opinion seconded by Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine, who spoke at a College Democrats of America gathering at UNC Charlotte later in the week. However, Kaine did not offer a preview of the DNC's final decision, expected later this year. (Republican National Committee members, at the group's summer meeting in Kansas City, Mo., unanimously voted on Friday to ratify the recommendation of the Tampa Bay region to host the 2012 Republican National Convention.)

Though economists have estimated the potential economic boost to Charlotte from $20 million to 10 times that - depending on how you measure the pluses and minuses of hosting such an event -- supporters look at the bigger picture.

Foxx, who attended the 2008 convention in Denver, said what's equally important is the "opportunity to implant in the national and international consciousness a brand that captures the great character of Charlotte, N.C., and the South."

Duke Energy chief executive Jim Rogers, who co-chairs the effort, told the Charlotte Observer that more important that the economic benefit is leaving "a legacy of a can-do attitude." (There's that phrase again.) Rogers, with Foxx and Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue, said at a news conference following the DNC visit that they could raise the money needed to host the convention. Charlotte, they said, represents "the future."
Some residents, however, are grumbling that Charlotte's desire to be world class is causing it to overestimate the convention's benefits and underestimate the cost and inconvenience. Mecklenburg County has been hit by an increase in home foreclosures, and cutbacks in schools and libraries. In a Wednesday editorial, the Charlotte Observer, endorsing the city's bid, added a caveat: "But as convention-boosters spend the coming weeks honing their sales pitches to persuade the Democratic Party to come to the Queen City, we hope they'll also spend significant time thinking through how best to use the convention, if it happens here, for long-lasting help for Charlotte." A guarantee of private, not public, funding for the estimated $40 million to $45 million convention cost would be a good place to start, the paper said. (Meanwhile, a recent statewide poll of 624 voters -- a small sample -- found that 58 percent support the 2012 convention coming to Charlotte, according to Public Policy Polling.)

While the talk now is mostly of cost benefits and hotel rooms, the political calculation cannot be forgotten, Foxx told me. "In 2008, the Obama campaign mobilized hundreds of thousands of voters in the South and transformed this part of the country." Is it a permanent transformation or a blip in a state Barack Obama won by just 14,000 votes? And will a Democratic convention in Charlotte make a difference in 2012?

City leaders want the chance to find out.

Click here to follow Mary C. Curtis on Twitter.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

RNC Votes to Change Way it Nominates Presidential Candidates

Christopher Weber — 2010-08-06T18:38:00+00:00

Filed under: Primaries, Democratic Convention, Republican Convention, 2012 President

The way the GOP nominates its candidate for president will be changed dramatically under a resolution passed Friday by the Republican National Committee.

The proposal will move primaries to later dates and require many states to allocate their delegates on a proportional basis, reducing the chance that the nominating process could end early if a candidate prevails in a delegate-rich state, Hotline On Call reported.

The earliest contests -- in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada -- will be moved back from early January to February, according to Hotline.

Supporters hope the new rules will compel candidates to build a grassroots campaign and spend more time crisscrossing smaller states, instead of just focusing on the ones with the most delegates.

"This is not a perfect rule, but it is the best possible rule under the circumstances we have now," John Ryder, the national committeeman who helped craft the measure, told Hotline.

Both parties have worked together to overhaul the nominating process, which many believe is flawed. The Democratic National Committee is expected to vote on a similar measure later this month.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Can Charlotte Regain Its New South Swagger With 2012 Democratic Convention?

Mary C. Curtis — 2010-07-06T23:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Conventions, Democratic Convention, Republican Convention, 2012 President, Woman Up

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Democratic National Committee has put Charlotte where it wants to be, in the running for a shiny, potentially lucrative prize. All that stands in the way of the city hosting the 2012 Democratic National Convention are Cleveland, St. Louis and Minneapolis. Though Ohio, Missouri and Minnesota are also states with electoral votes the party craves, Charlotte likes being in the hunt.

