From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
In a place called Unity, the Obama, Clinton joint campaigning will happen in New Hampshire Friday.

The event is dubbed a "Unite for Change" rally. The Obama campaign notes in its release that both candidates got 107 votes each from the town in the New Hampshire primary earlier this.

Get the message?

*** UPDATE *** NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli, who spent several months in New Hampshire before the primary there, presents some Unity, N.H., fun facts:

- The town was first incorporated as Buckingham in 1753, and now has a population of 1,715. According to a state Web site, the town was renamed Unity in 1764 after the "friendly resolution" of a land dispute.
- According to the 2000 census, the population is 1,535. The ocasionally accurate Wikipedia says the demographics are: 99.35 percent white, 0.07 percent African American (I did the calculation, and that would be equal to one person).
- Unity is about 60 miles from Manchester, mostly on local roads. The seldom-reliable estimate from Google Maps calls for about a 90-minute drive time.
- By my recollection, not one candidate visited Unity during the entire New Hampshire primary campaign. Claremont, about 15 minutes away, did see its share of visitors, mostly on the Democratic side.
- Obama and Clinton did indeed tie with 107 votes in the Democratic primary. Edwards got 78, Richardson 15, Kucinich 2, and Biden and Gravel each got 1. Chris Dodd? Nothin' (though to be fair, he had dropped out already).
- McCain got 81 votes on the Republican side, beating Romney who had 70. Huckabee was third with 21, followed by Rudy with 20. Duncan Hunter had 2, two more than Dodd.
- Michelle Obama will be in New Hampshire on Thursday for a solo event. No word yet if she'll stick around for the joint event Friday. A Bill Clinton spokesperson says the former president will be in Europe.

From NBC's Mark Murray
A new USA Today/Gallup poll has Obama leading McCain among likely voters by six points, 50%-44%.

VIDEO: A Race for the White House panel takes a look at which supporters-John McCain's or Barack Obama's-are enthusiastic about their candidate's campaign and potential presidency.

But the most revealing numbers in the survey were the ones measuring voter enthusiasm: 61% of Democrats said they were more enthusiastic than usual about voting in this year's election, while just 35% of Republicans said that.

Also in the poll, Obama's fav/unfav is 64%-31%, while McCain's is 59%-35%.

On the issues -- when asked which candidate would do a better job on each -- Obama held advantages on health care (51%-26%), the economy (48%-32%), energy/gas (47%-28%), taxes (44%-35%), and moral values (40%-39%). McCain had the edge on terrorism (52%-33%) and illegal immigration (36%-34%). And they were tied on Iraq (43%-43%).

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** The New Arms Race: As we've mentioned before, one of the more underappreciated ways that Obama defeated Clinton in the Democratic primaries is that he forced her to compete in a political arms race that she couldn't win. Think about it: Clinton raised more than $200 million, and she now finds herself $22.5 million in debt. It was Obama playing Reagan to Clinton's role as Gorbachev. Now that Obama has decided to opt out of the public financing system -- enabling him to perhaps raise $300 million between now and Election Day -- could history repeat itself? Over the weekend, via the New York Times, we learned that he's dispatching paid staffers to all states and that he might run national TV ads tied to the Olympics, as well as targeted ones on MTV and BET. For the first time in quite a while, Republicans are going to be outspent significantly in a presidential election. Can they prove they can win when being outspent? (Have they ever done it before?) McCain having $84 million to spend between the GOP convention and November -- less than 60 days -- is a lot of money. Then again, Clinton's $200 million-plus was a lot of money, too.

VIDEO: Critics are crying foul over what they say is a suspiciously "presidential" looking logo at a recent Obama campaign event. Pundits Pat Buchanan and Peter Fenn discuss the controversy.

*** Obama's Mixed Week: For someone who's poised to raise a considerable amount of money -- and who also is ahead 15 points nationally in a new Newsweek poll (thanks to a large party advantage), as well as in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, according to Quinnipiac surveys -- Obama's week wasn't his best. His decision to opt out of the public financing system was criticized by Republicans, liberal and conservative columnists, editorial boards, and good-government groups. (Sticking with the Cold War metaphor above, didn't Reagan's own arms build-up generate a fair amount of criticism?) He raised just $22 million in May, his worst monthly haul this year. And then there was that faux presidential seal that was affixed to Obama's rostrum on Friday, which got mocked from all quarters. What a bizarre and dumb idea. Why do we have a feeling we won't see this again? It really feeds the arrogance narrative.

*** Does Broder Have A Point? Here's one person who criticized Obama's decision to opt out of the financing system: Washington Post columnist David Broder. With Obama so unknown still, is it good for him to be ducking town hall meetings and deciding to fund his campaign privately? The more he does things that give the appearance of just another politician, doesn't that undercut the delicate nature of his fresh face image? It's the talking point of the weekend by McCain surrogates, and it could be one that's effective. The Clinton campaign never could make the "he's just another craven politician" tag stick, because Clinton had the whole pot-kettle problem. But with McCain's reform image engrained with many voters -- even if it's been dented by some reversals of his own -- Obama could see this tactic used against more effectively now than it was during the primary. Also, the Chicago Tribune wonders if Obama will get tagged with Chicago's negative political image. Then again, as the Washington Post notes this morning, Obama is also demonstrating something with these decisions that his critics found lacking during the primaries: toughness.

VIDEO: John McCain had his best fundraising month yet, raising $21.5 million in May, but that's still $15 million less than Barack Obama had in April. A Race for the White House panel discusses.

*** Behind Obama's $22 Million: To put Obama's haul into perspective, do note that it came in the last month of a protracted, 17-month campaign against Clinton. And there was probably plenty of donor fatigue, especially since Obama's campaign and supporters were pretty sure he had locked up the nomination on May 6 after the Indiana and North Carolina primaries. Clinton, for her part, raised $12.6 million. Also, Obama's haul still exceeded McCain's amount -- at a time when McCain was hitting nearly a fundraiser per day, when he received $4.3 million from three big joint fundraisers, and with a unified Republican Party behind him. What's more, Obama couldn't really begin raising money for the general election in May, given that he didn't want to look like he was shoving Clinton out of the race. And Obama's ability to raise money over the internet has largely depended on news events. Besides his victory in North Carolina, May included blowout defeats in West Virginia and Kentucky. To see if Obama is on pace to bring in $300 million in five months, we'll find out quite a bit next month, when the June numbers are released.

*** The Energy Fight: It looks like we know the issue that's going to drive the presidential campaign for the rest of the summer. With gas prices continuing to go up, it's not shocking but now both campaigns seem to embracing the issue and trying to for new ways to create a wedge between the two campaigns. Obama played the Enron card yesterday, while McCain -- a week after calling for offshore drilling -- gives a speech advocating innovation to replace fossil fuels. (A little ironic, don't ya think?) "My friends, energy security is the great national challenge of our time. And rising to this challenge will take all of the vision, creativity, and resolve of which we are capable," McCain will say, according to excerpts released by his campaign.

*** Go West, Young (Or Not So Young) Men: Over the next couple of days, McCain and Obama are both out West. Obama spends Monday in New Mexico and Tuesday in Las Vegas, while McCain spends both days in California, where he mostly raises money. McCain then goes to Las Vegas on Wednesday for yet another fundraiser. Today, McCain is California, speaking at Fresno State University and raising money near there and then in Santa Barbara. Obama campaigns in New Mexico, holding an event in Albuquerque.
 
Countdown to Dem convention: 63 days
Countdown to GOP convention: 70 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 134 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 211 days
 
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The New York Times says Obama yesterday "proposed tightening the regulation of oil speculators in an effort to ease record high gasoline prices and address one of Americans' top concerns. Mr. Obama proposed closing the so-called Enron loophole, a legal provision requested by that company in 2000 that exempts crucial energy commodities from government oversight." More: "How large a role speculative investment plays in pushing up oil and other commodity prices is not entirely clear. While some analysts believe that large flows of money into largely unregulated exchanges have distorted markets and pushed up prices, most energy experts see no support for that theory."

VIDEO: Newsweek senior Washington correspondent Howard Fineman talks with TODAY's Ann Curry about the presidential candidates' positions on taxes and energy.

Reuters: The campaign also said he backed legislation that would direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the top US futures market regulator, to investigate proposals such as increasing margin requirements in the market."

"McCain hopes to solve the country's energy crisis with cold hard cash," the AP says. "The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting is proposing a $300 million government prize to whomever can develop an automobile battery that far surpasses existing technology. The bounty would equate to $1 for every man, woman and child in the country, 'a small price to pay for helping to break the back of our oil dependency,' McCain said in remarks prepared for delivery Monday at Fresno State University in California."

Excerpts of the speech on energy independence McCain will deliver in Fresno, CA: "[T]he CAFE standards we apply to automakers -- to increase the fuel efficiency of their cars -- are lightly enforced by a small fine. The result is that some companies don't even bother to observe CAFE standards. Instead they just write a check to the government and pass the cost along to you… CAFE standards should serve large national goals in energy independence, not the purpose of small-time revenue collection."

"My administration will issue a Clean Car Challenge to the automakers of America, in the form of a single and substantial tax credit based on the reduction of carbon emissions. For every automaker who can sell a zero-emissions car, we will commit a 5,000 dollar tax credit for each and every customer who buys that car… I further propose we inspire the ingenuity and resolve of the American people by offering a $300 million prize for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars.  This is one dollar for every man, woman and child in the U.S. – a small price to pay for helping to break the back of our oil dependency – and should deliver a power source at 30 percent of the current costs."

