The New York Daily News notes that this week's Clinton-Obama feud will likely be a "blip in a campaign with 620 tortured days left to play out. But Clinton and Obama both emerge as losers from this skirmish, with potentially unsavory implications for the party in November 2008. Historically, Democrats seldom miss an opportunity to blow elections by indulging in fratricidal warfare that ruptures their party and gladdens Republican hearts.

The Los Angeles Times editorial page, calling the Geffen brouhaha "amusingly overwrought," weighs in on his behalf on this point: "Regardless of what you think of Bill Clinton's presidency, or his wife's talent, the dynastic aspect of Hillary Clinton's candidacy is an issue that will increasingly come to occupy center stage in this campaign. Is the country prepared to be governed, potentially, for 28 years by two families who alternate turns in the White House?" 

The same New York Times article that has Obama saying he wasn't aware his staff responded to the Clinton camp's initial volley over David Geffen also notes that Clinton campaign chair Terry McAuliffe stated in an interview that he was joking when he said that Clinton supporters would be rewarded and opponents punished. "[H]e joked in a crowded room that big contributors would be honored with limo rides with the new president while those who wrote checks to, say, Mr. Obama could give up their dreams of access. 'Clarence Avant's daughter was there, he's a friend of mine, and I looked at her and in front of 500 people I said, If you don't contribute, you're not going to get that ambassadorship to France,' he said, referring to the former chairman of Motown Records. 'It's a joke! I said it in front of 500 people.'" 

The New York Post: "With a string of big-money meetings yesterday… Clinton set out to prove she's still the Toast of Tinseltown by raking in cash from A-listers like Warren Beatty and Madonna - two days after Dem rival Barack Obama gobbled up $1.3 million from the stars."

The San Francisco Chronicle writes that Hillary Clinton's event in San Francisco today is a "'Make History With Hillary' $250-a-head lunch at the Sheraton Palace Hotel. The event is hosted by longtime supporter Susie Tompkins Buell and her husband, Mark Buell, developer Walter Shorenstein, the group EMILY's List and major Democratic donors Tom Steyer and Kat Taylor." 

Previewing his rally today, the Austin American-Statesman says Obama, "who drew a capacity crowd at the annual Texas Book Festival in Austin in October, is believed to be the first presidential aspirant (maybe first politician) since President Reagan in July 1984 to rally voters at [Austin's] Auditorium Shores, typically a site for outdoor concerts and food festivals." 

By speaking today in Austin -- a city that enjoys its college football as much (if not more) than its politics -- Obama will be vying for attention against the University of Texas Longhorn football team, which begins its spring practices this afternoon and is open to the public.

The Washington Post front-pages former President Bill Clinton's haul from speaking fees since he left the White House: "nearly $40 million," including $9 million to $10 million just last year, all per his wife's financial disclosure and other records. "Two-thirds" of the fees have come from foreign sources. The former President directs many of his fees to his various non-profit groups. The Clintons are "worth an estimated $10 million to $50 million," some of which they could use for the Senator's presidential bid. 

The New York Times covers the FEC's draft advisory on Obama's proposal that "would allow the nominees, if both agreed, to return contributions they had solicited for the general election campaign and limit themselves to public financing for it instead." But: "The plausibility of such an agreement is not clear. One nominee is likely to have a financial edge on the other at the outset of the campaign, and accepting public financing would mean relinquishing that edge." 

The Chicago Tribune adds that the FEC said it will formally consider Obama's proposal at its March 1 meeting.  "'We have never faced this question before,' said Bob Biersack, a commission spokesman." 

The Los Angeles Times looks at the sources of Obama's fundraising over the years under a headline which arguably suggests he's trying to have it both ways on fundraising, holding out one hand for as much cash as he can raise, and "wagging his finger" at the broken system with the other hand. 

The Wall Street Journal says Obama's record in the Illinois Senate paints a picture of a legislator "of lofty, liberal rhetoric who nonetheless pragmatically accepted bipartisan compromises that won over foes -- and sometimes left supporters dissatisfied." Also: "the scraps for which [he] is remembered... were with fellow black Democrats, some of whom were resentful of his ambition and his successes." 

Just one day after Edwards implicitly criticized Clinton at the Nevada forum for not apologizing for her Iraq war vote ("'We need a leader who will ... tell the truth when they've made a mistake, who will take responsibility when they've made a mistake"), NBC's Lauren Appelbaum says he came out against making negative attacks during at stop in Knoxville, TN. "I think it's awfully early for there to be negative attacks between candidates," Edwards said. "I'm running a positive campaign. I'm focused on the things that affect people's lives, like what to do about Iraq, like what do about healthcare in America. That's what I intend to do throughout."

That said, just before he embarks on a tour of New Hampshire this weekend, Edwards told the Manchester Union Leader that if Clinton thinks her vote for the Iraq war was wrong, she should just "honest about" it. Edwards "said the validity of her position 'depends entirely on what she believes. It's entirely between her and her own conscience.'" 

The New York Times profiles Bill Richardson, who very well may hold the broadest resume of all the declared presidential candidates. "But as he makes his case for the Democratic nomination, he is likely to be judged in large measure by his four years as governor, a record that has won him friends and foes." 

Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry will emcee a fundraiser to raise money for the South Carolina Democratic primary, which is party-run, on March 7. Most of the party's presidential field is expected to attend. And Bloomberg looks at potential South Carolina Democratic kingmaker Jim Clyburn, at whose alma mater NBC and the state Democratic party are hosting a presidential primary debate two months from now.   and

Tom Vilsack holds two town hall meetings today in Iowa. Per his campaign, these will be Vilsack's 17th and 18th town hall meetings since he kicked off his presidential campaign.

