June 29, 2008 - July 5, 2008 Weekly Archive
Bipartisanship marks McCain's Senate tenure
07.03.08 -- 7:11 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans deemed it beyond the pale when Sen. John McCain crossed the Capitol, set up shop in an office belonging to House Democrats and lobbied wavering lawmakers on legislation to reduce the role of money in politics.
"A legend in his own mind," then-Majority Leader Dick Armey, a Texan, acidly called his fellow Republican at the time.
Yet the events of that long day and night in 2002 fit a pattern for a man whose congressional career long has included a singular brand of combative bipartisanship. For more than a decade, on tobacco, health care, immigration, judicial nominees, creation of a commission to investigate the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and more, McCain has championed high-profile legislation opposed by President Bush or others in his own party.
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McCain aide takes over day-to-day campaign duties
07.03.08 -- 6:52 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) - John McCain put a top adviser in control of day-to-day campaign operations Wednesday after weeks of private concerns among Republicans that the GOP presidential campaign had not made the transition for the general election.
Steve Schmidt, a veteran of President Bush's re-election and a member of the Arizona senator's inner circle, will oversee daily political, strategy, coalitions, scheduling and communications efforts from the campaign's northern Virginia headquarters.
The campaign's estimated 300-person staff will report to Schmidt, who will report to campaign manager Rick Davis.
Davis will continue to focus on long-term planning, the vice presidential search, fundraising and the national convention but Schmidt's added responsibilities mean the campaign manager's load now will be somewhat lighter. Davis took the reins of the campaign almost exactly a year ago amid a major staff shake-up and has been the subject of Democratic criticism for his past lobbying work.
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Public Cool To Michelle Obama, Doesn't Know Cindy McCain
07.03.08 -- 6:43 AM
The public hasn't taken to Michelle Obama yet, especially whites. And it's got a question about Cindy McCain: Who is she?
People are divided over whether they like the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, with 30 percent seeing her favorably and 35 percent unfavorably, according to an Associated Press-Yahoo News poll released Wednesday.
They tilt positively toward the spouse of Republican hopeful John McCain, by 27 percent to 17 percent.
In other words: While the two women are about equally liked, Michelle Obama is twice as disliked as Cindy McCain.
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