Private supporters of the idea have set up websites, a Facebook page, a Twitter feed and a YouTube channel with a video extolling the city's virtues, with plenty of images of office towers and tree-lined streets.

Not only would the convention bring $150 million to $200 million to the region's economy, as estimated by the mayor's office, it would also draw thousands of visitors, and "put our city, our region and our state on an international stage," according to Mayor Anthony Foxx. Charlotte's DNC 2012 Host Committee is co-chaired by Foxx and Duke Energy's chief executive, Jim Rogers.

There are, of course, political reasons that make Charlotte a logical choice for national Democrats. President Barack Obama won North Carolina by 14,000 votes in 2008, and a national convention -- with the spotlight and the money that go with it -- could help keep the state competitive, which is looking like a long shot right now. It would be a Democratic showcase in the South, a strong region for the GOP and right next door to marquee Republican and Newsweek cover subject Nikki Haley. Republicans have already chosen Tampa as its 2012 convention site.

But Charlotte would have been just as excited by a Republican bid. As North Carolina's Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue said, "Regardless of party, this event could generate economic benefits through the Queen City area and the state." (Queen City? Charlotte and the county containing it are named in honor of the German Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg, who married British King George III. Visitors to the convention, if Charlotte is chosen, can see a statue of her at the airport.)

The city has something to prove. The institutions that made Charlotte the second largest banking center in the country -- after New York, as most anyone would tell you a few years ago -- took a hit during the financial crisis. Bank of America has a new chief executive; the onetime regional giant Wachovia is part of San Francisco-based Wells Fargo.

Despite some recent bad news -- such as library cutbacks and teacher layoffs that have dogged cities across the country -- Charlotte has some experience at beating out other places for sought-after attractions. The NASCAR Hall of Fame, which opened in May, added a gleaming swoop to the skyline. By 2012, the Mint Museum Uptown will have opened at the Wells Fargo Cultural Campus, which also includes the Knight Theater, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, designed by Mario Botta. (The New York Times approves.)

After hosting 60,000 to 70,000 visitors for the National Rifle Association annual meeting in May, Charlotte is confident it can handle the Democratic convention. Mike Allen's Politico Playbook predicts Charlotte for the win, with St. Louis as backup. Taking a different view, Charlie Cook, editor of the Washington-based Cook Political Report, said he would "be astonished" if Charlotte were picked. The DNC is expected to announce its choice by the end of the year.

Though the city has never hosted a national political convention, the state has had some Final Four experience. The Legislature celebrated keeping the NCAA men's basketball championship in North Carolina's borders two years in a row (UNC-Chapel Hill last year; Duke in 2010). That favored son Michael Jordan now owns the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats has got to be a good sign for a city that's at its best when it's in a fight.

Click here to follow Mary C. Curtis on Twitter.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Four Cities in the Running for 2012 Democratic Convention

Christopher Weber — 2010-07-01T17:43:00+00:00

Filed under: Conventions, Democratic Convention, 2012 President

Four cities will compete to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention, where the party will put forth its next candidate for president (presumably Barack Obama running for a second term).

In an e-mail to party members, Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine announced that Charlotte, N.C., Cleveland, Minneapolis, and St. Louis are in the running to host the event, which will be held the week of Sept. 3, 2012.

"Throughout this summer, our team will visit these four cities to determine which is the best locale to host our 46th national convention," Kaine wrote. "We look forward to our continued work to ensure that the Democratic National Convention of 2012 is the best that it can be."

A final decision will be made later this year.

Last month the GOP picked Tampa, Fla., as the site for the next Republican National Convention. It will be held the week of August 27, 2012.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Al and Tipper Gore Split After 40 Years of Marriage

Annie Groer — 2010-06-01T14:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Al Gore, Democratic Convention, Republic of Dish, Al & Tipper Gore

Who can forget the kiss, that deep smooch Al Gore shared with Tipper onstage at the Democratic National Convention after his nomination for the presidency ten years ago?