This weekend's campaign events: Edwards stumps in New Hampshire tomorrow with a series of house parties and media availabilities throughout the state, while Richardson headlines the Broward County Democratic Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Florida. On Sunday, Obama heads to Louisville, KY to attend a "low dollar fundraiser" (per his campaign), which is closed to the press.

The New York Times reports that unlike other presidential contenders, Rudy Giuliani "has limited himself to events with narrowly defined, friendly audiences, avoiding the kind of uncomfortable interrogations his rivals have occasionally faced. Aside from a couple of brief swings through diners, including one yesterday in Delray Beach, Fla., he has done little of the politicking that exposes candidates to random sets of people — at shopping malls or train stations — who might be of any political stripe, and can raise any issue." 

Using a recent situation on Erick Erickson's RedState.com as an example, the Boston Globe looks at how paid political consultants might infiltrate blogs to promote candidates. When "postings from an unknown writer on the site showed up praising Senator John McCain -- one of the site's least-popular Republicans for his deviations from hard-core conservative orthodoxy -- Erickson thought he smelled a rat… Erickson determined after a Google search, was a Michigan political operative whose firm worked for McCain's political action committee," notes the Boston Globe. "With big corporations now hiring public relations firms to pay fake bloggers to plant favorable opinions of the businesses online, many political bloggers are concerned that candidates, too, will hire people to pretend to be grass-roots citizens expressing views."

The Politico reports that senior Rep. Don Young of Alaska (R) has signed on as congressional chair of former Gov. Mike Huckabee's exploratory committee. 

And for all of Duncan Hunter's promise of a "major" announcement yesterday in South Carolina, NBC's Appelbaum notes that turned out to be a snoozer. What was the announcement? That he will be the only candidate to stop in every county in the state of South Carolina before next year's primary.

This weekend's GOP campaign events: Tomorrow, Hunter fundraises in San Diego, while Rep. Ron Paul campaigns in New Hampshire and Tommy Thompson does the same in Iowa.

In his latest National Journal column, NBC political analyst Charlie Cook notes that the new Cook Political Report/RT Strategies poll has Clinton in the Democratic lead with 42% (up 8 points from November), followed by Obama at 20% (unchanged), Edwards at 16% (up 7), and Richardson at 5%. In the GOP field, Giuliani is at 32%, followed by McCain at 23%, Gingrich at 13%, and Romney at 10%. "For Democrats, the bottom line is whether Clinton can be stopped. For Republicans it's that this remains a very open contest and the GOP nomination is unquestionably up for grabs."

Meanwhile, National Journal's latest poll of Democratic insiders asks who would be the party's strongest general election candidate. Clinton leads with pack on that question with 31%, up 6 points since December. Among GOP insiders, McCain leads with 39% -- but that's down significantly from 55% in December.

And a little 2007 news… Roll Call reports that Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) has set June 19 as the date for a special election to fill the late Rep. Charlie Norwood's (R) seat.  "Two GOP state Senators have emerged as the early frontrunners in the Augusta-based seat, which leans heavily toward Republicans… If no candidate gets more than 50 percent in the all-party June special election, a runoff between the top two vote-getters will be held July 17."

Senate Democrats are planning to repeal the 2002 Iraq war resolution and replace it with a measure granting Bush and the military a narrower role, while House Democrats have "pulled back from efforts" to tie more funding for the war to troop readiness, but are looking for other ways to limit Bush's authority. The Washington Post says Senate Democrats, led by presidential candidate and Sen. Joe Biden, are likely to face procedural roadblocks again in seeking to repeal the 2002 resolution and pass a narrower measure. Rep. John Murtha "doomed his own plan" to tie funding to troop readiness "in part by unveiling it on a left-wing website." 

The AP: "Officials said Thursday the precise wording of the [Senate] measure remains unsettled. One version would restrict American troops in Iraq to fighting al-Qaeda, training Iraqi army and police forces, maintaining Iraq's territorial integrity and otherwise proceeding with the withdrawal of combat forces." 

The New York Times: "Lawmakers and senior aides said that such a plan was unlikely to pass Congress, and even if it did, it would certainly be vetoed by President Bush. But Democrats say their intention is to keep pressure on both Mr. Bush and Congressional Republicans who are facing a public frustrated with the war. Democrats say that other Iraq proposals are likely to emerge as well." 

The Los Angeles Times looks at how formerly low-profile Texas Rep. Sam Johnson (R), a Vietnam POW, "has emerged as the House GOP's point man in an escalating fight in Congress over Bush's execution of the war — a position that puts him opposite another decorated Vietnam veteran, [Murtha].  GOP leaders see Johnson as the Republican best suited to counter Murtha, an ex-Marine and defense hawk who has become a influential war critic." 

The Politico reports that Sen. Joe Lieberman (I), who currently caucuses with Democrats, could be prompted to make the switch to the GOP, depending on how the Iraq war funding debate turns out.  (We'd add that Lieberman, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee under the Democratic majority, presumably would get to keep that post if he switches parties and gives Republicans control of the chamber.) 

This morning in DC, President Bush meets with transportation fuel experts and researchers, and then he views a demonstration of alternative-fuel automobiles. Per the New York Times, Bush yesterday "put on a white coat and visited a laboratory [in North Carolina] to promote his goals for making alternative fuels from switch grass, woodchips and other plant waste." The paper adds that the trip was "the latest event this week in which Mr. Bush has stepped away from grim questions about the war in Iraq to focus on domestic themes like energy and health care."