"My friends, energy security is the great national challenge of our time. And rising to this challenge will take all of the vision, creativity, and resolve of which we are capable."
 
"With communities in the Midwest still under water, Democrat Barack Obama on Saturday criticized Republican John McCain for opposing federal spending on flood prevention programs and opened a new debate in the White House race," the AP reports. "McCain's campaign said Obama was confusing the facts and engaging in typical political attacks that the Democrat rejects in his speeches." 
 
Bloomberg's Al Hunt has a great piece about how both McCain and Obama are pandering on key economic issues. "McCain is placating economic conservatives in the Republican Party by promising tax cuts that would lead to a fiscal nightmare. Obama is pandering to labor with protectionist threats that would endanger relations with important trading partners. These stances run counter to major themes in both campaigns that seek to differentiate the two contenders from the unpopular Bush administration: McCain as a bipartisan leader, and Obama as a candidate out to change the my-way-or- the-highway approach to foreign policy."

"Moreover, it's difficult to accept that McCain really favors expensive tax cuts tilted heavily toward the wealthy or that Obama really thinks former President Bill Clinton's international economic policies hurt the country. For Obama 'to talk about a more multilateral world and then be unilateral on trade is a contradiction,' says I.M. Destler, a fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a professor at the University of Maryland."

The New York Post looks at both candidates' tax plans. "Obama takes the Robin Hood approach: taxing the rich and giving more tax breaks to low- and moderate-income workers and seniors, including new subsidies for those who currently pay no taxes. McCain's plan retains the Bush tax cuts for all income earners, nearly doubles the exemption for dependents, slashes the corporate tax rate to 25 percent from 35 percent, lowers the 'death tax' on estates and maintains lower capital-gains taxes. The Republican's tax cut - aimed at spurring the economy - tilts more to helping higher-income taxpayers, married couples and job producers."

Newsweek released a poll that has Obama sporting a 15-point lead. It's the largest lead in any Obama-vs.-McCain poll to date. Will it be an outlier? An important point about THIS poll: "Obama's current lead also reflects the large party-identification advantage the Democrats now enjoy—55 percent of all voters call themselves Democrats or say they lean toward the party while just 36 percent call themselves Republicans or lean that way. Even as McCain seeks to gain voters by distancing himself from the unpopular Bush and emphasizing his maverick image, he is suffering from the GOP's poor reputation among many voters. Still, history provides hope for the GOP."

VIDEO: Hardball guest host David Shuster and panel discuss the latest Newsweek poll in which Barack Obama leads John McCain 51 percent to 36 percent among registered voters.

We learned a lot about Obama's summer campaign plans in the Sunday New York Times. "Future commercials could run on big national showcases like the Olympics in August and smaller cable networks like MTV and Black Entertainment Television that appeal to specific demographic and interest groups. He is also dispatching paid staff members to all states, an unusual move by the standards of modern presidential campaigns where the fight is often contained to contested territories."

More: "Free from the constraints of public financing, Mr. Obama's budget for the rest of the year could exceed $300 million, campaign and party officials have said. But his fund-raising slowed in May, when the campaign raised about $22 million — almost $10 million less than in April and a large decline from the record amounts he was taking in earlier this year. The decline was evidence that he might have to invest substantial time at fund-raising to match the levels he set in the first quarter this year."

The Washington Post: "[E]ven as McCain's strategists claim tactical victories, Republicans outside the campaign worry that underlying weaknesses in its organization and message are costing him valuable time to make the case for his own candidacy. Allies complain that the campaign has offered myriad confusing themes that lurch between pitching McCain as a committed conservative one day and an independent-minded reformer the next, while displaying little of the discipline and focus that characterized President Bush's successful campaigns. Several Republican supporters of the presumptive nominee said they were puzzled by a series of easily avoidable mistakes, including sloppy political stagecraft and poorly timed comments that undercut McCain's reputation as a maverick."

"But as the criticisms mount, McCain has begun to make some changes to his operation and adapt to a general-election race against a well-funded opponent with a large and sophisticated political organization. At the request of campaign manager Rick Davis, senior adviser Steve Schmidt will leave McCain's side on the trail and return to headquarters for what a source said will be a 'much greater operational role' in the campaign… Former Bush communications director Nicolle Wallace joined McCain's campaign as a senior strategist in May. Last week, she spent time with McCain on his plane for the first time. Matt McDonald, another veteran of the Bush and Schwarzenegger teams, has also been added to the campaign."

Newsweek profiled Cindy McCain and notes how badly she would like to keep her privacy. "Occasionally, Cindy has allowed some of the walls to come down. She's clearly more comfortable when her kids are near. Her daughter Meghan regularly publishes candid pictures of her mom on her blog—including photos of Cindy in the giant fuzzy slippers she wears in hotel rooms on the road, and dressed in pink polka-dot pajamas before bed. In Vietnam, Meghan teased her mother for committing a major fashion faux pas: wearing her hair in a scrunchy. 'A scrunchy, Mom? Really?' Meghan said. 'What?' Cindy said. 'I'm not cool?'"

"Cindy, who couldn't get out of Washington fast enough two decades ago, now gamely—if not quite persuasively—says she would be happy to move back. Like most First Ladies, she would see more of her husband. She certainly knows how badly he wants to win, and, as she says, that makes her want it, too. Yet there is an unmistakable note of reticence: the uncertainty of a woman who has seen enough of the dark side of politics to know that she hasn't yet seen it all. 'Hopefully,' she says, 'it will be a good experience.'"

The LA Times notes some of the potential conflicts of interest issues McCain will face as president regarding his wife's connection to Hensley & Co.

"McCain attended services Sunday at a Baptist church in his hometown," the AP says. "The Arizona senator's presence at North Phoenix Baptist Church was unannounced, and many of the hundreds of members appeared not to notice as he sat alone during the 90-minute service. He shook hands with and hugged a few people afterward, then left flanked by Secret Service agents."

The Washington Post front-pages that Obama has worked to reintroduce himself in the opening weeks of the general election. Obama "has moved aggressively to shape his campaign and offered a clear road map for the kind of candidate he is likely to become in the months ahead: an ambitious gamer of the electoral map, a ruthless fundraiser and a scrupulous manager of his own biography in the face of persistent concerns about how he is perceived. Obama's early maneuvers suggest a clear understanding within the campaign of his strengths and weaknesses."

VIDEO: The race for the White House is entering a new stage, with the Republican and Democratic candidates outlining strategies for the general election. NBC's Kevin Corke reports.

The piece also makes this point about Obama's decision to opt out of the public financing system, which has drawn plenty of criticism. "Yet Obama's advocates also argue a positive lesson about their candidate's character can be drawn from the decision: that Obama is willing to take political risks in order to win. His toughness as a politician was often questioned during the Democratic primary, as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton cast herself as the only Democrat able to do hand-to-hand combat with Republicans. 'People and commentators have been saying we know Barack is hopeful and that he appeals to a broad cross section of the public,' [Obama friend and adviser Valerie] Jarrett said. 'But perhaps people didn't know how tough he is. He's been saying all along, don't confuse hope with naivete.'"  

The Los Angeles Times notes that Obama's campaign is "quietly laying plans to draw African American voters to the polls in unprecedented numbers by capitalizing on the excitement over the prospect of electing the nation's first black president. Obama strategists believe they have identified a gold mine of new and potentially decisive Democratic voters in at least five battleground states -- voters who failed to turn out in the past but can be mobilized this time… In Florida alone, more than half a million black registered voters stayed home in 2004. Hundreds of thousands more African Americans are eligible to vote but not registered. And campaign analysts have identified similar potential in North Carolina, Virginia, Missouri and Ohio."

But: "The strategy requires a deft touch and carries risks… Strategists say he cannot afford to appear to be exploiting race or running solely as a black candidate -- particularly as he courts moderate whites and blue-collar workers who did not support him in the primaries."

The Wall Street Journal previews Thursday's Obama-Clinton fundraiser, which is set to raise between $500,000 and $1 million for Obama. "People who plan to go say it will serve two purposes: to lock down support for Sen. Obama and to hammer out a pledge from his campaign to help Sen. Clinton retire some of her own campaign debt. The Clinton camp reported a $22.5 million debt at the end of May, more than half of which was a personal loan from the senator to fund her presidential run."

The Journal also writes about the "tricky balance" the Obama campaign "is trying to strike: to tamp down false rumors -- intended by some to link the Democratic presidential candidate to radical Islam -- without offending Muslims and harming his image of inclusiveness."

"Barack Obama's presidential campaign raised eyebrows and elicited snickers Friday when it unveiled the Obamamania version of the presidential seal," the NY Daily News writes.

The New York Times takes a look at Obama's close ties to the ethanol industry.

And the New York Daily News profiles David Axelrod, the New York kid who went to the city's elite public school, Stuvesant High School, then headed to the University of Chicago for college, "not expecting to make his life and fame in the Second City. But he did. He became a star political reporter for the Chicago Tribune, then switched careers in 1984 to help guide Democrat Paul Simon's upset win over three-term Republican incumbent Sen. Charles Percy. In 1992, Betty Lu Saltzman, a friend and well-known Chicago Democrat, told him about this 'most impressive young guy' named Barack Obama."

Biden, on NBC's Meet the Press, said of being VP: "'When I was asked that question, I thought I was still going to be president. Now - number one, I am not interested in being vice president. I've let the candidate know. If the candidate asks me to be vice president, the answer is I got to say yes. But he's not going to ask me." He continued, "If asked, I will do it," "I've made it clear I do not want to be asked." So his answer would be yes? "Of course it would," Biden said, "because if the presidential nominee thought I could help him win -- am I going to say to the first African-American candidate about to make history in the world that, 'No, I will not help you out like you want me to'? Of course . . . I'll say yes."

