Sen. Robert Byrd launches Afghan war warning blast at Obama

Anyone who's ever been anywhere near military combat knows that if you hear an incoming shell, it's likely too late to duck. President Obama and his senior staff, contemplating the latest new military strategy to correct the mess in Afghanistan, might want to prepare to duck down there in the White House bunker.

There's a large-caliber shell incoming from Capitol Hill, and it was launched Wednesday by none other than the frail man who has served in the Senate longer than any other person in American history. (UPDATE: An early version of this item said Congress instead of the Senate.)

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, the 91-year-old Democratic institution from West Virginia, has been in the hospital more in the last year than he's been on the Senate floor. He rarely votes anymore. He rarely speaks there either. But Wednesday he got himself there with the help of aides.

And he had a lot to say.

Seated at his desk, speaking slowly from a prepared text and waving his right arm for emphasis (see C-SPAN video above), Byrd delivered an as-yet little-noticed 13-minute speech on the Afghanistan conflict that history may show was the first shot in a politically divisive struggle within....

Axelrod's coffee diplomacy with Ailes. Yeah, but will Fox now carry Obama speeches?

It was described as a "cordial conversation" between White House political guru David Axelrod and Fox News founder Roger Ailes, a meeting over coffee in the shadows of the U.N. General Assembly two weeks ago.

The demitasse diplomacy, first reported Tuesday by Politico.com, is unlikely to result in a cease-fire between the network, which is enjoying a ratings boost largely off the anti-Obama rhetoric of hosts like Glenn Beck, and the White House, where President Obama has complained about "one television station that is entirely devoted to attacking my administration."

Salon's Alex Koppelman argues that the two sides need each other. Fox is "in the midst of a ratings boom that seems directly attributable to anti-Obama feeling in its audience," he said. As for the White House, Fox provides "a convenient target when it wants to criticize the media."

We're betting the White House would rather have less thunder from the right. What do you think?

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo credit: Associated Press

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Michelle Obama goes for the gold in Copenhagen, wearing golden clothes

It was fitting symbolism for a first lady pitching her hometown as the site of the 2016 Olympics.

As the Ticket reported earlier, First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a from-the-heart pitch for Chicago to the International Olympic Committee, talking about the influence of sports on a little girl growing up on Chicago's South Side, watching the Games with her father in "a neighborhood of working families -- families with modest homes and strong values."

You can read remarks of both President Obama and the first lady below. (UPDATE: Other bloggers have now noted that Mrs. Obama would have been 20 years old when the events occurred that she describes watching from her father's lap.)

But first, take a look at her outfits.

Above, she talks with Prince Albert of Monaco at a reception following the opening ceremony of the 121st IOC session at the Copenhagen Opera House, where competing nations took a break to enjoy a night at the ballet. Wearing a gold dress with fitted bodice and full pleated skirt, adorned at the neck with a trio of brooches, the first lady won plaudits from the Mrs. O website that chronicles her clothes: "head to toe fabulous."

California GOP governor's race III -- Meg Whitman

As the nation's most populous state, California has even more voters than the new Obama White House has policy czars.

The state's politics and personalities often have been harbingers of trends, policies, tax revolts, etc. that eventually work their way across the country and draw international attention.

Over the weekend, California's Republican Party held its state convention, a prime podium for its major gubernatorial hopefuls to address party faithful and lay out their initial profile and policy declarations. Speakers included former Rep. Tom Campbell, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and businesswoman Meg Whitman.

They've each been raising money and endorsements for months, of course, with varying degrees of success. But since this is the de facto start to the public campaign, The Ticket decided to run the unfiltered text of the speeches given by each declared candidate and provided by their staff so that readers can get a feel for who's coming, how they choose to describe themselves at the outset and what to watch for.

We've published them here this morning about two hours apart in last-name alphabetical order. Campbell's speech text was posted earlier today. Poizner's speech text was posted earlier today.

Click here for Whitman's campaign website. 