And now, just weeks after their 40th wedding anniversary, what appeared to outsiders as a solid marriage and genuine partnership is dissolving. They told friends by e-mail on Tuesday: "This is a very mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration." The news was first reported by Politico.

A close friend of the couple said neither of them is having an affair. Other sources reported the couple had simply grown apart. The Gores own homes in Nashville and Montecito, Ca, and the Gore family homestead in Carthage, Tenn. The friend, who insisted on anonymity, said it was unclear where Tipper would choose to live; the couple's grandchildren are all in New York.

The Gores met at his high school prom at Washington's tony St. Albans (the former Mary Elizabeth Aitcheson was there with one of his classmates). And when he went off to Harvard, she entered Garland Junior College in Boston. They married in May, 1970 at the Washington National Cathedral. Both had grown up in this area, Tipper with her mother and grandmother in suburban Virginia after her parents divorced, and young Al and his family in the swank Fairfax Hotel on Washington's embassy row, where they lived while his father, Albert Gore Sr. , served in the House and Senate from Tennessee.

Gore's own political career -- after service in Vietnam and a few years spent in Nashville -- also spanned both chambers from 1976 to 1993. In 1988 he ran for president, but lost the nomination to Michael Dukakis. A year later, their son, Albert, then 6, was badly injured in an auto accident, which scotched another presidential run. By 1992, however, he was on the Democratic ticket, as Bill Clinton's vice president, part of a southern Baby Boom duo. With victory came a move into the vice president's mansion, where Tipper Gore reared their four kids, occasionally played the drums, and where the couple hosted an annual costume party for the press.

Throughout their marriage, Tipper Gore was almost never without a camera, photographing not only her family but official events in this country and overseas. Limited editions of her photos are sold by the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams home furnishings chain. As Second Lady, she became an activist for mental health initiatives; earlier, in the mid-1980s, as a vocal foe of violent, misogynistic pop lyrics, she was accused of artistic censorship and subjected to rocker mockery by Frank Zappa and others for seeking warning labels on music.

In 1999, after befriending Zappa's widow Gail, Tipper Gore played drums and sang backup on a recording by daughter Diva Zappa.

The kiss that launched Gore's 2000 campaign -- in which he warned against the perils of global warming and promoted new technology even as an adviser convinced him to shift his wardrobe to earth-toned clothing -- did not propel him to the White House. George W. Bush was declared the winner after contested voting and a 5-4 Supreme Court decision.

During the past 10 years, Al Gore won a Nobel Prize, an Oscar and an Emmy for his work on the environment, and the couple traveled widely. In 2005, he founded Current TV, an interactive cable network.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Protest Dispersed at Obama Transition Headquarters

Tommy Christopher — 2009-01-13T16:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Barack Obama, Terror, Democratic Convention, Obama Administration

Ken Bazinet of the NY Daily News is one of the Obama Transition pool reporters who has shown a flair for keeping the "just-the-facts" chronologies pretty interesting, and he gave us some good stuff today: (via email)

While your pool was waiting in the motorcade for departure, about two dozen people in orange jump suits with black hoods over their heads and most with their hands tied behind their backs, gathered outside Transition HQ demanding that the terror prison at GITMO be shut down. They displayed a banner with a picture of the White House on it that read, "Close Guantanamo." A few also held smaller individual signs that said, "Shut down Guantanamo."

Your pooler was told the group has demonstrated outside President-elect Obama's HQ the past few days. Police, who arrived in eight vehicles, asked the group to move along and they slowly marched off single file, hands behind their backs looking like dejected vision-impaired sanitation workers (except their jumpsuits were pretty darn clean). Upon departure, we observed the relocated protesters about a block away from Transition HQ.

I think that gets the award for Funniest Pool Report, and I hesitate to even try to improve on it.

Aside from Ken's description, which could have only been improved by counter-protesters sticking feathers in their faces, I find it hilarious that, just this past Sunday, Obama said he was going to close Gitmo, and these guys immedately run to demand that he close Gitmo. They're like that Penelope character on Saturday Night Live, who tops everything anyone does. "I'm about hope and change, in fact I'm made of change, my head is dimes and my toreo is buffalo nickels..."