Sen. Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, says he will hold hearings next week to push the Bush Administration "to confirm publicly that it wants 'comprehensive immigration reform' this year," the Washington Times notes. "With Democrats now controlling both chambers and Mr. Bush sharing their views on immigration, conservatives worry about what will come of legislation this year. But Democrats have been adamant that Mr. Bush take an active role in the immigration debate so that he will share equally any criticism over the legislation."

When the jury returns with its verdict, "its decision also will intensify the debate over whether Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald should have brought the case in the first place," says the Washington Post in a look at the stakes for the prosecutor's reputation. 

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
Will we see the Clinton campaign ask for Mitt Romney to apologize? In South Carolina today, Romney told voters, "If I'm lucky enough to be your president, I will not embarrass you in the White House. This sweetheart [wife Ann] and I have been in love far too long for that to be issue." Romney didn't mention anyone by name, but he seemed to be referring to Bill Clinton's infidelity in the Monica Lewinsky affair. Or maybe it was a subtle jab at the thrice-married Rudy Giuliani. Or the twice-married John McCain.
 
In his remarks, Romney went on to make his stance on family values extremely clear. "It will be our mission to strengthen the American family, to make sure that kids understand once again that babies come after marriage, and that having a mom and a dad in a home helps build stronger kids."

From Elizabeth Wilner, Mark Murray, and Huma Zaidi.
After a week of big apologies from Jet Blue, Tim Hardaway, and Mayor Mike Bloomberg for actions that angered or inconvenienced countless numbers of Americans comes a series of hollow-sounding, politically motivated demands that so-called offenses be repudiated.

Vice President Cheney suggested that Sen. John McCain (R) apologize to his friend Donald Rumsfeld for calling Rumsfeld possibly the worst defense secretary ever.  McCain has refused to.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants President Bush to "repudiate and distance himself" from Cheney's remarks that her opposition to the troop increase validates al Qaeda's strategy.  We're guessing that Bush won't.

The Democratic House campaign committee wants a bunch of potentially vulnerable Republican members to return campaign contributions which, they charge, were allegedly funneled through the GOP's own House campaign committee from a rich businessman who allegedly financed terrorism.  Per the DCCC release targeting one of these members: "Representative Jim Gerlach has accepted $20,000 in direct contributions from the NRCC since accused terrorist Alishtari began contributing to" the committee.  One might call that a faulty syllogism.

And Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign has demanded that Sen. Barack Obama repudiate David Geffen's support because of comments Geffen made to Maureen Dowd that were highly critical of Clinton.  Apparently Geffen, a media mogul and former longtime Clinton contributor, is now a patsy for the Obama campaign.

So far at least, none of these claimed slights have gained real, fresh traction with the public (Cheney's shot at Pelosi echoes other lines he and Republicans have used over the years).  Unlike ill-judged remarks made by Sens. Trent Lott or more recently, Joe Biden, for which both ultimately had to offer repeated public apologies, there's no offended constituency here beyond the injured parties themselves.

In the absence of any public outcries, and also in the absence of big news to feed the reporters gathered in Nevada yesterday for a candidate forum, the Clinton team's shot at Obama is getting the most scrutiny as the first public exchange between the two Democratic frontrunners -- or at least, between their operations.  Clinton herself, after her campaign called on Obama to renounce Geffen, declined to denounce Geffen.  Obama told reporters that his "sense is that Mr. Geffen may have differences with the Clintons.  That doesn't have anything to do with my campaign."  And he made reporters laugh: "I can't be responsible for the utterance of every single individual who contributes to our campaign."

Team Clinton apparently made a calculated decision that it was worth drawing attention to the substance of Geffen's criticisms (that Clinton is "polarizing" and untruthful and has refused to say she made a mistake for her Iraq war vote), and to concerns among prominent Democrats about her candidacy, in order to try to knock Obama off his high-minded stride.  And indeed, the Obama campaign took the bait and fired back rather than let it go.  But as we wrote yesterday, the Clinton team arguably also proved Geffen's point that they are "unpleasant and unattractive" -- as well as "effective." 

NBC's Bob Windrem suggests that the Clinton campaign's call for Obama to give back the money Geffen contributed might appear a bit hypocritical given how much Geffen has raised for the Clintons themselves, at their behest for other Democrats, and for their favorite causes over the years.  Federal campaign contribution records show that between 1992 and 2000, Geffen gave $2.5 million to federal campaigns, either individually or through Geffen Records and Dreamworks.  That doesn't count a $10,000 contribution to President Clinton's legal defense fund in 1998.  And of course, Geffen slept in the Lincoln Bedroom and arranged a surprise 48th birthday party for the then President. 

Since Clinton will be fundraising in Los Angeles today, this story is unlikely to die down soon.  The beneficiary of the exchange, arguably?  Former Sen. John Edwards, the other top-tier contender for the Democratic nomination, who was able to sound very above the fray on NBC's Today Show this morning.

 

The White House and Democratic lawmakers continue to dispute the meaning of Britain's withdrawal of 1,600 troops from Iraq.  Vice President Cheney told ABC that it's "an affirmation of the fact that there are parts of Iraq where things are going pretty well."  Democrats argue that it's a sign of recognition from a key ally that things are going pretty poorly.

The Washington Post says that while National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley called it "'basically a good-news story'… for an already besieged White House, the decision was doing a good job masquerading as a bad-news story…  No matter the military merits, the British move, followed by a similar announcement by Denmark, roiled the political debate in Washington at perhaps the worst moment for the White House…  Republicans were put back on their heels, just as they were beginning to feel more confident that the fight over war strategy was shifting their way." 

"The Bush administration maintained yesterday that its Iraq coalition was still in good shape despite announcements by Britain," Denmark, and Lithuania "that they would withdraw all or some of their troops by the end of the year," says the Washington Times. 

