« July 2007 | Main | September 2007 »

Sen. Larry Craig Tells Staff He'll Resign Saturday

August 31, 2007 5:37 PM

Sen. Larry Craig told his staff he intends to announce his resignation tomorrow, according to a Senate Republican source. "It's over," the source said.

During what was described as an emotional conference call with his staff at about 4:30 this afternoon, the senator apologized to his staff and maintained that he is innocent and will work to clear his name, the source told ABC News. The call lasted for about 15 minutes.

His announcement will be made at 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time at the Historic Boise Train Depot.

Pressure has been mounting on Craig to resign after news broke of his arrest in an undercover sting operation in an airport men's room. Craig pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on Aug. 8 but has maintained that he did nothing wrong.

Republican leaders have launched investigations into the matter and Republican senators have publicly called on Craig to step down.

August 31, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (88) | TrackBack (0)

Snow Steps Down, Perino Steps Up

August 31, 2007 3:16 PM

ABC News' Jennifer Duck reports: White House Press Secretary Tony Snow announced Friday is is leaving the White House on September 14th. 

Snow said, "Cancer has nothing to do with this decision."  Snow was diagnosed with colon cancer and had his colon removed in 2005.  A reoccurrence of cancer appeared in his lower abdomen in March, and Snow completed chemotherapy treatment two weeks ago.

Snow explained he simply "ran out of money," and his White House job doesn't provide the salary he made in prior years as a FOX News anchor and conservative pundit. 

President Bush said he "sadly" accepts Snow's decision to leave his post, telling the press: "...it's been a joy to watch him spar with you.  He's smart, he's capable, he's witty. He's capable of -- he's able to talk about issues in a way that the American people can understand."

The President thanked Snow's family.  "They have watched a man they love take on a big job, and at the same time, fight disease -- with a lot of courage.  And so I accept, I love you, and I wish you all the best."

Snow thanked the President saying, "I've had an enormous amount of fun and satisfaction, and I'm proud to be working for you, and will continue, after I leave, working for the White House, to speak out about issues I care about."

Bush had kind words and a hug for Snow's replacement Deputy Press Secretary Dana Perino, telling the press, "I'm not worried about her standing here at the podium.  What I look for in somebody like Dana is somebody who will walk in that Oval Office and give me sound judgment and good advice.  And I have found that over the course of the time I've known her she's capable of doing that.  And she's also capable of running the shop that she'll be in charge of."

Snow also praised his colleague, saying Perino is very capable of filling his shoes, something she has done while Snow had surgeries and chemotherapy treatments.

Perino, who is almost a foot shorter than Snow, used a hidden step within the podium to step up and respond to Snows comments, "He mentions filling shoes, and I've said before, he leaves very big shoes to fill, and I only wear a size 6." 

Snow said he will still be involved in politics and plans to look at book proposals and give speeches on his experiences -- both his professional experiences and his experiences battling cancer.

This news comes on longtime Bush adviser Karl Rove's last day at the White House.  Josh Bolten reportedly told staff members to let him know by Labor Day if they were leaving.  A number of staffers haven stated their decision to leave the White House, including Rove and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

August 31, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Clinton Campaign Distances from Fugitive Fundraiser

August 31, 2007 2:21 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow reports: With Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu now facing jail time in California, Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign is racing to put some distance between the Senator and the former fugitive.

The campaign is making plans to give twenty-three-thousand dollars donated by Hsu to Clinton's campaigns and political action committees to a charity for Iraq war veterans, Clinton campaign spokesman Phil Singer said.

New invitations are being printed for a fundraiser scheduled for late September in Woodside, California, which Hsu was originally supposed to host.

"His event was cancelled," said Singer.

Hsu turned himself in at San Mateo County Superior Court on Friday.  California authorities said they had been looking for him for years after he skipped a sentencing hearing for a 1991 grand theft charge.

While he was on the lam, Hsu was busy raising money for many Democratic causes and candidates, including 2004 Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and current presidential hopeful, Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Other Democratic campaigns are also returning money tied to Hsu.

Obama's campaign has also said it will give the money donated by Hsu to charity.

Hsu was -- to use campaign parlance -- a "bundler."  He often gathered donations from friends and associates. That practice is common among all campaigns and is not unique to Clinton. 

On Clinton's campaign website, there is still a photo of Hsu on a list of so-called "Hillraisers" -- donors who have pledged to raise at least $100-thousand dollars for the campaign.

Singer said Hsu's photo will not be removed since, for better or worse, he was an active donor and "Hillraiser." 

"If we were to take his name off we would be re-writing history," Singer said.

August 31, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

Craig Aide Says Business as Usual

August 31, 2007 12:45 PM

ABC News' Ronna Waldman reports: Despite reports today quoting anonymous 'GOP sources" that embattled Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho., will resign Friday, his aide says the Senator will return to Washington, D.C. next week to continue his work as best he can, Craig's Idaho press secretary tells ABC News.

If that plan changes, the media will be notified, the aide said.

Pressure is mounting on Craig to resign after news broke of his arrest in an undercover sting operation in an airport men's room. Craig pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on Aug. 1 but has maintained that he did nothing wrong.

Republican leaders have launched investigations into the matter and Republican senators have publicly called on Craig to step down.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called Craig's conduct "unforgivable," the AP reported Friday. The GOP Senate Leader acknowledged many caucus-members are pushing for Craig to step down.

"We have acted promptly to begin the process of dealing with this conduct," McConnell told the AP. "We will see what happens in the coming days."

August 31, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (46) | TrackBack (0)

Elizabeth Edwards Responds to Mommy Wars

August 31, 2007 10:29 AM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: According to TIME magazine's "Swampland" blog, Elizabeth Edwards yesterday responded to a question about the Good Morning America piece on the controversy over the mommy wars.

