News politics 2008-07-05 Andanh.com

Obama looks to turn Montana blue in the fall Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:50 EDT
Only two Democratic presidential candidates have carried Montana since 1948. Barack Obama is betting he can do it in November.

With just three electoral votes and its reputation as a red state, Montana rarely sees presidential candidates in the summer before a general election. Republicans usually take the state for granted, while Democrats don't even try to contest it.

But Obama has been spending a sizable amount of time and money on Montana, hiring a state director and staff while running TV ads detailing his background and qualifications. Montana is among fewer than 20 states the campaign is targeting early.

"Montana is considered one of the very competitive states," Obama spokesman Caleb Weaver said.

Obama's even spending the Fourth of July in Montana, attending a parade and picnic in rough-and-tumble Butte, the hometown of motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, where drinking is allowed in the streets.

Obama and family spend Fourth of July in Montana Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:25 EDT
It was a family Fourth of July for Democrat Barack Obama as his wife, daughters, sister and other relatives helped him make an Independence Day play for this reliably conservative state.

Obama paid tribute to a nation in which the son of a single mother could rise to such heights.

"I know that there is no other country out there where I could be standing before you as somebody who could potentially be president of the United States," he said at a campaign-sponsored "family picnic" for hundreds of people - part rally, part birthday party for his oldest daughter, Malia, who turned 10 on Friday. "We are going to change the world."

Cheers greeted Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters everywhere. As they arrived to watch the Fourth of July parade, the crowd broke into a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Malia.

Obama joked that he had to tell the birthday girl not to get caught up in all the fuss.

Obama may accept nomination at Invesco Field Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:40 EDT
Barack Obama's campaign is considering having him accept the Democratic presidential nomination at Invesco Field at Mile High instead of the Pepsi Center, the chosen site for the Democratic National Convention, two people with knowledge of convention planning said Thursday.

The two spoke on condition of anonymity because nothing has been confirmed.

Obama campaign spokeswoman Shannon Gilson said no decisions have been made.

Representatives for the convention host committee and Mayor John Hickenlooper declined to comment or said they did not know about the proposal. Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak did not return a telephone message seeking comment.

Democratic National Convention Committee spokeswoman Natalie Wyeth said, "There's nothing to announce."

Obama says Jones mailer is not an endorsement Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:45 EDT
Barack Obama's presidential campaign distanced itself Thursday from a mailer by Georgia Democratic Senate hopeful Vernon Jones that shows them together under Obama's signature slogan: "Yes we can."

Jones defended the mailer, saying it shows he supports the Illinois senator, not the other way around.

"It shows that I am the best person to work with Barack Obama to turn this country around," Jones told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Thursday.

Two of his four Democratic opponents pounced, saying the mailer suggests Jones - who twice voted for Republican George W. Bush - has Obama's backing.

"This last-ditch attempt to drape himself in the Barack Obama aura is not going to work," said challenger Dale Cardwell.

McCain: Staff shake-up part of 'natural evolution' Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:50 EDT
Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Thursday that a shake-up in the leadership of his campaign was part of a "natural evolution" as the organization becomes more national in scope.

McCain's campaign announced Wednesday that top adviser Steve Schmidt would assume a broad portfolio of duties, with nearly full control over message and strategy. Schmidt will report to Rick Davis, who will keep the title of campaign manager but focus on longer term matters like the Republican National Convention and McCain's choice of a running mate.

Addressing reporters at the conclusion of a three-day visit to Colombia and Mexico, the GOP nominee-in-waiting downplayed the personnel shift.

"Our campaign continues to grow, and the responsibilities are expanding and Mr. Schmidt is taking over some increased responsibilities," McCain said. "Rick Davis remains the campaign chairman, campaign manager. It's a natural evolution as we become more and more of a national campaign with increased staff and increased responsibilities."

Schmidt disclosed in memo Thursday to the 11 regional campaign managers that he will hire a national political director and a national field director to operate from the campaign's northern Virginia headquarters to improve regional operations and coordination.

Obama says Iraq trip could refine his policy Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:50 EDT
Democrat Barack Obama struggled Thursday to explain how his upcoming trip to Iraq might refine, but not basically alter, his promise to quickly remove U.S. combat troops from the war.

A dustup over war policy - one of the main issues separating the Illinois senator from his Republican opponent, John McCain - overshadowed Obama's town-hall meeting here with veterans to talk about patriotism and his plans to care for them. Republicans pounced on the chance to characterize Obama as altering one of the core policies that drove his candidacy "for the sake of political expedience." He denied equally forcefully that he was shifting positions.

Arriving in Fargo, Obama hastily called a news conference to discuss news of a sixth straight month of nationwide job losses, but the questioning turned to Iraq policy and his impending trip there.