Don't get me wrong, I'm as rebellious as the next guy, but the typical modern protester, from what I've seen, amounts to an attention-seeking poseur. Caleb and I ran into a lot of them in Denver, where I taught them a lesson by out-attention-whoring them. We also got a hilarious glimpse of the near-empty "free speech" pen at the Pepsi Center, where one young joker took the mic to denounce the free speech pen, followed minutes later by another young man disavowing that position.

To be fair, we also ran into a group of courageous, young counter-protesters who came to lawfully disrupt the hateful Westboro Baptist Church clan. That's the kind of protest anyone can get behind.

Tommy on: BlogTalkRadio I Digg! I Facebook I Twitter

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Political Machine Launches Fran Drescher Senate Bid?

Tommy Christopher — 2008-12-09T14:10:00+00:00

Filed under: Hillary Clinton, Democrats, Barack Obama, 2008 Senate, Humor, Democratic Convention

Former Nanny star and cancer activist Fran Drescher has thrown her hat into the ring as a replacement for Hillary Clinton in the US Senate. From New York Magazine:(h/t James Kotecki)

Fran Drescher wants to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate. She says she's qualified. "I've just been given the appointment of U.S. diplomat," she said at a party for HBO's Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven at that restaurant on December 3.

"My title is public diplomacy envoy for women's health issues, and I just got back from a four-country European tour of duty. I believe next I'll be sent to the Middle East."

Also an anti-cancer activist, Drescher has been considering a run for office. "I've been very successful in getting a bill passed in Washington," she said. "I was thinking I'd take the next four years to lay some groundwork, but I'm throwing my hat in the ring." What else makes her a good candidate? "I'm an authentic and honest person," she said. "And I think Capitol Hill needs more of that."

When I saw this item, I had to suppress the urge to immediately take credit for it. I hate doing that almost as much as Al Gore does. But, I looked at the evidence, and it is at least whelming.

In August, at Barack Obama's acceptance speech, I spoke with Fran, briefly. Here's the video of that encounter, which I believe shows her being bitten by the politics bug.

Now, what you don't see in the video is that after that, every time I looked over at Fran, she was throwing major vibe at me. At the time, I chalked it up to a combination of my roguish, sunburnt good looks and the sight of Caleb Howe following me around barefoot, wearing only denim overalls and a straw hat, picking a banjo that he had made for himself that morning.

I now realize that it was those things, plus the siren song of politics.

I have also realized that I am the journalistic equivalent of Tom Cruise in Minority Report. I report the "pre-news."

Sure, any numbskull can point a camera at Don Fowler while he's being a D-bag, but it takes real talent to get video of yourself inspiring someone to run for Senate in a few months.

Any nitwit can point a camera at a Fox News reporter as a crowd attacks him. It takes a keen eye for pre-news to get a half-an-hour of footage of that same reporter just before he's attacked, and not get the attack.

Any simpleton can turn his camera on a counter-protesting lunatic. It takes prescience to know that the camera will be there, and become that counter-protesting lunatic.

The upshot here is that you should all go back and skim my old stories to find out more about tomorrow's news. That 7 year-old blogger? You'll already know all about him when he wins his first Pulitzer.

Or, you can stick with Caleb Howe, and see stuff that's already happened.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Fact-Checking McCain/Palin

David Knowles — 2008-09-05T17:04:00+00:00

Filed under: Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Democratic Convention, Republican Convention, Sarah Palin

For a few years of my life, I worked part time as a fact-checker at a magazine. It's a tedious job, going through text and ferreting out mistakes, exaggerations, or outright falsehoods. Thankfully, when it comes to politics, we have the services of the good people at Factcheck.org, a non-partisan truth squad who make it their business to sound the alarm when politicians start spinning their improbable yarns. This week, they've dissected the speeches at the GOP convention, and their conclusions aren't pretty.

