Lou Dobbs was against alien amnesty before he was for it

In the surest sign yet that the newly former CNN talker seriously plans to enter politics, Lou Dobbs has already flip-flopped on the question of amnesty for people illegally living in this country.

Having created much of his fame and infamy out of controversial statements on the unacceptable presence of an estimated 12 million undocumented workers in this country and the federal government's ineptitude in addressing the problem, here's what Dobbs now says:

We need the ability to legalize illegal immigrants under certain conditions.

His surprising switcheroo barely two weeks after departing his network of nearly 30 years came during an interview with the Spanish-language network Telemundo, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, Dobbs, a Texas native and graduate of Harvard, lives on a 300-acre farm in northwest New Jersey, where he could run for a U.S. Senate seat. 

Or possibly launch a presidential bid for 2012, trying to tap into the kinds of conservative populist anger that has confounded the Republican party and fueled so-called "tea parties" across the country this year, protesting taxes, spending and deficits.

"Whatever you have thought of me in the past," Dobbs told Telemundo's Maria Celeste the other day, "I can tell you right now that I am one of your greatest friends and I mean for us to work together. I hope that will begin with Maria and me and Telemundo and other media organizations and others in this national debate that we should turn into a solution rather than a continuing debate and factional contest."

The Garden State usually votes firmly Democratic. But earlier this month voters there rejected the reelection  Democrat Gov. Jon Corzine -- who had ample money and the frequent campaign support of President Obama -- and elected a Republican on a "taxes-are-too-high" platform.

The next U.S. Senate election in New Jersey comes in 2012, when incumbent Democrat Robert Menendez is up for reelection for the first time.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Screen shot of Lou Dobbs on CNN. Credit: Tony Pierce / Los Angeles Times

A Newt Gingrich run in 2012? Quite possible but...

No one in their right mind announces or confirms a White House run this far out.

Yes, presidential campaign announcement dates have been creeping up. In 1960, John F. Kennedy announced on Jan. 3 of election year. Bill Clinton announced the fall before election year. George W. Bush announced the summer before election year.

And Barack Obama the winter before the summer before the fall before election year. And that successful run cost $750 million in other people's money.

Why ask to be politically targeted this soon?  It's -- what? -- 1,107 days now until Nov. 6, 2012.

So C-SPAN's Mr. Excitement, Steve Scully, knew better Sunday than to ask former House Speaker Newt Gingrich whether he was going to run in the next presidential contest.

Savvy fellow that he is, Scully inquired instead what kinds of things Gingrich would think about as he contemplated that decision. (See C-SPAN video below.)

Gingrich, who engineered the stunning 1994 Republican election victories in....

... both houses of Congress with the Contract with America before quitting after some defeats four years later, walked through the thinking process. 

Callista and I are going to think about this in February 2011. And we are going to reach out to all of our friends around the country. And we'll decide, if there's a requirement as citizens that we run, I suspect we probably will. And if there's not a requirement, if other people have filled the vaccum, I suspect we won't.

Gingrich ran through a lengthy list of other possible Republican suspects, praising Mitt Romney and Haley Barbour and Tim Pawlenty and whats-her-name with the new book and the Nov. 16 appointment with Oprah. Gingrich said, "I have no great personal ambition needs to run for president."

Although, to be honest, he's not exactly hiding himself either, analyzing for Fox News, writing books, gathering nearly 1.14 million followers on Twitter (only 387,000 behind John McCain), giving speeches all over and rising early on an autumn Sunday to answer questions on C-SPAN from even the Democratic and Independent phone lines.

Gingrich also harkened back to the '94 Contract, saying politics needs to be about ideas -- he called them "vivid, powerful alternatives" -- not just maneuvers. "I want to see an alternate Republican Party," Gingrich said, "not an opposition Republican Party."

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Video courtesy of C-SPAN

Gov. Sarah Palin: Won't commit to 2010 reelection bid

While much of the recent attention on Alaska's Republican Gov. Sarah Palin has centered on her parental-political outrage with a CBS comedian over a sexual joke about her 14-year-old daughter, Palin does answer questions about other things, as she did today with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

As The Ticket often does to provide readers with complete context, we have added below the full transcript of Palin's wide-ranging satellite conversation on "Situation Room."

She's asked about the massive new gas pipeline project she's pushed, David Letterman, of course (she forgives him or hymn), but also her views on President Obama so far -- he's growing spending and debt far too fast. But she likes his drive for federal government efficiencies and wishes he'd show more "passion" in support of Israel while speaking to the Muslim world.

And she was asked about her own political future. Palin's not prepared to announce her 2010 reelection campaign intentions yet, which would provide a key clue to her possible presidential intentions. Although Palin has formed SarahPac to finance her political travels, to announce either way now would make her a premature target and feed charges that every move is politically tinged.

But as one result, other Alaskan politicians are positioning themselves for a governor's bid should she drop out. Another Republican governor, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, recently announced he would not seek reelection next year, widely believed to give him time to start a GOP presidential campaign for 2012.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Full transcript of CNN interview with Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, June 12, 2009

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And joining us now, the governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Governor, thanks very much for coming in.

GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-ALASKA): Thank you so much, Wolf.

BLITZER: You have a big energy deal that’s in the works right now, and you announced it with a lot of fanfare. A $26-billion natural gas pipeline which would bring natural gas from Alaska through Canada down to the Lower 48. Not everyone is enthused, including the Wall Street Journal.

They say this: "Among the most serious questions it faces is whether the Alaskan gas is even needed. North America is in the midst of a natural gas glut, driving down prices, and observers believe....

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty won't run for third term. Is he clearing the way for 2012 presidential bid?

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made it official today  -- he won't run for a third term next year. "Being governor should not be a permanent position," he said.

The news makes a lot of sense. Pawlenty has twice won with less than 50% of the vote in a state that President Obama carried last year. Plus, like other states, Minnesota is facing budgetary problems that could force some unpopular spending cuts.

Already there's lots of talk about what Pawlenty's move means for the 2012 Republican presidential sweepstakes. Can the three-term governor from Minnesota, who was on John McCain's short list for vice president, gin up a fundraising organization to match the fiscal prowess of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romeny? Can he carve out a niche in a field that already includes such popular-to-conservative-base candidates as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee?

But it seems to us the more interesting question is how Pawlenty's status as a lameduck will affect his remaining year in office. And no question is more interesting on that front than how Pawlenty will now handle the long-running soap opera known as the Minnesota Senate race.

If the state Supreme Court rejects Republican Norm Coleman's appeal, Democrats will pressure Pawlenty to seat Democrat and apparent winner Al Franken. But if Coleman decides to appeal all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Republicans will urge Pawlenty not to sign the election certification that Franken needs to take his seat in Washington.

As the Ticket reported Monday, the Coleman-Franken race has already become something of a national joke. Now, look for this long-running movie, which some might consider more of a tragedy, to keep playing.

-- Johanna Neuman

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Photo: Getty Images

Al Gore as a green go-fer in an Obama administration?

We've had all kinds of fun all year writing about Al Gore's nonexistent drive for the Democratic presidential nomination and his extinct desire to inhabit the White House and hang new chad on the windows.

He's been a real good sport and hasn't complained once.

But with today's stunning news out of Chicago, we wonder about that extinct part. Barack Obama's transition people have confirmed that after his workout tomorrow, the president-elect will meet with Gore in Chicago. And someone named Joe Biden will attend too.

Is this one last attempt by Gore to convince Obama to step aside and simply cede the White House to the former vice president, who still thinks he really should have won back in 2000?

Gore's said he's done with elective office. But if he could simply talk Obama out of the job, technically there'd be no election. Just a granting. And Gore could become the first....

Newt Gingrich, 10 years after quitting, still full of advice for GOP

Maybe you remember him. Newt Gingrich, the ex-Georgia congressman who took advantage of some serious Bill Clinton first-term mistakes to lead the historic Republican Revolution of 1994, was always brimming with ideas, some of them interesting.

He still is.

Apparently to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his resignation as House speaker after helping lead his party into serious off-year election losses, Gingrich is still offering more advice to viewers of "Face the Nation" about future Republican leaders.

Last year without much public prompting Gingrich toyed with the idea of offering himself as a presidential candidate.

It kept him in the news for a couple of weeks. And now the party's stark leadership vacuum offers another opportunity for publicity, especially if you say the magic words: "Sarah Palin."

Sunday, after the Alaskan governor completed an intense week of media appearances despite her ticket's decisive defeat, Gingrich was trying to play her down some.

"I think that she will be a significant player," Gingrich says, "But she is going to be one of 20 or 30 signficant players. She's not going to be the party's de facto leader."

Gingrich's incomplete list of potential party leaders may be somewhat inflated. But it is interesting that the former House member agrees with many GOP backers that the desperately needed new leadership will come from the ranks of the 21 surviving Republican governors that have produced two of the last three GOP presidents.

Gingrich added: "She's going to be a much bigger story in the short run. But, I think, as she goes back to being governor and as she works in Alaska, you're going to see a group of governors emerge, not just Sarah Palin."

Among those other governors he has in mind are Louisiana's Bobby Jindal, who was also on the CBS program. He's the 37-year-old son of Indian immigrants, a former House member who was mentioned as a possible VP partner on this fall's ticket with John McCain; Also, Indiana's Gov. Mitch Daniels and Utah's Jon Huntsman.

We'll publish a copy of the program's complete transcript on the jump if you want to pursue this. Just click on the "Read more" line.

--Andrew Malcolm

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Ticket Notice: Sunday guests--Rice, Paulson, Bayh, Gore

ABC "This Week" is preempted this week for network coverage of the British Open.

Bloomberg's Political Capital with Al Hunt: Obama's chief economic advisor, Jason Furman, and McCain's chief economic adviser, Douglas Holtz-Eakin.

