On The Campaign Trail...

Read the latest notes, thoughts, opinions and stories as News 13's reporters cover the elections -- both local and national.

---

It's a Bird, It's a Plane… Nope, A Presidential Candidate

Blog by Karin Caifa, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 25, 2008

Robert Downey, Jr., as Iron Man. Edward Norton as the Incredible Hulk. Barack Obama as Superman?

In a summer dominated by superhero blockbusters, actor Dennis Quaid submitted another name for your consideration: Barack Obama. Last night at Obama's premiere Hollywood fundraiser, Quaid called the Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee, "Superman for everyone."

So like every superhero worth his -- or her, thank you very much -- salt, Obama has his very own action figure. The brainchild of New York's Jailbreak Toys, the figure stands just 6 inches tall, a perfect pocket-sized companion for political canvassing, rallying, or debate-watching. Plus he's got bendable limbs that allow him to switch positions - er, poses.

The figure's description on the Jailbreak Toys Web site even sounds like a movie trailer. "In a time when America so desperately needed a hero,” it reads, "along came a man to show us a brand new vision of what America and the world could be in the 21st century."

And Jailbreak Toys president Jason Feinberg wanted it that way. "For my generation, superheroes had action figures," he explained from Jailbreak's headquarters Wednesday afternoon. "What I was trying to do was capture that whole superhero feeling. I do honestly believe there is something to that in this whole campaign."

Feinberg says early on he hesitated to add Obama to his roster of pint-sized likenesses of famous figures like Gandhi, Beethoven, Picasso and Freud. Not because he's not an ardent fan of the senator from Illinois, because he is (and he'll donate a dollar from each action figure sold to the Democrat's campaign.) "I saw Obama and I was like, I'm amazed by this man," he says.

But Feinberg says he's never picked a political winner. "You have to, in terms of production time, choose well in advance," he explains of his sculptures. Given that, he was worried he'd be left with a whole lot of figures and not a lot of buyers if Obama lost the primary fight.

When Obama clinched the Iowa caucuses in January, Feinberg started moving forward. In addition to the action figure, Obama fans can also snag a T-shirt featuring a graphic likeness of the candidate/action hero, with that edgy, comic book feel.

In the interest of fairness, I asked Feinberg if Jailbreak has a John McCain action figure in the pipeline.

He paused. "There actually is a McCain," the Obama fan admitted. He expects the GOP action figure to be ready to go mid-August, just in time for the party conventions, and for the ultimate political superhero fight - Election Day.

Osceola Needs Your Help!

Blog by Stephanie Coueignoux, News 13 Reporter
June 24, 2008

As the Osceola County Elections Office continues to prepare for the upcoming busy season, Supervisor of Elections Connie Click is asking for volunteers to help out on Election Day.

The county is not only entering this election season with less part-time workers, it is also adding more polling locations -- seven to be exact.

Click said with this being a presidential year, the office is expecting a larger turnout, and therefore more volunteers are necessary.

To become a volunteer, you need to fulfill a few requirements: You need to be a registered voter in Osceola county, you need to read and write English, and also be able to attend a training session.

Election Day is also expected to be a long day. Most volunteers spend over 12 hours at polling locations, starting at 6 a.m.

If you are interested, simply call the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Office at (407) 742-6000.

Hit the Road With John McCain

Blog by Karin Caifa, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 24, 2008

Who doesn't love a summer road trip? Rising gas prices will likely put the brakes on the number of Americans packing up and hitting the road over the next few months, so John McCain is offering a lift on his Straight Talk Express.

Well, sort of. The GOP's presumptive presidential nominee rolled out his second "Ride the Bus" contest today. According to the campaign's Web site, the winner gets to travel to a designated location to meet up with McCain, a ride on the bus with the candidate, and a hotel room for the night.

But entering the contest could cost you more than a tank of gas. You're encouraged (but not required) to make a donation to the campaign before midnight on Monday, June 30 (which, conveniently, is the next monthly fundraising deadline for the presidential picks.) It's the second time that the McCain campaign has used a bus ride as a way to drum up fundraising support.

McCain's first contest was more successful than an effort by former Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd, who dangled two coveted seats at Boston's Fenway Park (right next to the candidate) as an incentive for donors. But Major League Baseball put a halt to anyone but the league offering a ticket giveaway. So as long as McCain steers clear of Chase Field, home of his beloved Arizona Diamondbacks, the contest should keep on rolling.

The Straight Talk Express has been revving up its profile over the last few weeks. The campaign launched a video in the style of MTV's "Cribs," featuring a hip tour of the Straight Talk Express complete with quick camera cuts and pulsating music. The video is peppered with biographical facts about McCain's main ride, including vital stats (45-feet long, 550 horsepower engine, and 22-inch wheel rims.) Facebook users can embed the video on their personal pages via a Straight Talk Express application, a first for the McCain campaign.

Workers, Supporters Protest Shuttle’s Shutdown

Blog by Ben Baird, News 13 Reporter
June 23, 2008

An estimated 2,000 Kennedy Space Center workers, and supporters, turned out Monday to protest the shuttle’s shutdown and subsequent job losses.  The demonstrators say their rally was to get the attention of Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain.  The future president will set the tone for NASA’s budget.  Among those in attendance were U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez.  The senators said they’ll both be speaking with their party’s presidential candidates on what to do about a possible 6,400 job losses when the space shuttle is retired.  Several local campaigns also waved signs and wore T-shirts at the rally.

Sheriff’s Tent Talk

Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker says tents are among his biggest achievements in office.  The sheriff says budget restrictions forced him to find ways to expand the county jail without spending too much money.  He says using inmate labor he was able to add some 700 beds for $30 million cheaper than it would’ve been to put in just 500 beds.

