Iowa's population now packed with politicians

While millions of Americans headed to the Returns sections of stores across the country today, most of the people who would be the next president of the United States packed into Iowa for the final push to the Jan. 3 caucus.

Buoyed by his Des Moines Register endorsement and rising poll numbers, even Arizona Sen. John McCain, once written off nationally and who had written off Iowa, showed up in the Hawkeye state. A campaign memo today admitted, "A crowded field will make a good finish (t)here difficult." But a surprise third-place finish there could make McCain the first comeback kid of 2008.

John Edwards was in New Hampshire today along with Mitt Romney, reinforcing his firewall against an upset in Iowa, while Rudy Giuliani was in Florida, still building his do-passably-in-the-early-states-but-come-on-strong-later strategy.

Mike Huckabee, currently leading by most accounts in Iowa, made it appear he spent the day in Iowa by pheasant-hunting in Osceola in the morning, but he then dashed off for two solid days of fundraising in Florida. Taking two crucial days off to seek money may be an indicator of the former Arkansas governor's fragile finances, no matter how well he does with Iowa evangelicals. And the Club for Growth aired more Iowa ads against the former Arkansas governor.

Though delayed by air traffic over New York, Hillary and Bill you-know-who were back in Iowa for her new "Big Challenges, Real Solutions: Time to Pick a President Tour." Gee, who writes her stuff? As she continued making her argument that her White House experience makes her the best choice as Democratic nominee, the New York Times published a devastating analysis of her eight years as first lady that explains why ....

the Clintons don't want her first lady files released from the Clinton presidential library before the election. It appears that Hillary Clinton was not the full power partner with her husband that she frequently portrays.

According to the Times, Mrs. Clinton did not hold a security clearance during her husband's presidency, did not attend the president's daily intelligence briefings nor National Security Council meetings and failed to assert herself during numerous international crises. During one major 1998 terrorism crisis -- whether to bomb Sudan and Afghanistan -- Mrs. Clinton was not even speaking to her husband because of the Monica Lewinsky affair.

Both Barack and Michelle Obama were out working Iowa today. Chris Dodd was even there Christmas day, going ice-skating for the cameras. Joe Biden arrives this evening to begin an eight-day, 28-county "Caucus Countdown Tour." Thursday, Edwards returns to Iowa to begin his eight-day "America Rising: Fighting for the Middle Class."

Even Giuliani, who has not made much investment in Iowa since avoiding the Ames Straw Poll last summer, will spend 36 hours there later this week. And Fred Thompson sent an appeal to supporters on the way to the airport to Iowa today to start his "Clear Conservative Choice: Hands Down" bus tour to run through caucus day Jan. 3.

Fred seeks a quick $248,846 in the bank by Friday 6 p.m. -- "fill the tank on the Red Pickup." Early this afternoon the gauge showed almost $31,000 raised. He wants to start airing a new ad statewide in Iowa depicting glowing published reviews of his plans and proposals and highlighting his endorsement by the National Right to Life Committee.

Meanwhile, Ron Paul, the 72-year-old Republican with the libertarian ideals, fueled by the nearly $19 million he has raised this quarter alone, quietly continued his low-profile Iowa organizing with caucus camps for college students across the state. His organizers figure a turnout of 25,000 Paulites on caucus night would "virtually guarantee" him a third-place finish in the GOP field. His fervent online followers dream of next-day headlines such as "Obscure Ron Paul tops Giuliani, McCain in Iowa" to shove down the throats of politicians -- and media -- that have so stubbornly ignored his "Campaign for Freedom."

Today, Paul went up with a new ad in both Iowa and New Hampshire, a bio ad portraying him as a patriot, a baby doctor, stubborn opponent of tax increases for the people and pay raises for Congress, pro-life, pro-gun and "protector of our God-given freedom."

While polls showed him tightening with Romney in New Hampshire, the 72-year-old McCain planned two jam-packed days working his way across Iowa, which he too once appeared to write off. Planning ahead, the Arizona senator and former POW went up with a new ad in South Carolina, highlighting his long military and legislative experience to the country and playing on a theme that seems to be resonating:

Announcer: "One man sacrificed for his country.

"One man opposed a flawed strategy in Iraq.

"One man had the courage to call for change.

"One man didn't play politics with the truth.

"One man stands up to the special interests."

JOHN MCCAIN: "Stand up. We're Americans, we're Americans and we'll never surrender, they will."

ANNOUNCER: "One man does what's right, not what's easy. John McCain."

So, maybe authenticity is the theme that will win this time. Authenticity? In American politics? It's so crazy it just might work.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[mketcher]

Ron Paul is gaining ground by every measure -- endorsements, straw polls, fundraising, and even scientific polls. It's because people are sick-and-tired of slimey politicians and Ron Paul represents honesty, authenticity, and consistency in politics. For a funny satire on the president, the mainstream media, and the war on terror, see the new music video on YouTube -- an excerpt from the international award-winning zombie musical feature film, "Song of the Dead." In it, horror movie veteran, Reggie Bannister (Wishmaster, Phantasm, Bubba Ho-tep) plays the President of the U.S. The filmmaker, Chip Gubera, who is based in Columbia, MO, is giving a share of his sales from the film to the Ron Paul campaign.

[Michael Toth]

Won't it be a surprise to you all,
we will be voting for Paul next fall.

I really hope the dollar doesn't have to tank,
before non-supporters fall into rank.

Now these little poems maybe cutesy and smart,
But we need Ron Paul and that's from the bottom of my heart.

It's that important!

[Doug D]

Ron Paul's secret weapon: his voting record. Does anyone even come close to Ron Paul's consistency, or his defense of the American taxpayer and the Constitution?

