(First) Occasional U.S. news media round-up on presidential race
One day after becoming the Democratic Party’s nominee, Senator Obama reportedly read the riot act (wild applause!) to one wayward Senator in particular (”Obama Confronts Lieberman On McCain Advocacy, Tone, on Senate Floor” ABC News, June 05, 2008), read here:
Sen. Joe Lieberman, the self-described “Independent Democrat” who caucuses with the Democratic party in the Senate even though he has endorsed Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, got some tough talk from Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, yesterday…
More on this, plus some, from DailyKos here.
- Losing the press
Article about how Senator Obama and Senator Clinton eluded press corps and photographers in getting together for their first, post-primaries meeting (”Two Rivals Sneak Away to Meet, and the Hunt Is On” The New York Times, June 7, 2008). As a first, major indicator of changin’ times, note the beginning words of the third line of this paragraph:
Finally, as Mr. Obama was headed back to Chicago on a private plane and Mrs. Clinton had returned to her home, another rarity took place. A joint statement was issued by representatives of the two senators, but sent out by Mr. Obama’s staff. Those words, perhaps, were the first cooperative undertaking since the presidential race began six seasons ago.
- How she lost it
A fascinating 10-minute video report looking back at “the Democratic primary battle and what went wrong for Hillary Rodham Clinton” from two staffers at The New York Times here (June 4, 2008).
- Obama behind the scenes
A video (below) giving an inside look at a relaxed Senator Obama talking to campaign staffers when he returned home to Chicago on Friday after clinching the nomination.
Best headline of the day: Bossy Old White Women Rule
Russell Morse definitely knows how to bring fresh meaning to the saying “telling it like it is.” In a commentary piece for New America Media yesterday, Morse begins:
PHILADELPHIA, PA — I’m concerned that this election is turning me into a misogynist.
Last night, I watched Hillary Clinton deliver her victory speech in a hotel in downtown Philadelphia, cringing. I looked around nervously and realized I was in a ballroom full of my mom. Instantly, I became terrified of this middle-aged white woman army, marching through America, stomping young people’s dreams out with their sensible shoes.
If you’re in Barack Obama’s camp during this hundred-year primary, you may love every word Morse writes. If you’re in Hillary Clinton’s, probably not so much.
Maureen Dowd, eat your heart out!
The true Pennsylvania story
Political strategist Robert Creamer, in a blog for The Huffington Post today, cites the harsh facts of life that emerged for Senator Hillary Clinton out of yesterday’s Democratic Party primary in Pennsylvania. Beginning with this:
The Pennsylvania Primary was Hillary Clinton’s last chance to deliver a game changing blow to Obama’s campaign for the nomination. She failed to deliver.
Read more of Creamer’s analysis here (”Last Night Clinton Won the Pennsylvania Primary, but Lost the War for the Nomination”, by Robert Creamer, The Huffington Post, April 23, 2008).
Democratic Party Debate in Ohio: my pick for best news summary
Umpteen million stories on news sites online today about the, possibly, make-or-break debate last night in Ohio between Hillary and Obama. My favorite for concise but comprehensive summary of what happened, and what it means is online at The Guardian (”Clinton lays into Obama during TV debate” by Suzanne Goldenberg, Feb 27, 2008).
The article’s sub-head and teaser:
Clinton goes on the debate offensive
In an Ohio debate considered crucial to her chances of staying in the race for the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton attacked Barack Obama’s healthcare policy and campaign tactics
Posted with the story is a 3 1/2 minute video of some of the tense action of the debate.