Among the worst of the untruths were those put forth by Sarah Palin and Rudy Giuliani.
John McCain took some liberties himself, mind you.

For comparison sake, you can see what they made of Barack Obama's convention speech as well.

They conclude that while both McCain and Obama stretched the truth here and there, Palin and Giuliani were guilty of outright fibs.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

McCain Tops in TV Ratings?

Christopher Weber — 2008-09-05T16:24:00+00:00

Filed under: 2008 President, Media, Democratic Convention, Republican Convention

The Nielsen numbers are preliminary but it appears more people tuned into watch John McCain's speech last night than did Barack Obama's last week. But only barely. About 38.9 million viewers saw the McCain speech, compared to about 38.38 million for Obama. The ratings appear to mirror the national polling, which consistently has the two candidates neck and neck.

Across all broadcast networks Thursday, Sen. McCain's speech ended the night with a 4.8 rating/7 share, compared to Sen. Obama's 4.3/7 average, according to overnight numbers from metered households in 55 U.S. markets measured by Nielsen.

The GOP can crow and the McCain camp is no doubt encouraged they made the right choice picking Sarah Palin. She's got the Republican base fired up and they tuned in to the convention in droves.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

St. Paul In Stark Contrast With Denver

Caleb Howe — 2008-09-02T14:20:00+00:00

Filed under: Republicans, Featured Stories, Democratic Convention, Republican Convention

Last week I was walking in what I referred to as an alien landscape. Amid the Democrats, the greens, and the protesters, I observed as an outsider. I assumed that I would, naturally, be more at home here among all the Republicans in St. Paul.

The settings are markedly different. From the type of facility to the placement of entrances, from the media party style to the ratio of suits and ties, it's clearly a new week. There are fewer peace vans, more chauffeured cars. There are more coffee shops, but fewer with free internet. There are more American flags and fewer recycle signs. And everywhere, all around you, in every store, restaurant, nook and cranny: ties.

It's a different atmosphere here, but I still managed to find a lot of the same things. Crazy protesters are everywhere, for example. There are plenty of ill-informed voters to speak to, as well as very politically engaged people in every facet of life here in the Twin Cities.

Peaceful Protesters in Denver

One big difference, though, is in the clashes with police. Yesterday I got a snoot full of tear gas in the aftermath of a riot. The city was locked down, no one allowed in, for what I understand was over two hours. There have been hundreds of arrests. I saw dozens of protesters taken away in those zip-tie-looking handcuffs. The sound of sirens was the day's musical score, and the streets were, by the end of the day, littered with signs, water bottles, flyers and bandanas.

One might think that the Republicans were cracking down like gangbusters. The truth is, though, one would have to think again.

Last week, Tommy Christopher and I came across the Westboro Baptist Church protesters. While we were asking them questions, they were confronted by a number of the participants from Sunday's protests in Denver. They were young, and they were well-behaved. In fact, they were scrupulously, painstakingly behaved. They knew the rules to the letter. They followed them meticulously. I should know, I saw them first-hand.

It's a different story this week. The protesters I saw yesterday, many with the same groups from Denver, went out of their way to break the rules. They block people, they block roads, they block highway exit ramps. They march on streets where they have no permits, and throw bottled water at police. They spit on elderly delegates.

Not so peaceful protesters in St. Paul / Photo by Getty Images

So in Denver, many were careful to get along, and in St. Paul, most are determined not to. Maybe they feel they didn't get enough media attention last week. It's possible. However, I have my own theory.

Last week, the papers and blogs went on about the peaceful, quiet protests in Denver. So much for recreating 68, right? This week, the coverage shows a crack-down. Hundreds arrested, clashes with police, etc. Keep watching as the spin changes. Soon you'll be hearing about how the Republicans treated free speech poorly and the Democrats were open and fair. It it so far-fetched to think these groups coordinated to create this meme? Behave in Denver, get arrested in St. Paul, and you get to demonize the Republicans. Doesn't sound so far-fetched to me. And I should know, I saw them, after all, first-hand.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Bill Clinton's Kiss Miss a Diss?