VIDEO: Obama supporter Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and McCain supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., discuss the vice presidency with NBC's Brian Williams on "Meet the Press."

A wrap of other comments from NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli… Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) on CNN: "I am very happy being the governor of the state of Minnesota. [being vice president] is not something I have designs on."

Tom Ridge on CBS: "If he asks me, we'll have a private conversation and we'll decide whether or not we ought to tell you what we said."

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, on CBS: "Well, first, anyone would be honored to serve John McCain, and I would as well. But he will have a long list of highly qualified people to choose from. I am out advocating for John McCain because I think he is the best person for the job."

Tom Daschle on Fox News Sunday: "I'm not seeking the vice presidency. I've not talked to Barack about it. I don't expect to be asked. And I have no interest." Would he turn it down? "Well, obviously, you'd think about it. But as I say, I don't expect it, and I don't — I'm not looking for it."

Chuck Hagel says he'd consider an offer from Obama. "I think anybody, anybody would have to consider it. Doesn't mean you'd do it, doesn't mean you'd accept it, could be too many gaps there, but you'd have to consider it, I mean, it's the only thing you could do. Why wouldn't you?"

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist tells the New York Times Magazine "It's very flattering that people would even consider that a notion" that he'd be vice president. And then he's asked this: "You can't find one woman in all of Florida?" "Maybe I have. Stay tuned," Crist responds.

Jim Webb was in Chicago, and seemed more open to the possibility. Asked if he would accept the vice presidential nomination if it was offered to him, Webb said, "I would have a conversation with him on a wide range of issues. That's not a yes."

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones
The debate over how to bring down energy prices has occupied the center of the political stage in recent days, as drivers across the nation face sky-high gas prices, which in turn are driving up costs of food and other goods. Obama campaign's said today that he plans to ease the impact of rising gas prices by cracking down on excessive energy speculation through closing the so-called "Enron Loophole."

VIDEO: What are the presidential candidates' positions on energy and taxes? NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports on the latest in politics, including recent polling numbers.

On the 25-minute call were New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, economic policy director Jason Furman, and energy adviser Elgie Holstein, who was chief of staff at the Department of Energy during the Clinton Administration. The overall theme was a common one -- that McCain is out of touch with the concerns of working people and more in touch with those of big business. Today, they applied that argument to the issue of energy policy.

"What we're talking about today is one very important part of Barack Obama's overall plan, and it's an overall plan that John McCain disagrees with. In almost every instance, he sides with oil companies and Barack Obama sides with consumers," Furman said.

McCain and Obama have been at loggerheads over several proposals for how to deal with an issue that is putting a strain on families, local governments, and even school systems. McCain has supported a summer gas-tax holiday -- which Obama calls a "gimmick" that would rob states of much-needed infrastructure money. McCain also supports lifting a moratorium on offshore oil drilling, which Obama says would produce no short-term benefit and little long-term impact on world oil prices. And McCain opposes the windfall profits tax on oil companies that Obama has proposed. Obama would use the money to help families pay energy costs and other bills.

Aides argued the changes to the regulatory structures could have at least some medium-term impact on gas prices. The "Enron Loophole" -- so named because it was added at Enron's behest -- has kept the Commodity Futures Trading Commission from fully overseeing the oil futures market and investigating cases where excessive speculation may be driving up oil prices, the campaign explained in a policy paper. Obama would close the loophole by requiring that US energy futures trade on regulated exchanges. His plan also calls for legislation that would direct the CFTC to investigate whether further regulation is needed to end excessive speculation in US commodities markets, including higher margin requirements and position limits for institutional investors.

Obama would aim to ensure that US energy futures cannot be traded on unregulated offshore exchanges and would seek to work with our other countries to establish regulations to avoid excessive speculation in commodities futures markets. He would also call on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate market manipulation, including in the oil futures markets and ask the Justice Department to investigate whether energy traders have been engaged in illegal activities that have helped drive up oil and food prices.

Corzine said high oil prices were partly a result of increased demand from countries like China and India, but that most experts believed speculation was also a contributing factor and that the volatility in the price of oil on a daily basis was a clear indication of speculation in the marketplace.

"I think everyone believes there's too much speculation in the oil markets and a lot it flows directly from that particular loophole," he said. ""It might as well be called the Phil Gramm loophole, because it was snuck in at the 11th hour, 59th minute to the 2000 energy policy bill, and it just is, it really needs to be addressed. And it would have a lot of impact I think certainly in the intermediate term, if not in the short term with greater oversight here."

Corzine said the "Enron loophole" Gramm had added to the bill took exchanges and derivative oil contracts out of supervisory oversight and had been a problem in electricity markets in California a few years ago. He said it was unlikely Gramm would push back against his own amendment.

The call participants declined to answer directly questions about how quickly the regulatory changes Obama has proposed could be put in place or how much they would lower gas prices in the short term.

McCain campaign fires back
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds sent an email that pointed to McCain's support for closing the "Enron Loophole," noting that he was "one of only three Republicans" to support an amendment to do so. Corzine, then a US senator, voted with McCain for the amendment, his campaign said.

"The truth is Barack Obama is following John McCain's lead to close a Wall Street loophole that was signed into law by President Bill Clinton," Bounds said. "John McCain has supported bipartisan efforts to close this loophole and will work to address abuses in oil speculation. Barack Obama has voted the party line for Democrats who claim the loophole is fixed. The fact that Barack Obama is attacking John McCain, despite McCain's leadership on the issue, shows that Barack Obama is driven by the partisan attacks that Americans are tired of."

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli and Matthew E. Berger
THE SHORT LIST:
"There was a little extra bounce in Gov. Tim Pawlenty's step" today, after his appearance with McCain last night. "Nobody has asked me for any information or to submit any information and I haven't talked to Sen. McCain about it or anyone from his campaign about it," Pawlenty said of the VP question. He added that he and McCain did spend some private time together, chatting about "sports, movies, politics and policy, family." 
 

VIDEO: CNBC's John Harwood and NBC's Andrea Mitchell discuss potential running mates for Barack Obama and John McCain with NBC's Brian Williams on "Meet the Press."

WHAT THEY'RE UP TO:
-- Hillary Clinton will speak in DC next Thursday at the Latino Political Leadership Conference, which the organization says will be her "first major political appearance" after suspending her campaign. It comes one day before she is scheduled to join Obama on the trail.
-- Bill Richardson will be honored by the group with the Award for Outstanding Public Service.
Obama's meeting with 16 Democratic governors on the economy included several veep candidates, including: Ted Strickland (OH), Kathleen Sebelius (KS), Edward Rendell (PA), Janet Napolitano (AZ.), and Richardson.
-- Mike Huckabee again is calling on Republicans to take the high-brow approach, taking on Obama based on his ideas. "Elections ought to be about elevating the best ideas and exposing the worst ones—not engaging in character assassination with half truths, innuendoes, and disputable 'internet facts,'" Huck writes at his blog. 
 
ON THE RECORD:
Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA) tells the Fredericksburg Free Lance Star that there is "no circumstance" under which he'd leave office early to serve in Obama's Cabinet, but he didn't rule out serving as VP if asked. "I'd have a tough choice to make," he says. Here's the video.

The St. Pete Times delves into how Gov. Charlie Crist's (R-FL) drilling about-face may be tied to VP hopes. In a phone interview, Crist says he believes most Floridians agree with him on at least studying the need for drilling, and discounted the McCain connection as a factor as well. "I'm not going to advocate anything that would hurt Florida," Crist said. "I'm not going to do it." 

BUZZ METER:
Charlie Crist gets the 10 questions treatment this Sunday in the New York Times magazine, according to Huffington Post, and the questions get a bit personal. 

The Wall Street Journal also spotlights Crist.

Clinton and Huckabee are favorites among the Facebook crowd. 
 
VEEP VETTING:
National Journal's cover story deals with the vetting process.

It's the economy, Crist: Florida's unemployment rate is up 10 percent. 
 
CHATTERING CLASS:
A day after looking at why Pawlenty would be a good veep pick for McCain, Chris Cillizza now makes the argument against him, arguing he's virtually unknown on the national stage and has done little to raise his profile. 

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is urged to veto a bill that would open the door to teaching creationism in Louisiana. "Veto this bill, Gov. Jindal, or explain to Louisiana taxpayers the pointless waste of public money that will inevitably ensue from your signing it." 
 
E-VEEP:
Joe Biden supporters got an email from Valerie Biden Owens updating them on her brother's doings, including a note on Elizabeth Edwards, whose New York Times op-ed "praised Joe and his presidential campaign."

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
Will Bill Clinton join Hillary and Obama next week?

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli and NBC's Cherelle Kantey
WASHINGTON -- Calling herself a "working mom," Michelle Obama received a warm welcome today as she spoke about family issues to a crowd that included some of Hillary Clinton's top backers.

She praised the effort of the National Partnership for Women and Families to expand policies like paid medical leave and equal pay. "We can work together to make a more mom- and family-friendly nation," she said. "It's time for the leaders of this country not only to champion these causes but to fight for the issues every single day."

VIDEO: As the press speculates about a possible image makeover for Michelle Obama, the potential first lady is suddenly appearing everywhere. NBC's Brian Williams reports.

Obama also talked about the demands that campaigning have had on the family, even if her two daughters haven't been fazed by the attention.

