Merry Christmas!!!
1. 'Tis the Season
http://www.newsobserver.com/...
On Sunday, Edwards began running new TV ads in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, asking people to remember that one out of every four homeless people is a veteran and that 37 million Americans live in poverty.
The 30-second ad combines the holiday spirit and a central message of the Edwards campaign. The ad asks Americans to remember the homeless veterans and the poor.
"Who speaks for them? We do," the ad says. "This is the season of miracles, of faith and love. So let us promise together, you will never be forgotten again."
Major Candidates Take A Rare Break From The Campaign Trail
With just 10 days to go until the Iowa caucuses, the presidential candidates were out in force over the weekend. But Monday, they are with their families, celebrating the holiday and taking a rare break from the campaign trail.
This is the earliest primary season ever. We're also seeing some of the closest polling we've seen in recent months.
That's why some of the candidates made media appearances Monday, but for Monday night and Tuesday, the candidates are trying to keep politics under wraps.
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2. Five Things I Learned in Ten Days With Edwards
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1. DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE - I’m a bit unhappy with John Edwards. I’ve been covering his campaign for 10 days and he hasn't made a lot of news. Let’s face it – a lot of what political reporters report on is mistakes. The campaign trail is one long minefield, covered with Iowa cow pies, and when they step in one – we leap.
I’ve done very little leaping – and I blame Edwards. While other candidates misspeak, over-speak, and double-speak, Edwards (at least in these 10 days) has made so few mistakes that I end up being transported -- newsless -- from town to town like a sack of Iowa corn .
He has a remarkable ability to stay on message. Not just in "the speech," but even in Q and A. Nothing throws him off. He turns nearly every question into another opportunity to repeat his central theme. Global warming? We need to fight big oil. Health care? Fight the big drug and insurance companies. Iowa farmers’ problems? Blame those monster farm conglomerates. And the Iowa populists eat it up. We'll see how well it works in other states.
He’s even disciplined in his daily routine. While most reporters use the campaign trail as an excuse to over-eat and abandon their exercise routines, Edwards squeezes in a run EVERY DAY, rain, sleet, or shine.Come on John – relax. Step in an Iowa cow pie and let me do my job.
2. JOHN AND ELIZABETH: TAG TEAM WRESTLING...
3. Edwardses campaign as a team again
Edwardses campaign as a team again; crowds love it
Elkader, Ia. — John Edwards’ most persistent heckler has returned to the campaign trail.
She is the woman in rubber-soled boots and blue jeans, sitting among Iowa voters during an Edwards campaign stop at Elkader’s charming old opera house.
The heckler listens as the presidential candidate explains why it would be a bad idea for the United States to impose a partition plan on Iraq. When he pauses, she raises her hand and asks him to give her the microphone. She says she wants to speak "because I’m not sure I agree with you."
The candidate shakes his head and feigns exasperation. "I’m not gonna give you the mic," he tells her. The crowd erupts in laughter as he notes that he’s crossed swords before with this woman, whom he married 30 years ago.
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4. Edwards Aims for the Gut
In shifting race, Edwards aims for the gut
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In a primary fight that many have cast as a choice between Clinton's appeals to the party's head and Obama's to its heart, Edwards is aiming for the gut.
"What Iowa caucusgoers are looking for - they're not looking for academic and they're not looking for analytical," Edwards said in a Friday interview with Iowa Public Television. "They're looking for somebody who speaks from right here, from their gut, and who believes deeply and passionately in what they're talking about."
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5. Iowa Up for Grabs, but Will Second Choices Make the Difference?
Redistribution of second-choice votes could change Iowa
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If Richardson fails to qualify under Iowa's complicated system of counting Democratic caucus votes, Grove says he will switch his vote to former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.
Edwards, the former vice presidential candidate, is sort of the bridesmaid of the Democratic Iowa caucus. While most polls show Edwards running a close third behind Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, the polls also say that Edwards is the most popular second choice among potential caucus participants.
Second choices usually don't fare well in politics. In Iowa, though, being second could be critical to success.
When Iowa Democrats caucus on Jan. 3, candidates who receive less than 15 percent of the vote are considered nonviable. Their backers have the choice of either going home or casting their ballots for their second choice.
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Interesting guesswork by Chris Bowers:
...There are at least four theories floating about that argue Edwards is either tied in Iowa, or that he is actually ahead. In the extended entry, I consider all four of these theories. Spoiler alert: I think that the strange caucus system means that Edwards does have more support in Iowa than polls are showing, but right now it isn't enough to win. He needs to close the gap in public polls, too.
- The Edwards Field Advantage Theory...
- The Edwards Likely Voters Theory...
- The Edwards Second-Choice Advantage...
- The Edwards Rural Advantage...
The thing is that we have no idea who is on top. We will just have to wait until the caucus' are over, shucks.
6. Krugman Writes about Edwards Support from Unions
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Whoever receives the Democratic presidential nomination will receive labor’s support in the general election. Meanwhile, however, unions are supporting favored candidates. Hillary Clinton — who for a time seemed the clear front-runner — has received the most union support. John Edwards, whose populist message resonates with labor, has also received considerable labor support.
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7. Santa Tracker
See where Santa is with up to the minute updates:
http://www.noradsanta.org/...
8. Diary Roundup
"Economic Literacy" starts with telling the Truth, as John Edwards does Every Day
Edwards - surging in Iowa faces Holiday Attacks and Lies by Obama & Clinton
Krugman on Edwards, Obama and Unions
Update
Thought I would include a little of my own Christmas. Here is my parents' Christmas tree:
And here is my parents' mantle:
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