"I am going to do a thorough assessment when I'm there," he said. "I'm sure I'll have more information and continue to refine my policy."

He left the impression that his talks with military commanders there could refine his promise to remove U.S. combat troops within 16 months of taking office.

Today on the presidential campaign trail Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:25 EDT
IN THE HEADLINES

Obama struggles to explain how his trip to Iraq could refine his policy on US presence there ... McCain calls campaign staff shake-up part of "natural evolution" ... Obama says 'mental distress' not valid for late-term abortions

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Obama says Iraq trip could refine his policy

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Democrat Barack Obama struggled to explain how his upcoming trip to Iraq might refine, but not basically alter, his promise to quickly remove U.S. combat troops from the war.

Poll: Public cool to wivesof presidential candidates Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:11 EDT

WASHINGTON . The public hasn't taken to Michelle Obama yet, especially whites. And it's got a question about Cindy McCain: Who is she?

People are divided over whether they like the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, with 30 percent seeing her favorably and 35 percent unfavorably, according to an Associated Press-Yahoo News poll released Wednesday.

They tilt positively toward the spouse of Republican hopeful John McCain, by 27 percent to 17 percent.

In other words: While the two women are about equally liked, Michelle Obama is twice as disliked as Cindy McCain.

Beshear appoints 11 to university boards Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:38 EDT

Gov. Steve Beshear appointed 10 Democrats and a Republican on Thursday to seats on the governing boards of Kentucky's public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

All of the appointments are for six-year terms.

Beshear's lone Republican appointee was Cheryl U. Lewis, a Hyden lawyer, who was named to the Morehead State University Board of Regents.

At the University of Kentucky, C. Frank Shoop, a Lexington auto dealer, was reappointed; and Edward Britt Brockman, a Louisville doctor, was named to a new term. He replaces Billy Wilcoxson, a Lexington businessman and a Democrat, who was a trustee since 1987.

Beshear reorganizes horse racing authority Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:38 EDT

Gov. Steve Beshear on Thursday reorganized the state panel that regulates horse racing in Kentucky, adding several new members that are major Democratic party backers.

Beshear said he was making the move because racing is .in crisis and immediate, aggressive action is necessary to preserve its integrity..

The move comes as Ellis Park, a Thoroughbred racetrack in Henderson, abruptly closed on the eve of its 44-day summer meet.

.Any state like ours who claims to be the .Horse Capital of the World' and has a signature industry like the horse industry needs to address these issues very quickly . the medication issues, the safety issues, all of the kinds of things that are creating the crisis that we have right now,. Beshear said. .We need to move on it quickly and I believe the group that I have put together will do just that..

Beshear taps major fund-raiser for post Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:11 EDT

Gov. Steve Beshear has made room on the state payroll for a veteran Kentucky Democratic Party fund-raiser and Frankfort lobbyist.

One of Beshear's newest appointments is Stephanie C. Bell, 42, a policy adviser at the Public Service Commission. She started June 1 and gets $72,000 a year, according to state records.

Bell, whose r.sum. lists a B.A. in communications from the University of Kentucky, was a major Democratic fund-raiser under Gov. Paul Patton. As chairwoman of the Capitol Democrats in Frankfort, Bell built up its membership from 150 to more than 400.

State employees said they were encouraged to join the group as a .social club.; their $250 annual dues were forwarded to the state Democratic Party coffers.

Obama opens door on Iraq Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:30 EDT

FARGO, N.D. . Democrat Barack Obama opened the door Thursday to refining his plan to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq in 16 months based on what he hears from military commanders during his upcoming trip there.

.I am going to do a thorough assessment when I'm there,. he said. .I'm sure I'll have more information and continue to refine my policy..

During his presidential campaign, Obama has gone from the hard-edged, vocal opposition to Iraq that defined his early candidacy to more nuanced rhetoric that calls for a phased-out drawdown of all combat brigades that, at a rate of one or two a month, could last 16 months. He has said that, if al-Qaida builds bases in Iraq, he would keep troops either in the country or the region for .targeted strikes..

Republicans, who have been goading Obama to return to Iraq to see conditions for himself, pounced.

Beshear names Blanton communications chief Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:18 EDT

Seven months into his term, Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday that he has hired a new communications director: Jay Blanton, 40, who runs public relations at the University of Kentucky. Blanton begins Aug. 1.

As it happens, Blanton's wife, Carla Blanton, served as one of several communications directors for previous Gov. Ernie Fletcher, leaving during the tumultuous state hiring investigation.

Blanton replaces Dick Brown, who is being transferred out of the Capitol to become spokesman for the cabinets of Energy and Environment and Public Protection and Labor. Mark York, who held that job up to now, has resigned.

Brown's deputy, Vicki Glass, recently quit the governor's office as well.

Chinese Dir