After a house party attendee referenced the GMA spot at a house party in Bow, New Hampshire…

"...Elizabeth explained how she and her husband had decided to pull the children out of school to be home-schooled, how they determined which campaign trips to bring them along on, and when to leave them at home, how her own nomadic upbringing as a military brat taught her that a classroom isn't the only place to get an education. Her argument began as one of practicalities and logistics. But as she talked, you could see the indignation rising. Again.

"There are people serving in Iraq right now who are not with their children at all," she said, "The very idea that you have to put your child on a school bus and that you have to have cookies and milk on the table every afternoon in order to be a good parent denigrates all of their parenting and is completely and totally unfair.

She added: "The choice we had to make was a very public choice, but the choice didn't belong to the public. The choice belongs to us." At that point, the crowd--about 60 people, many of whom had told me that they are undecided how to vote in the primary--erupted into applause. "Around the country, every place that I've gone, people who have been in the same shoes that I've been--sadly--have all made the same choice, to live, to embrace the things they care about.

"She did, in fact, call me a 'terrible mother,' which I thought might have been going a little far," Elizabeth concluded. "But you put yourself out there in the public light, and you're going to get that stuff, and you have to let it roll off your back. But it's a little bit hard when they talk about mothering."

August 31, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

Mrs. Obama Crosses Pond for Cash

August 31, 2007 10:03 AM

ABC News' Jonathan Greenberger Reports: John Kennedy said he was the man who accompanied his wife, Jacqueline, to Paris, but it seems in this campaign potential first ladies are going it alone.

Michelle Obama, aspiring first lady and wife of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., will travel to London in mid-October to attend two fundraisers in support of her husband's presidential bid.

While it's not entirely unusual for candidates to seek support from Americans abroad (Diana Kerry, the younger sister of Sen. John Kerry, served as Chair of Americans Overseas for Kerry in 2004), it's not all that often that candidates or their spouses actually travel across the pond to enrich their campaign coffers.

There is no prohibition against it, however, as long as the people giving money certify they are "not a foreign national who lacks permanent resident status in the United States."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton says the scheduled fundraisers are simply a reflection of the support Obama receives from around the world.

"Given the enthusiasm from Americans abroad, this is an opportunity for those folks to be a part of this effort," says Burton.

The fundraisers are scheduled for the 5-star Landmark Hotel in central London on Monday, Oct. 15.

According to the invitation, the main reception is at 7:00 pm, but bundlers who raise $23,000 from friends and family will receive an additional invitation to a VIP Pre-Reception.

August 31, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (105) | TrackBack (0)

Bush to Announce New Policy on Home Financing

August 30, 2007 10:56 PM

ABC News' Jennifer Duck reports: President Bush will make a statement in the Rose Garden Friday at 11:10 am on home financing.

A senior administration official tells ABC News the President will outline new policy to help the recent subprime mortgage fallout.

"The President will discuss a number of initiatives and reforms intended to help homeowners with subprime mortgages keep their homes," a senior administration official said.

Bush is expected to call on Congress to pass reform legislation that would give the Federal Housing Administration the flexibility to assist mortgage holders with subprime mortgages.

"He will discuss his willingness to work with congress in a bipartisan way on legislation to reform the tax code to help troubled borrowers rework their loans," the official said.

Bush is also expected to call for rigorous enforcement of laws against predatory lending.

August 30, 2007 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Fred Thompson to Run in '08

August 30, 2007 2:22 PM

ABC News' Christine Byun reports: After a summer of "testing the waters," former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., will formally announce his intention to run for president via webcast on Sept 6th, Thompson political director Randy Enwright confirmed on a conference call to supporters Thursday.

Thompson will follow the announcement with a five-day visit to early primary states: New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina.

After a visit to Florida beginning Sept.13, there will be a "welcome home" party in Thompson's hometown of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee on Sept. 15th.

Thompson, a former 'Law & Order' actor, formed the "Friends of Fred" committee at the beginning of June with offices in McLean, Virginia and Nashville, Tennessee.

However Thompson left everyone wondering when he would officially jump into the '08 race.

Rumors pegged his announcement earlier this summer around the Fourth of July holiday. However that announcement never came.

The status of the campaign-in-waiting, staff shakeups, and less-than-expected fundraising numbers left many wondering whether Thompson waited too long and lost his momentum.

Thompson's summer-long venture into a possible candidacy also invited a liberal activist-blogger to submit a complaint with the Federal Election Committee, accusing Thompson of skirting election laws for raising more money than needed for the testing-the-waters phase.

However, as a non-candidate, Thompson has been able to maintain GOP top-tier status in national polls -- placing second at 16 percent behind Rudy Giuliani's 31 percent in the most recent Gallup poll.

His staffing has gone through a myriad of growing pains and various shufflings. Some staffers reportedly left because of chain-of-command issues, specifically with Thompson's wife, Jeri.

In late July, the "Friends of Fred" Chief Operating Officer and defacto manager Tom Collamore exited and Bill Lacy, who helped Thompson win a Tennessee senate seat in 1994, was pulled in from Kansas to staff headquarters in McLean, Virginia and take over the organizational reins.

In the last couple of days, Communications Director Linda Rozett was replaced with Todd Harris, a former McCain 2000 campaign spokesperson. From an internal letter, Lacy explained that they needed someone with more campaign experience and Rozett's exit was one of the "tough decisions to make our venture successful."

August 30, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (38) | TrackBack (0)

Romney on the Run

August 30, 2007 1:27 PM

USA Today's 'On Politics' Blog Reports: If you like your presidential candidates hot and sweaty, Republican Mitt Romney's new TV ad may be just the thing for you.

Called "Leadership," it shows Romney running -- quite fast -- as the narrator talks about his work managing the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, his career as a business executive and his time as Massachusetts governor.

Watch the ad HERE.

The message: He has the "energy and experience to turn around Washington."

There's a clever touch at the end. When the camera zooms in on Romney's sweaty face, he delivers the "I'm Mitt Romney, and I approved this message" line and then speeds off.