Tommy Christopher — 2008-09-01T20:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, 2008 President, Bill Clinton, Democratic Convention

I hate headlines like that, yet I am powerless to resist them. Unfortunately for Bill Clinton, Hillary has no problem resisting the allure of his smooch.

I also hate segues like that.

I'm not gonna lie, this clip is funny, but the ham-fisted mockery of the Fox and Friends crew kinda ruins it for me. They read the copy as though they're trying out for a revival of "The Newlywed Game." "Heh, heh, looks like no 'whoopee!' for Bill tonight!"

It'd also be easier Fox's jocular inquiry about what Michelle Obama would say if not for the "Baby Mama" ugliness, among others.

So, watch the clip with the sound down, and give me your best running commentary. It has to be better than this.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Barely Political, Mostly Sober in Denver

Tommy Christopher — 2008-09-01T00:48:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, Barack Obama, 2008 President, Humor, Democratic Convention

As many regular readers are aware, I've maintained an ongoing investigation of Obama Girl (Amber Lee Ettinger) for several months now. She was in Denver, and thanks to Barely Political's Ben Relles, I finally had the chance to meet Miss Ettinger.

It was all so simple, really. We scored an invite to the Barely Political party at Spills, on Market Street. Caleb Howe and I would go down there, lull them with his Southern charm and my roguish banter, and BAM! Gotcha questions ensue.

Several things conspired against us. First, there was my famously lightweight approach to alcohol. The following video takes place during my third Coors Light. Then, there was my "cool guy" strategy. See, the last thing the "cool guy" wants to do is stand in line to talk to Obama Girl. Instead, any time I happened by her, I gave a casual nod, maybe a " 'sup?" That's called laying the groundwork.

The other was with Caleb Howe's work ethic. Even though we were there to have fun, he insisted on sniffing out a story, and keenly picked out the three Ohio delegates in the place.

OK, a quick note about the camera work. This is the absolute truth. The audio on my camera is really crummy, and the mic is on top, so I ended up tilting the camera a lot just to get the sound to show up. I realize now how this looks. All I can say is, well, what I just said.

We did grab a few shots of Amber before the booze and the news kicked in.

Then, we interviewed the other two Ohioans.

After that, I made Caleb take pictures of me with girls wearing "Tommy Christopher" and "David Knowles" buttons, and took little sips out of their drinks. Caleb left me there for awhile to go chase a garbage truck (don't ask), and by the time I realized what was going on, Benny and his crew were gone.

I saw them at the same place the next night, but I think Amber was ready for me this time. When I met her, I said, "I'm Tommy."

She shook my hand. "Hi, I'm Amber. How's it going?"

"Good, good."

Well played, Ettinger. Well played, indeed.

Update: By popular demand, here's Mark Douglas, comic and impressionist, as filmed by my heretofore unmentioned partner, The Predator.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Denver Scrapbook

Tommy Christopher — 2008-08-31T00:54:00+00:00

Filed under: Democrats, 2008 President, Democratic Convention

Caleb Howe and I have just spent the week in Denver, covering the goings-on and the goings-in at the Democratic National Committee Convention, and we took more pictures and video than we knew what to do with.

That's not exactly true, though. I'm going to do this with it. This being throw up a buttload of photographs, along with some thoughts on what was possibly the thrill of my life.

That's me, posing for the Political Machine's first annual pin-up calendar. AOL says they'll get back to me on that.

So, please, join me for a look behind the curtain at my coverage of the DNCC, and its coverage of me. Sorry, it sounded profound in my head.

That's Caleb Howe, and that's our car, or as I like to call it, "the thing we park as far away as is humanly possible so we can walk everywhere for the rest of the day."

Why do I look so annoyed? You name it.

The crowd around the painting got a good laugh out of this at the media party.