A New York Daily News analysis notes that several Bush political sources believe Britain's decision "emboldens congressional critics of Bush's escalation who say the war is going poorly - and adds to the pressure on the President to reverse the bad news from the killing fields.  'He's got until summertime to show some results, and if he doesn't, he's got to start pulling out, too,' one of the President's closest associates said yesterday.  'The fact of the matter is, most of the public isn't with him now, and the rest aren't going to stay with him unless this last-chance surge works.'" 

The AP covers Cheney arriving in Australia, "an ally that has become a rarity by offering more, not fewer, troops for Iraq and Afghanistan…  Cheney's visit also would lend some heavyweight support for [Prime Minister John] Howard, who recently drew allegations of partisanship and an unwarranted incursion into U.S. politics by criticizing [Obama's] plan for withdrawing troops from Iraq." 

Per the pool report, Cheney's speech to US troops based in Guam was "largely a repeat" of his remarks to the troops on the USS Kitty Hawk.  Bloomberg covers Cheney's waning influence back home as he seeks to rally support among US allies for the war in Iraq. 

The New York Times writes that the Pentagon "is planning to send more than 14,000 National Guard troops back to Iraq next year, shortening their time between deployments to meet the demands of President Bush's buildup…  The accelerated timetable illustrates the cascading effect that the White House plan to increase the number of troops in Iraq by more than 21,000 is putting on the entire Army and in particular on Reserve forces…  It also highlights the political risks of the White House's Iraq strategy.  Sending large numbers of reservists to Iraq in the middle of next year's election campaign could drive up casualties among part-time soldiers in communities where support for the administration's approach in Iraq is already tenuous."  

The San Francisco Chronicle covers Pelosi's reaction to Cheney's comment that Pelosi's and Rep. John Murtha's (D) plans on Iraq validate al Qaeda's strategy to break the will of the American people and force the United States to quit in Iraq.  "An angry Pelosi slashed back at Cheney, complaining that the vice president stepped over the line by questioning her patriotism, especially while on a foreign trip, and vowed to call Bush to complain." 

Geffen yesterday "said his remarks reflect 'my personal beliefs regarding the Clintons' and he has 'no formal role' in Obama's campaign."  Clinton herself, asked whether Obama should renounce Geffen's support, said, "I'm going to leave that up to the other campaign," and that she wants to run "a very positive campaign.  I sure don't want Democrats or supporters of Democrats to be engaging in the politics of personal destruction." 

The Politico points out this morning that comments from fans on the Clinton campaign's own blog suggest that their complaint about Geffen is getting mixed reviews. 

"Aides argued all day over who started the exchange," the Wall Street Journal says.  "Unaffiliated strategists in both parties suggested the Clinton campaign had overreacted, thus telegraphing concern over Mr. Obama's fresh-faced appeal and risking the ire of Hollywood backers and black voters.  But they also said the Obama camp shouldn't have taken the bait and muddied its candidate's call for a new, positive politics."

The Chicago Tribune: "The Clintons have long been known for skilled, aggressive political infighting, and Geffen's comments provided a way for the Clinton campaign to test how Obama, relatively new to the national stage, would take a punch.  It also was the first of what will no doubt be many attempts by rivals to knock the halo off Obama's head." 

The Los Angeles Times suggest that it was inevitable that Clinton would eventually be confronted by "the legacy of the more unsavory episodes of her husband's two terms as president."  What was surprising was that "the first person to draw wide attention to some of the old controversies was… a leading liberal at the heart of Hollywood." 

The paper adds that Geffen's comments "sparked a brawl of the billionaires in Los Angeles."  Fellow media mogul and Clinton supporter Haim Saban e-mailed the paper that Geffen "'knows in his heart of heart, that Hillary is the most qualified person to be the next president of the USA.  Why would he lie to himself?'…  In Hollywood, Clinton campaign officials have moved aggressively to limit Obama's inroads and force longtime donors to back the former first lady.  Her campaign chairman, Terry McAuliffe, recently warned donors that Clinton would remember those who did not back her.  'You are either with us, or you're against us,' McAuliffe told potential donors during a dinner at Saban's house."

The New York Post: "The bad blood between Geffen and the Clintons dates back to 2001 when then-President Bill Clinton turned down Geffen's appeal to pardon Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist in prison for the 1975 murder of two FBI agents - and instead issued a controversial pardon of billionaire Marc Rich." 

The Washington Times says Democrats' "Hollywood primary" "is almost as crowded as the real contests in Iowa and New Hampshire." 

The Los Angeles Times' coverage of the Carson City forum notes that the locale "was intended to steer the discussion toward regional issues, such as water and land use.  But it was the war that dominated nearly two hours of talk by the Democratic hopefuls." 

NBC's Lauren Appelbaum reports that Edwards came out swinging at Clinton, attacking her for lacking plans for both the war and universal health care.  Clinton said during her turn that she wants to cut money for the Iraqi troops while bringing together an international conference to find a solution for the war.  Edwards said during his turn later on, "It is not enough to debate, give speeches, and pass non-binding resolutions.  It is time for us, the leaders of this country, the leaders of the United States Congress, to stop George Bush's escalation of this war, for us to stand up strongly and firmly.  This is not a time for political calculation.  This is a time for political courage."  On health care, Edwards attacked Clinton's promise to have universal health care by the end of her second term.  He said he would jump right into it and raise taxes to implement universal health care immediately.

Clinton drew the largest applause of the day by dropping her husband's name: "I believe Bill Clinton was a good president and I'm very proud of his record for two terms."  But then she forgot to give her closing statement, rushing off the stage after answering her last question.  She later admitted that she just completely forgot.