As always, feel free to leave your civil comments at the bottom.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Remarks by Meg Whitman to the California Republican Party Convention, Sept. 26:

Thank you for that wonderful introduction. I’m so happy to be here today. And let me acknowledge some friends in the audience.

Earlier this week I made it official and announced my commitment to seek the Republican nomination for governor. I’m the first Republican to take that step. And I did it because our crisis....

California GOP governor's race II -- Steve Poizner

As the nation's most populous state, California has even more voters than the new Obama White House has policy czars.

The state's politics and personalities have often been harbingers of trends, policies, tax revolts, etc. that eventually work their way across the country and draw international attention.

This past weekend, California's Republican Party held its state convention, a prime podium for its major gubernatorial hopefuls to address the party faithful and lay out their initial profile and policy declarations. This included former Rep. Tom Campbell, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and businesswoman Meg Whitman.

They've each been raising money and endorsements for months, of course, with varying degrees of success. But because this is the de facto public campaign start, The Ticket decided to run the unfiltered speech text given by each declared candidate so readers can get a feel for who's coming, how they choose to describe themselves at the outset and what to watch for.

We'll publish them here this morning about two hours apart in last-name alphabetical order and add links to each when all are posted. Campbell's speech text was published earlier today.

Poizner's campaign website is here.

As always, feel free to leave your civil comments at the bottom.

-- Andrew Malcolm

But first, click here for Twitter alerts on each new Ticket item. Or follow us    @latimestot

Remarks by Steve Poizner to the California Republican State Convention, Sept. 26:

Thank you. Good evening.

First of all, Dennis, thank you very much for that fantastic introduction. I have to say a word or two about Sen. Hollingsworth. Now, I get to watch him closely in Sacramento. The fact is, Sen.Hollingsworth is a fantastic Republican leader and you know what? I've learned a lot by watching how tough he is.

The fact is, you don't have to compromise all the time. You don't have to give in all the time. Sen. Hollingsworth has shown that if you stand tall on Republican conservative principles, you can win.

So, this is my 10th California Republican Party convention in a row, and it's nice to see all my friends and all kinds of folks I've been working with over a long period of time. I have to....

California GOP governor's race I -- Tom Campbell

As the nation's most populous state, California has even more voters than the new Obama White House has policy czars.

The state's politics and personalities have often been harbingers of trends, policies, tax revolts, etc. that eventually work their way across the country and draw international attention.

This weekend, California's Republican Party held its state convention, a prime podium for its major gubernatorial hopefuls to address party faithful and lay out their initial profile and policy declarations. This included former Rep. Tom Campbell, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and businesswoman Meg Whitman.

They've each been raising money and endorsements for months, of course, with varying degrees of success. But since this is the de facto public campaign start, The Ticket decided to run the unfiltered speech text given by each declared candidate and provided by their staff so that readers can get a feel for who's coming, how they choose to describe themselves at the outset and what to watch for.

We'll publish them here this morning about two hours apart in last-name alphabetical order and add links to each when all are posted.

Campbell's campaign website is here.

As always, feel free to leave your civil Comments at the bottom.

-- Andrew Malcolm

But first, click here for Twitter alerts on each new Ticket item. Or follow us  @latimestot

Remarks by ex-Rep. Tom Campbell to the California Republican State Convention Sept. 25:

What we Republicans all share is a commitment to less government, more freedom and individual liberty. Those are the undying principles of our party and, I believe, the strong ties that unite us more strongly than any primary battle can divide us.

I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself, because there are many new members of our party present – some who weren’t even born when I attended my first....

Joe Biden update: He calls some fellow Democrats 'turkeys'

(UPDATE: An update on Biden's schedule has been added to the end of this item.)

Vice President Joe Biden did not need Air Force Two Thursday night to travel across the Potomac River to McLean, Va., to the home of former Democratic Virginia Gov. and Sen. Chuck Robb.

It was, of course, a fundraiser, designed to help finance three freshman Democratic House candidates -- Glenn Nye, Gerry Connolly and Tom Perriello -- in their challenging reelection races 13 months from now in what once was a predictably GOP state.