Dropping Out

Visitors to http://www.richardwhittington.com will find an error message.  Richard Whittington says he’s quitting the race for State House District 31.  The would-be Republican candidate had been campaigning on education, and insurance reform.  He says he’s simply decided not to run.

Surprising Hot Races In Orange County

Blog by Scott Harris, News 13 Senior Anchor
June 22, 2008

A couple of observations from last week's qualifying: Judging just by the number of candidates in the race, some of the hottest races in Orange County this year are -- Soil and Water Conservation District?

Three seats are up. There are five candidates in one race, four in each of the others.

These are elected positions with no real power, so it makes one wonder why they are so coveted.

There are those who feel they are stepping stones to other elected offices, but if you're going to fight three or four other candidates, why not just run for -- say, tax collector?

Not surprisingly, there was a flurry of activity Friday morning at the Orange County Elections Office. Perhaps more surprisingly, much of it seemed to surround the often overlooked individual precinct elections for party committeeman and committeewoman -- specifically the Republican Party.

Orange County Republican Party chair Lew Oliver was there, with some of his leadership, working to sign up supporters for the county executive committee.

Yes, it is internal party politics. The committee elects the county chair, and there appears to be quite a challenge this year. The combination of longtime local activists and the Ron Paul factor seem to have led to a record number of people qualifying for a spot on the committee.

And you thought it was just Democrats who fought among themsevles.

Remaining Seminole Races Heat Up

Blog by Ron Lee, News 13 Seminole County Reporter
June 22, 2008

Qualifying ended this past Friday, July 20, to be included on the August ballot in Seminole County.

Several candidates ran unopposed, which is why winners are already known in the race for tax collector, supervisor of elections, sheriff, property appraiser, and county commissioners for districts 1 and 5.

With few competitive races on the August ballot, the recently re-elected supervisor of elections, Michael Ertel, tells News 13 he fears low turnout.

The race does remain competitive for positions of school board member for District 4, clerk of the Circuit Court, and county commissioner for District 3.

Now that he knows who has officially qualified for the ballot, Ertel says he will order the ballots this week, and start preparing for the August election.

New Faces In Flagler Come November

Blog by Jason Wheeler, News 13 Reporter
June 21, 2008

High noon came and went on Friday. That was the deadline for local qualifying.

No matter what happens in November, the Flagler County Commission will have a different look.

County chairman Jim O'Connell, who also represents District 1, is stepping down after just one term. He previously said it's time for some new faces sitting on the Commission.

In District 3, Jim Darby, first elected to the Commission back in 1992, will not seek re-election, either.

Only District 5 Commissioner George Hanns is running for re-election, which would be his fourth term.

Hanns has no opposition in the Democratic Primary, but will take on the winner between Republicans Herb Whitaker and William Venne.

Jerry Demings Responds To News 13

Blog by Kelly Cook, News 13 Reporter
June 20, 2008

Will there be a conflict of interest if Democrat Jerry Demings wins the Orange County sheriff’s race? His wife, Val Demings, already holds the post as Orlando’s chief of police.

In an earlier blog, we posed that question to two other candidates in the race for sheriff.

Republican Bill Armstrong was neither for, nor against it, saying that it was up to the Demingses to deal with that issue.

However, Republican candidate John Tegg was a bit more critical. He called the possibility of having the Orange County sheriff and Orlando police chief in the same household a big problem.

The following is Jerry Demings response:

“There is no legal, ethical or perceived conflict of interest with regard to me serving as Orange County Sheriff and my wife serving simultaneously as the Orlando Police Chief. The Orlando Police Chief is appointed by the Mayor of Orlando with confirmation by the elected Orlando City Council. The Chief serves at the pleasure of the Mayor for an indefinite term of office. Conversely, the Orange County Sheriff is elected by the voters of Orange County and serves at their pleasure.  We both meet the statutory qualifications to hold the positions of Sheriff and Police Chief.

The City of Orlando and Orange County Government are two separate subdivisions of government and operate as such.  As separate operational components of government, the Sheriff’s Office and Police Department are responsive to two separate corporations. Further, the Sheriff and Police Chief are not normally voting members of standing governmental bodies, councils or boards that have regulatory or investigative authority over their agencies. Such boards, councils, or bodies have specific rules about the declaration of conflicts and no conflicts exist today or are anticipated to exist in the future.

The Orange County Sheriff is an independently elected Constitutional Officer and is the Chief Executive for his/her agency. The Police Chief is the appointed Chief Executive for his/her agency. The two do not make decisions for the other, but exercise independent leadership of their respective agencies.

Finally, the two of us serving in these roles would be no different than if we were a husband and wife serving as Chief Executives of two separate corporations.”

Lake County Expects High Voter Turnout

Blog by Monica Rix, News 13 Lake County Reporter
June 20, 2008

You may not see or smell the competition in the air, but it's definitely brewing.

Election season has begun in Lake County, and with local primaries a little more than two months away, candidates are gearing up their campaigns and preparing to pull out all the stops.

This go-round, you'll see dozens of candidates vying for key positions in Lake County -- from county commission to the school board. Even the coveted sheriff's spot is up for grabs.

Supervisor of elections Emogene Stegall, who is also running for re-election this year, reports more than 170,000 registered voters in Lake County.

It's a number that's not only grown significantly over the past decade, as the county continues to grow and develop, but even over the past few months.