Obama, campaigning in Iowa yesterday instead of appearing at the forum, used his Senate schedule as an excuse for not changing his plans.  "We were interested in campaigning here in Iowa," Obama said.  "I had already started scheduling some things. I have a slight disadvantage as some of my other Senate colleagues do, which is not having that many days, and had been in Nevada three days ago and we thought it was more important to be here in Iowa."

The Des Moines Register covers former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack's prediction that his opponents will also agree to cut off funding for the war in Iraq. 

"Two additional [South Carolina] lawmakers with financial ties to a local firm hired by [Clinton's] campaign have endorsed the New York Democrat's bid for the White House," reports The State.

Per the Manchester Union Leader, the Democratic governors of both Iowa and New Hampshire will meet in DC on Saturday to discuss concerns they have about the upcoming nominating calendar. Also, former President Clinton has sent out his first fundraising letter on behalf of his wife. 

 

During a press conference on global warming yesterday with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), McCain commented on British Prime Minister Tony Blair's plan to withdraw 1,600 troops from Iraq over the coming months, saying he wishes they would stay longer, but adding that he respects the decision and appreciates the "incredible service and sacrifice" they've given over the past four years, NBC's Andrew Merten reports.  McCain also made a point of saying that he's had "no cooperation" from the Bush Administration for hearings on global warming until now, adding that he is happy to see a renewed commitment from the Administration, but calling it "long overdue."

The Washington Times notes that neither McCain nor former Mayor Rudy Giuliani have signed "an anti-tax-increase pledge that has been embraced by several of their rivals."  The reluctance of the two GOP frontrunners "to sign the pledge, which has been signed by every Republican presidential nominee since 1988, raised concerns among conservative tax cutters about Mr. McCain's and Mr. Giuliani's commitment to reduce tax rates at a time when all of the Democratic presidential contenders have vowed to raise income taxes if they are elected." 

The New York Post reports on Giuliani's visit to South Carolina yesterday, where he pitched his "leadership skills, his 9/11 experiences and a fence along the Mexican border.  Giuliani told the crowd of more than 250 first-responders at the North Spartanburg firehouse that firefighters and cops of 9/11 'stood their ground, they didn't flinch one bit . . . I believe they saved America.'  He also said, 'I hate to toot my own horn but that's what I'm good at.'"  

Giuliani also sought to cement his position on abortion: "'I'd advise my daughter or anyone else not to have an abortion,' Giuliani said.  'I'd like to see it ended, but ultimately I believe that a woman has the right to choose.'" 

Rep. Duncan Hunter will make a "major announcement" at the statehouse in Columbia today.

President Bush's domestic issue of the day is alternative fuels, with events in Franklinton, NC.  The pool report from yesterday's trip to Chattanooga notes that Bush "was in full campaign mode" during an unscheduled stop at a barbecue joint.  "POTUS was said to eat ribs, and emerged about 25 minutes later to a cheering crowd."  The New York Times on Bush's scheduled event: "The participants had been carefully selected, the tone was confessional, and the president, describing himself as the 'educator in chief,' sounded more like talk-show host in chief." 

Tennessee's Democratic governor, who was in attendance yesterday, "said it was the first time he had been invited to appear with Bush in such a setting," the Washington Post notes.  "Democrats in Washington are showing little enthusiasm for the Bush health agenda, but the president is plugging away, insisting he sees hope for compromise before his term ends in less than two years." 

Laura Bush makes stops in Mississippi to review Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.

The Wall Street Journal looks at how the Libby case "has added fuel to calls for a broader examination of how intelligence was used in political arguments in the past six years.  Moreover, some current and former administration officials say, the trial's airing of the use of intelligence -- especially over the Iraq war -- threatens to further undermine confidence in American claims on other sensitive matters.  That could be a particular problem in the U.S. campaign to convince the world to curb Iran's nuclear program."

USA Today, continuing its scrutiny of the ties between lobbyists and lawmakers, reports that five of the 39 former members of Congress who were "rejected by voters three months ago landed jobs at firms that seek to influence Congress.  The hires include two Republicans — Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania and Conrad Burns of Montana — who lost in part because of allegations of ethical lapses.  Federal law requires lawmakers to wait a year after leaving office to lobby Congress, but lets former Congress members advise lobbyists and clients." 

From NBC's Andrew Merten
Responding to Vice President Dick Cheney's comments today, Sen. John McCain said that he stands by his prior comments about former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and added that he has voiced concerns over the conduct of the Iraq war over the past three years. During a press conference in California today with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, McCain also commented on the recent news of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's plan to withdraw 1,600 troops from Iraq over the coming months, saying he wishes they would stay longer, but adding that he respects the decision and appreciates the "incredible service and sacrifice" they've given over the past four years.

McCain appeared with Schwarzenegger earlier this afternoon to discuss the governor's current global warming strategy, which aims to reduce the state's emissions by 13 million tons by 2020. In sharp contrast with his recent support of President Bush's Iraq policies, McCain made it a point to say that he has had "no cooperation" from the administration for hearings on global warming until now, adding that he is happy to see a renewed commitment from the administration, but called it "long overdue."

 

From NBC's Huma Zaidi
In an interview this afternoon, Vice President Dick Cheney responded to Sen. John McCain's criticism of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. McCain, who is considered a top Republican presidential contender, said over the weekend that Rumsfeld would "go down in history as one of the worst secretaries of Defense in history." When asked about that statement, Cheney said: "I just fundamentally disagree with John.  John said some nasty things about me the other day, and then next time he saw me, ran over to me and apologized.  Maybe he'll apologize to Rumsfeld."

