- Wed. Dec 3, 2008
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WHAT'S NEWS ...
• A new Frederick Polls (D) poll of CO LVs, conducted 7/16-22, shows Barack Obama leading John McCain 45-41% with 14% undec (release).
• A new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll of MS LVs, conducted 7/21-23, shows McCain leading Obama 51-42%. McCain led the previous poll, conducted 5/19-21, 54-39% (release).
• A new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll of ND LVs, conducted 7/21-23, shows McCain leading Obama 45-42% with 13% undec (release).
• Obama's Berlin speech was featured on the front pages of the New York Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post, Washington Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times, most using this picture. Also, all three networks led with the story last night (Wake-Up Call! observing).
• The McCain camp "appears resigned to the fact that" Obama's "trip is dominating the political news this week." McCain's aides are now just "trying to feed a perception" that Obama "is overreaching" (New York Sun).
• Just "a few hours after" Obama "gave his speech in Berlin, which his campaign insisted was not political," Obama mgr. David Plouffe "sent out a fundraising solicitation using the speech to raise campaign cash" (ABCNews.com).
• Ahead of Obama's arrival in France, Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy told conservative newspaper Le Figaro that Obama is "my pal," and his election would "validate" Sarkozy's strategy of reconciliation with the US (Politico).
• The RNC is running another anti-Obama radio ad in London, WV, and London, OH, as Obama heads to England tomorrow (Politico).
• Speaking last night at the Livestrong Summit, McCain "quickly veered off script" to talk about his own "battle with melanoma" ("Washington Wire").
• Prompting new VP speculation, Bush admin official and ex Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH) "made an unscheduled appearance" aboard McCain's Straight Talk Express yesterday afternoon ("Political Ticker").
• The Secret Service "has asked for an extra" $9.5M to cover "unexpected costs" of protecting the WH candidates, including int'l travel and Obama's decision to accept the Dem nod at Invesco Field (AP).
• The RNC has a new "browser toolbar" that will send donations of "two or three cents" each time users conduct Yahoo-based Web searches ("The Caucus").
• For more headlines, see today's Earlybird: Top News; Campaigns; Pundits & Editorials; Network News; TV Guests; Today In Washington.
PLAY OF THE DAY
You're invited to McCain's sausage fest on on Play of the Day!
HAIR OF THE DOG
Testifying before the House Education and Labor Cmte yesterday, fitness guru Richard Simmons gave Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) "a kiss on the forehead" (Roll Call), and was "twice overheard" saying he "may run for office" ("Yeas & Nays"). Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI): "We have had an absolutely fabulous day" (La Crosse Tribune).
GOSSIP BUFFET
• Asked by Lance Armstrong what he does for exercise, McCain said he "mainly" enjoys hiking, but he finds "shaking hands on the rope line" and other campaign activities to be good workouts, too ("Political Radar").
• Meanwhile, Armstrong "made an off-hand comment" about running for TX GOV (FoxNews.com).
• "I hope it's from Dillard's" -- FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R), as he "gently caressed" the "light blue and pink" tie that fiancee Carole Rome gave him for his birthday yesterday (Palm Beach Post).
• Ethel Kennedy was spotted wearing an "Obama 2008" rhinestone pin at the screening of daughter Rory's new documentary on Helen Thomas last night ("Washington Whispers").
• Rudy Giuliani reassured House GOPers yesterday, "It's a tough national environment, but we can win if we individualize races" (Washington Post).
• Asked if "his famous father had helped" with his fight to get back on the Duke golf team, Andrew Giuliani said, "I love my father very much, but I decided not to get him involved for numerous reasons" (New York Times).
• Makeup mogul/Montclair, NJ, resident/"obsessed" Obama-backer Bobbi Brown will "lead a master class in makeup" during the Dem convo for any delegate "who wants a fresh face" (Rocky Mountain News).
• A group of House staffers are organizing a boycott of the Longworth cafeteria after Doris, "a beloved member of the cafeteria staff," was "suspended without pay for being $9 short on her register" (TMZ.com).
• A group of students in New Zealand who oppose the Iraq war "have offered a $3,700 reward to anyone who makes a citizen's arrest" of Sec/State Condoleezza Rice when she visits today ("The Swamp").
• As NY Gov, Eliot Spitzer (D)'s email handle was "Laurence," and his "sloppy" messages were often riddled with "typos, misspellings and terse abbreviations" (New York Times).
• Apparently Berlin's Victory Column, where Obama spoke yesterday, "is a central point for drunken soccer fan rallies and the toilets nearby are a common hook up spot for Berlin gays" ("Beltway Confidential").
• Jon Stewart, on the American flags being waved during Obama's Berlin speech: "I don't want to say anything, but I think your American flags are broken. They're not on fire" ("Daily Show").
ROOSTER'S CROW
• House Judiciary Cmte hearing on impeachment (Rayburn, 10 am).
• The Student Assn for Voter Empowerment (SAVE) hosts "Asserting the Youth Voice" forum (1602 L Street NW, 11 am).
• "Should Congress Lower Tariffs on Imported Shoes?" forum, featuring Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) (Cato Institute, noon).
• Nasar Abadey and SUPERNOVA (The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 5 pm).
• Barrelhouse Magazine's "License to Brawl" roller derby-themed party (Hillyer Art Space, 6 pm).
BREAKFAST FLAKE
"That's a great story!" -- victim Clifford Liljenquist, after learning that it was Bob Novak who was driving the Corvette that struck him on 7/23 ("Yeas & Nays").
Nora McAlvanah, Editor
Maura O'Brien, Associate Editor
About Wake-Up Call!
- A morning news briefing on politicians and the press.