The Romney campaign says the ad is going on the air today in Iowa and New Hampshire.

August 30, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

(Re)Introducing John McCain

August 30, 2007 10:09 AM

ABC News' Bret Hovell Reports: Do you know John McCain?  His presidential campaign wants to make sure you do.

McCain's presidential campaign has released a video biography of the senator, which includes video of McCain being interrogated while a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

In a note to supporters, campaign chairman Rick Davis offered a sneak peak of the video that runs nearly 12 minutes, and includes interviews with his wife, Cindy McCain, and his 95 year old mother, Roberta McCain.

The video is intended to reintroduce McCain, R-Ariz., to an American public with whom he has lost some support in recent months.  Once considered the front runner for the Republican nomination, McCain's standing in polls has slipped in part because of his support for the unpopular war in Iraq and comprehensive immigration reform.

The campaign also released a companion 60-second version which you can view by clicking here.

August 30, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Richardson Says He Must Break Into Top Tier

August 29, 2007 8:31 PM

ABC News' Leigh Hartman Reports: Presidential hopeful Gov. Bill Richardson D-N.M., said in a phone interview Wednesday with the Des Moines Register that, "in order for me to do well, I have to beat one of the top three major contenders" in Iowa. If so, that means that Richardson has a great deal of ground to make up before January caucus.

According to the latest ABC/Washington Post poll Richardson only attracts 11 percent support when matched against the rest of the '08 Democratic presidential field. That's a full 15 points behind the nearest of the three Democratic frontrunners.

Richardson also added in the interview that he hopes to do even better than just beating a frontrunner; he is aiming to, "finish within the top three or higher."

Richardson has spent considerable time campaigning in Iowa where he's run a series of humorous ads touting his years of experiences as a governor, congressman and former ambassador ih the hopes of improving his national poll numbers.

August 29, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Thompson Committee Hires New Communications Director

August 29, 2007 8:13 PM

ABC News' Christine Byun Reports: The committee testing the viability of a Fred Thompson candidacy has announced Todd Harris as its new Communications Director. Harris replaces Linda Rozett, who left the campaign unexpectedly this week. In an internal memo Committee Manager Bill Lacy called Rozett's departure one of the "tough decision to make (our) venture successful."

In a statement released Wednesday, Lacy said the Thompson team is strengthened with the hire of Harris because of his experience working at the national level.   

Harris served as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2003 campaign, as a press secretary for Sen. John McCain R-Ariz., and on former Florida Governor Jeb Bush's reelection campaign in 2002.

August 29, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Clinton To Give Away Controversial Cash

August 29, 2007 7:24 PM

ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton D-N.Y., will give to charity donations from a fundraiser in California who is wanted for failing to appear for sentencing on a grand theft charge, her campaign said Wednesday. Campaign spokesperson Phil Singer told ABC News "In light of the new information regarding Mr. Hsu's outstanding warrant in California, we will be giving his contributions to charity."

In all the Clinton campaign will give away $23,000 from Norman Hsu, whose legal troubles and ties to Democratic donors was first scrutinized by the Wall Street Journal this week. 

The Clinton campaign cited information regarding Hsu's outstanding warrant in California as the reason for the donation. The amount being given to charity includes contributions Hsu made to Clinton's presidential campaign, her Senate re-election campaign, and her political action committee. The campaign does not plan to return any money Hsu raised from other donors.

Hsu responded to the charges that he has an outstanding warrant Wednesday saying he believed he had resolved his legal issues and was unaware that he faced a warrant.

"I believe I properly resolved all of the legal issues related to my bankruptcy in the early 1990s. Therefore, I was surprised to learn that there appears to be an outstanding warrant - as demonstrated by the fact that I have and do live a public life. I have not sought to evade any of my obligations and certainly not the law," Hsu said in a statement.

August 29, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (84) | TrackBack (0)

McCain Calls for Craig Resignation

August 29, 2007 4:25 PM

ABC News' Bret Hovell Reports: Sen. John McCain became the first prominent Republican to call for the resignation of his Senate colleague Idaho Republican Larry Craig saying that "when you plead guilty to a crime, then you shouldn't serve in the Senate."

McCain's comments came in a Wednesday interview with CNN's John King where he also clarified that his position wasn't a moral stand.

“That's not a holier than thou. It's just a factual situation,” McCain said. “I don't try to judge people. But in this case, it's clear that it was disgraceful.”

Craig pleaded guilty in court documents at the beginning of August after a June arrest for disorderly conduct in the bathroom of a Minneapolis airport. In the plea papers, Craig stated "I'm pleading guilty" to "physical" conduct that tended "to arouse alarm." Craig entered that plea "freely and voluntarily."

August 29, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Anti-War Ad Targets Democratic Congressman

August 29, 2007 1:01 PM

ABC News' Jake Tapper reports: A Democratic congressman who recently changed his position on the Iraq war is the target of a new television ad by the anti-war group MoveOn.Org.

MoveOn will air the ad in Democratic Representative Brian Baird's district in Washington State, accusing him of a "flip-flop" on the Iraq war.

Baird voted against the war in 2003 but recently returned from a trip to Iraq earlier this month arguing President Bush's troop surge plan is showing signs of progress.

"I'm saying as a Democrat, who thinks this war was a terrible mistake, that we need to seriously rethink our strategy," Baird said of Democrats in Congress in this week's ABC "Shuffle" podcast.

"Just saying you want it to stop doesn't mean that the sectarian violence will stop, it doesn't mean that the instability won't spread, and it doesn't even mean even if you wanted to that you could immediately withdraw the troops," Baird said.

"I'm so fed up with the politics," Baird said on the podcast, "When I came out with this position I certainly didn't ask my pollsters or my political consultants, I just asked my conscience and my best understanding of the truth on the ground."

The anti-war group announced Wednesday they will roll out the ads in Baird's home state by the end of the week.

