« December 2007 | Main | February 2008 »
Coming Up: Obama Reacts to S.C.
January 24, 2008 5:00 PM
Sen. Barack Obama joins George this Sunday morning, just hours after we'll learn the results of the South Carolina Democratic primary and just 9 days before Super Tuesday.
The battle between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton has been heating up on the South Carolina airwaves. ABC News' Jake Tapper writes about the radio ad war on his Political Punch blog.
"The campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is hitting back hard -- quite harshly, in fact -- against the misleading radio ad from Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.," Tapper writes. "The [Obama] ad is so harsh, in fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see whomever the GOP nominee ends up being using it in his ads against Clinton, should she become the Democratic nominee."
Campaign strategist Matthew Dowd also weighed in on how Obama is responding to Clinton's attacks.
"When he has run a more original campaign which matched his message, he has been successful, and when he is confronted her in the way she and her campaign fights, he hasn't done as well," Dowd writes.
Tune in this Sunday to hear Obama's take on the latest campaign tactics, as well as his reaction to the South Carolina results.
January 24, 2008 in Coming Up | Permalink | User Comments (23)
Daily Roundtable: An Economy Election?
January 23, 2008 5:09 PM
After months of debate over Iraq and health care, the 2008 election has taken a sharp turn toward the economy.
At Salon.com, Robert Reich says, "A possible economic meltdown is worrisome enough, but a possible meltdown in an election year is downright frightening."
ABC News' Teddy Davis covers the candidates' responses, saying, "The new emphasis on economic issues was acutely on display Tuesday amid fears of a U.S. recession and a worldwide stock sell-off."
This Week's Jonathan Greenberger says the economy is the top campaign issue "for the moment."
"But," he added, "six months ago everyone said Iraq would be the dominant issue… While the economy is the top issue right now, who knows where we'll be in November."
Where do you think we'll be in November? Will the economy be the top election issue? Which candidate do you think is the strongest on economic issues? Talk about it in today's "Daily Roundtable" discussion.
January 23, 2008 in Daily Roundtable | Permalink | User Comments (11)
Coming Up: Read up on the Roundtable
January 19, 2008 12:33 PM
This Sunday, former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani talks about the state of his campaign, and House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel talks about the state of the economy.
Our "Roundtable" brings together George Will, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Chrystia Freeland and Matthew Dowd. To read up on the Roundtable...
Click here for George Will's latest Washington Post column.
Click here to read Katrina vanden Heuvel's blog at The Nation.
Click here for Chrystia Freeland's Financial Times column.
Click here to read Matthew Dowd's ABC News blog.
January 19, 2008 in Coming Up | Permalink | User Comments (6)
Meet This Week: Mosheh Gains, Production Associate
January 16, 2008 5:37 PM
For our first installment of "Meet This Week," a behind the scenes interview with the staff members who make "This Week" happen, I spoke with Production Associate Mosheh Gains. Mosheh has been with the show for eight months. Previously, he worked as an ABC News desk assistant. As the show's PA, Mosheh produces "In Memoriam" as well as the weekly webcast. He also tracks down all the tape used during the show, and he shoots the "Green Room" feature for our website.
What do you enjoy about producing "In Memoriam" each week?
Death is never an easy subject to talk about or even to cover, but I really try to look at the piece as 'paying tribute to people's lives.' The one thing I enjoy is learning about people's lives each week and talking to family members. A lot of times it's just listening to stories, but I love it -- I learn so much about who I am covering.
We frequently get asked about the music played during "In Memoriam." What is the piece you use?
The music was composed by Score Productions especially for our segment. It's a beautiful piece with somber instrumentals that I think really compliments 'In Memoriam' well. Unfortunately, it's not for sale.
In addition to "In Memoriam," you also produce the webcast -- what exactly is the webcast about?
Yes, I produce the 'This Week All Week' webcast, not to be confused with the 'This Week All Week' Blog. (By the way, the webcast was named 'This Week All Week' first!)
It's our mid-week look on the latest political stories. We shoot in George's office when he's available to do it, or we shoot it in the middle of the This Week offices with reporters from our political unit.
You also shoot the "Green Room" segment on Sundays. What's the funniest thing you've seen happen while filming the "Green Room."