Robb himself did not speak at the event. His wife, Lynda, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson, introduced the trio of representatives.

But it looks like Joltin' Joe stepped in something again, rhetorically speaking.

About 100 supporters had paid $1,000 each to gather in the open-air pool house where Biden spoke. 

"I don’t have to tell you that you’re in a very competitive state,” the vice president said, according to the press pool notes. “You got some tough votes coming up.”

Biden called the three men “independent minded” and “damn competent,” adding, however, that they were all united on core Democratic Party themes, including energy policy and healthcare. 

“These guys are smart, "Biden asserted. "Some of the guys Chuck [Robb] and I have campaigned for are turkeys. Not all Democrats are created equal, while most Republicans are.”

The voluble Biden has a reputation for sometimes getting carried away in remarks, as refreshingly candid though they may be to some non-administration ears. Last fall at one gathering, a shirt-sleeved Biden paced the stage with a microphone and said Hillary Clinton would have been a better running-mate choice for Barack Obama to make, a gaffe that prompted the campaign to end most of Biden's media interviews then and there.

GOP candidates may also have some fun in coming months speculating to partisan crowds which Democrats the vice president had in mind as small-minded birds.

Biden became a U.S. senator way back when the 48-year-old Obama was a sixth-grader. And ran for the presidency himself twice. So he's campaigned with and for many Democratic politicians over all these years.

Perhaps understandably, on Thursday night the vice president did not proceed to list which fellow Democrats that he's campaigned who are the turkeys and which are the smart ones. And presumably Biden did not intend to imply that most Republicans are smart.

But he might be asked about all that in coming days by the media -- or even White House folks. And many fans of politics may be trying to guess which Democrats Biden had in mind when he likened them to those tasty but dim birds.

Obama was in Pittsburgh overnight as host for the G-20 summit and protests. He'll return to the White House this evening.

Biden is off to Georgia (the American one) this morning to briefly watch floodwaters. He'll return to Washington in the afternoon for what has become one of his frequent duties, swearing someone in. Before heading for Delaware, Biden will administer the oath to Paul Kirk. He's the senate replacement for the late Ted Kennedy. Kirk was just named to that spot Thursday morning by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

(UPDATE: 4:44 p.m. The vice president's weekend schedule has just been released. Here it is: "Vice President Biden will be in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday and Sunday. There are no public events scheduled.")

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Getty Images

Sarah Palin can see China from Hong Kong

Ex-Gov. Sarah Palin made a decorous debut on the international stage Wednesday with a long speech to investors in Hong Kong.

As politicians like ex-President George W. Bush prefer when they leave public office, the event was closed to the evil, distorting media that's probably too cheap to buy a ticket anyway. And as with teenage dating, there's nothing the pursuer wants more than something he can't have.

So, of course, some details always leak out. Palin was reportedly well-received and folksy at times, but gone was any hard-edged partisanship so familiar from the campaign a year ago. She did not mention what's-his-name in the White House who clobbered her Republican presidential ticket last November.

''I'm going to call it like I see it," she said, according to the Associated Press, "and I will share with you candidly a view right from Main Street, Main Street U.S.A.''

She made an argument for a private industry solution to U.S. healthcare problems, for lower taxes and reduced government. She suggested that China play a more responsible role in international affairs, especially concerning North Korea and Afghanistan.

Her first post-resignation trip abroad will be seen by many as the start of her campaign for the 2012 Republican nomination. It is, of course, way too early for that decision to be made. She'll be testing the waters here and there, gaining experience and being seen in new positive locales, not so much because she's decided to run but in case she decides to run.

Meanwhile, what's often forgotten is that the old-fashioned lecture circuit -- especially internationally where curiosity and interest in American public figures are strong -- is a lucrative gig for former American politicians.

Palin signed with the Washington Speakers Bureau, the same prestigious agency that booked Bush into a closed business forum in Calgary last winter and a discussion with ex-President Bill Clinton in Toronto in spring. Despite his personal scandals as an Oval Office incumbent, Clinton became a multi-multi-millionaire from whopping speaking fees around the world.