Those "nasty" remarks Cheney's referring is when McCain said Cheney has not served President Bush well during the Iraq war.  "He and John McCain had a number of dust-ups over policy, didn't have anything to do with Iraq -- other issues that were involved," Cheney said of Rumsfeld. "John's entitled to his opinion.  I just think he's wrong," he added.

From NBC's Mark Murray
Obama communications director Robert Gibbs just released this statement regarding the Clinton campaign's demand that Obama denounce the comments that supporter David Geffen made to Maureen Dowd of the New York Times:

"We aren't going to get in the middle of a disagreement between the Clintons and someone who was once one of their biggest supporters," Gibbs said. "It is ironic that the Clintons had no problem with David Geffen when was raising them $18 million and sleeping at their invitation in the Lincoln bedroom. It is also ironic that Senator Clinton lavished praise on Monday and is fully willing to accept today the support of South Carolina State Sen. Robert Ford, who said if Barack Obama were to win the nomination, he would drag down the rest of the Democratic Party because 'he's black.'"

From NBC's Mark Murray
Further proving that the Democratic presidential candidates are already pulling out their swords -- even over the most minor of matters -- the Clinton campaign is up in arms over comments that Hollywood mogul and Obama supporter David Geffen made to the New York Times' Maureen Dowd. In a statement, Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said, "While Sen. Obama was denouncing slash-and-burn politics yesterday, his campaign's finance chair was viciously and personally attacking Sen. Clinton and her husband. If Sen. Obama is indeed sincere about his repeated claims to change the tone of our politics, he should immediately denounce these remarks, remove Mr. Geffen from his campaign, and return this money."

So what exactly did Geffen -- who holds no formal role in Obama's campaign -- say to get the Clinton camp so wound up? It was apparently this in Dowd's column today: "'It's not a very big thing to say "I made a mistake" on the war, and typical of Hillary Clinton that she can't,' Mr. Geffen says. 'She's so advised by so many smart advisers who are covering every base. I think that America was better served when the candidates were chosen in smoke-filled rooms.'" More from Dowd: "Did Mr. Spielberg get in trouble with the Clintons for helping Senator Obama? 'Yes,' Mr. Geffen replies, slyly. Can Obambi stand up to Clinton Inc.? 'I hope so," he says, 'because that machine is going to be very unpleasant and unattractive and effective."

Of course, you could argue that the Clinton camp's response to those comments by Geffen actually proves his last point. Last week, when First Read published some recent, ill-judged comments made by Clinton campaign chair Terry McAuliffe about immigration, Clinton aides registered their unhappiness at being tied to those remarks.

From Elizabeth Wilner, Mark Murray, and Huma Zaidi
All of the Democratic presidential candidates save Sen. Barack Obama troop one by one before an audience of government employee union members and national reporters today in the unlikely political hotspot of Carson City, NV.  Although the contenders have paraded before a big crowd before, at the Democratic National Committee meeting earlier this month, this is the first such event at which they will take questions posed by a moderator, ABC's George Stephanopoulos, and will have to adhere to time limits (the DNC's utterly ignored time limit notwithstanding).  Yet the event technically is not a debate, since the candidates will appear one at a time and won't have a chance to engage each other.

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees' forum is the first of several candidate gatherings organized to help highlight Nevada's new place on the Democratic nominating calendar.  The state will host a second-in-the-nation caucus on January 19, 2008, although details like the timing of the caucuses are up in the air because of concerns about the number of casino workers who pull night shifts.  AFSCME and home state Sen. Harry Reid are calling today's event an opportunity to lay groundwork for Democrats to "win the West," something New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson emphasized in making the case for his candidacy to the DNC earlier this month.

During the three-hour forum, candidates will be allowed two minutes apiece for opening remarks and one minute for closing remarks.  Each candidate will be asked a total of three questions and will have three minutes to respond to each.  Per the press release about the forum, the line-up is: Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Hillary Clinton, former Gov. Tom Vilsack, former Sen. John Edwards, Richardson, Sen. Joe Biden, Rep. Bob Kucinich (sic), and former Sen. Mike Gravel.

With forums and debates being added to the schedule seemingly every week now, Obama's absence -- he'll be campaigning in Iowa, but visited the state last weekend -- raises the question of whether frontrunning candidates will see fit to skip future forums and debates because of the political risks they pose and the amount of prep time they require.  As of today, Democrats seem to have more such dates on the books than Republicans do, in part because of the Nevada forums and in part because their key constituency groups are rushing to schedule events.  Representatives of the top candidates already have expressed concerns about the proliferating events to the DNC.

The Republican National Committee is armed and ready to shoot at what they view as Democratic fish in a barrel today.  Already prepared, detailed RNC research documents bash -- see if you can match the labels to the candidates -- the "inexperienced, insulated, unabashed liberal;" the "calculated, divisive, lifelong liberal with political baggage;" and the "hypocritical, inexperienced liberal with a new negative attitude."  (Note the universal use of the "liberal" charge.)  All candidates save Rep. Dennis (a/k/a "Bob") Kucinich are the targets of similar releases.

On the GOP side today, Sen. John McCain appears with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to talk about their efforts to combat global warming, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani campaigns in South Carolina, and former Gov. Mitt Romney's new campaign ad hits the air in key early states.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush's closest ally on Iraq, announced the upcoming withdrawal of 1,600 British troops from Iraq earlier this morning.  "After being dogged by the debacle in Iraq for nearly four years, Wednesday's statement allows [Blair] to leave office conveying the impression - albeit a limited one - that the UK intervention has had some success," says the Financial Times.  "However, the announcement will be watched with anxiety by politicians across the political divide in the US.  Britain's troop reduction comes as [Bush] has started to commit the US to a 'surge' of US troop numbers in Iraq." 