Stegall said the county's last local election, in November, had a pretty good turnout, but with big positions to fill on this year's ballot, she anticipates a higher voter turnout. She said the office is already busy making preparations for the primaries and, of course, the upcoming election, and adds that when the time comes to cast those votes, she hopes Lake County shows up "in full force to show their support."

Democrats Hope for Unity

Blog by Karin Caifa, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 20, 2008

Yesterday in one of those long e-mail chains where a group of friends debate when and where to go to dinner, my friend suggested a barbecue place called Rockland's in the Virginia suburbs, adding the line, "I heard Hillary's campaign would swear by this place." "Hillary," of course, being former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. And while we were willing to go along with Clinton's endorsement of wood-fired barbecue chow, the verdict is still out on whether her endorsement of Barack Obama will be as readily accepted.

The Obama campaign announced today that the two former rivals will campaign together for the first time next Friday. The news follows word this week that they'll hold a finance meeting here in Washington next Thursday, where Clinton is expected to introduce Obama to many of her top donors.

But even two weeks after Clinton exited their contentious race, it presents a delicate situation for Obama. Many Obama supporters resent Clinton for staying in the primary fight too long. At a Detroit rally Monday night, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm noted that she was now in, "with both feet," for Sen. Barack Obama despite supporting Clinton in the primaries. The mention of Clinton was met with loud boos. Obama later calmed the crowd by making a statement he's made during several post-primary speeches. "She's tough. That's why this race took so long," he said. "She's a fighter, and we need fighters in the Democratic Party, because we have a lot to fight for."

Similarly, some Clinton supporters are hesitant to follow their candidate's endorsement. Obama made headway on making amends with former Clinton supporters this week. He met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus who did not endorse him. He sat down with a roundtable of Democratic governors, including those like Ohio's Ted Strickland and Pennsylvania's Ed Rendell who delivered their state's primaries for Clinton. And he received the backing of the endorsement of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, who not only endorsed Clinton during the primaries, but gave her a pair of reed boxing gloves to boot.

But they say that actions speak louder than words, so it's worth noting that Clinton has not yet called on her delegates to throw their support behind Obama. Also notably, her husband and former president has not yet backed the party's presumptive nominee either. We'll see how things go next Friday, but it looks like the Democrats still have a lot of work to do regarding party unity. Maybe they can work it out over a nice dinner.

Sheriff And Police Chief In The Same House?

Blog by Kelli Cook, News 13 Reporter
June 19, 2008

The race is on for Orange County Sheriff and it is possible that the Orlando Police Chief and the Orange County Sheriff could both hail from the same household.

As many of you know, Val Demings made history when she became the first female Orlando chief of police. Now her husband, Jerry Demings, is running for Orange County Sheriff.

Republican Orange County Sheriff contender, John Tegg, is speaking out against that possibility. On the day he qualified to run he said, “I think it’s a big problem when you have two large agencies in one county that’s controlled by one family. I would never vote for it myself.”

Bill Armstrong, also a Republican Orange County candidate was neither for nor against it. He said, “that’s an issue Jerry and Val will have to address, of course, in their position that’s something they’ll have to address whether it’s a controversial issue or not.” 

We called Mr. Demings for his reaction to it.  Once we get that we’ll update you.

Obama Says 'No Thanks' To Public Campaign Cash

Blog by Karin Caifa, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 19, 2008

"Hi, this is Barack Obama. I have an important announcement and I wanted all of you - the people who built this movement from the bottom-up to hear it first."

With a simple web video this morning, Barack Obama added another "first" to an already unprecedented White House run. "We've made the decision not to participate in the public-financing system for the general election," he continued. "This means we'll be forgoing more than $80 million in public funds during the final months of this election."

It also means he can spend as much money as he wants to win the White House. Obama becomes the first major party presidential candidate to opt out of public general election financing since the system's inception in 1976 - the first post-Watergate election. If Obama had stuck with the system, he'd have been limited only to that $85 million in funds, and would have been unable to raise or spend money directly from individuals.

The decision was likely influenced by the army of over 1.5 million donors Obama recruited through grassroots web efforts throughout his primary campaign. Those individual donors have helped him raise a total over $272 million since January 2007, a number that dwarfs John McCain's tally of $99 million in the same period. To agree to federal general election funds would have stifled Obama's ability to spend, as the candidates who accept public money are bound to pre-determined spending caps.

The Republicans wasted no time pointing out several instances during the campaign where Obama said he would pursue public fundraising. The McCain campaign issued a statement this morning that said, "Barack Obama has revealed himself to be just another typical politician who will do and say whatever is most expedient for Barack Obama."

"The true test of a candidate for president is whether he will stand on principle and keep his word to the American people," the statement from McCain communications director Jill Hazelbaker continued. "Barack Obama has failed that test today, and his reversal of his promise to participate in the public finance system undermines his call for a new type of politics."

Michelle Obama's General Election Makeover

Blog by Karin Caifa, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 18, 2008

Michelle Obama kicked off her gig co-hosting ABC's "The View" this morning with fist bumps all around the table (even for the show's resident Republican Elisabeth Hasselbeck.) Stopping by the women's daytime talk fest is at the center of what appears to be a general election "makeover" for the wife of the Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee. And it has nothing to do with her wardrobe (because, frankly, the bipartisan consensus is that her simple sheaths and Jackie O. jumbo pearls are fabulous.) Today's New York Times front page says Michelle is seeking "a new introduction" to voters as we head into a long summer of general election campaigning. The "makeover" is a response to negative media coverage, including a recent cover of Time that bluntly asked, "Will Michelle Obama Hurt Barack in November?"