"I've always been and will probably always been in some way, shape, or form a working mom," she said. "I used to get up in the morning and go to an office. Now I get up and go to plane, stand before thousands of people. My kids still don't care where I am. They've always known two parents to work in the household, and as long as we're back in time for bedtime they could care less where we are."

Obama also singled out EMILY's List's Ellen Malcolm -- a board member of the Partnership and a top Clinton supporter -- for her efforts to elect women across the country.

Speaking earlier, Malcolm struck a note for unity, saying that though one candidate emerged from the primary with more delegates, "both candidates emerged as winners."

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick immediately followed Michelle Obama, whom he called a "force of nature." "I'm so proud of you, I can't stand it," Patrick said of the potential future first lady.  

Patrick quickly moved to an appeal to former Clinton supporters, using Obama-style rhetoric to unite the bloc of women voters behind Obama's candidacy and saying he knows there are people out there who have "deep frustration" that her road to the White House has ended.

"Nothing ended this month," said Patrick. "And nothing will unless we come together."

Patrick complimented both candidates on their historic runs for the presidency, saying that both Clinton and Obama have the ability to inspire young people. "Thanks to Hillary Clinton, my daughters own imagination is broader," said Patrick. "And thanks to Obama, ethnicity isn't destiny."

"The long march to gender equity didn't end," he added, rallying the group to come together to support women's issues. "Whether we mourn one campaign, or celebrate another, the national community is not repaired."

Patrick's rhetoric was reminiscent of an Obama stump speech about uniting the country behind a message of hope. "The nation is ready to consider new politics," he said. "[But] it requires all of us to reach across our differences, see a stake in our neighbor's dreams and struggles."

Months after the Clinton campaign accused Obama of borrowing lines from Patrick speeches, the Massachusetts governor seemed to repeat familiar themes used on the Obama trail. He remarked about the pressing need for change in Washington, similar to Obama's line about Dr. Martin Luther King's "fierce urgency of now."

"People say, why are you so impatient?" he said. "I say, 'why aren't you?' We don't have time for division. Let's get on with it."

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
While talking to a group of Jewish voters in Boca Raton, New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg called on those in attendance to defend Obama against a "whisper campaign" that the presumptive Democratic nominee is a radical Muslim and commended McCain for sticking up for his opponent.
 
Acknowledging that the rabbi said he could not talk about the candidates, Bloomberg said he was going to talk about the election process instead. However, he quickly brought up Obama's name, saying it was important as Jewish people and voters to "keep the conversation focused on the facts and not let it to descend into false rumor and innuendo."
 
"Unfortunately, we have already started to see that happen," Bloomberg said to the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. "As I am sure many of you know, there are plenty of emails floating around the internet targeting Jewish voters and saying that Senator Obama is secretly a Muslim and a radical one at that. Let's call these rumors what they are -- lies. They are cloaked in concern for Israel, but the real concern is about partisan politics and Israel is just being used as a pawn."
 
"We cannot be pawns in that process," he continued. "These demagogues are hoping to exploit the political differences between the Jews and the Muslim people to spread fear and mistrust. This is wedge politics at its worst and we have to reject it loudly, clearly, and unequivocally."
 
Bloomberg also stressed that the United States is a country that protects the freedom of religion, and the Jewish people "have a particular responsibility" to promote that. "We cannot allow people to go on and demagogue and use stereotypes and start whisper campaigns. It is an outrage and we of all people know how hurtful that can be."
 
But Bloomberg was quick to show he was not promoting one candidate over another, giving McCain credit for his efforts. "He's done the right thing by denouncing this whisper campaign, which speaks to his character as a stand up guy and an honest leader. And, after all, Sen. McCain knows what it is to be a target of a whisper campaign. He faced the same slimy low ball tactics during the 2000 South Carolina primary."

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy
OTTAWA, Canada -- In an allegedly non-political visit to the Economic Club of Canada today, McCain defended the North American Free Trade Agreement and notably avoided any talk of his opponent.

Speaking over lunch, McCain lauded NAFTA as the creator of 25 million jobs in the United States and more than 4 million jobs here in Canada, but rather than explicitly attacking Obama over his desire to renegotiate the agreement -- as he has done for months when speaking on the topic -- today McCain merely nodded in his direction.

"Even now, for all the successes of NAFTA, we have to defend it without equivocation in political debate, because it is critical to the future of so many Canadian and American workers and businesses," McCain said, vaguely alluding to his opponent. "Demanding unilateral changes and threatening to abrogate an agreement that has increased trade and prosperity is nothing more than retreating behind protectionist walls."

For much of the speech, McCain stuck to the stated intent of his trip up north, thanking Canada for its support as a partner in trade and in Afghanistan, and he assured those present that if he were to become president he would do his best "to expand these ties of friendship and cooperation between our two nations."

After his speech, McCain spoke to reporters about issues pertaining to the Canadian-American relationship. Taking questions from mostly local media, McCain did his best to avoid questions pertaining to his opponent or the presidential race, despite traveling here as a candidate and not a senator.

"We didn't feel it was appropriate for the taxpayers -- while I am the nominee of my party -- to pay for a trip that would have accrued to the cost of the taxpayers," McCain said. "But I announced before I went, and I had plans to go that the purpose of my visit was the same as it was to London, the same as it was to Paris, the same as it has been to other parts of the world. And as you know, I have traveled extensively over the years that I have been a member of Congress."

But on past trips McCain has traveled with his Senate staff, not his campaign staff as he did today. Nonetheless, when asked to compare his outlook on Canadian relations with Obama's, he demurred.

"I cannot here," McCain said. "I can as soon as I return to the United States, and I have described it numerous times in as short a time ago as yesterday. And I want to assure you that I'll discuss it again tomorrow and in the coming days. But [that] would then lend a political bent to this visit… Right now, that's not the purpose of my visit."

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy
Although he declined to answer questions on the subject while in Ottawa, McCain's campaign issued a statement under his name, hitting Obama on NAFTA:

"For months, Barack Obama said that he would 'make sure that we renegotiate' NAFTA, demanded unilateral changes and threatened to unilaterally withdraw if he did not get his way. Barack Obama knew better. America has not had a protectionist president since Herbert Hoover, but Barack Obama held his position anyway to further his cynical political purposes in the primary campaign. Now he claims: 'I'm not a big believer in doing things unilaterally.' Barack Obama should know words matter -- especially in a campaign based on rhetoric rather than a record of accomplishment. The American people and our allies deserve better than calculated efforts to re-invent positions to sound less irresponsible."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
As expected, Brad Woodhouse is moving to the DNC.

WashingtonPost.com's Chris Cillizza reports: "The takeover of the Democratic National Committee by Barack Obama's campaign continues apace with the hiring of communications operative Brad Woodhouse at the national party committee.

"Woodhouse will share duties with current communications director Karen Finney -- a similar setup to the one the Obama campaign has put in place with other recent moves such as installing Paul Tewes as the de facto executive director of the committee but leaving current DNC executive director Tom McMahon in his job. Those familiar with the setup say that Finney will remain a spokesperson for the DNC while Woodhouse will run the day to day operations of the organization. All of the current DNC press staff will remain in place."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
It wasn't just the Obama campaign on the attack today. The McCain campaign got in a few shots of its own.

"Because of his rapid ascent and the relative lack of record from which the American people can judge, the words that Barack Obama uses deserve a level of scrutiny befitting the importance that he places on them," writes McCain message maestro Steve Schmidt in a memo to reporters (see full memo after the jump.) "But when examined closely, more often than not these words are empty of any meaning in the light of his record and reality."

VIDEO: Flip-flopping on a prior pledge, Barack Obama says he's not going to take public funding for his White House bid. His opponent, John McCain blasts the decision. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.

The memo goes on to hit Obama on public financing, "running a different type Of campaign," trade, taxes, the 2005 energy bill, Iraq and Jerusalem.

Some key shots: On public financing: "This change in position comes after nearly two years of speaking to and signing his name to his commitment to the public financing system. ... Yet, in the end, Barack Obama's words were empty and he decided to break his pledge to accept public financing in the general election.

On running a different type of campaign: "The McCain campaign has made a good faith effort to reach out to Barack Obama offering to go Iraq together and hold 10 joint town hall meetings. These offers came after Barack Obama pledged to meet "anywhere, anytime" However, Barack Obama has rejected each and every offer to raise the dialogue in this campaign. As the St. Petersburg Times wrote today, Barack Obama's words come down to "cynical political calculations," not the new politics he promised.

On Jerusalem: "Obama clearly said that Jerusalem should be the "undivided" capital of Israel. Barack Obama and his advisers knew what this word would mean to his audience. ... Yet, only a day later, Barack Obama said the future of Jerusalem would have to be negotiated by Israel and the Palestinians. Barack Obama was no longer prepared to say that Jerusalem should be undivided."

And there's plenty more where that came from.

To:       Interested Parties
From:   Steve Schmidt, McCain 2008 Senior Advisor
Date:    June 20, 2008
Re:       Words Matter
 
Barack Obama's rapid ascent to the Democratic presidential nomination is nothing short of remarkable and historic. Much of this rise can be traced to the power of Barack Obama's spoken and written words. As Barack Obama said during the primaries, "Don't tell me words don't matter."
 
Because of his rapid ascent and the relative lack of record from which the American people can judge, the words that Barack Obama uses deserve a level of scrutiny befitting the importance that he places on them. But when examined closely, more often than not these words are empty of any meaning in the light of his record and reality.
 
As we scrutinize Barack Obama's words, it is increasingly difficult for those of us with the responsibility of following this year's election closely to discern what Obama truly believes at his core on the issues of great importance to the American people. 
 