"'The actual reduction in forces will be from the present 7,100 -- itself down from over 9,000 two years ago and 40,000 at the time of the conflict -- to roughly 5,500,' Blair told parliament.  'The UK military presence will continue into 2008, for as long as we are wanted and have a job to do,' he said." 

"The White House called it positive step" reflecting Iraqi security forces' readiness to take over, "and said it was not a surprise because the British have been turning over power to Iraqi forces for months," says USA Today, which also notes, "The plan could mean Prince Harry, third in line to the throne, won't be deployed to Iraq." 

The AP adds: "Denmark's prime minister said Wednesday that his country will also withdraw its 460-member contingent from southern Iraq by August and transfer security responsibilities to Iraqi forces…  Analysts say there is little point in boosting forces in the largely Shiite south of Iraq, where most non-U.S. coalition troops are concentrated." 

Vice President Cheney held a campaign-style rally aboard the USS Kitty Hawk anchored at Yokosuka Naval Base last night.  Per the pool report, a "USS Kitty Hawk, America's Flagship'' banner hung above the sailors seated in the bleachers behind the podium, for "the shot,'' and a few thousand sailors crammed standing room only into the bay.  The pool reporter notes that Cheney spoke of the importance of showing strength, not "weakness,'' in the face of terrorism with a speech designed for, perhaps, many audiences.  He also made an interesting departure from his prepared remarks: At the point where he was scripted to say the American people "do not support a policy of retreat,'' he instead said "will not support a policy of retreat.''  That line drew hearty applause from the sailors.

The Los Angeles Times looks at the differences between the Democratic presidential candidates on Iraq, noting that "the differences among the major Democratic contenders are largely a matter of degree" -- but still may affect the course of the primary. 

Although there's more evidence on the left, the Washington Times looks at how the congressional debate over Bush's prospective troop increase is galvanizing advocacy groups on both sides. 

Pool reporter Carla Marinucci of the San Francisco Chronicle provides an account of Obama's $1.3 million Dreamworks fundraiser last night.  Obama told the crowd of 300 stars and power brokers that they have "enormous power" that comes with "enormous responsibility" because of their impact on American culture.  "Don't sell yourselves short,'' he said in a 25-minute address.  "You are the storytellers of our age.''  Michelle Obama won raves for her introduction of her husband.  "I actually thought his wife was amazing,'' said Natalie Mains, five-time Grammy Award-winning lead singer for the Dixie Chicks.  Obama's speech was mostly derived from his campaign stump but tailored to the entertainment audience.  Keying off of one of the guests, "An Inconvenient Truth" producer Lawrence Bender, Obama said that what had been for years,"an obscure debate'' about climate change "suddenly is in everyone's living room… and suddenly transforming the conversation.''

The Los Angeles Times says the "huge crowd" at Obama's rally yesterday "reflected the extraordinary interest that Obama has generated...  It is highly unusual for a presidential candidate to draw thousands of supporters to a Los Angeles rally nearly a year before California's primary - or even to try."  The paper also reports that Clinton "plans to meet privately with potential donors later this week at Creative Artists Agency in Century City...  She also plans fundraising events at the office of Hollywood film mogul Haim Saban and the Pacific Palisades home of investor Sim Farar, as well as an event sponsored by Iranian immigrants." 

Per NBC's Lauren Appelbaum, a woman passed out during the rally.  Obama stopped his speech to ask for a medic, for 911 to be called, and for other people to get the woman water.  Once it was apparent that she was going to be OK, he went back to his speech, but he was visibly shaken up.

The New York Post covers Clinton's campaign stop in Florida yesterday, where she railed against what she called the Bush Administration's arrogance.  "'When I'm president, I'm going to send a message to the world that America is back - we're not the arrogant power that we've been acting like for the last six years,' Sen. Clinton said." 

Following up on the New York Times, the AP looks at how, with Obama and Clinton speaking to audiences of hundreds during visits to key states, the "large crowds so early in the nominating season have forced organizers to plan events in gymnasiums or hotel ballrooms.  It also has caused political analysts to wonder if the intimate home visits and stops at small-town diners - time-tested hallmarks of campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire - are part of an outdated political playbook." 

The Carson City paper says of today's forum, "About 1,000 tickets have been distributed to actually attend the event, about 600 at the community center and 400 for a live telecast to a conference room...  The vast majority of the tickets went to members of the American Federation of State, and Municipal Employees." 

The forum "will be broadcast live in its entirety, estimated about three hours, nationally on the C-SPAN cable television network and locally on the Las Vegas ONE cable channel." 

"Jon Ralston, a columnist and commentator on state politics, says Democrats 'failed miserably at outreach' in the last two elections and wonders if they can overcome a huge vote deficit in rural Nevada, where turnout is high," reports USA Today, speculating on turnout for a Democratic presidential caucus.  "Overall turnout in general elections here is weak, dragged down by low turnout in urban areas such as Las Vegas.  In 2000, less than 44% of the voting-age population turned out - one of the lowest rates in the nation.  In 2004, when Nevada's mid-February caucuses drew no special attention, about 10,000 Democrats showed." 

Bloomberg says that casino companies now "see a chance to lobby potential presidents to support a study of legalizing Internet gambling, which is currently banned; on immigration, where they favor giving undocumented workers already in the nation a path to citizenship; and to block any move to outlaw betting on college sports.  The companies also want to assure that anti-terrorism laws don't keep foreign visitors from coming, and spending." 

Biden's lobbyist son is counter-suing a former business partner who recently filed suit against him, alleging exclusion from a lucrative takeover deal. 

