This is an experiment. We'll see if it works but this daily 'all you need to know' post aims to summarise the essential developments in 2008's race for the White House. It replaces the 'What's new?' column that appeared in the centre column until today.
HAS HUCKABEE BLOWN IT?
That's the question being asked after a Huckabee press conference yesterday. Click here to watch a Fox News report in which the former Arkansas Governor (who is leading in Iowa polls) promises not to screen an ad against Mitt Romney but then confusingly shows it to reporters. Fox's 'Campaign Carl' talks of "the indecision", "the disarray" and "the last minute change of plans". Not ideal so close to voting day, January 3rd.
IS WORLD-CHANGER OBAMA BREAKING CLEAR IN IOWA?
Barack Obama must win Iowa and a new poll gives him a 7% lead. Central to the Illinois Senator's appeal is that he represents a fresh start for America. His latest campaign ad reinforces that message. Come with me, he is saying, and we can change the world.
>> "The new Des Moines Register data says that most Iowans first want to choose the candidate that can best bring about change, and the second-most sought characteristic was the power to unite the country." - NY Times' Caucus blog
Hillary Clinton is now attempting to embrace that change message (she had been emphasising "her experience") with her own upbeat messaging. Her latest ad offers a 10, 9, 8, 7... New Year-style countdown to the policies America needs:
10: Universal healthcare...
9: Bring the troops home...
8: Alternative energy...
7: Fix the economy...
6: End Bush's tax cuts for the rich...
5: Make college affordable...
4: A new GI bill of rights...
3: Fix the housing crisis...
2: Rebuild the middle class...
1: Hillary for president!
THE WORLD COULDN'T HAVE BETTER RULERS THAN THE GOOD PEOPLE OF IOWA
A nice thought to begin 2008 from the BBC's Justin Webb: "The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, suggested recently that Western society was itself flawed. "There is something about Western modernity which really does eat away at the soul," he said. Those who agree with him will be tut-tutting as the American election process gets going in all its meretricious glory but, along with the self-doubt, a little bit of self-confidence might be no bad thing among Western democrats in 2008. However much the souls of Iowans are eaten away (according to the archbishop's view), I would prefer to be ruled by them than any other group on earth..."
Well that is pretty much all you need to know. The Archbishop of Canterbury is a certifiable nitwit and so are the people of Iowa. A close viewing of the Iowa debates will tell you that. They are insular, ignorant and naive. I would trust the people of New Hampshire far more than the voters of Iowa.
Posted by: Andrew Ian Dodge | January 01, 2008 at 06:43 PM
I think this is a great new feature to the website! I think it will be very helpful!
Many thanks
Posted by: Jimmy Mc | January 01, 2008 at 07:44 PM
As someone who loves American politics I'm pleased to see so much attention given to developments. Personally I see Edwards as being the most statesmanlike of the democratic contenders, he seems to me the most level-headed. If Obama gets the nomination it will cost the democrats the presidency. He is all hype and hyperbole, I don't rate him at all. Republican's should be hoping for Obama to triumph.
Posted by: Tony Makara | January 02, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Oh Tony Makara,
Edwards hasn't a snowball's chance. Obama has a better chance in the general election than the Bret Girl. America was never much into socialism and it is even less into it now. The Edwards' message resonates (as mainstream) only in Europe.
Posted by: Mary Fernandez | January 02, 2008 at 07:30 AM
2nd comment to Tony Makara -
I just wanted to add this.
I think Obama would be more formidable than Hillary. Even Democrats hate her. Obama doesn't have her baggage but does have the ideal (a black president) that everyone would like to see.
To Americans, Edwards is an ambulance-chaser. He is like our Cherie Blair - making huge amounts of money off lawyer friendly laws. There is nothing statesmanlike about him.
Posted by: Mary Fernandez | January 02, 2008 at 07:36 AM
I hope some one is going to get round to Ron Paul - no mention in Dan Hamilton's piece of 28 December nor here.
Ron Paul is closest in spirit to the founding fathers: small government, low taxes, individual liberty (eroded so badly by both parties) and almost isolationist, certainly against the Iraq war. He even had the temerity to attack Abraham Lincoln's record on civil liberties (for suspending habeas corpus)! He loathes the neo-cons.
Ron Paul is the dark horse in this race and will do far better than any pundits admit. He has appeal across the board, being able to appeal to Democrats in the same way that Reagan did.
If Ron Paul wins the Republican nomination (and it's not as crazy an idea as most of you think) remember you first read it here.
Posted by: Martin Wright | January 02, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Yes Ron Paul a great man who has been endorsed by Stormfront and had a notorious isolationist and borderline anti-semite write the prologue in his book.
Posted by: Andrew Ian Dodge | January 02, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Andrew Ian Dodge
That's just smear tactics. Ron Paul has the neo cons rattled. No doubt there are some unpleasant people supporting the other candidates. You can't even produce a full-on ogre but only a half ogre ("borderline anti semite"). By using "borderline" you mean there is no hard evidence. About as convincing as Red Ken's smears of "racist" against Boris Johnston. It proves nothing.
What matters are his policies. As I said his are the most libertarian of any of the candidates in either party. Should he be ashamed of going back to the founding fathers? No. Should he be castigated for wanting to dismantle what has recently been dubbed the "warfare-welfare economy"? No
Ron Paul is attracting huge support among young people and reaching out to Democrats. He has nearly matched Hilary Clinton in the 4th quarter donations, but has done so by getting a huge number of small donations over the internet. Do you think all those young volunteers would be supporting Ron Paul if they thought he was a fascist? The fact is that he is the complete opposite.
Posted by: Martin Wright | January 02, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Who would have thought this time last year that Ron Paul would raise over $25 million?With over $6 million being donated in one 24 hour period. I can't wait for Ron Paul to continue confounding expectations. If only we had someone of his stature in Britain. He is that rarest of creatures - a politician who simply says what he believes in even when he knows it isn't what his audience wants to hear. Go Ron!
Posted by: David | January 02, 2008 at 03:51 PM
THE SINS OF OUR MISSIONARY INSTINCT BY WALTER LIPPMAN , HISTORIC PATTERN AGAINST LIMITED RESOURCES
Posted by: A VOTING AMERICA | February 01, 2008 at 09:44 PM