These are the denizens of PUMAPAC headquarters. More about them later.

We got more than our fair share of intimidating riot cop pictures.

This is a PUMA named Igor. For real.

Obama in a Bottle. McCain comes in a barrel.

The Best Jalapeno Poppers in Politics.

I get a John McCain condom from Planned Parenthood. It has a lot of holes in it, but if you don't look too closely at it, it makes you feel safe.

Now, there's a race to get excited about. If you can't read 'em, the one on the left says "Elect Tommy Christopher'" and the other, "David Knowles." Let's count 'em up.

Tommy 2. Knowles 1

Obama Girl!

More fun with elections.

Randomly, Mo Rocca is also voting for me.

The Young Turks!

Tom Abrahams of ABC 13 in Houston. He's a really great guy, writes a great blog.

This is me teasing the Secret Service. I had just been ejected from the podium. (Video coming soon)

This guy has a $5000.00 bike and a zoot suit! I wither at his might.

My buddy, Jeff, and I had the oh-so-manly idea of "Hey, let's try on some hats!"

Caleb and I became really great friends on this trip. He gives me a little bit of hope that we can not just agree to disagree, but have a blast doing it.

And, finally, that's me annoying Chuck Todd at the airport.

A lot happened this week that I haven't written about or can't write about. Hopefully, those from the former category will find their way into these pages. The latter must be left to your imagination. Reach high.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Floor Fight: Sarah Palin for Vice President

Tommy Christopher and Caleb Howe — 2008-08-29T13:34:00+00:00

Filed under: 2008 President, Democratic Convention, Floor Fight, Sarah Palin

McCain Pick 'An Empty Pantsuit'

Tommy Christopher
Denver, CO - John McCain has announced Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential nominee. I heard the news via text-message this morning from a strong Hillary Clinton supporter who now supports Obama. Her take is likely to be predictive of a lot of women voters':

She is an empty pantsuit. A heartbeat away from Grandpa? Very risky. Poor judgment pandering to women so blatantly as this.

We discussed the pick over breakfast today, and I said that today would tell the tale. While it is a bold pick by McCain, I think the above summation has a 60-70% shot at emerging as the narrative by day's end. We also talked a little about Palin's personal life, and I hope that the media, and McCain's opponents, show restraint in that area.

Guffaw.

McCain Picks Former High School Freshman for VP

Caleb Howe
Denver, CO - "Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency." - Obama Campaign

What, former beauty queen too hot for Obama to use? It seems some consider being Governor of a State to be less important than being a "community organizer," a post so valuable nearly every single speaker at the Democratic Convention has lauded it as near unimpeachable proof of being Presidential material. Former Mayor? How far back in resumes do they wish to dip in their effort to dismiss the first woman on a major party ticket since 1984? A woman with more executive experience than the Democratic ticket put together.

The question of the day today is, did Barack Obama have some kind of speech last night?

McCain Pick 'An Empty Pantsuit' (continued)

Tommy Christopher

The main knock against Palin will be lack of experience. I'm sure that McCain thinks Obama's resume will innoculate Palin to some degree, but he is wrong. The experience question has already been adjudicated for Obama, and any comparison to Palin won't change that, it will only serve to highlight her inexperience.

A big question mark is whether the Hillary holdouts who intended to vote for McCain will see this as a slap at Hillary, or will embrace the pick as a big step forward for women. In both equations, their level of animosity toward Barack Obama will also play a part.

Substantively, Palin does little to woo moderates or independents. She's pro-life and anti-gay marriage, although she does have a record of supporting civil unions and anti-discrimination measures. Her support of market-based healthcare solutions fits into McCain's disastrous plan like a Tetris block.

Her praise for Senator Obama's energy policy is sure to end up in an Obama ad, but it also cuts for her in that it demonstrates a willingness to reach across party lines. Reaching around McCain, however, makes this less helpful.

On education, she's also politically weak. Her support for early childhood education is perfectly aligned with Obama's, and her support for creationism in schools will only help the ticket to garner the clown vote.

