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Category: WHITE HOUSE RACE

How do the Republicans match this?

How do the Republicans match this?

Might Minneapolis-St. Paul look like something of a damp squib? For all the criticism levelled at the Obama campaign for being ‘presumptuous’, it is difficult to deny that they put on a pretty spectacular show at the end of an optimistic and, for Democratic Party activists, uplifting Convention. I managed to get a Community Credential at the very last moment, so made it in only a couple of hours before Obama spoke. The atmosphere is difficult to describe – somewhere…

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The overnight White House thread

The overnight White House thread

With suggestions that McCain’s running mate decision will be leaked in the next hour and the build up to Obama’s big speech it’s an important night in the 2008 White House race. Please continue the discussions here. Mike Smithson

Why not Condoleezza Rice?

Why not Condoleezza Rice?

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…

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Is this the way to start a presidential campaign?

Is this the way to start a presidential campaign?

What will McCain’s spinners make of all this? For weeks I have been arguing that Obama has got to find a way of dealing with the Clinton supporter issue – many of whom feel, rightly or wrongly, that the nomination was stolen from the former first lady. Now, on the day of the roll call vote, party bosses have put into place an extraordinary plan to stop splits appearing on prime time television. So, according to the Independent, there will…

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Will Congressional Success cost Obama the White House?

Will Congressional Success cost Obama the White House?

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…

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Is Biden going to be a one-term VP?

Is Biden going to be a one-term VP?

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…

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What’s going to be the Hillary impact?

What’s going to be the Hillary impact?

Will McCain now put a woman on his ticket? The McCain campaign wasted no time in putting out the above ad as part of its effort to exploit the Hillary factor within the Democratic party. For Barack himself the Hillary element could dominate the convention with the former First Lady speaking tomorrow night and Bill himself on the agenda for Wednesday. How are they going to play it? Meanwhile the former Clinton strategist who is now a fierce critic, Dick…

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Greetings from Denver

Greetings from Denver

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…

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