The first national election map...

This type of analysis is now becoming available and very important...

The fall campaign begins to take shape...

The New York Times has a solid analysis of the fall campaigns coming together... This has been a dream of mine for a while, and it looks like it may happen:

In a sign of what could be an extremely unusual fall campaign, the two sides said Saturday that they would be open to holding joint forums or unmoderated debates across the country in front of voters through the summer. Mr. Obama, campaigning in Oregon, said that the proposal, floated by Mr. McCain’s advisers, was “a great idea.”

Back to blogging...

After a brief semi-hiatus, I'm back to blogging in full force...

I met with some of the key parts of our NYC volunteer team last night, and we're all getting re-energized for the general (which, for all intents and purposes, started Wednesday).

A few of things I've been reading this morning that are interesting:

• David Brooks on the type of "conservatism" that could win an election in November. A bit of instruction from the British conservatives, who have been living in the wilderness for the last 16 or so years.

• The WSJ on the end of the Clinton era (as they call it "The Clinton Divorce"). If Hillary continues to fight and attack Obama at this point, she is more seriously cynical than any national politician since Nixon.

• A WSJ news article about McCain's setting the stage for the fall... It is interesting to me that the campaign has released an ad aimed at women voters (and families) featuring Sen. McCain's mom Roberta... (btw: I attended an event honoring Roberta last week, and she was awesome... spoke from the heart for about five minutes in a 250 or so person crowd). I love the "I'm John McCain and I approved this message... and my mom does too." (See the full ad above on the new feature "McCain TV". Just press the > Arrow in the middle of the black screen).

Stu Rothenberg of Roll Call on Lieberman as VP...

Interesting analysis...

Voters trust McCain over either Democrat on all key issues...

Key poll from Rasmussen today... McCain over either Democrat on the Economy, National Security, the War in Iraq and Taxes. Obama over McCain on "Government Ethics and Corruption", but McCain over Clinton on that issue...

Solid and complete analysis on the "unorthodox" campaign...

From Jonathan Martin at the Politico. I am so excited that Sen. McCain is sticking to this type of "to the people" campaign...

I've seen him in town hall meetings, and he is so good at the format, and solid on the issues that it will be impressive to all (even, very importantly, those who disagree with him on the issues... for example, the war in Iraq). He gains regular Americans respect, because he listens, interacts and reciprocates his own respect by taking their questions.

He will be unscripted by it, and this will impress the media and contrast directly from Sen. Obama (I am beginning to assume he will be the candidate, sooner or later... although, frankly, Sen. Clinton has been ever more stilted and scripted). Eventually, the media and the Americans watching will begin to see that Obama is very much flash and symbolism, but not willing to get in the trenches... I think, while this clip got the crowd going (where he wipes the "dirt" off his suit... and the constant complaining about Hillary), it will come back to haunt Sen. Obama because it makes him look like he's either unable or unwilling to take the tough questions.




Sen. McCain, on the other hand, is in the trenches every day taking questions from media (national and local) and all kinds of citizens from all walks of life with all political viewpoints... I can't wait for this to get started...

The Republicans are coming together, while the Democrats continue to fight...

unity is coming for the Republican party...