Palin has been courageous in defying fellow Republicans on ethics issues, a political wildcard with McCain. This could mesh with his maverick image, or it could revive Keating 5 nostalgia.

Palin will surely face sexism, as if she invented a society that offers beauty pageants as one of the narrow choices for women to succeed. Her youth and attractiveness will certainly play a factor, but as a contrast to McCain, it will not likely be a positive one.

In the debate, framing will tell the tale. Will it be Biden's burden not to seem like a bully, or Palin's to show toughness?

Politically, my analysis is that this is a bold gamble by McCain, aimed at low-information voters to blunt the "historic" narrative of Obama's campaign, and to scoop up angry Hillary Clinton holdouts. Again, the Brian Williams' and Katie Courics of the world will play a big part in how well this works. Let's see which side of the bed they woke up on this morning.

McCain Picks Former High School Freshman for VP (Continued)

Caleb Howe - John McCain has taken over the news of the day, his selection of VP dwarfing the story of the stadium of devoted celebrities chanting "si se puede" in cult-like unison. In the game of politics, McCain's announcement this morning was a brilliant, spotlight-stealing play.

Palin is the perfect choice for long-time, proven, Democrat-approved government reformer John McCain. It was Palin who killed the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere". Cutting waste is one of McCain's biggest selling points, so a VP has to complement him here. She also helps shore up his less enthusiastic support from social conservatives; she has taken heat from abortion activists and bloggers for her decision to carry her child to term despite the near certainty he'd be born with Down's Syndrome. Palin has long been popular with Republican grassroots activists, base voters, and bloggers.

Democrats will try to steal the moment back for Barack by marginalizing Sarah Palin. Ken Salazar on CNN this morning criticized her lack of celebrity, proving once more what is the primary driving factor in the Obama campaign.

We've spent a week here in Denver listening to one prominent Democrat after another, including The One himself, preaching on the virtuous magnificence of being a community organizer. We heard over and over and over how valuable that experience is for building a President. It will be amusing, indeed, to watch those same democrats belittle the elected, executive offices of mayor and Governor of Alaska as being a record empty of experience. It will be especially, particularly amusing to hear them harp on foreign policy experience. I'm not sure selecting the former community organizer of a few neighborhoods in Chicago as the top of the ticket is grounds to brag on foreign poliicy.

Empty pantsuit? What will prove empty is the rhetoric and storyline the Democrats spent a week establishing: seven days to make the case that life experience counts; one morning to abandon it in the rush to bully the soccer mom, mayor, Governor, and Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Obama's Speech (With Poll!)

David Knowles — 2008-08-29T07:57:00+00:00

Filed under: Barack Obama, Viral Video, Democratic Convention

Here it is, in case you missed it last night:

View Poll

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Politics Daily

Presidential Primaries: Why We Need a Better Way to Pick Nominees

Related Story

Harvey Gantt to Shape Charlotte's Plan for Democratic National Convention in 2012

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx Juggles 2012 DNC -- and Everything Else

Related Stories

How Do N.C. Republicans View Democrats' 2012 Charlotte Convention?

Related Stories

Democrats Pick Charlotte: Southern Charm Meets Political Steel

Charlotte a Step Closer to Bringing 2012 Democratic Convention South?

RNC Votes to Change Way it Nominates Presidential Candidates

Can Charlotte Regain Its New South Swagger With 2012 Democratic Convention?

Four Cities in the Running for 2012 Democratic Convention

Al and Tipper Gore Split After 40 Years of Marriage

Protest Dispersed at Obama Transition Headquarters

Political Machine Launches Fran Drescher Senate Bid?

Fact-Checking McCain/Palin

McCain Tops in TV Ratings?

St. Paul In Stark Contrast With Denver

Bill Clinton's Kiss Miss a Diss?

Barely Political, Mostly Sober in Denver

Denver Scrapbook

Floor Fight: Sarah Palin for Vice President

Obama's Speech (With Poll!)