Obama's Words On Public Financing: Just yesterday, Barack Obama reversed his position on accepting general election public financing. This change in position comes after nearly two years of speaking to and signing his name to his commitment to the public financing system.
 
In June 2006, Barack Obama said quite clearly, "I strongly support public financing":
 
OBAMA: "Well, I strongly support public financing. And I know [Senator] Dick [Durbin] does too. He's going to have some things to say about it because when we were having – as you'll recall – the major debates around lobbying reform, one of the things that Dick, I think, properly pointed out was that you can change the rules on lobbying here in Washington, but if we're still getting financed primarily from individual contributions, that those with the most money are still going to have the most influence." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Constituents Breakfast, 6/29/06)
 
In November 2007, Barack Obama signed his name to his commitment to accept public financing as his party's general election nominee:
 
QUESTION: "If you are nominated for President in 2008 and your major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign, will you participate in the presidential public financing system?" OBAMA: "Yes. I have been a long-time advocate for public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests." (Sen. Barack Obama, "Presidential Candidate Questionnaire," Midwest Democracy Network, www.commoncause.org, 11/27/07)
 
In February 2008, Barack Obama said that he would meet and "sit down with John McCain" to discuss and negotiate public financing were he to be his party's nominee:
 
NBC'S TIM RUSSERT: "So you may opt out of public financing. You may break your word." Obama: "What I – what I have said is, at the point where I'm the nominee, at the point where it's appropriate, I will sit down with John McCain and make sure that we have a system that works for everybody." (Democratic Presidential Debate, Cleveland, OH, 2/26/08)
 
Yet, in the end, Barack Obama's words were empty and he decided to break his pledge to accept public financing in the general election.
 
Obama's Words On Running A Different Type Of Campaign: The McCain campaign has made a good faith effort to reach out to Barack Obama offering to go Iraq together and hold 10 joint town hall meetings. These offers came after Barack Obama pledged to meet "anywhere, anytime":
 
OBAMA: "I am happy to have a debate with John McCain and George Bush about foreign policy. If John McCain wants to meet me anywhere, anytime, to have a debate about our respective policies in Iraq, Iran, the Middle East or around the world, that is a conversation I am happy to have. Because I believe that there is no separation between John McCain and George Bush when it comes to our Middle East policy and I think their policy has failed." (Barack Obama, Media Availability, Watertown, SD, 5/16/08)
 
However, Barack Obama has rejected each and every offer to raise the dialogue in this campaign. As the St. Petersburg Times wrote today, Barack Obama's words come down to "cynical political calculations," not the new politics he promised:
 
"Avoiding town hall meetings and rejecting public campaign financing may be predictable strategies for minimizing one of McCain's greatest strengths and exploiting one of his key weaknesses. But they pull Obama down into the cynical political calculations he pledged to rise above." (Editorial, "Obama's Big Words Ring Hollow," St. Petersburg Times, 6/20/08)
 
Obama's Words On The 2005 Energy Bill: As part of his standard stump speech, Barack Obama criticizes the Bush-Cheney energy policy. However, not spoken is the fact that he voted for the Bush-Cheney energy policy in 2005.
 
On the campaign trail, Barack Obama has criticized the Bush-Cheney energy bill:
 
OBAMA: "When Bush assigned Cheney to create energy policy, he met with the environmental groups once, the renewable energy groups once, he met with the oil and gas companies 40 times. Washington has become so dominated by the powerful, by the well-connected, that the voices of the American people are no longer heard." (Barack Obama, Remarks, Detroit, MI, 6/16/08)
 
This is good rhetoric but it does not match the record. The energy policy that he assails for being a Bush-Cheney creation for the benefit of the oil companies is the very same energy policy he voted for in the 2005 Energy Bill. Again, Barack Obama's words on energy are empty and actually contrary to his own public record.
 
Obama's Words On Trade: Barack Obama claims that he believes in free trade. However, a headline in the Detroit Free Press captures the internal conflict of Barack Obama's words – "Obama Tries to Have it Both Ways on Free Trade Issue." Barack Obama says, "I believe in free trade" but "then he reverted to the anti-trade rhetoric of the primaries." We all recall Obama adviser Austin Goolsbee dismissing his candidate's own rhetoric as primary politics.  In light of this, Barack Obama's words on the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) deserve even greater scrutiny.
 
During the primaries, Barack Obama pledged to unilaterally renegotiate NAFTA:
 
NBC'S TIM RUSSERT: "A simple question. Will you as president say to Canada and Mexico, this [NAFTA] has not worked for us, we are out?" OBAMA: "I will make sure that we renegotiate in the same way that Senator Clinton talked about, and I think actually Senator Clinton's answer on this one is right. I think we should use the hammer of a potential opt-out as leverage to ensure that we actually get labor and environmental standards that are enforced." (Sen. Barack Obama, MSNBC Democrat Presidential Debate, Cleveland, OH, 2/26/08)
 
However, in the general election, Barack Obama is backing off these words which were pretty clear. Now, Barack Obama says his words are not to be believed if they are "overheated and amplified."
 
"In an interview with Fortune to be featured in the magazine's upcoming issue, the presumptive Democratic nominee backed off his harshest attacks on the free trade agreement and indicated he didn't want to unilaterally reopen negotiations on NAFTA. 'Sometimes during campaigns the rhetoric gets overheated and amplified,' he conceded, after I reminded him that he had called NAFTA 'devastating' and 'a big mistake,' despite nonpartisan studies concluding that the trade zone has had a mild, positive effect on the U.S. economy." (Nina Easton, "Obama: NAFTA Not So Bad After All," Fortune, 6/18/08)
 
Obama's Words On His Tax Hikes: Barack Obama has made tax increases a centerpiece of his economic agenda. However, when asked by CNBC's John Harwood if he would be willing to hold off on raising taxes if he thought they might harm the economy, Barack Obama said:
 
OBAMA: "Some of those, you could possibly defer. But I think the basic principle of restoring fairness to our economy and encouraging bottom-up economic growth is important." (CNBC, 6/9/08)
 
This is a tacit acknowledgment that his tax increases would hurt the economy and American workers.  Likewise, Barack Obama consistently attacks John McCain for favoring "tax breaks to corporations." Yet, he recently told The Wall Street Journal that he too was considering cutting corporate taxes. Just last month, Barack Obama called corporate tax cuts "the exact wrong prescription for America."  On one day, Barack Obama took two positions on one issue, again leaving observers and voters unsure of what he really believes.
 
Obama's Words On Iraq: Throughout the primaries, Barack Obama has been determined to withdraw from Iraq regardless of the consequences or the facts on the ground.  This week, Barack Obama talked with the Iraqi Foreign Minister.  According to The Washington Post, the Foreign Minister left the conversation "reassured" and thinking "that Mr. Obama might not differ all that much from Mr. McCain."
 
The ABC News headline captures this perplexing issue clearly: "Obama and Iraqi Foreign Minister have Different Memories of their Conversation." In our foreign policy, we cannot afford a president whose public words are discounted by allies and enemies alike.
 
Obama's Words On Jerusalem: For weeks, debate has swirled around Barack Obama's use of the word "undivided" in his speech before the Annual AIPAC Policy Conference. In the end, the American people are left with a confused position that is constantly being reinterpreted by advisors because "undivided" was nothing more than an empty word with great symbolism but no weight.
 
Before the Annual AIPAC Policy Conference, Barack Obama clearly said that Jerusalem should be the "undivided" capital of Israel. Barack Obama and his advisers knew what this word would mean to his audience.
 
OBAMA: "Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At The Annual AIPAC Policy Conference, Arlington, VA, 6/4/08)
 
Yet, only a day later, Barack Obama said the future of Jerusalem would have to be negotiated by Israel and the Palestinians. Barack Obama was no longer prepared to say that Jerusalem should be undivided.
 
CNN'S CANDY CROWLEY: "I want to ask you about something you said in AIPAC yesterday. You said that Jerusalem must remain undivided. Do Palestinians have no claim to Jerusalem in the future?" OBAMA: "Well, obviously, it's going to be up to the parties to negotiate a range of these issues." (CNN's "The Situation Room," 6/5/08)

###

*** UPDATE *** The RNC also hit Obama hard on the topics with a research memo, entitled, "THIS WEEK IN CHANGE: Is Breaking Promises And Straddling Positions On Key Issues Change We Can Believe In?" (See full memo below).
 