"MoveOn.org Political Action Committee is sponsoring the ad to call attention to the congressman's decision to go against the views of his constituents, and his previous voting record, to support President Bush's failed policy in Iraq," Nita Chaudhary of MoveOn.org Political Action said in a statement.

"Voters don't want to continue down a failed path. They want representatives who will stand up to President Bush's reckless policy and bring our troops home," she said.

August 29, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Rove's Plastic-Wrapped Surprise

August 29, 2007 9:15 AM

ABC News' Ann Compton and Jennifer Duck report: When out-going White House adviser Karl Rove returns from a trip to New Orleans with the President onboard Marine One Wednesday afternoon, he'll get a surprise when he tries to drive home.

His car, parked on West Executive Avenue in a prime spot near the White House, has been shrouded in plastic wrap, with two stuffed eagles mounted on the trunk and an Obama bumper sticker slapped onto the car.

Watch video of Rove's car HERE.

The prank is a goodbye gift of sorts for Rove, who is retiring on Friday.

However members of Rove's young White House staff are not claiming responsibility ... yet.

At the end of the day, the White House permitted children to unwrap Rove's Jaguar. Like Christmas in August, they peeled away the plastic wrap and post-it notes.

Rove appeared to take the prank good-naturedly, and was seen laughing afterwards with White House economic advisor Al Hubbard and White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten.

August 29, 2007 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (37) | TrackBack (0)

Elizabeth Edwards Responds to Attack Over Parenting Skills

August 28, 2007 7:36 PM

ABC News Sunlen Miller Reports: Elizabeth Edwards is taking some heat about her parenting skills from the mom-friendly website "Silicon Valley Moms Blog."

Blogger "Rebecca" wrote a fiery tirade on the site Monday morning attacking Mrs. Edwards choice to bring her two small children, Jack and Emma Claire, on the campaign trail with her while her husband, John Edwards runs for president.

"…. you are being a terrible mother, forcing your young children, who should be in SCHOOL, to ride in buses and talk to the press when they obviously don't want to. This election is NOT ABOUT THEM, " blogger Rebecca writes.

Responding to the New York Times article over the weekend about the Edwards decision to include their children in campaigning the blog writes, as if speaking directly to Mrs. Edwards, that her kids, "…deserve some peace, not time with nannies and campaign-trail daycare providers, since, as the Times article describes, you don't have time to see them when you are busy campaigning too."

Mrs. Edwards comments about Hillary Clinton in a recent Salon.com interview were also criticized on the blog, "What resonated in my mind was the way that she (Elizabeth Edwards) dissed Hillary Clinton, decrying the "choices" that Hillary has made. The implication, of course, was that Hillary chose to work rather than spend time with her child. But it took all of my self control not to ask her, ‘Was it Hillary's work for the Children's Defense Fund, where she saved millions of lives of poor children, that you thought was a poor choice? Or was it when she went to China and announced, possibly for the first time ever, that women's rights are human rights? Or perhaps was it the way that insisted on being taken seriously, since she too was an accomplished attorney like her husband?’"

The blogger lashed out and concluded, " Elizabeth, I DON'T LIKE the choices you have made! TAKE YOUR KIDS HOME."

The blog-savvy Elizabeth Edwards took only eight hours to respond to this online attack.

Posting in the comments section of the website, Elizabeth Edwards responded with an equally fiery post, "…what I said about Hillary's choices is that I had made the same choices she had made as a parent, and when I changed my choices I was happier. Just like you don't get to decide what makes me happier, I don't get to decide what makes Hillary happier."

And the mother-of-three wrote at length about her choices as a mother, electing to bring along her children on the campaign trail, "….you have no idea what the quality or amount of the time I spend with my children is….You don't get to say I am a terrible mother because you think you wouldn't make my choices in my situation…You don't get to judge me because you think you know exactly what you would do if you had my disease. I want to be really clear: you don't know. And if the sun always shines on you -- and I pray it does -- you will never know."

August 28, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (43) | TrackBack (0)

Struggling Chris Dodd Wins Coveted Firefighter Endorsement

August 28, 2007 5:26 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis, Donna Hunter, and Jan Simmonds Report: Democratic Senator of Connecticut Chris Dodd has scooped up the key endorsement of the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Dodd campaign announced Tuesday. Dodd receives the organization's support at a morning event Wednesday in Washington, DC.

The endorsement of the nation's 281,000-member firefighter union is a highly coveted one in Democratic politics. The union's endorsement of a lagging Sen. John Kerry D-Mass., was instrumental in helping him come-from-behind to win the 2004 Democratic nomination for president. Dodd owes his endorsement to his long record in enacting legislation pertaining to the firefighters. He authored the FIRE Act, which gives fire departments the ability to purchase new equipment and initiate education and training programs, as well as the SAFER Act, which gives fire departments the ability to alleviate critical shortfalls in professional and volunteer personnel.

The IAFF have had a well-publicized campaign toward diminishing former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s bid for the presidency. A few months ago they began running a web-page entitled Urban Legend and have released a 13 minute video outlining how Giuliani failed fire fighters before and after 9/11. The Giuliani Campaign contends that their attacks are purely partisan, backed up by their history of endorsing Democratic candidates.

Dodd wlll use this much needed endorcement to try to improve his weak national poll numbers. Dodd and Union President Harold Schaitberger will begin a three day tour through Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.

With a hint of nostalgia John Kerry, who keeps a picture at home of Union Leaders Harold Schaitberger and Dave Lang, told ABC News he'll always be grateful for the Fire Fighters Union's intense loyalty and friendship. "They were by my side in good days and bad days. There's no doubt in my mind that when they endorsed my campaign early – when I was lagging in the polls, during some real bumps in the road – they helped keep my campaign going and helped spread our message," Kerry said.

August 28, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

McCain Qualifies for Public Campaign Funding

August 28, 2007 5:06 PM

ABC News' Bret Hovell reports: Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., became the first presidential candidate to qualify for public financing for his campaign Tuesday.