McCain made an unscheduled campaign stop at the Georgia state capitol yesterday, where he met with state legislators and faced rapid-fire questions from a hoard of local reporters sent scrambling by his surprise visit, NBC's Carrie Dann reports.  Asked to follow up on his much-publicized criticism over the weekend of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Bush Administration's "mismanagement" of Iraq, McCain was quick to say he's not casting the first stone: "I am being critical of everybody, including all of us who are responsible for mistakes that we've made in the war, including myself."  But he also acknowledged that US intervention in Iraq will extend into the next presidency, saying "we're there for a long, long time." 

Why did McCain have Georgia on his mind enough to warrant a detour there?  Maybe because he'll snag headlines from Romney, who's hoping to court the Southern vote at an Atlanta fundraiser tonight.

The Financial Times says "McCain's fortunes are plummeting rapidly.  And the senator's frustrations are beginning to show."  Among conservatives, "McCain is viewed with suspicion because of his support for stem cell research and lukewarm opposition to abortion and gay marriage.  He has stretch­ed voter credulity by making overt attempts to reconcile with the Christian right...  Although [Rudy] Giuliani is more liberal by far on social issues than either of the other candidates and is also on his third marriage, his image as a tough operator... has assisted his poll numbers, say analysts." 

McCain is now getting attacked by Romney for his position on abortion, The Politico reports.  "But isn't it a bit audacious for the campaign of a candidate who was, in his own words, 'effectively pro-choice' as late as his 2002 gubernatorial run, to now take shots at the record of a consistently pro-life opponent?  'We're making sure that all primary voters and [conservative] leaders have full picture on all the candidates,' responds" a Romney aide.  A McCain spokesman "responded by noting his candidate's long record of opposing abortion."

The Hotline reports on another YouTube video of Romney defending abortion rights -- this time from a 2002 gubernatorial debate against Shannon O'Brien (D).  "His only difference with O'Brien -- Romney did not support a chance in the age of consent law to 16, preferring to keep it at 18.  Of the state's judicial bypass, Romney said, 'So far, in Massachusetts history, when a young woman has gone to a judge, not one single time has there been a denial of that permission.'  On the laws generally: 'I will preserve them, I will protect them, I will enforce them.'"  

Romney's new ad "was shot in a stripped-down style with hand-held digital video cameras during his announcement tour last week, giving viewers the illusion of having an up-close view of the candidate," notes the Boston Globe.  Some analysts have said the early advertising is to make up for his lag in polls.  But "Romney spokesman Kevin Madden said the ad is not a reaction to polls, but rather a logical next step in introducing the candidate." 

The Boston Herald says the "TV blitz is also aimed at allowing Romney to establish himself on his own terms.  The conservative Republican has recently been on the defense addressing such issues as gay marriage and abortion." 

A new national Quinnipiac poll shows Giuliani beating all the Democratic frontrunners in hypothetical match-ups.  He defeats Hillary Clinton, 48%-43%; Obama, 47%-40%; and Edwards, 48%-40%.  Also in the poll, McCain tops Clinton, 46%-44%, and ties Obama, 43%-43%.

Giuliani campaigns in South Carolina today.  The Hill says that his recent emphasis on how he'd nominate conservative judges could be complicated by an April 2001 speech he gave to NARAL, which was "perhaps the harshest critic of President Bush's appointments of" John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.  In that speech, Giuliani also "indicated... that he supported changing the Republican Party's platform on abortion...  Abortion rights, Giuliani said, fit well within the Republican Party's philosophy of reducing the role of government in people's lives." 

NBC's Appelbaum reports that Sen. Sam Brownback spoke about Iraq yesterday during a campaign stop in Mississippi, where he emphasized his three-state, one-country solution and cautioned against pulling out US troops: "We can't pull and cut and run.  Period...  It would be wrong.  It would be wrong to the legacy of our troops.  It would be wrong for the war on terrorism because it would teach future terrorists the way to come at the United Sates."

President Bush heads to Chattanooga today to continue his focus on health care.  He'll present Debbie Chadwick with the President's Volunteer Service Award "in recognition of her 10 years as a volunteer at the Life Care Center of Missionary Ridge."  Chadwick has Down syndrome.  The Chattanooga paper also says, "There were mixed reactions this week to the news of President Bush's visit.  Area Democrats planned a protest, and a nonprofit research group issued a report that said the president's health care proposals are unlikely to help many people in Hamilton County." 

The New York Times profiles the Texans who followed Bush into the White House and who remain in positions of power around his Administration.  "No matter how grim the polls or dire the news in Iraq, they have stood by Mr. Bush - and been rewarded with plum jobs - as their lives have grown increasingly intertwined with one another's and with his." 

Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson's office announced yesterday that Johnson has been discharged from the hospital to a private rehab facility and is onto the next phase of his therapy.  Roll Call says Johnson now appears likelier than not to run for re-election in 2008, which would help Democrats hang onto his seat. 

The Washington Post front-pages a look at "how the Democratic takeover has energized and emboldened the party's liberal base, ratcheting up the pressure on the party's moderates...  Democratic leaders want their activists to focus on beating Republicans.  But the grass roots and Net roots believe the political tide is shifting their way, and they can provide the money, ground troops and buzz to challenge Democratic incumbents they don't like." 

Jurors begin deliberating today.  Slate's Dickerson notes that while the defense declined to call Cheney to testify, the prosecution in its closing arguments "brought him in anyway," figuratively speaking. 

Defense attorney Ted Wells "may yet win an acquittal from the jury," says the Washington Post's Milbank.  "But it won't be because of the cohesion of his closing arguments.  Libby was alternately portrayed as a man who told the truth, a man who inadvertently misspoke, and the victim of conspiracies involving everybody from President Bush to Tim Russert."