CBS Face the Nation: (UPDATE) Sen. Barack Obama excerpts from interview with CBS Correspondent. Also Secy. of the Treasury Heny Paulson.

CNN Late Edition: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), House Speaker; Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Minority Whip; Henry Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury; Bill Schneider, CNN senior political analyst; Candy Crowley, CNN senior political correspondent; and Gloria Borger, CNN senior political analyst.

Fox News Sunday: Adm. Michael Mullen, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), McCain supporter; Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Obama supporter; and a round table with Brit Hume, Washington Managing Editor of Fox News; Bill Kristol from the Weekly Standard & Fox News; Juan Williams, National Public Radio & Fox News; and Jill Zuckman, Chicago Tribune. Power Player of the Week is Earl Morse -- Founder, Honor Flight.

NBC Meet The Press: Al Gore, NBC's David Gregory and NBC political director Chuck Todd.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: U.S. Department of State

Al Gore is excited about energy, not his party's VP spot

Al Gore is challenging the next president of the United States, whomever that may be, to embrace an ambitious energy plan that would make the country’s electricity carbon-free within 10 years.

But while he outlined the steps he thinks the future president should take, he says he won’t be beside him as vice president, even if the Democrats win.

Gore dashed the hopes of those pining for an Obama-Gore dream team ticket in an interview with Katie Couric on the CBS Evening News Thursday. The interview was conducted after Gore gave a speech on alternative energy in Washington.

“I have a personal term limit,” said Gore, who served for eight years as Bill Clinton’s vice president. “Only two terms as VP.”

Couric then wondered what Gore would do if Barack Obama came to him and begged, “Al, buddy, listen. I really, really, really need you."

Gore said the answer would still be no.

Speculation about a possible Obama-Gore ticket has bubbled in the blogosphere since last month, when Gore gave Obama a hearty endorsement after the primary struggle with Hillary Clinton had already been settled.

Gore, who won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to draw the world’s attention to global warming, even used his website to solicit donations for Obama.

But when Couric suggested that Gore was playing coy in denying an interest in the VP spot, Gore shook his head and vowed, “This interview will not come back to haunt me. You can believe me.”

-- Kate Linthicum

James Carville plops Al Gore's name on Obama's VP plate

Here's what Democratic strategist and former Clinton aide James Carville says:

"If I was Sen. Obama, I would say the biggest economic problem we face is the biggest national security problem and the biggest environmental problem. And if I were him, I would ask Al Gore to serve as his vice president, his energy czar, in his administration to reduce our consumption and reliance on foreign energy sources.

"That would send a signal to the world, to American people, to Congress, to everybody, that America's getting serious about this horrendous problem that we face."

Here's what Al Gore said last winter:

"I haven't ruled out the idea of getting back into the political process at some point in the future. Don't expect to. But if I did get back, it would be as a candidate for president, not in any other position.  But I don't expect to ever get back into the political..."

To which Carville, a self-described "Capt. Cueball," responded today on CNN's "Situation Room:"

"Well, I'm not suggesting he's just any vice president. I'm suggesting that Sen. Obama as president would give him a lot of authority to deal with our consumption of oil."

James Carville supported, contributed to and wrote fundraising letters for the unsuccessful campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Here's another problem: Gore hasn't even endorsed Obama yet, raising some political eyebrows. He could be awaiting a grand televised entrance at the national convention in late August. And, actually, Gore has not expressed any interest in joining yet another Democratic ticket in the No. 2 spot.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo Credit: AP

Top of the Ticket, the start of Year Two

On this, the first anniversary of our Top of the Ticket blog, we are reminded of the mercurial, unpredictable nature of U.S. politics -- part of what makes what we do so fascinating.

Our goal -- one of us on the East Coast and the other on the far more important or at least less humid West Coast -- was to write about Campaign '08 virtually around the clock.

Our second-ever posting, 12 months ago today, previewed an upcoming L.A. Times/Bloomberg Poll; later in the day, we detailed the results of the nationwide survey. The findings were in line with other polls of the time.

In the Republican presidential race, which then seemed the most likely to last deep into the primary season, Rudy Giuliani was perched in first place. His lead wasn't overwhelming, but it was strong enough that he appeared certain to remain a major contender.

His liberal record on social issues loomed as an obvious liability within his party, but his tough-on-terrorism message was attracting substantial support from moderates and GOP-leaning independents.

His major headache among rivals last June was an as-yet-undeclared candidate who was riding a wave as the great conservative hope -- Fred Thompson. He ran a strong second in the poll.

Lagging far behind were John McCain and Mitt Romney, each barely with double-digit support. In our preview posting, we were especially scornful of McCain, noting sarcastically (and foolishly, as it turned out) that in the poll, he found himself "in heated competition with the 'Don't Know' category."

Meriting no mention from us was Mike Huckabee, one of several back-of-the-pack candidates barely earning any support across the country.

The Democratic race, at that point, seemed so much more cut-and-dried.

Hillary Clinton was the clear front-runner; Barack Obama was just as clearly ...