The Federal Election Commission announced McCain is eligible to receive the money, which would be disbursed from the federal treasury.

However McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers said no decision has been made about whether the campaign will apply for the matching funds.

"This simply allows us to move forward in the process, should we decide to do that," Rogers said.

To qualify for public matching funds, a presidential candidate must raise $100,000 by collecting $5,000 from any twenty states from contributions totaling no more than $250 each. If the FEC determines that money has been collected, the candidate is eligible to apply for matching funds.

But there's a catch. Public matching funds would be capped, and the candidate would have to abide by spending limits.

The McCain campaign has had money troubles in recent months. During the second quarter of 2007, the campaign spent more money than it raised, and finished the quarter with less than $2 million in the bank when its debts are factored in.

McCain acknowledges his campaign's financial problems, arguing it was a problem with spending rather than raising money, a problem that he says has been fixed.

According to the FEC, Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean was certified to receive matching funds in July of 2003, a month earlier in that cycle than McCain got certified this time around. The former Vermont Governor did not end up taking the federal money.

August 28, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Craig: 'I Am Not Gay'

August 28, 2007 4:53 PM

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf Reports: Senator Larry Craig, R-Idaho, made a public statement to cameras Tuesday to declare that he is not gay, regrets pleading guilty to a misdemeanor for disorderly conduct this summer at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, intends to pursue the matter legally, and may yet seek reelection in 2008.

Here is the statement in full as posted on the Senator's website:

"First, please let me apologize to my family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans for the cloud placed over Idaho. I did nothing wrong at the Minneapolis airport. I regret my decision to plead guilty and the sadness that decision has brought to my wife, family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans. For that I apologize.

In June, I overreacted and made a poor decision. While I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct at the Minneapolis airport or anywhere else, I chose to plead guilty to a lesser charge in the hope of making it go away. I did not seek any counsel, either from an attorney, staff, friends, or family. That was a mistake, and I deeply regret it. Because of that, I have now retained counsel and I am asking my counsel to review this matter and to advise me on how to proceed.

For a moment, I want to put my state of mind into context on June 11. For 8 months leading up to June, my family and I had been relentlessly and viciously harassed by the Idaho Statesman. If you’ve seen today’s paper, you know why. Let me be clear: I am not gay and never have been.

Still, without a shred of truth or evidence to the contrary, the Statesman has engaged in this witch hunt. In pleading guilty, I overreacted in Minneapolis, because of the stress of the Idaho Statesman’s investigation and the rumors it has fueled around Idaho. Again, that overreaction was a mistake, and I apologize for my misjudgment. Furthermore, I should not have kept this arrest to myself, and should have told my family and friends about it. I wasn’t eager to share this failure, but I should have done so anyway.

I love my wife, family, friends, staff, and Idaho. I love serving Idaho in Congress. Over the years, I have accomplished a lot for Idaho, and I hope Idahoans will allow me to continue to do that. There are still goals I would like to accomplish, and I believe I can still be an effective leader for Idaho. Next month, I will announce, as planned, whether or not I will seek reelection.

As an elected official, I fully realize that my life is open for public criticism and scrutiny, and I take full responsibility for the mistake in judgment I made in attempting to handle this matter myself.

It is clear, though, that through my actions I have brought a cloud over Idaho. For that, I ask the people of Idaho for their forgiveness.

As I mentioned earlier, I have now retained counsel to examine this matter and I will make no further comment."

August 28, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

GOP Calls For Ethics Investigation

August 28, 2007 4:37 PM

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf Reports: Moments before Senator Larry Craig's press conference in Idaho, Senate Republicans back in Washington called for an Ethics investigation of the events surrounding the Republican's June arrest in the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport.

"Late yesterday we became aware of the incident involving Senator Larry Craig and his subsequent admission of guilt in a Minnesota court," the statement from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Senators Trent Lott, R-Miss., Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Tex., and John Ensign, R-Nev., began.

The Republican leadership quintet added, "This is a serious matter," adding that they would "recommend that Senator Craig's incident be reported to the Senate Ethics Committee for its review."

August 28, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Romney: Can't Account for Craig's Actions

August 28, 2007 1:29 PM

ABC News' Rick Klein Reports: Former governor Mitt Romney said Tuesday that he shouldn't be held responsible for the actions of Sen. Larry Craig, who until Monday night was "co-Senate liaison" for his presidential campaign.

Romney, R-Mass., said in an interview on Bloomberg TV that he hadn't spoken with Craig since news of his arrest and guilty plea on disorderly conduct charges surfaced on Monday.

Watch the video HERE.

"I'm going to have a lot of supporters; if I'm lucky enough to get elected I'll have about 50.1 percent," Romney said. "I'm not going to be able to account for all of their behavior, I don't think it reflects on me, and I don't know the particulars in this case. I wish him well, but I'll worry about my own behavior, and also about making sure we take the appropriate action when people in any way violated any degree of public trust."

Craig, R-Idaho, has been among Romney's most prominent supporters in the Senate. But he resigned from his formal role with the campaign after Roll Call reported details of his guilty plea on Monday.

Craig also recorded a short video talking about his support for Romney, which was available on YouTube.com until the Romney campaign moved to make it "private" on Monday.

In the video, a copy of which was obtained by Talking Points Memo, Craig says: "Knowing Governor Mitt Romney is knowing somebody who first and foremost has very strong family values. That's something I grew up with and believe in."

August 28, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Johnson Will Run for Reelection

August 28, 2007 1:18 PM

ABC News' Bob Woodruff Reports: Senator Tim Johnson, the South Dakota Democrat who suffered a near fatal brain hemorrhage last December, will seek reelection in 2008.

In his first television interview since his brush with death, Johnson will discuss his road to recovery and impending return to the Senate with ABC News' Bob Woodruff on ABC News "World News with Charles Gibson" at 6:30pm ET and then on "Nightline" at 11:35pm ET.