PUBLIC FINANCING
 
Yesterday, Barack Obama Announced He Will Opt Out Of The Public Financing System In The General Election:
 
Obama Has Declined Public Financing In The General Election, Calling It A "Broken System." "In a web video emailed to supporters, Obama asks his supporters to help him 'declare our independence from a broken system.' Of course, it's not so much a broken system that explains why he's passing on the FEC's $80+million. He will easily raise more than he could ever get in public funding." (Jonathan Martin, "Obama Opts Out Of Public Financing," The Politico's "Jonathan Martin" Blog, www.politico.com, 6/19/08)
 
But Earlier In His Presidential Campaign, Obama Claimed To Support The Public Financing System:
 
"Mr. Obama Was The Candidate Who Proposed The [Public Financing] Pledge In The First Place, In February 2007, A Time When He Was Not Raising The Prodigious Sums He Is Now." (Elisabeth Bumiller, "Skirmishing By McCain And Obama On Financing," The New York Times, 2/15/08)
 
In April 2008, Obama Claimed He "Would Be Very Interested In Pursuing Public Financing..." Fox News' Chris Wallace: "If you can get that agreement, you would go for a publicly financed campaign?" Obama: "What I don't intend to do is to allow huge amounts of money to be spent by the RNC, the Republican National Committee, or by organizations like the Swift Boat organization, and just stand there without -- (cross talk)." Wallace: "But if you get that agreement?" Obama: "I would be very interested in pursuing public financing, because I think not every candidate is going to be able to do what I've done in this campaign, and I think it's important to think about future campaigns." (Fox News' "Fox News Sunday," 4/27/08)
 
In Response To A 2007 Questionnaire, Obama Said He Would Accept Public Funding In General Election. Question: "If you are nominated for President in 2008 and your major opponents agree to forgo private funding in the general election campaign, will you participate in the presidential public financing system?" Obama: "Yes. I have been a long-time advocate for public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests." (Sen. Barack Obama, "Presidential Candidate Questionnaire," Midwest Democracy Network, www.commoncause.org, 11/27/07)
 
· Obama Even Referred To His Plan As A "Fundraising Pledge" For His Opponents To Accept. Obama: "In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge." (Sen. Barack Obama, "Presidential Candidate Questionnaire," Midwest Democracy Network, www.commoncause.org, 11/27/07)
 
The Washington Post: "Pardon the sarcasm. But given Mr. Obama's earlier pledge to 'aggressively pursue' an agreement with the Republic an nominee to accept public financing, his effort to cloak his broken promise in the smug mantle of selfless dedication to the public good is a little hard to take." (Editorial, "The Politics Of Spare Change," The Washington Post, 6/20/08)
 
NAFTA
 
Fortune Magazine Reported Obama No Longer Planned To Reopen NAFTA Unilaterally And Admitted His Rhetoric Had Been "Overheated And Amplified":
 
"In An Interview With Fortune To Be Featured In The Magazine's Upcoming Issue, The Presumptive Democratic Nominee Backed Off His Harshest Attacks On The Free Trade Agreement And Indicated He Didn't Want To Unilaterally Reopen Negotiations On NAFTA." (Nina Easton, "Obama: NAFTA Not So Bad After All," Fortune, 6/18/08)
 
"Now, However, Obama Says He Doesn't Believe In Unilaterally Reopening NAFTA. On The Afternoon That I Sat Down With Him To Discuss The Economy, Obama Said He Had Just Spoken With Harper, Who Had Called To Congratulate Him On Winning The Nomination." (Nina Easton, "Obama: NAFTA Not So Bad After All," Fortune, 6/18/08)
 
· Obama: "I'm not a big believer in doing things unilaterally. ... I'm a big believer in opening up a dialogue and figuring out how we can make this work for all people." (Nina Easton, "Obama: NAFTA Not So Bad After All," Fortune, 6/18/08)
 
Obama Admitted His Primary Rhetoric Was "Overheated And Amplified." "'Sometimes during campaigns the rhetoric gets overheated and amplified,' he conceded, after I reminded him that he had called NAFTA  'devastating' and 'a big mistake,' despite nonpartisan studies concluding that the trade zone has had a mild, positive effect on the U.S. economy." (Nina Easton, "Obama: NAFTA Not So Bad After All," Fortune, 6/18/08)
 
But Campaigning In Ohio During The Primary, Obama Attacked NAFTA Repeatedly As Bad For America And Threatened To Withdraw Unilaterally From The Free Trade Agreement:
 
In February, Obama Pledged To Renegotiate NAFTA With The Threat Of Withdrawing Unless It Was Renegotiated. "In their final head-to-head meeting before Tuesday's Ohio and Texas primaries, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.) declared that they would opt out of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico unless those two countries renegotiated the pact's labor and environmental provisions to the United States' liking." (Editorial, "At Best, A Pander," The Washington Post, 3/1/08)
 
Obama: "I Don't Think NAFTA Has Been Good For America - And I Never Have." Obama: "Ten years after NAFTA passed, Senator Clinton said it was good for America. ... Well, I don't think NAFTA has been good for America - and I never have." (David Espo, "Obama Hits Clinton On NAFTA Support," The Associated Press, 2/24/08)
 
CORPORATE TAXES
 
Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal Reported Obama Favors Reducing Corporate Taxes:
 
The Wall Street Journal Reported That Obama Would Consider Lowering Corporate Taxes. "Sen. Obama's nod to lowering corporate taxes comes as Republicans have been attacking him for proposals that would raise the cost of doing business, such as his pledge to raise the tax rate on capital gains, and his vow to increase the top income-tax rates, which are often used by small, unincorporated enterprises. He didn't say how deeply he would cut the rate, but said it could be trimmed in return for reducing corporate tax breaks, simplifying the tax system." (Bob Davis and Amy Chozick, "Obama Plans Spending Boost, Possible Cut In Business Tax," The Wall Street Journal, 6/17/08)
 
Just Last Month, Obama Called Corporate Tax Cuts "The Exact Wrong Prescription For America":
 
Obama On Sen. McCain's Economic Proposals: "And his proposals, which are essentially $300 billion worth of corporate tax cuts ... I think is the exact wrong prescription for America." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 5/4/08)
 
IRAQ WITHDRAWAL
 
In His Discussion With Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Obama Claimed That He Would Consult With Iraqi Leaders And U.S. Military Commanders On His Plans For Withdrawal:
 
Obama Told Zebari That He Would Not Make Any "Irresponsible" Decisions That Would Endanger Gains In Iraq And Would Consult With The Iraqi Government And U.S. Military Commanders On His Plans. "Mr. Zebari said that in addition to promising a visit, Mr. Obama said that 'if there would be a Democratic administration, it will not take any irresponsible, reckless, sudden decisions or action to endanger your gains, your achievements, your stability or security. Whatever decision he will reach will be made through close consultation with the Iraqi government and U.S. military commanders in the field.'" (Editorial, "Mr. Zebari's Message," The Washington Post, 6/18/08)
 
Previously, Obama Committed To Removing Troops From Iraq Regardless Of What Military Commanders Advised:
 
Obama Committed To Withdrawing Troops From Iraq Regardless Of The Advice He Received From Commanders On The Ground. ABC's Charles Gibson: "And, Senator Obama, your campaign manager, David Plouffe, said, 'When he is' -- this is talking about you - 'When he is elected president, we will be out of Iraq in 16 months at the most. There should be no confusion about that.' So you'd give the same rock-hard pledge, that no matter what the military commanders said, you would give the order to bring them home?" Obama: "Because the commander-in-chief sets the mission, Charlie. That's not the role of the generals. And one of the things that's been interes ting about the president's approach lately has been to say, 'Well, I'm just taking cues from General Petraeus.' Well, the president sets the mission. The general and our troops carry out that mission." (Sen. Barack Obama, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Philadelphia, PA, 4/16/08)
 
DEATH PENALTY FOR OSAMA BIN LADEN?
 
On Wednesday, Obama Said That If Bin Laden Were Captured, He Would Not Make Him A "Martyr":
 
Obama: "I think what would be important would be for us to deal with him in a way that allows the entire world to understand the murderous acts that he's engaged in and not to make him into a martyr." (Caren Bohan, "Obama: U.S. Should Avoid Making Bin Laden A Martyr," Reuters, 6/18/08)
 
But In The Illinois State Senate, Obama Supported Legislation Making Terrorists Eligible For The Death Penalty:
 
Obama Voted In Favor Of Legislation That "Provides For The Imposition Of The Death Penalty If The Murder Was Committed As A Result Of Or In Connection With The Offense Of Terrorism." (H.B. 2299: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 55-0-1, 11/28/01, Obama Voted Yea)
 
"An Anti-Terrorism Plan That Passed The Illinois Senate ... Makes Terrorists Eligible For The Death Penalty, Expands The State's Wire-Tapping Authority And Could Send Someone To Prison For Getting On A Plane With A Gun." (John Patterson, "Anti-Terrorism Bill Clears One Hurdle In Legislature," Chicago Daily Herald, 11/29/01)

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones
On a day when McCain is speaking in Canada, a partner in the North American Free Trade agreement, Obama surrogates held a conference call to bash the Arizona senator on his record on trade, saying he would continue George Bush's "failed trade policies" that have hurt America's industrial heartland.

On the call were Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Ohio and Michigan are key battleground states that Obama is fighting to win in November and they are also states that have faced particular economic hardship, with numerous jobs lost, many of them as companies shipped them overseas.

The call coincided with the end Obama's two-week economic tour during which he delivered policy speeches and held roundtables on an issue that is at the top of voters minds this election year.

Brown talked about the job losses faced in Ohio, some 200,000 lost manufacturing jobs since Bush took office.

"Today, at one o'clock, McCain is in Ottawa, Canada, talking about trade," Brown said. "He should come to Ottawa, Ohio, which is a community in northwest Ohio which just about, around four-and-a-half years ago lost a plant called Philips which makes television tubes and 1,100 people lost their jobs. Those 1,100 jobs were moved to Gomez Palacio, Mexico a direct outgrowth of bad trade policy," NAFTA and all that came after it.

Brown said McCain cared more about free trade than fair trade and would support free trade "at any cost even if it costs us our jobs as it has so many Ohioans. There hasn't been a trade deal that John McCain hasn't liked" and said it was clear McCain would sign more trade agreements with almost any country.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm talked about the need for America to have an export market and not just an import market. She said job losses in Michigan had "been devastating since George Bush became president" putting the number lost at 400,000.

She said McCain should come to Michigan and meet with people who have lost their jobs due to deals like the South Korea Free Trade agreement -- which McCain supports and Obama opposes -- which she said failed to protect workers.

"What's amazing is that Sen. McCain, while acknowledging that these trade agreements have cost American jobs, he still believes that they have been successful. How out of touch can you be?" she asked.