The grueling, contentious Democratic primary battle put Michelle Obama in the public eye far more than her Republican counterpart Cindy McCain, and not always in a flattering light. A Pew Research Center study of news coverage from Jan. 1 through June 15 found Michelle Obama the topic of 102 news stories. Cindy McCain appeared in just 28. The study also found that those who have heard about Mrs. Obama have gotten a negative earful: 26 percent of those surveyed characterized the coverage as "mostly negative," as opposed to 7 percent of those who'd describe coverage of Cindy McCain the same way.

As the Obama campaign shifts into general election mode, they're aware of the negative attention Michelle could attract from the opposition. Conservatives have sought to portray Michelle as unpatriotic, stemming from February comments in Wisconsin, where she told the crowd that her husband's candidacy was, "the first time in my adult life I am really proud of my country." The conservative publication the National Review made her their cover girl, sporting an angry scowl, and tagged her "Mrs. Grievance." Blogger Michelle Malkin called her Barack's "bitter half."

Michelle Obama says she isn't taking it personally. "In this media age, where the Internet is so pervasive, and there's 24-hour newscasts, I think I fill up space," she told "The View" co-hosts this morning. "I think that's a part of it. I also think it's competition, that's what politics at some point has become, and I think everybody's a little sick of that. I think people are kind of tired of the tit-for-tat."

On May 18, 1992, the New York Times featured a profile of another lawyer-turned-potential first lady, the same age that Mrs. Obama is now, who was also adjusting to the scrutiny and the criticisms of the presidential campaign trail. The Times' Maureen Dowd described a spouse who, "… has stepped into the eye of the stormy debate about the role of women in society and in politics, and about the image of feminism. And the 44-year-old lawyer seems a bit at a loss over how to deal with all the powerful negative and positive reactions she has unleashed."

That other 44-year-old lawyer? Hillary Clinton.

Obama had gracious words for her husband's former foe today. "Hillary Clinton, as she's said, has created 18 million cracks on a ceiling, and we need to keep pushing it and pushing it, because it's only until women like her step out, take the risks, take those hits and it's painful, and it's hurtful," Obama acknowledged. "But she's taken them so my girls, when they come along, they won't have to feel it as badly."

Asked whether treatment of Clinton's historic presidential run was sexist, Obama could just as easily have been talking about her own dealings with the media. "People aren't used to strong women, and I think there are times we don't even know how to talk about them."

As her husband pursues his own historic run for the White House, Michelle Obama can expect to be talked about quite a bit.

Seminole Candidates Qualify

Blog by Melissa Crabtree, News 13 Reporter
June 17, 2008

Qualifying for local races in Seminole County and the State House and Senate seats is under way.

Qualifying started Monday, and the period to secure a spot on the final ballot continues through noon Friday.

Anyone who is interested in qualifying as a candidate may pick up an election package from the City Clerk’s Office, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Here are the latest from Seminole County:

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Supervisor of Elections

Tax Collector

County Commissioner, District 1

County Commissioner, District 3

County Commissioner, District 5

School Board Member, District 3

School Board Member, District 4

Casselberry Mayor

Winter Springs Commissioner, District 1

Sumter Votes On Horse Track, Rep. Cannon Draws Interesting Opposition

Blog by Scott Harris, News 13 Senior Anchor
June 17, 2008

Sumter County voters are deciding on a quarter-horse track Tuesday.

The yes/no referendum would allow the track, along with a card room, to be built in the north part of Sumter, near the Villages.

It's been a hot topic. Supervisor of elections Karen Krauss tells me that 10,000 of the county's 57,000 voters had already voted by this morning, through early voting or absentee.

The results are expected not long after the polls close at 7 p.m.

Qualifying week got under way Monday, and runs through noon Friday.

Poltical junkies spend their week checking the state and local elections sites to keep track of who's in and who's not made a move yet.

We found something just interesting Tuesday: State Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, has drawn two opponents, neither a Democrat.

The Libertarian hasn't qualified yet, but the representative of the British Reform Sectarian Party has qualified -- that's right, the British Reform Sectarian Party -- and the candidate lives in Cocoa. At least, that's the address he gave the State Elections Office.

The district runs from Winter Park to Union Park in Orange County. No, you don't have to live in your district to qualify -- but you do to serve.

And the Orange County Democratic Party is holding what it calls its "Team Hillary and Orlando4Obama Unity Event" Tuesday night in Downtown Orlando.

Orange County could well be the swing county, in the swing I-4 corridor, in the swing state of Florida in November.

McCain Calls For Offshore Drilling To Ease Gas Woes

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 17, 2008

John McCain believes that drastic times call for aggressive action.

He will tell a receptive audience in Houston Tuesday he wants to end the moratorium on offshore oil drilling.

It’s an economic initiative McCain hopes will win him support by relieving some financial stress on Americans.

Politically, McCain's proposal brings him in line with his Republican colleagues who have wanted to see the ban lifted, and were narrowly defeated by Democrats in a recent House subcommittee.

It also scores points with those Americans hit hardest by tough economic times.

However, there is a flip side. McCain has made friends with strong voices in the environmental movement, and this proposal will most certainly hurt that relationship.

It's also a major change in policy for McCain, and he opens himself up to attack from Democratic rival Barack Obama.

The moratorium is 26 years old, and part of McCain's proposal is to give states the final say on whether it should be lifted. That may help in battlegrounds like Virginia, a state that is interested in exploring offshore drilling, and Florida, where Gov. Charlie Crist seems to be softening his opposition.

Crist told the St. Petersburg Times, "It's the last thing in the world I'd like to do, but I also understand what people are paying at the pump, and I understand the drag it is on our economy."

This is the second major proposal from McCain in this election year to curb the high price of gas. McCain has also called for a suspension of the federal gas tax that would require Congressional and White House action.