What isn't funny? From Sam Donaldson's 'spats' with George Will, to the time I was paged while I was filming -- I panicked because we were still on the air and I thought something had drastically gone wrong. But, it hadn't, so it was quite funny.
What's your favorite thing about Sunday mornings?
My favorite thing about Sunday mornings is filming the 'Green Room,' I'm always intrigued to hear what our great panelists have to say on the weekly political issues. And of course, the bacon in the Green Room after the show ends!
If you have a question for Mosheh about "In Memoriam," the webcast, or the "Green Room," leave it in the comments section and I'll get him to respond.
January 16, 2008 in Meet This Week | Permalink | User Comments (17)
Daily Roundtable: Frontrunner Free GOP
January 16, 2008 3:48 PM
And then there were... eight?
Four primary contests into the GOP nominating process and yes -- eight candidates remain. Three of them have won a primary or caucus, and two of them still think they might. The result: A frontrunner free contest.
In The Note, ABC's Rick Klein writes, "Stick around long enough in the Republican race and you too can be a winner."
I spoke with ABC's Deputy Political Director Teddy Davis about the Michigan results and where the GOP race now stands.
"Coming out of New Hampshire, McCain had an opportunity to establish himself as the frontrunner, but it would have taken him winning Michigan," Davis said. "Now that [Romney's] won Michigan, you have a situation where you have three key contests, and three winners."
As for when and how a frontrunner might emerge?
"It's possible for a frontrunner to emerge before February 5. But, it will require one of the candidate who has already won a state to win Florida's January 29 primary as well as one of the two states -- South Carolina or Nevada -- which vote on Saturday," Davis said.
Which Republican candidate do you think will rise above the rest? Will the battle for the nomination be good or bad for the GOP? Do you think there is time for Rudy Giuliani or Fred Thompson to get in the mix? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
January 16, 2008 in Daily Roundtable | Permalink | User Comments (3)
Daily Roundtable: Kerry is Back... For Obama
January 10, 2008 3:23 PM
Bill Richardson is out of the race, and John Kerry is in it -- for Obama, that is.
The '04 nominee endorsed Obama today in South Carolina.
In an email to supporters, John Kerry wrote, "I want to share with you my conviction that in a field of fine Democratic candidates, the next President of the United States can be, should be, and will be Barack Obama. Each of our candidates would make a fine President, and we are blessed with a strong field. But for this moment, at this time in our nation's history, Barack Obama is the right choice."
ABC's Rick Klein says the endorsement "gives Obama a chance to change the campaign storyline during a crucial period. It also gives Obama access to new sources of campaign cash, particularly through the 3 million-strong e-mail list Kerry has maintained after his failed 2004 bid for the presidency."
The AP's Glen Johnson calls the endorsement "a slap at Edwards" and "a jab at Clinton."
The Edwards campaign responded with a written statement saying, "Our country and our Party are stronger because of John’s service, and I respect his decision. When we were running against each other and on the same ticket, John and I agreed on many issues. I continue to believe that this election is about the future, not the past, and that the country needs a President who will fight aggressively to end the status quo and change the Washington system and to give voice to all of those whose voices are ignored in the corridors of power."
What do you think of Kerry's endorsement? Does he have the ability to boost the Obama campaign? How big of a blow is this to the Edwards and Clinton campaigns? We'll be talking about the endorsement on the This Week All Week webcast later today, and you can join the discussion here in our comments section.
January 10, 2008 in Daily Roundtable | Permalink | User Comments (19)
NH Update: The Wait is Over
January 04, 2008 9:48 PM
Last time I blogged about the New Hampshire experience, I was waiting. Waiting for Iowa to end, waiting for the candidates to arrive, waiting for some primary action. While waiting, I learned that 10 degrees is about 40 degrees too few, and that the average New Hampshire-ite is exposed to anywhere from two to five political commercials per commercial break.
As of this morning, that waiting is over. We're less than 24 hours from the ABC News' New Hampshire Debates, about 36 hours from our show, and around 96 hours away from New Hampshire primary returns.