"I think the Johnson family understood that they were talking to someone who had been through a similar experience." Woodruff said of the exclusive interview.

"They had read my book and knew that my family faced similar struggles, not knowing if I would survive. In this case the Johnson family truly didn’t know if their husband and father would survive. The common bond of situational understanding helped make them comfortable talking to me, and I am glad I can bring our audience their story."

Woodruff, who also is recovering from a traumatic brain injury, has joined the Senator in South Dakota prior to his first public event since the injury.  Woodruff also conducted a series of interviews with Johnson during his rehabilitation.  Throughout, Senator Johnson talks candidly with Mr. Woodruff about his daily struggles and his determination not only to return to the Senate next week, but to seek re-election in 2008. 

You can see pictures of the Senator's road to recovery by clicking here. 

And watch Bob Woodruff's EXCLUSIVE "Nightline" interview with Senator Tim Johnson on Tuesday, August 28, 2007.

August 28, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)

Sen. Craig Leaves Romney Campaign

August 27, 2007 8:18 PM

ABC News' Matt Stuart Reports: Republican Senator of Idaho Larry Craig stepped down from his role on former Gov. Mitt Romney's R-Mass., presidential campaign today after the newspaper Roll Call disclosed Sen. Craig had pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of "disorderly conduct" related to an incident of lewd behavior at a Minnesota Airport men's bathroom.

Romney Communication Director Matt Rhoades released a statement late Monday saying that Craig "did not want to be a distraction [to the campaign] and we accept his decision."

Sen. Craig had served as co-Chair of Romney's Idaho Leadership team, and was one of two Senate liaisons for Romney's presidential exploratory committee.

Shortly after news of the arrest broke, a video on Romney's Youtube.com site featuring Sen. Craig became a "private video."

August 27, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Who Will Replace AG Gonzales?

August 27, 2007 7:05 PM

ABC News' Jan Crawford Greenburg Reports:  With the impending departure of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the White House is now looking for a replacement who will pass a Senate confirmation – a candidate who is highly regarded by Republicans, and respected by Democrats.

Several names have provided grist for the rumor mill, including:

Judge Laurence Silberman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit

Theodore Olson, former Solicitor General; Washington, D.C. lawyer

George Terwilliger, former U.S. attorney and Deputy Attorney General under President George H.W. Bush; Washington, D.C. lawyer

Larry Thompson, former U.S. attorney and Deputy Attorney General under President George W. Bush; currently general counsel of PepsiCo

Michael Chertoff, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

Paul Clement, Solicitor General

William Barr, former attorney general under President George H.W. Bush; general counsel of Verizon

August 27, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Idaho Guv's Office 'Blindsided'

August 27, 2007 6:59 PM

ABC News Teddy Davis Reports: As an incumbent senator in a reliably Republican state, Sen. Larry Craig was a shoo-in for re-election to a fourth term.

The Democrat running against him -- former Congressman Larry LaRocco -- had not raised much money and was not given much of a chance by independent political handicappers.

In the wake of Monday's Roll Call story which reported Craig's arrest in connection with lewd conduct, Democrats are giddy about the prospect of putting the reddest of Red States in play.

"We were blindsided by this," said an aide to Idaho's Republican Governor Butch Otter who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

If Sen. Craig were to resign, Otter would be responsible for naming a replacement.

According to the Idaho Secretary of State's office, the replacement would serve until the next election (and would be free to run in that election).  The state's primary is scheduled in Idaho for May 27, 2008 and the filing period to run for Senate is between March 10-21, 2008.

If the governor wants to name himself as a replacement, there would be nothing barring him from doing so under Idaho law. The state's independently elected Republican lieutenant governor would simply assume the duties of governor.

For now, Otter's staff is just coming to grips with the Craig allegations.

August 27, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Senator Pleads Guilty

August 27, 2007 5:39 PM

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf reports: Senator Larry Craig, R-Idaho, was arrested in June and pleaded guilty on Aug. 8 to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct stemming from an incident of lewd behavior in the men's public restroom at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

In a court document obtained by ABC News, Craig agreed to pay a $575 fee and a $1,000 fine and was sentenced to 10 days at the Hennepin County Workhouse and one year of unsupervised probation.

But in a statement released late Monday by Craig's office, the senator expressed regret for entering the guilty plea.

"At the time of this incident, I complained to the police that they were misconstruing my actions.  I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct," read the senator's statement. " 

"I should have had the advice of counsel in resolving this matter.  In hindsight, I should not have pled guilty.  I was trying to handle this matter myself quickly and expeditiously," Craig concluded.

Roll Call, a Capitol Hill news publication, originally reported the exclusive story found here.

A spokesperson for the Sen. Craig originally described the incident to Roll Call as a "he said/he said misunderstanding".

August 27, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (62) | TrackBack (0)

Dodd Burglar No Gordon Liddy

August 27, 2007 1:51 PM

ABC News' Donna Hunter reports: Police have apprehended and arrested a man for the break in of Senator Chris Dodd's senate office in Hartford, Connecticut. 

The '08 Democratic presidential candidate's Connecticut office was burglarized on Saturday night. Police arrested 47-year-old Gilberto Soto in the same area as Dodd's office. Police said they were able to identify the burglar from surveillance footage taken at the senate office. The video shows Soto exiting the building with a television and computer.

Hartford Police public information officer Nancy Milroy said the police believe the break in has no political connection.  Milroy said Soto, a career criminal, had no idea he was robbing the office of a U.S. senator and White House contender.

Soto is in police custody and formal charges are pending. Dodd's office has not issued a statement on the arrest.

August 27, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Bush Saddened by Gonzales Resignation

August 27, 2007 1:11 PM

ABC News' Jennifer Duck Reports: President Bush said Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is resigning due to unfair treatment that caused harmful distractions at the Department of Justice.  Bush said he was saddened by the resignation and the fact Gonzales's name was "dragged through the mud for political reasons."