Palin's reportedly received more than 1,000 invitations.

Put 2012 aside a moment and recall that in addition to her book advance, Palin needs to make some big money to pay off lingering legal debts from partisan investigations that she blamed for her premature gubernatorial resignation in July. And without ongoing publicity, the shelf life of an out-of-office politician can be short -- and the appearance price tag small.

For the opposite, think of someone named Newt Gingrich, who resigned as GOP House speaker after a bad election outcome 11 years ago. And yet he lives -- and talks -- on. And on. And on.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Sarah Palin with CLSA CEO Jonathan Slone. Credit: CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets

Obama wows U.N. crowd. Reason? He's not George W. Bush (Update)

(UPDATE: The short Republican reaction to the president's address has been added at the end of this transcript. Hint: They're not that happy.)

President Obama made his first address to the U.N. General Assembly today.

He had them at hello.

Even his opening -- "It is my honor to address you as the 44th president of the United States" -- got a round of applause.

The reason? The latest Pew Global Attitudes Survey of 21 countries found global confidence in Obama’s leadership on foreign affairs at 71% -- far higher than approval ratings at home (in the low 50% range) and even more striking matched against world opinion of George W. Bush last year, which Pew tracked at 17%.

To Nile Gardiner of London's Daily Telegraph, Obama’s popularity at the U.N. "boils down essentially to his willingness to downplay American global power." Said the columnist:

The Obama mantra appears to be – ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do to atone for your country. This is a message that goes down very well in a world that is still seething with anti-Americanism.

For his part, Obama did expunge the cowboy diplomacy of his predecessor, calling on the international crowd to step up on everything from climate change to terrorism. "This cannot be solely America’s endeavor,” he said, adding:

Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world’s problems alone. We have sought — in word and deed — a new era of engagement with the world. Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.

The full text of his remarks is below, provided by the White House.

-- Johanna Neuman

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Remarks of President Barack Obama, as prepared for delivery, Responsibility for our Common Future
Address to the United Nations General Assembly, September 23, 2009
 
Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentleman: it is my honor to address you for the first time as the forty-fourth President of the United States. I come before you humbled by the responsibility that the American people have placed upon me; mindful of the enormous challenges of our moment in history; and determined to act boldly and collectively on behalf of justice and prosperity at home and abroad.
 

I have been in office for just nine months, though some days it seems a lot longer. I am well aware of the expectations that accompany my presidency around the world. These expectations are not about....

Joe Biden update: A day of listening, speaking, posing

After an entire weekend off and a fundraiser in Delaware on Monday, Vice President Joe Biden faces a daunting day today.

In the morning while the president speaks at the United Nations and hosts meetings with several foreign leaders, Biden will sit through an entire briefing. Then he will meet with "senior staff." Not the junior bozos, mind you, just the senior ones. Those get-togethers are, just like dangerous Dick Cheney's, closed to the media.

At lunchtime Biden will travel all the way from Washington to Maryland where he's finally being allowed to join the months-long administration healthcare reform efforts with his maiden speech on the boss' latest expensive pet project. Biden will speak to the National Assn. of Insurance Commissioners.

The vice president's afternoon will be devoted to posing for photos with members of Congress.

Understandably, that event is strictly closed to any media coverage due to concerns of one kind or another, perhaps having something to do with several hundred taxpayer-funded elected representatives devoting so much time to posing for pictures with each other instead of doing what they were elected to do. You can imagine how many shots they need to take just to obtain one good one with all 536 people smiling, both eyes open and no one making a silly gesture like rabbit ears behind Nancy Pelosi's head.

Here's how the White House described the VP's afternoon:

In the afternoon, the Vice President will be at the United States Capitol to participate in the official photo for the 111th Congress. This event is closed to the press.

Btw, ABC's Karen Travers reports, at the Monday fundraiser Biden announced that if Republicans re-take 35 normally GOP House seats next year, it would mark a political "doomsday" for the administration and its ambitious agenda. If Republicans win 40 more districts in November 2010, the party would regain control of the House and Pelosi would lose her gavel.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Getty Images