While that is seen as unlikely, McCain’s strategy is to show voters who give him high marks on national security and foreign policy that he also has a plan for the economy.

Ballots On Demand

Blog by Stephanie Coueignoux, News 13 Reporter
June 16, 2008

Osceola County residents may or may not notice a brand new system making its debut this upcoming elections season.

It's called "Ballot On Demand."

Osceola County supervisor of elections Connie Click says the county has five early voting sites, with each catering to voters from all county precincts.

In the past, each site had to carry preprinted ballots for all the precincts, since voters could be from anywhere in the county.

Beginning this election season, each voting site won't have any preprinted ballots. Instead, when a voter shows up, a county official will ask which precinct he or she is from, and then print out the appropriate ballot.

Click says this new system will save paper, time, money and the possibility of ballots getting lost.

Officials have not yet tested out this new system, but Click says these new machines should be arriving soon.

Sheriff's Race Courts Hispanic Voters

Blog by Emily Lampa, News 13 Reporter
June 16, 2008

The Democratic party of Orange County hopes to get East Orlando and the Hispanic community on board with its candidates in the Sheriff’s race.

The party plans to host a meet-and-greet with the Democratic Sheriff candidates at the Asociación Borinqueña de la Florida Central on June 24. It is supported by the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters of Orange County, Asociación Borinqueña de la Florida Central and Insight Magazine.

The two Democratic candidates running for the sheriff’s seat are Jerry Demings of Windermere and Malone Stewart of Orlando.

Demings served 21 years with the Orlando Police Department and was Police Chief for 4 years.

He was the Public Safety Director for Orange County Government and also served as the Interim Jail Director.

Stewart served 6 years in the Winter Park Police Department, as Orange County’s Undersheriff for 9 years, and a total of 18 years with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

There are also two Republicans in the race for Orange County Sheriff. Bill Armstrong has been in law enforcement for 33 years in Central Florida with the range and Seminole County Sheriff Offices, Port Orange Police, DeLand Police and the Orange/Osceola State Attorney's Office.

John Tegg is also running.  He has been the Edgewood Police chief since 2006 to present.  Before that he was with the Orange County Sheriff’s since 1975.

Get more on all the candidate's qualifications

Orlando Obama, Clinton Supporters Make Nice

Blog by Nick VinZant, News 13 Reporter
June 16, 2008

Two Orange County political powerhouses and one-time opponents are coming together to try and achieve a common goal this November.

After slogging it out for nearly the last year, members of Orlando4Obama will sit down with Orlando's Team Hilary.

Organizers say the goal of this so-called "Unity Celebration" will be to "join together and do all that is possible” to make sure the prospective Democratic nominee for president, Barack Obama, triumphs over John McCain.

Nationwide, some political experts and Democratic insiders have worried that the extended nomination process Democrats went through may have split the party and pushed some of Hillary’s supporters to the Republican side.

To try and prove that is not the case, the two groups will be meeting at Stonewall Bistro in Orlando on June 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Uncontested Seminole Races, Registering @ The Register A Success

Blog by Ron Lee, News 13 Reporter
June 16, 2008

his Friday could either be very tense or turn into a victory celebration for many candidates in Seminole County because several races are uncontested.

Because noon on Friday is the deadline for potential candidates to submit their paperwork, Supervisor of Elections Michael Ertel believes many candidates and their supporters will be pacing the grounds of his office, hoping no other candidates decide to run against them.

In the meantime, News 13 is hearing that the Register @ The Register program started by Seminole County is proving to be so popular that Escambia County has already borrowed the idea to great success.

Register @ the Register is a program in which various retailers make available voter regististration forms at the register, which customers can then submit to the Supervisor for Elections office.

While there is no way to track at this time how many new voters are registering because of the program, Ertel said he is seeing an upswing in the number of new people registering to vote.

He also said many retailers are asking for more voter registration forms, having already gone through their initial shipment of about 50.

Brevard County Election Notes -- Boat Ramps, School Board Grudge Match

Blog by Ben Baird, News 13 Reporter
June 16, 2008

Sheriff Sharing Presidential Slogan -- A local sheriff’s candidate is hoping a national campaign and slogan can help his local race. Mose Alexander is running against the incumbent, Sheriff Jack Parker. Alexander is hitching himself to Barack Obama’s wagon by using the Democratic candidate's platform of change. Supporters will hear from an Obama for America representative at an Alexander-sponsored Juneteenth event on June 19h in Cocoa.

Boat Ramp Battle -- County Commission candidate Ronnie McLellan says his issue No. 1 is a little different than most. He isn't concerned about the economy. He wants a boat ramp built along U.S. 1. McLellan says he’s running because people have been begging for a new boat ramp in Micco for two years. He says no ramp is creating a dangerous situation because boaters are parking their trucks and boat trailers along the busy highway.

School Board Grudge Match -- Former school teacher Dean Paterakis is running to sit on the board that allowed him to be fired. He’s running for Larry Hughe’s school board seat. Paterakis has maintained that he was unfairly forced out of his job after disagreements with his school’s administration.

Pastor Candidate Hosting Forum -- A local pastor will host and debate in a town hall forum. Ken Babington is the pastor at First Baptist Church in Cocoa Beach. The church has held candidate forums in the past, but this year, Babington is running for the District 31 State Representative seat. Every Brevard County candidate has been invited to the forum.

Candidate Called Good For Business -- Sen. Bill Posey is among 14 Florida legislators being singled out by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The chamber says his work on an economic stimulus package and energy issues set him apart. Posey is running for the U.S. House.