Both Granholm and Strickland said McCain had not supported efforts to help American workers whose jobs were displaced by trade agreements, with Strickland listing instances when the Arizona senator voted against job re-training for displaced workers and against low-interest loans to help those workers.

The call participants were repeatedly asked about an interview Obama gave to Fortune Magazine in which he toned down his anti-NAFTA rhetoric and suggested he did not want to unilaterally reopen negotiations with our neighbors on the deal.

"The 'What if' question, 'If negotiations fall apart will the U.S. pull out.' That's just not gonna happen," Brown said. Barack is going to in good faith sit down with our two very close geographic and political allies, Mexico and Canada, sit down with them and reach an agreement on NAFTA that will improve the situation in our country principally but also in their countries so that trade works and trade can work for all countries if we do it right with the right rules and it's just to me it's just beyond the realm of any real possibility that people are gonna stop going to the table and one of the countries is going to withdraw from NAFTA."

Brown said withdrawal was a possibility but an unlikely one and that Obama would represent the country in a way that the agreement would be significantly improved.

The surrogates said trade deals with labor and environmental standards would help both American workers and foreign workers, using Mexico as an example of a place where such rules would raise living standards for Mexicans and expand the market for U.S. goods. 

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
You know it's summer, with all this talk of flip flops.

While trade has been the dominant topic today with McCain speaking in Canada on the topic (and both campaign criticizing each other), the Obama campaign also took time out to hit McCain on a meeting he had with Hispanic leaders and various other perceived "flip flops" this week.

Politico reports McCain assured Hispanics that he would push for comprehensive immigration reform. To that, Obama Communications Director Robert Gibbs dubbed today, "The end of pander week aboard the Double Talk Express."

Gibbs said his stance on immigration reform is a contradiction from what he said at the Republican debate at the Reagan Library where he said, "No I would not" vote again for the comprehensive immigration reform package he had voted for the previous year. In New Hampshire, McCain called that vote a mistake after an outcry from the right.

Gibbs went on to cite McCain's positions on off shore oil drilling and abortion. On Tuesday, McCain proposed lifting the moratorium on off shore drilling, but in 1999, "championed the off shore oil drilling ban in California," Gibbs said. Gibbs added that McCain's new position was a pander to the oil executives McCain was speaking to in Houston where he proposed lifting the ban.

McCain said that with gas prices at record highs it was imperative to expand energy options.

Gibbs also cited McCain surrogate Carly Fiorina telling Clinton supporters in a conference call, per Newsweek, that McCain has never signed on to efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade. But McCain has been staunchly anti-abortion rights and, per Gibbs, McCain said in 2007, "I do not support Roe v. Wade. I think it should be overturned." He also has reassured conservative groups that "he'd appt pro-life judges," Gibbs said.

This week shows McCain is "quite comfortable saying one thing to one audience and another thing to another audience," Gibbs added.

The campaign insisted that the charges of flip-flopping by McCain were different from its own candidate foregoing public general election funds despite having said he is for a public finance system. The campaign further insisted there was a meeting between its attorney, Bob Bauer and the McCain camp's Trevor Potter about public funding.

Despite Potter saying yesterday that no specifics or "negotiations" were discussed or made, Gibbs said Obama would have entered the public finance system if "McCain tightened the loopholes on governing the finances of general elections. Despite what Trevor Potter says, they sat down and they obviously had no interest in doing any of that."

On the issue of Latino outreach, at least two reporters expressed either frustration or cast doubt on how much of an effort was being made by the Obama campaign.

"There seems to be a disconnect between the way that the campaign articulates the message of change" and outreach to the Latino community, one said. The reporter went on to say that she had "not seen much" of the Obama campaign canvassing or interacting online with bloggers. Another said she agreed and added that she has "had a frustrating time" getting access to the candidate for interviews.

Gibbs defended the campaign's efforts and the candidates' stances on issues specific to Latinos.

"I don't think there's been a campaign in the history of the United States to reach out, especially online to every part of the American electorate," Gibbs said. "That's something we'll continue to do, particularly in the Hispanic community."

He added that when Latinos take a look at issues from immigration to foreign policy to the economy, "they'll decide on changing Washington and vote for Barack Obama."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
In another example of the Obama campaign wanting to show more control over Democratic independent groups -- and maybe more importantly, those groups listening -- MoveOn.org has shuttered its 527. (See release and e-mail to supporters after the jump.)

Obama camp will likely try to take the high road on the issue of 527s, particularly if 527s ramp up efforts for McCain. Thus far, Obama has benefitted more than McCain from independent groups like MoveOn.

*** UPDATE *** A Democratic source tells First Read that this has less to do with anything Obama has said and more to do with MoveOn wanting to flex its muscle at Republicans. MoveOn hasn't used its 527 since 2004, and has instead used its PAC to raise money. MoveOn will still be as active as ever, but this move is almost a dare to Republicans. If they don't use 527s, the source said, they have nothing that can match MoveOn.

##

MoveOn.org Political Action
For Immediate Release: Friday, June 20, 2008
MoveOn Shuts Down Dormant 527; Will Continue All Small-Donor Driven Election Work; Group Plans To Spend $35 Millon This Cycle From Small Donor PAC

MoveOn.org will run all of its 2008 electoral activity out of its small donor-driven federal political action committee, MoveOn.org Political Action, and will permanently shut down its Voter Fund, a 527 that it operated in the 2004 election but has not used since that time. MoveOn.org Political Action has 3.2 million members who make average contributions of under $50. MoveOn Political Action plans to spend $35 million this election cycle.

"The small-donor driven politics that built MoveOn and the progressive movement has helped to drive Barack Obama's candidacy," said Eli Pariser, executive director of MoveOn.org. "We've always believed this new kind of politics can change our country and end the gridlock in DC. And now is the time to let the voices of ordinary Americans be heard in this election."
Since 1998, when the group started, it has raised $122 million only 10% came in donations of over $5000.

MoveOn has committed its resources to grassroots and issue-based activities this election cycle, starting with the 700 bake sales members will hold around the country this weekend to raise funds to help fund efforts to elect Barack Obama.

To find a bake sale near you, visit:
Here is the email sent to MoveOn members today:

E-mail to supporters below:
From: Eli Pariser, MoveOn.org Political Action
Date: Fri, Jun 20, 2008
Go all in on new politics?

Dear MoveOn Member,
For almost ten years, we've worked together to change American politics. Millions of us have collaborated to build a new progressive moment, catalyzed by the Internet and motivated by our belief that the country we love deserves better.

Now, in Barack Obama, we have a Presidential candidate who has based his campaign on precisely that kind of new politics-a people-driven politics focused on the outside-of-the-beltway consensus around Iraq, climate change, and health care, not the gridlock in Washington.

Using a lot of the tools and techniques developed by the progressive movement-as well as a visionary approach to leadership-Obama's brought millions of new people into the process. And, following in the footsteps of Howard Dean, ActBlue, and other innovators, he's adopted a new way of funding a campaign-relying on a donor base of millions rather than contributions by lobbyists and special interests.

It's a very exciting moment. And so the time has come to answer an important question: should we make an all-in commitment, together, to this new politics?

While MoveOn Political Action has always been funded exclusively by small donors like you, we've held open the MoveOn.org Voter Fund-a separate "527" organization-which can raise money from big donors. We haven't actually taken any big-money checks since 2004, when MoveOn members matched big contributors to educate voters about George Bush's policies. But in light of the new politics offered by Barack Obama, I've come to believe it's time to close the 527 forever-and to challenge organizations on the right to do the same thing.
That means that we won't raise any money for our election work from foundations, unions, or even individuals who want to give over $5,000. It's an all-in commitment to the small-donor way of doing things. But the time is right to take the leap.

Not relying on big donors means that all of us, together, have to take responsibility. So before we sign the final paperwork, we need to know that you're in. Are you? Just click below to take the pledge and let us know:

And if you have any other thoughts or feedback for me on this decision, you can reply to epariser@moveon.org (I can't promise that I'll respond to all the emails, but I'll definitely read 'em).

We've come a long way together in our journey toward a new people-driven politics for America. It's been a wonderful honor to be part of it. And this is just the beginning.

Thanks,
-Eli and the whole team

##

From NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger
How has Barack Obama changed as a presidential candidate? To get an idea, we can look at the types of television ads he ran in the beginning of his primary campaign, and the first general-election one he launches today.

In his first primary ad, "Choices," Obama opened the ad with excerpts from his 2004 Democratic National Convention to give him instant credibility. It focused on his time as a community organizer, highlighting his community service and value in social change. It featured Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe describing him as "brilliant," and the ad shows Obama working with a diverse community in Chicago.

As he unveils himself to general-election audiences in the new ad, "Country I Love," Obama is more subdued. The first still image is of a young Obama in the arms of his white mother (also ran in his ad "Mother"). The script speaks not of his post-college years, but of his Kansas roots and the values he learned along the way. Instead of showing Obama in urban environment, he is surrounded in this ad by working-class people, military men and even an elderly woman.

 

The contrast shows the different type of voters Obama is pursuing then (in a Democratic primary) and now (a general election). In a primary contest, Obama needed to inspire Democratic passions (and prove to at least a minimum threshold of experience). Now, validated as the Democratic nominee and having won over the base, he needs to relate more to those independent swing voters, largely made up of working-class moderates. Obama's new ad…

… is more akin to the types of spots he ran in Pennsylvania and other more conservative swing states.