[Jay Davis]

Thanks for mentioning Ron Paul. Wow!

[ingraham]

Its a shame that our country is continuously under Bush/Clinton political dynasty for the past 20 years with NO CHANGE. We need to pity on ourselves.

!!! NOW ITS TIME FOR CHANGE !!!

!!! VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA !!!

[Just Come Home]

In just over a week, the world is about to change for the better.

Rejoice my friends. Liberty is on the march.

[Megan]

I was a part of that Ron Paul Christmas vacation we volunteered our time and our money for plane tickets then we even donated to the campaign on dec. 16th. We worked 12-16 hr days.. canvasing, literature drops, phone banking, mailing, data entry we did everything we could every second of the day for 10 days in the name of our freedom. I want the patriot act gone... I want the war to end.. I want spending to stop.. and I want my future back. The students of this country our tired of our government leaders selling our futures and it needs to stop now. My only comment is to all pro-lifers is how can you be pro-life and pro-war? If you are pro-life then anti-war is pro-life all of Gods Children not just the ones that look like us are valuable.

[Derrick]

We are teachers, farmers, students, accountants, athletes, soldiers, physical therapists, bricklayers, firefighters, retired persons, barbers, welders, store managers, waitresses, police officers, biologists, attorneys, janitors, programmers, real estate agents, musicians, chefs, homeschoolers, and project managers. We are young, old, and middle-aged. We are traditional and not-so-traditional. We are lifelong Republicans, former Democrats, and political independents who have never before voted. To look at us you might think we have nothing in common. However, the one thing which unites us all is our common goal - to restore respect for the Constitution of the United States and the values of freedom and honesty upon which this great country was founded. WE ARE THE RON PAUL REVOLUTION.

http://facesoftherevolution.com/

[Jim]

Ron Paul is resonating a chord of liberty in America that has not been touched by any other candidate. Any thinking individual that listens to his clearly explained arguments becomes a supporter. The other candidates fear him because his message of truth exposes them as wolves in sheeps clothing. Young people who remember learning about the Founding Fathers and the grerat experiment of liberty and the rule of law hear Ron Paul's message and say "Yes! This is the man we've been waiting for!" I have never seen registered independants and democrats switching to republican just to vote in a primary in such vast numbers. This is truly a grass roots "Wildfire" of untold proportions. I think everyone will be surprised at what happens in Iowa and New Hampshire.

[AK]

Thanks for pointing out the East Coast's paper's analysis of the former 1st lady.
Could she be a supporter of absinth? It looks like it's her glass on this photo:
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/26/us/26clinton.large3.jpg
:-)
AK

[AK]

To add to my prev post about Hillary -
I have the paper, and the analysis starts on lower front page! It concludes on page A16 (left) and on page A17 is the ad in which Mr Lepard explains why he spent $85k on a previous ad supporting Dr Paul. :-) You can see the PDF of it at http://www.dailypaul.com/files/common-sense-2-nyt.pdf.
AK
PS the absinth photo is on A16 as well, but in B&W, so one cannot tell...

[Tess]

Thank you Andrew for the write up. Ron Paul 2008, we can all win and get our country back from the big government spenders and warmongering pigs.

[AK]

Oh, and the link at 09:31 PM should've included the caption and copyright:
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/12/26/us/26clintonCA03ready.html

[Helena]

New Years Prediction!!!! Voting for Ron Paul will be in fashion!!!!

[FAIRTAXBILL]

Go Huckabee! Go FairTax! Both would be great for all Americans and the American economy! If not Huckabee, then Ron Paul!

[libertynow]

It is so funny how people say "Obama for change" Change what? He has not said one think that would indicate change and sounds worse than most Republicans on the war and involvment overseas.
Seriously folks if you want REAL change google Ron Paul. His 20 year voting record proves what he would do. Stop big spending in Washington. Stop the war on drugs. Stop the Patriot Act. Reform the federal reserve system. End NAFTA and start taking care of America rather than police the world.
That sounds like change to me and that is how he has voted for 20 years.
A funny name or different color skin or different gender don't = change. Look deeper please.

[chere]

"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot." ... Mark Twain
Come next Nov. [3VOL] will be sworn in, & "We the People" have his back, from the WHITE HOUSE door to the CONGRESS floor. Some have said that Ron Paul has tapped into the peoples frustration, But I think Ron Paul has tapped into the peoples HOPES. Desperation did NOT lead us to Ron Paul but INSPIRATION was our guide.

[freemindsin08]

I have been waiting for this moment for 10 years since I became a Libertarian, which is what every Republican in his heart really is. Many democrats are social libertarians as well, and have crossed party lines because they understand that someone for the first time in a long time represents all of us.

Our ship is the US Constitution. Our inescapable destination is individual liberty grounded with personal responsibility for all. Our pilot is the good doctor, Ron Paul.

The journey will be tumultuous, but once you have tasted true freedom, it is very hard to give it up. And it's feeling is very intoxicating and virulent.

Polls are meaningless to those who know that you can only vote for the person who best represents you and not the lesser of two evils. I would write in Ron Paul even if he were not on the ballot. Once the tidal wave of freedom has begun, it cannot be stopped, even if Ron Paul does not win. There will be others to follow from every city across this country, nay across the world!

May Ron Paul deliver freedom in this election and shine the beacon of freedom everywhere.

[Agent Smith]

"So, maybe authenticity is the theme that will win this time. Authenticity? In American politics? It's so crazy it just might work."

McCain was a member of the Keating Five. Any authenticity on his part is playacting. I'll be rooting for someone else (nudge nudge, wink wink). Not because he's a saint, but because the others are devils.