Obama Searches For A New Path To 270

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 16, 2008

During the primary season we were reminded that "Ohio picks presidents." The most recent being the 2004 re-election of George Bush, which Ohio ensured with its 20 electoral votes.

There is also Florida, which has 27 electoral votes, another battleground state that has played a pivotal role in deciding the last two elections.

But 2008 may be different. Instead of relying on Florida and Ohio, Barack Obama's campaign thinks there may be a chance that achieves victory with the help of other states.

The magic number is 270. That's how many electoral votes a presidential candidate needs to win.

At a fundraiser in Washington last week, Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, said the electoral map will look much different from 2004.

Plouffe says Florida and Ohio aren't required for victory, and is examining other combinations to make it to 270.

As they consider where to compete, states like Virginia, with 13 votes, or Georgia, with 15, are on the list of states that could push Obama over the top if he loses Florida or Ohio.

Obama's campaign thinks Virginia and Georgia could go in his favor in part because of his support from African-Americans.

Some may think it’s a bit of a stretch, but Plouffe says the campaign also will try to get new voters registered in Mississippi and Louisiana if they think those states might be in play toward the fall, but even with new voters and a heavy turnout by African-Americans, those states have voted Republican in recent elections, and conventional thinking suggests they will land in the red column again this year.

Of course, a lot can happen between now and November to change the Obama campaign's electoral strategy. And while there may be more than one way to hit 270, you never want to count Ohio and Florida out.

Crowded Race For Flagler County Sheriff

Blog by Jason Wheeler, News 13 Reporter
June 14, 2008

With less than a week before the deadline to qualify, the field in the race for Flagler County Sheriff is a crowded one.

Donald Fleming would like to be the first sheriff re-elected to the post in more than a decade, but he'll have to get through a Republican primary featuring his former chief deputy, Bill Karback.

A familiar name sits on the Democrat's side and that’s former Sheriff James Manfre. Manfre lost in the 2004 Democratic primary and never made it to the general election. This year his toughest competition in the primary should be Mark Carman, a former deputy, who is now the law enforcement coordinator for the city of Palm Coast.

The only sheriff's candidate who will make it to the general election in November is Ray Stevens. He is the only one of the eight candidates running with no party affiliation.

Volusia Co. Elections Supervisor Faces Challenge

Blog by Scott Harris, News 13 Reporter
June 13, 2008

Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall has drawn a challenger in her re-election bid.

Susan Pynchon filed paperwork to run against McFall.

Next week is official qualifying week for state legislative and local elections, and while a lot of races seem to be already announced, there is still time for last minute changes.

Also, do you remember Will McBride? He’s the Orlando lawyer who ran against Katherine Harris in the Republican U.S. Senate primary two years ago. He lost to Harris, and of course, she lost to Democrat Bill Nelson.

In 2006 I asked McBride why he was running, and he told me he wanted to run for the State Legislature in 2008, but he was recruited for the Senate race. Scott Harris ran across McBride recently and asked him if he was running for anything. He says there is some polling research being done and he’d make a decision after seeing it. That could be next week.

McBride could consider taking on fellow Republican Andy Gardiner, who is leaving the House after eight years to run for the open Senate Seat 9, which is the seat being vacated by Dan Webster of Winter Garden. Gardiner is currently unopposed for that seat, and while he isn't an incumbent technically, he's probably the next best thing, and he has the endorsement of Sen. Webster.

So it will be interesting to see if McBride actually gets into the race, and it will be interesting to see who's backing him.

And we just thought this was interesting. House District 80 is sort of centered around the Vero Beach area, but covers a small portion of South Brevard County. Incumbent Stan Mayfield is term-limited, and can't run again, and three candidates have filed paperwork to replace him. What caught our eye was the name of one of the three: Debbie Mayfield. She is Stan Mayfield's wife. She raised $287,000 so far and that is for a state House race.

Politicians’ Father’s Day Surprises

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 13, 2008

Like many fathers all over the country, John McCain may end up getting a tie for Father's Day, but his daughter, Meghan, surprised him early with something else: her allegiance wrapped in Republican red.

Meghan McCain writes on her blog, mccainblogette.com, that she was formerly an Independent. But after "careful consideration," she decided to change her political affiliation. It’s a "symbol of her commitment," says Ms. McCain, and to "represent the faith I have in his ability to be an effective leader for our country..." The blog entry is followed by pictures of Ms. McCain and her mother, Cindy, at the State Capitol Executive Building in Phoenix.

However, this grand show of support for the Grand Old Party might not have happened in another Republican family. Think back a little more than six months, before the nomination contests began, when the betting money was on Rudy Giuliani. Not only did Giuliani's son say that he wouldn't be participating in his father's White House bid, there was a little act of political impropriety from his daughter, Caroline. She supported the other side. Her allegiance to Barack Obama was discovered on a Facebook group for the Democrat.

Speaking of the Democratic candidates, I think it's a fair assumption that Chelsea Clinton is a Democrat. Barack Obama's kids aren't old enough to vote (the same can be said of many of his supporters, too).

Nevertheless, I hope both McCain and Obama get ties this Father's Day. And I hope they are plaid, paisley, crazy stripes, or even polka-dots. Because next year, one of them will have quite a large assortment of red, white, and blue.

Linda Stewart Mulls Run For O.C. Mayor

Blog by Melissa Crabtree, News 13 Reporter
June 12, 2008

Democrat and Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart says she won’t run for the District 9 state senate.

However, she is considering a run for the Orange County mayor’s seat in 2010. Richard Crotty is in that position now, but he is term-limited.

