Is there an obvious, but bold, choice being overlooked? Choosing a running-mate is a about as difficult a decision as a Presidential candidate can make. The rules are not complex (e.g. do no harm, bring a state or demographic if you can, and ‘complement’ the nominee), but the decision is not easy. Back in December, I said that I struggled to see any of the Republican Party candidates as a Vice President to one of the others. All seemed to…
Did nobody realise how McCain would respond? It appears from the photo above (hat-tip to Drudge) that the stage for Barack Obama’s historic address tomorrow evening will be classical in design, with a facade resembling a Greek or Roman temple. McCain’s campaign has ‘gleefully’ responded, calling it the ‘Temple of Obama’ and have sent out an email of their magazine “Audacity Watch”. This chimes with the video that they made mocking Obama’s messianic following, called ‘The One‘. After his international…
Will Americans be wary of giving the Democrats untrammelled power? In all the many conversations I have had this last year, I have not met a single politically-minded who believes that the Republican party can take back either the US House of Representatives, or the US Senate in November 2008. The first indications are that the Democrats will very easily pick up five seats in the Upper Chamber (VA, NH, NM, CO, AK) with some estimates reckoning 8 or 9…
If he wins, might Obama choose a different running-mate in 2012? I posted a comment about a month ago raising a question that has been asked by several people on here, and that becomes more pertinent with the selection of Joe Biden as his running mate: Might Obama choose ‘an old hand’ in 2008 to allay fears about his inexperience, but then (if he wins) choose ‘a potential successor’ when running for re-election in 2012? The initial premise has been…
36 hours to go until the Democratic National Convention kicks-off in Colorado After a nine-and-a-half hour flight, and some incredibly poorly-planned packing, I’ve arrived in Denver! The city is already gearing up for the massive logistical challenge of catering for around 50,000 political junkies; airports on Terror Alert Orange, helpers with DNC badges everywhere, and customs officers managing cues of quintessentially English reporters delighted to be getting the best overseas gig of the year. I spent the flight sat next…
Drudge reports Obama-Bayh material being produced Four years ago it was the aviation blogs that broke the story of the Kerry-Edwards ticket, when a plane was customised with their banner. Now Matt Drudge, who famously broke the story of Lewinski’s blue dress, is reporting that a firm in Kansas City is producing Obama-Bayh ‘material’. Bumper stickers with any number of whacky tickets arent rare (‘Obama-McCain ’08’ is available if you think that’s still possible…) but industrial quantity production is either…
Is the NRA-sponsored Governor of Montana still in the running? I am still of the view that there are plenty of names washing around that are done to muddy the issue of who Obama will actually choose. I’m interested in the names that were in contention, but that the campaign have sought to keep out of the limelight whilst final-stage vetting was being done. I mentioned Bill Richardson and (for the Republicans) Mike Huckabee for this reason a few weeks…
And still we wait… In spite of hints and rumours, there is still no confirmation of Barack Obama’s running mate as he speaks to a small crowd in Richmond, Virginia with Governor Tim Kaine. He is attacking McCain for having seven houses worth $13m – the Republican was unable to say how many properties he owned when asked earlier this week. A small package of white powder has been sent to a McCain campaign office in Denver, according to breaking…