"After months of unfair treatment that has created a harmful distraction at the Justice Department, Judge Gonzales decided to resign his position and I accept his decision. It's sad that we live in a time when a talented and honorable person like Alberto Gonzales is impeded from doing important work because his good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons," Bush said before departing Texas for a private reception in New Mexico and a stop later in the day to Washington state.

Bush added, "Al Gonzales is a man of integrity, decency and principle" and noted the attorney general's "outstanding job" as White House counsel, his role in shaping policies in the war on terror, and helping confirm Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito to the Supreme Court.

President Bush recruited Gonzales as his general counsel when Bush became Governor of Texas in 1995.  Bush called Gonzales a "trusted advisor" that became "a close friend," in a statement to the press Monday.

The President has repeatedly defended Gonzales after testimonies and investigations on Capitol Hill, insisting Gonzales has done nothing wrong and asserting full confidence in his close friend.

"I haven't seen Congress say he's done anything wrong.  As a matter of fact, I believe, we're watching a political exercise. I mean, this is a man who has testified, he's sent thousands of papers up there. There's no proof of wrong. Why would I hold somebody accountable who has done nothing wrong?" Bush said in a news conference earlier this month.

After Gonzales departs in mid-September, Solicitor General Paul Clement will act as Attorney General until a nominee is confirmed by the Senate.

August 27, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The Lone Defender

August 27, 2007 11:43 AM

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf Reports: Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, has never liked all the Gonzales bashing and he's not very happy about his resignation either.  But he's not taking his job.

While rumors persist, Hatch's office is denying that he will be asked by President Bush to succeed Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General.

Partially fueling these rumors is the fact that Hatch's chief spokesman, Peter Carr, left the Senator's office this month to become the deputy director of public affairs at the Department of Justice. Carr's first day at DOJ was last Monday.

So reporters who wanted comment from Hatch on whether he would go to DOJ and were used to calling Carr had to dig a little deeper into their rolodexes and contact his spokesperson in Utah, Heather Barney, who said she had in fact asked her boss about who would succeed Gonzales. Hatch told her it would not be Hatch. But he is not speaking directly to reporters Monday because, according to Barney, he is having some dental work done.

"The main thing he said to me was there are some qualified candidates he knows they will be looking at that he does support," Barney said. "He did not say who those candidates were."

"Is he one of those candidates he was talking about?" she was asked by ABC News.

"No," she replied.

Hatch is the former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and so might have an easier time being confirmed than some other candidates for the job. But Hatch, at 72, was just reelected to his sixth term in 2006. He would get only a year as Attorney General before a new president came to office.

Nevertheless, Senator Arlen Specter, R-Penn., a longtime colleague of Hatch and critic of Gonzales, fueled the Hatch rumor further when he told reporters on a conference call that a "former senator might be just the ticket."

"A former senator or a present senator might be well known to the (Judiciary) Committee," Specter said.  "You might have confidence in the person's ability."

But Specter was heading overseas, on a plane from Poland, and on a cell phone and when reporters asked him if the names of any particular senator leapt to mind, the phone connection went dead.

Specter did say he wouldn't take the job, and that speculation "wouldn't be fruitful," because the nomination has to come from the White House.

For months, Hatch has been really the only vocal defender of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Capitol Hill.

Lone among a chorus of criticism, Hatch is the only lawmaker, Republican or Democrat, to release a statement saying it was a shame that Gonzales is leaving and that history will be kind to his tenure, remembering his work against meth and not the 9 US Attorneys who may or may not have been fired for political reasons.

"Alberto Gonzales has been the President's strong right arm in fighting terrorists using the tools of law enforcement, and he helped successfully protect the American homeland during his tenure. Beyond that, he has overseen the Department of Justice’s efforts to protect children from Internet predators, to combat human trafficking, and to prevent the spread of meth in our communities," Hatch said.

The Senator concluded, "I hope that history will remember Attorney General Gonzales for his honorable service to his country, rather than for the absurd political theater to which some critics have subjected him."

August 27, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Sen. Chris Dodd's Office Burglarized

August 27, 2007 11:26 AM

ABC News' Donna Hunter reports: The Connecticut office of presidential hopeful Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., was burglarized late Saturday evening.

It was reported that a suspect, described as an Hispanic male between 35 and 40-years-old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, broke into the Senator's office between the hours of 10pm and 11pm on Saturday evening, taking undisclosed items and leaving behind evidence at the scene.

Dodd's senate press secretary Jamie Radice would not speculate as to whether or not the break-in was politically motivated.

Local police in Hartford, Connecticut are still investigating what was taken from Dodd's office.  They have yet to release details of the items that the suspect left behind.

The police believe the suspect jumped from an adjacent roof to Dodd's office and broke in through a second story window. Dodd, who has served in the Senate since 1981, has been in his current office on Lewis Street in Hartford, Connecticut for the last five months.

Radice said they do not know what was taken and have no idea why someone would want to break into the Senator's office.

August 27, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Candidate Responses

August 27, 2007 10:29 AM

ABC News' Leigh Hartman Reports: The 2008 Democratic presidential contenders didn't waste any time reacting to the (soon-to-be) former Attorney General's decision to resign.

"Better late than never," former Senator John Edwards, D-N.C., said of Gonzales' long anticipated departure.

Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill., said he "long believed that Alberto Gonzales subverted justice to promote a political agenda, and so I am pleased that he has finally resigned today."

And in a theme that will no doubt be repeated, Obama called on President Bush "to nominate an Attorney General who will be the people's lawyer, not the President's lawyer."

Bill Richardson continued in a similar vein saying, "The resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is long overdue. The President must nominate an Attorney General who is a lawyer for the American people not a political arm of the White House."

Senator Joe Biden, D-Dela, said he has "lost the confidence of the vast majority of the American people and the Congress," adding , "His resignation is long overdue."