There was speculation that Stewart would run for the District 9 senate seat being vacated by Daniel Webster, but she said that wouldn't be in her constituents' best interests. She told News 13 she still wants to work on some conservation measures and commuter rail in the next two years.

The Democratic Party had asked Stewart to consider running for the District 9 seat, but Stewart says polling research shows she is in a strong position to run for any countywide office.

Stewart, herself, will be term-limited out of her commissioner seat in 2010. She says she will make a decision as to whether she will run for mayor by the end of the year.

As News 13 reported earlier this week, the only announced candidate for the District 9 senate seat is Republican Andy Gardiner, who is leaving the House of Representatives and is also term-limited.

As in Fashion, Political Trends Change With the Season

Blog by Karin Caifa, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 12, 2008

In the fashion world, nothing signals the passing of a trend like its move to the sale rack. When one passes her favorite store and notes she's the mirror image of the mannequin in the window - except for a sign on the shoulder indicating "75% off" - even the freshest fashionista can walk away feeling wilted.

Much as the fashion world moves on, presidential politics has just gone through a change of seasons. After a primary season marked by endless choices, minimalism is a la mode as we head into summer. One choice for each party -- even if they aren't necessarily one-size-fits-all. And to those who proudly wore the T-shirts of other candidates through the winter and spring - especially Hillary Clinton - it can be a crushing blow to see that merchandise on the sale rack.

Which is where a good deal of Clinton merchandise has moved over the last week. Strolling through a mall in Arlington, Virginia, shortly after Saturday's concession speech, I came across the famous Hillary "nutcracker," a hot item during primary season, marked at 50 percent off. (A search for the same item on Amazon.com revealed an even deeper discount of 67 percent.) Also marked for quick sale, a t-shirt advocating the unrealized dream of "Bill Clinton for First Man." A chain of Washington-area shops called, America!, is also pushing leftover Clinton merchandise, slashing prices on bobbleheads and shirts reading, "Madame President." Even the Vermont Teddy Bear Company has marked down a bear-y cute likeness of Clinton, complete with pantsuit, pearls and a "Hillary" campaign button, by 25 percent. McCain and Obama remain at full price.

CafePress, a Web site that lets users create T-shirts, hats and other products, has charted the sale of goods related to the various presidential hopefuls since the early months of the primaries. Perhaps they offered the best arbiter of how the Democratic race would turn out: the percentage of items sold with Obama's image dwarfed that of those with Clinton's. CafePress also reported in the final week of Democratic primaries, sales of Obama items shot up 12 percent, while Clinton's declined by four. But Clinton's number could be deceiving. A number of products with her name also feature Obama's, for those who want to wear their hope of a joint ticket on their sleeve.

No matter your candidate during primary season, Obama and McCain will spend their summer getting you to try them on for fall. An enduring trend for more than 230 years, American democracy is something has never fallen out of fashion. Even if a particular candidate does.

Daytona Beach Commissioner Sets Sights On State House

Blog by Saul Saenz, News 13 Volusia County Reporter
June 11, 2008

Daytona Beach Commissioner Dwayne Taylor (D) went from setting his sights for the mayor’s seat, to a seat in the State House of Representatives.

Commissioner Taylor announced recently he will run to replace current State Rep. Joyce Cusack (D-DeLand) in District 27.

Taylor won two terms as city commissioner, and was flirting with running fr mayor after then-Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden died in office two years ago.

Taylor gave up his dream to become mayor after the commission appointed current Mayor Glenn Ritchey.

Taylor is a former Daytona Beach firefighter.

Women For Jerry Demings

Blog by Kelli Cook, News 13 Reporter
June 11, 2008

Some pretty prominent women are backing Orange County sheriff candidate Jerry Demings, and it is a bipartisan affair.

Linda Chapin, Glenda Hood, Karen Dyer and Demings' wife, Orlando police Chief Val Demings, are hosting a "Women for Jerry Demings" fundraiser Thursday, June 19, at 5:30 p.m.

The event will be at the Sheraton Downtown.

Just to refresh your memory, Linda Chapin was the first chairman of the Orange County Commission, and ran for Congress as a Democrat.

Glenda Hood, a Republican, was Secretary of State for Florida and the first woman to serve as mayor of Orlando.

Karen Dyer is the wife of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

Celebrities Choose Their Candidates

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 11, 2008

I've written about celebrity endorsements a couple of times, and inevitably, the question that comes up is, "Do they really matter?"

Most of the time, probably not, although I think there is a pretty good bet that Oprah's public support of Barack Obama may have helped him, but even the queen of talk's endorsement is difficult to quantify.

His Republican opponent, John McCain, has a few celebrity endorsements: California governor -- and movie star -- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Tom Selleck -- but it's the Democrats who usually seem to shine in Hollywood.

Barbara Streisand, Brigitte Nielsen, and Jack Nicholson all backed Hillary Clinton.

Among Obama's star posse is Scarlett Johansson. The actress appears in the Emmy-nominated "Yes We Can" video that gets a ton of hits on YouTube, and not only does she support Obama, she swaps e-mails with the Democratic nominee-to-be.

Johansson told the Politico, "You'd imagine that someone like the senator, who is constantly traveling and constantly 'on' -- how can he return these personal e-mails?"

Maybe Johansson wants everyone to know how accessible her presidential candidate of choice seems to be. In the world of celebrity stamps of approval, might this influence some undecided voters?

For an answer to that question, I enjoyed reading some of the responses from those who read the article on CNN's Web site.

My favorite is from Robert, who says, "Few men wouldn't respond if Scarlett Johansson emailed them."

Yeah, no kidding.

