Fantasy Politics USA

The Democrats have all agreed to not campaign in Florida since they broke Democratic National Committee rules, but now Barack Obama claims in a memo sent to reporters that Hillary Clinton is campaigning there. He bases this accusation on a fund raiser Clinton is having on the 27th in south Florida which is allowed under the rules. According to the memo, “Sen. Obama is firm in his commitment to neither participate nor campaign in the Florida primary, and its outcome has no bearing on the nomination contest.” The memo goes on saying, “We raise Florida today because Sen. Clinton has scheduled a fundraiser in Florida on January 27, and there are signs — despite Sen. Clinton’s public pledge to the contrary — that she may be planning to campaign in the state — inquiring about large venues and increased organizing activity — ahead of the Florida primary.” Hillary is far ahead of Obama according to polls of Florida voters, and this might be his way of explaining his big loss ahead of time. The Clinton camp has responded with a memo of their own. According to the Clinton camp, “Let us be very clear. Senator Clinton signed a pledge that she would not campaign in any state that violates the DNC approved calendar. Therefore, we did not campaign in Michigan, nor will we campaign in Florida in violation of the pledge. We have two small scheduled fundraisers in South Florida on January 27, as explicitly permitted by the pledge, but we will not hold any open public campaign events. The Obama campaign has also held numerous fundraisers in Florida since signing the pledge. Contrary to the Obama campaign’s memo, there are no events at large venues, nor have we organized in the state. We intend to do so as our party’s nominee in the general election, but will honor our pledge not to campaign there in violation of the pledge.” Clinton goes on to say she wants “to hear the voices of all Americans.” And then she points out that the Obama team has been campaigning in Michigan against the wishes of the DNC. According to the Clinton camp, urging voters to vote “uncommitted” in Michigan is the equivalent of campaigning. So these two decide not to fight, only to start another fight. Listen to Jessie and stick to the issues, or it is a slippery slope to defeat in November.
Alan Cosgrove

There is a major push to draft Michael Bloomberg to run for President which includes a 50 state petition drive. Gerald Rafshoon and Doug Bailey, both veteran political consultants, are behind this drive. According to a letter to supporters they say, “America needs and deserves a president with vision and a proven track record of solving tough problems and delivering real results, a president who can bring America together through true leadership and fine character.” Bailey announced the petition drive by saying, “At a time when the economy is in great peril and facing a recession, Mike Bloomberg represents an unique answer to his experience and his understanding and his success in the financial markets. At a time when the Washington political system is broken, wouldn’t it be refreshing to have a president elected who owes nothing to the lobbyist, nothing to the special interest, and nothing to the extreme elements of either the political parties.” Bloomberg is a Democrat turned Republican turned Independent who has billions, and will be able to finance his own campaign. “This is not somebody who has a crazy vision of the country and how he would like to spend his money,” Rafshoon said. “But he will not be taking money from lobbyists. He will not be taking money from New York bankers or any of the people you said that have met to discuss a Bloomberg candidacy.” Bloomberg continues to deny he has any interest in the job, but he just met in Oklahoma with potential vice presidential candidates Sam Nunn and Chuck Hagel. Bloomberg who currently serves as mayor of New York City says, “I am not candidate for president of the United States. I’ve got a job which I think is a phenomenal job.”
Alan Cosgrove
If you are interested in signing the petition click here.

Dennis Kucinich is asking New Hampshire to recount the primary votes because of, “serious and credible reports, allegations and rumors.” Kucinich only won less than 2% of the vote. Kucinich seems to think that the pre-primary polls that showed Barack Obama double digits ahead of Hillary Clinton might have been right. He sent a letter to the New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan asking for the recount because of “unexplained disparities between hand-counted ballots and machine-counted ballots.” He says the request is not about his own votes, because he doesn’t believe, “a recount will significantly affect the number of votes that were cast on my behalf,” according to Kucinich. Kucinich added, “Ever since the 2000 election – and even before – the American people have been losing faith in the belief that their votes were actually counted. This recount isn’t about who won 39% of 36% or even 1%. It’s about establishing whether 100% of the voters had 100% of their votes counted exactly the way they cast them.” So it is not about any of the candidates, but why didn’t he ask about Iowa’s votes? Candidates that lose by less than 3% can request a recount and only pay $2000, but candidates that lose by more must pay the full cost. Kucinich has stated that he has sent them a $2000 check to get the process rolling. Scanlan has said he has received several calls asking about the vote count, but he was sure the results were accurate. “I think people from out of state don’t completely understand how our process works and they compare it to the system that might exist in Florida or Ohio, where they have had serious problems,” he said. “Perhaps the best thing that could happen for us is to have a recount to show the people that … the votes that were cast on election day were accurately reflected in the results. And I have every confidence that will be the case.” So if they do recount the votes, Kucinich will get one hell of a discount, or he is speaking for Obama. It is clear that this is a veiled attack, accusing the Clinton camp of somehow manipulating the vote in New Hampshire. Just come out and say what you mean Moonbeam Dennis.
Alan Cosgrove

In tonights Fox debate Fred Thompson ripped into Mike Huckabee on a couple of occasions. Thompson is gasping for air, so he needs to tear down a front runner to build himself up. Thompson said this of Huckabee during the debate, “He would be a Christian leader, but he would also bring about liberal economic policies, liberal foreign policies. He believes we have an arrogant foreign policy in the tradition of blame America first. He believes that Guantanamo should be closed down and those enemy combatants brought here to the United States to find their way into the court system eventually. He believes in taxpayer-funded programs for illegals, as he did in Arkansas. He has the endorsement of the National Education Association, and the NEA said it was because of his opposition to vouchers. He said he would sign a bill that banned smoking nationwide.” ” So much for federalism. So much for states’ rights. So much for individual rights. That’s not the model of the Reagan coalition. That’s the model of the Democratic Party.” Thompson declared to loud applause. Later Thompson jabbed Huckabee on taxes saying, “I note the governor is pointing out he signed the ‘tax pledge’ (to not raise taxes). … Earlier this year he said … it would be a dangerous thing to sign a tax pledge. … Later on this year, when the pressure got building, he signed the tax pledge.”
Alan Cosgrove