Gov. Mike Huckabee is the first republican to comment on the resignation saying it is, "Better late than never --[the Attorney General] was clearly creating a problem for the President and one he didn't need. Now it's time to find a replacement and move on."

Senator Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., weighed in on the resignation saying it is "long overdue, and so is the appointment of an Attorney General who will put the rule of law and our Constitution above partisan politics."

Clinton added that the next Attorney General should "serve the American people and not the President's political ideology."

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., took a different tact, applauding Gonzales' resignation due to what the Congressman perceives as a lack of commitment to enforcing the nation's immigration laws.

"As one who called for Mr. Gonzales' resignation months ago," Tancredo said, "I'm not shedding any tears over news of his departure.  I hope that President Bush will take this opportunity to replace Mr. Gonzales with someone who will actually demonstrate a commitment to enforcing our laws."

Former Governor Mitt Romne,, R-Mass., has said he believes, "the Attorney General made the right decision to step aside," but was much more muted than his potential Democratic rivals.

"The resignation is an opportunity for President Bush to renew the nation's commitment to the law enforcement officers and personnel who are dedicated to enforcing the rule of law and protecting the American people from the threat of terrorism around the globe," he added.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich D-Ohio, accused Attorney General Gonzales of being "nothing but a prop for this Administration to bypass the Constitution" and called on President Bush to "appoint an independent Attorney General who will uphold the Constitution and restore faith in the U.S. justice system."

August 27, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

First Lady Sidelined By Pinched Nerve

August 26, 2007 5:00 PM

ABC News Jon Garcia Reports: First Lady Laura Bush, one of the President's most faithful traveling companions, has cancelled her trip to Australia with him early next month because of a pinched nerve, White House officials announced Sunday.

Mrs Bush suffered the painful injury earlier this spring while she was hiking in Zion National Park in Utah, her spokeswoman, Sally McDonough, said.

"The nerve is in her neck area and it is uncomfortable," said McDonough. Asked if the First Lady was taking any medication for the pain, McDonough replied, "none that I'm aware of."

The First Lady has been undergoing physical therapy for the injury under the care of White House doctors. Though she was able to travel to Africa in June, those doctors now recommend Mrs. Bush sit this trip out because of the long hours of the flights to and from Australia, McDonough said. Mrs. Bush called the wife of Australian Prime Minister John Howard yesterday to send her regrets.

The White House had not disclosed the injury previously because it had not affected Mrs. Bush's public schedule. Until now.

McDonough says the doctors' recommendation to curtail travel applies only to long, international flights. Her regular domestic schedule should not be affected, she said.

President Bush is scheduled to visit Australia for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum on Sept 8 -9.

August 26, 2007 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)

Obama Delivers Spiritual Speech at New Orleans Church

August 26, 2007 1:40 PM

ABC News Contributor Jordan Hultine Reports: Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., invoked Jesus' Sermon on the Mount at a packed Sunday morning church service at the First Emanuel Baptist Church in New Orleans several days defore the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

"Getting ready to talk to you today, I recall what Jesus said at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. He said, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock," Obama said.

"The rains descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house. But it did not fall, because it was founded on the rock," he continued.

Obama blamed local, state and federal governments for the slow response in the days following Katrina and noted the city's continued need to do more to create jobs for residents returning to the area, improve local schools, and provide reliable health care.

Outside the church, Obama shook hands and listened to residents who voiced frustration at what they say remains a slow response by the government to aide the ailing city.

"We need help. The rent's too high, three times higher than it was pre-Katrina and we're not getting that money that's being donated in our name," an aspiring rapper named Sess told Obama.

The small crowd outside -- which was unable to attend the church service inside because it was filled to capacity -- applauded Obama for coming out and listening to them.

"People supposed to be helping us, instead they're overseeing us. Everybody's making decisions for us. Will you make us a priority," New Orleans resident and community activist Diane French asked Obama.

"You already are," Obama told her. 

August 26, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee Accuses Rivals of Funding Club For Growth

August 26, 2007 10:46 AM

ABC News' Tahman Bradley Reports: Perhaps hoping to gain some much needed attention for his presidential campaign, Mike Huckabee on Sunday accused his rivals for the '08 Republican presidential nomination of bankrolling an anti-tax organization that ran an ad against him the week of the Iowa Straw Poll.

The ad, by the conservative group Club For Growth, sharply criticizes Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, for raising taxes on gas, groceries and nursing home beds while dramatically increasing spending. "Who is that tax-and-spend liberal Arkansas governor? Bill Clinton? No, it's Mike Huckabee," says a narrator in the 30 second spot. You can view the ad HERE. 

Careful to avoid naming any of his rivals, Huckabee said "you have to wonder who gave them that money." "I have to think it's one of the other candidates," he added.

Huckabee also sought to downplay expectations about yet-to-be announced candidate Fred Thompson. "People are expecting him to basically come in and be the fifth head on Mount Rushmore. Whether he can live up to that -- I think there's a real challenge for anybody to live up to that, including if Ronald Reagan were to come back," Huckabee said. 

The Huckabee campaign has been hoping to use its surprise second place finish in this month's non-binding GOP straw poll to boost Huckabee's national poll ranking and fill campaign coffers.

Huckabee's remarks were made on "Fox News Sunday".

August 26, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Fleischer: GOP choices still unsettled, but "everybody wants a date with Fred"

August 25, 2007 6:00 PM

ABC News' Christine Byun reports: There was an unannounced visitor to unannounced Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson's media availability at the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, IN. Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer sat on the sidelines during Thompson's 15 minute open-question forum, observing the former Tennessee senator field questions from roughly 20 journalists. Thompson greeted Fleischer with a jovial "hello" - Fleischer spoke at a session about the media's impact on U.S politics earlier in the day.

As Thompson and his advisers rushed out of the room to prep for his keynote speech later tonigh