And it's certainly not like "Join," his Super Bowl ad, which he used to target young voters with rousing excerpts of his speeches and shots of young people gathering and marching to hear him speak. Those tried to show Obama was the leader of a new type of political movement.

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The economy was the topic when Obama met with just over half the nation's Democratic governors Friday morning in the city his campaign has made a center of national party politics this election year.

The 16 governors -- there are 28 Democratic governors nationwide -- hail from blue states, red states and swing states. In attendance were Dave Freudenthal (WY), John Baldacci (ME), David Paterson (NY), Joe Manchin, III (WV), Ted Strickland (OH), Kathleen Sebelius (KS), Edward Rendell (PA), Janet Napolitano (AZ), Jim Doyle (WS), Jennifer Granholm (MI), Bill Richardson (NM), Martin O'Malley (MD), Christine Gregoire (WA), Jon Corzine (NJ), Mike Easley (NC) and Ted Kulongoski (OR).

Obama said he brought the group together in part because the unique role of governors requires a focus on solutions rather than partisanship

"I've always been struck by the essential common sense and pragmatism of governors in comparison to some of the stuff that goes on in Washington," he said in talking about his interest in working closely with governors during his campaign and during an Obama administration. "You've gotta solve problems; ultimately the buck stops with you. You've gotta balance your budget. If you've got a badly drafted piece of legislation, you're the ones who have to live with it and as a consequence you end up spending less time posturing and trying to score ideological points and more time trying to govern. We need that same approach in Washington."

In his opening remarks he hit McCain on his gas tax holiday proposal, his plan for tax cuts that benefit the very wealthy and his reversal on offshore oil drilling.

"When I hear John McCain say that he is now in favor of the same oil drilling off the coast that he was opposed to just a week ago," he said. "What he doesn't tell you is that George Bush's own Energy Department has said that this would have no impact on consumers until at 2030m -- 2030 no appreciable impact for the next 22 years, something they're not telling consumers. Imagine what we could do over the next 22 years in investing in completely transforming our transportation infrastructure. That's the kind of approach that I think all of us agree we need to take."

Obama took notes as the governors gave brief opening remarks about their concerns, which included everything from high gas prices to the mortgage crisis and how the issues are affecting workers in their states.

Several of the governors spoke about the need for a policy that can reduce energy costs, to invest in infrastructure and to help people pay for higher education. New Jersey's Corzine talked about the need for a second economic stimulus package Obama has put forward – he has called for a $50 billion stimulus to help working families -- and for the need to change the tax code so that it doesn't benefit mainly the wealthy, while North Carolina's Easley spoke about training the workforce for the high-skilled jobs of the future and Kansas's Sebelius called affordable healthcare and "bottom-line" issue.

Napolitano and Richardson, from the border states of Arizona and New Mexico brought up the issue of immigration and Strickland and Granholm from the economically hard hit states of Michigan and Ohio spoke about job losses.

The group spent the last half of the event delving more deeply into a discussion of infrastructure investments and energy policy.

After the discussion Sebelius said the meeting showed there were "no longer Clinton governors and Obama governors; we're all Obama governors" and that people were engaged in coming together. She estimated about two dozen governors had been present at a private meeting with Obama last night, noting 24 out of 28 was a good showing.

*** UPDATE *** The McCain campaign passes along this response: "Hardworking Americans need leadership they can believe in and trust, but Barack Obama has demonstrated that he's unwilling to keep his word on issues like campaign finance reform and that he refuses to acknowledge the need of offer any solutions for relief for energy prices in the near term.  While governors across the nation are talking about ways to increase energy production domestically, Barack Obama is letting ideology get in the way of real solutions."

NBC/NJ's Matthew Berger, writing for National Journal takes a look at what, if any, harm former President Bill Clinton has done to his legacy:

Hitting the road for his wife's presidential campaign this year, President Clinton largely walked away from the humanitarian work he had become known for since leaving office. Through his advocacy of HIV/AIDS treatment programs in Africa and environmental projects in the United States, Clinton had burnished his image, arguably becoming the most popular Democrat in America.

But with his no-holds-barred style of campaigning for Hillary Rodham Clinton--and of lashing out against the new media, the Democratic Party, and his wife's chief rival, Barack Obama--Clinton lost some of his luster, many observers say.

Some political insiders and the ex-president's associates, though, said they do not think his behavior during the primary season will leave a lasting stain on his reputation. That's especially true abroad, where he is almost universally praised for his good works, analysts say.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
McCain and Obama are in a statistical dead heat in Georgia, according to an InsiderAdvantage poll. McCain leads 44% to 43% over Obama with the Libertarian candidate, former GOP Rep. Bob Barr, getting 6%.

The poll's results are a change from the same poll a month ago, indicating another state where Obama has benefitted from his winning the Democratic nomination. A May 20th InsiderAdvantage poll showed McCain with a 10-point lead, 45% to 35% over Obama with Barr getting 8%.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Once fierce rivals for their party's nomination, Obama and Clinton will make their most public display of unity to date next Friday.

The two Democrats will campaign together then, the Obama campaign announced. No word yet as to where they will do it or how.

The e-mail release simply stated, "Further details to be announced soon."

*** UPDATE *** In a conference call today, the Obama camp said, it is "still hammering out some of the logistical details, and when we have those we'll let you know."

From Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
*** Two no-brainers: Obama's decision yesterday to opt out of the public financing system drew plenty of criticism from good-government groups, editorial pages, and the Republican Party. So did his Web video announcing the move. (Instead of raising the specter of GOP 527s, why not simply say that he owed it to his supporters to do everything possible to win in November, and that McCain would do the same thing if he had the opportunity?) But the decision was a no-brainer. As one very smart political observer told us yesterday, if Obama had stayed in the system -- bypassing the opportunity to raise about three times amount what the system offers -- then he'd question Obama's judgment and ability to be president. Simply put, it would have been a dumb move. Likewise, McCain's decision to accept public financing for the general seems like the smart move, too. One, $84 million is PLENTY of money to spend in two months when your goal is to hold on to the states Bush won in 2004. Two, even if McCain had opted out, it's unlikely he'd raise considerably more than that amount. And three, this issue gives him the opportunity to play the reformer card, something he hasn't done much of lately. Heads up: Obama's May fundraising report to the FEC is due today. The McCain campaign already announced that it had raised $21.5 million last month, its best haul to date. What will Obama's campaign show?

VIDEO: Newsweek's Howard Fineman discusses campaign finance politics with Countdown's Keith Olberman after the news that Barack Obama has decided agaisnt using public financing.

*** Obama's map: The most striking thing about Obama's first general election TV ad isn't its content. (And don't get us wrong, its messages of patriotism and personal responsibility, plus Obama wearing a flag pin in it, are plenty interesting.) Rather, it's the 18 states where the ad is running. They include your usual battlegrounds of Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, and Pennsylvania -- but also some surprising states like Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota. Of course, few expect Obama to carry a state like Alaska in the general election (although as the Washington Post's Chris Cillizza noted, there's a poll showing Obama trailing there by just two points). But what the ad placement suggests is that Obama is on the Electoral Map offensive, trying to turn as many red states as possible blue. By comparison, Obama isn't airing the ad in "Lean Obama" states like Minnesota, which we profiled here yesterday. And this is perhaps the biggest consequence from Obama's decision yesterday to opt out of the public financing system: It enables him to play almost anywhere on the map to get to 270.

*** Oh, Canada: Today, McCain heads north of the border to Ottawa, where he gives a speech to the Economic Club of Canada and then has a media avail there. Canada and its conservative government have already played a minor role in this year's presidential race. It was about four months ago -- but it seems much longer ago than that, right? -- when NAFTA-gate exploded as an issue before the Ohio primary. That controversy erupted after someone in the Canadian government leaked word that Obama adviser Austan Goolsbee had told Canadian officials to take Obama's opposition to NAFTA with a grain of salt, something Goolsbee denied saying. Since then, we've learned that: 1) Prime Minister Stephen Harper's top adviser, Ian Brodie, decided to step down from his position, although he insisted NAFTA-gate had nothing to do with it; 2) a Canadian government report concluded that its Foreign Affairs Department was wrong to email an internal report on Obama's stance to more than 200 Canadian officials, one of whom leaked it to the AP; and 3) Obama's opposition to NAFTA has softened somewhat. "Sometimes during campaigns the rhetoric gets overheated and amplified," Obama told Fortune magazine.

*** Breaking the law? Meanwhile, the Washington Post notes that "a Canadian newspaper reported Thursday that Friday's scheduled $100-a-plate luncheon speech by Sen. John McCain in Ottawa was organized in part by U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins, a former South Carolina lawmaker whom President Bush appointed in 2005. Democrats pointed out the article late Thursday night, and alleged that Wilkins's actions could be construed as a violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits many kinds of political activities by government employees." More: "The McCain campaign said Wilkins did nothing more than help gather a crowd for a speech by a U.S. official, something that is well within his role as an ambassador… [A spokesman] said the $100-per-person ticket price for the event is to cover the cost of the lunch and will not benefit the campaign."

*** Sunday's Meet The Press: NBC's Brian Williams fills in for the late Tim Russert to moderate Sunday's edition of Meet The Press. The guests will be Sens. Joe Biden (D) and Lindsey Graham (R). 

*** On the trail: McCain, as mentioned above, is in Canada. Obama holds an economic discussion with Democratic governors in Chicago and then heads to Jacksonville, FL, where he has a media avail. And Michelle Obama is in DC, where she speaks to the National Partnership for Women and Families.
 
Countdown to Dem convention: 66 days
Countdown to GOP convention: 73 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 137 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 214 days
 
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