The hotel is now crammed full of journalists and campaign staffers and the city is full of make-shift work-spaces and satellite trucks. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about all of this madness is that New Hampshire is completely accustomed to it. When making a television show happen from a remote location, we issue some pretty crazy requests. The nice thing about making those requests in New Hampshire is that everyone has heard it before.
Earlier today, while working out of our very own make-shift work-space, I talked with ABC News' Political Director David Chalian. I asked him for his thoughts on the importance of the pending primary now that the Iowa caucuses have been won.
"New Hampshire has always been a critically important early contest for both parties," Chalian said. "On the Democratic side, it may prove quite challenging for Sen. Clinton or Sen. Edwards to blunt Sen. Obama's momentum coming out of his victory in Iowa with New Hampshire following only five days later -- not a lot of time to make up ground. On the Republican side, Mike Huckabee will be tested by an electorate with far fewer evangelical Christians who lifted him to the top spot in Iowa. New Hampshire presents an opportunity for a wounded Mitt Romney or a renewed John McCain to try to seize control of the Republican nomination battle."
With so much at stake the next few days will surely be fascinating... for me at least. For a local, it's just another election cycle day.
January 4, 2008 in New Hampshire | Permalink | User Comments (12)
Coming Up on This Week From New Hampshire
January 04, 2008 6:22 PM
This Sunday, George talks with 2008 presidential contenders Mike Huckabee, John Edwards and Mitt Romney.
Fresh off the debates and just two days before the state holds the first-in-the-nation primary, all three candidates will join George live from New Hampshire. Tune in to hear each candidate discuss the final results of the Iowa caucuses and their expectations for the New Hampshire primary.
Then on our "Roundtable," Sam Donaldson, Donna Brazile, Cokie Roberts and George Will debate the week's politics.
January 4, 2008 in Coming Up | Permalink | User Comments (14)
NH Update: Hurry Up and Wait
January 03, 2008 8:02 PM
For those of us who boarded a flight to New Hampshire today, it feels like we've entered a period of "hurry up and wait." We hurried to get here, but now I'm sitting in Manchester with Green Room Girl, just waiting for the caucuses to happen. We watched Charlie Gibson, George and all the coverage on ABC's World News. And now we're channel surfing, watching the cable news folks wait... just like us.
Earlier it was 7 degrees in this town, but by the time we'd landed it had heated up to a toasty 10! The first political sign I saw was a McCain '08. The second political sign I saw was a McCain '08. But after those two rolled by it became a montage- Romney here, Obama there, a Clinton pin on a woman walking by.
From what I've seen so far, New Hampshire is certainly decorated with politics, but where's the action? That, I presume, really gets going tomorrow. I'll be back with more then!
January 3, 2008 in New Hampshire | Permalink | User Comments (0)
This Week Hits New Hampshire
January 03, 2008 1:12 PM
Tomorrow, with Iowa behind them, the 2008 presidential contenders will descend upon New Hampshire.
Here at This Week, we've got the story covered from all sides. George and his producer will be in Iowa for the caucus coverage, while some of us head north to Manchester where it is presently 7 degrees and sunny.
I let Green Room Girl out of the Green Room for a few days so she could come along. Moments ago, she spoke exclusively with "This Week All Week."
"I couldn't be more excited," she said. "This is the Super Bowl, World Series, Last Call at Neiman's, all wrapped into one!"
January 3, 2008 in New Hampshire | Permalink | User Comments (1)
Daily Roundtable: Iowa, Iowa, Iowa
January 02, 2008 12:40 PM
Today, New Hampshire likely feels like the Jan to Iowa's Marcia.
All eyes are on the Heartland and it's Iowa, Iowa, Iowa for the next 36 hours.
The Des Moines Register has the latest updates on their caucus page.
ABC's Jennifer Parker provides a caucus primer.
And in ABC's "The Note," Rick Klein describes the "weary dash" to the finish.
For today's "Daily Roundtable," it's prediction time! Who will win? By how much? Will the winner get an "Iowa Bounce" into New Hampshire?
And speaking of New Hampshire... the "This Week" Bunch is heading north to broadcast LIVE from Manchester this Sunday morning. Check back here for updates on the show.
January 2, 2008 in Daily Roundtable | Permalink | User Comments (5)