Redrawing The Lines In Orange County

Blog by Scott Harris, News 13 Senior Anchor
June 10, 2008

Several thousand Orange County voters are going to find themselves in new precincts this fall.

The Orange County Commission Tuesday approved the latest changes from the Supervisor of Elections Office.

The latest changes involve redrawing the lines between precincts 222, 237 and 239 in the Rock Springs Road/Plymouth Sorrento Road area, and changing the boundary between precincts 443 and 454 in the Avalon Park Blvd area.

In May, the County Commission approved the creation of two new precincts: One in the Vista Lakes, Leevista Boulevard area, and the other in the Moss Park, Narcoossee Road area.

The Supervisor of Elections Office says voter precinct change letters would be mailed in the next week.

There are also about two dozen polling place changes in progress, again with letters to voters to notify them.

All the latest information is available on the Orange County Supervisor of Elections website: ocfelections.com

Two cover letters with maps attached were sent from the Elections Office to the County Commission.

Local Leaders Weigh Options

Blog by Scott Harris, News 13 Senior Anchor
June 9, 2008

Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart tells me she will announce her future political plans Thursday morning.

Stewart still has two years left on the County Commission, but the Democratic Party has been pushing her to run for another office this year, specifically the State Senate District 9 seat being vacated by Republican Dan Webster, who is term-limited.

So far, the only announced candidate for that Senate Seat is fellow Republican Andy Gardiner, who is leaving the House of Representatives after serving his term limit of eight years there.

Stewart -- along with several other county commissioners -- is also considering the Orange County mayor’s post in 2010, when Rich Crotty is stepping down, but Stewart says the polling research shown her by the Democratic Party indicates she is in a strong position to run for any countywide office.

In addition, State Rep. Sandy Adams, of Oviedo, was rumored to have considered running for the District 24 State Senate Seat, being vacated by Bill Posey of Rockledge, who is running for Congress.

Adams tells me that after much consideration, she will stay in the House, where she can do more good for constituents. She has served six years in the legislature, and is running for re-election for her House Seat in District 33.

Rep. Thad Altman, of Viera, has already filed his paperwork to run for the District 24 State Senate seat.

Adams, Altman and Posey are all Republicans.

Osceola Voter Rolls

Blog by Stephanie Coueignoux, News 13 Reporter
June 10, 2008

So far in Osceola County, every race is contested and there are over 130, 000 registered voters. Those voters split among party lines this way:

• Just over 54,500 registered Democrats
• About 40,000 registered Republicans.
• Around 30,000 non-party affiliated registered voters

Voter registration books close for the Primary Election on July 28. The Primary Election is August 26.

Brevard Politics Notes

Blog by Ben Baird, News 13 Reporter
June 9, 2008

As June’s second week gets under way Brevard Politics are heating up.

Getting Organized

Over the weekend, Florida Sen. Bill Posey started getting his congressional campaign in order. Posey held a meet-and-greet with would-be supporters at his Aurora Road campaign headquarters. The eight-year state senator also launched www.billposey.com. The site includes a list of upcoming events and newsletter.

Fairer tax?

Another congressional candidate says he’s already writing legislation. Unaffiliated candidate Frank Zilaitis says he’s just about ready to reveal his “Zilaitis Amendment.” The Proposal would add to HR25, the Fair Tax bill. He says the change would make the tax reform proposal easier to understand. He’ll be talking with WSCF TV31 Wednesday and appearing on “The Floridians” program.

Talking Among Friends

Brevard Democrats will get a chance to hear from the two Democrats running for the U.S. House 15 seat.

June 18th Stephen Blythe and Paul Rancatore will speak to an open Democratic forum at Cocoa’s Agricultural Center on Like Drive.

Possible Fire Assessment Talk

A candidates forum in Cocoa is being organized by an outspoken opponent to the county’s Fire Assessment Fee.

On July 10, the Canaveral Groves Homeowners Association will sponsor the forum. Those running for the County Commission District 1 seat will address the crowd at Discovery Christian Church in Cocoa.

The event is being organized by Marlene Adams who serves as the association’s chairwoman. She’s also been an outspoken opponent of the county’s fire fee assessment. Candidates for other county seats were also invited.

Register To Vote At Businesses

Blog by Ron Lee, News 13 Reporter
June 9, 2008

It's getting much easier for new voters to register in Seminole County.

More than 40 merchants are participating in a new grassroots program called Register@ theRegister.

Now, when customers go to the cash register, they can also be given a form to register to vote. People who fill out this form are then responsible for sending it out to the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Registered voters are also encouraged to pick up forms, and give them to friends who may not yet have registered.

The forms can be found at more than 40 merchant locations in Seminole County, including: Walgreens, Subway, Qdoba, Tijuana Flats, Planet Smoothie, Sonny's BBQ, Ruby Juice, Barnie's Coffee, Marble Slab Creamery, Rolando's Cuban Café, Giovanni's Italian Restaurant, Federal Trust Bank, Imperial Dynasty Chinese, Semoran Skateway, the Thirsty Whale, among others.

Obama, Clinton Meet Thursday Night To Talk

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 6, 2008

Oh to have been a fly on the wall last night in the living room of Sen. Dianne Feinstein when Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama sat down to talk. All anybody would say afterward is that the meeting was positive, and they discussed the "important work that needs to be done to succeed in November." No doubt Obama and Clinton talked about the future, but I wonder if they discussed the past. While at odds through the primary season, they have shared similar experiences: long, exhausting days on the campaign trail, the thrill of winning one contest and the disappointment of losing another, and the barrage of questions from voters and media. Sen. Feinstein said they were laughing when she joined them after their meeting. I wonder if one or the other cracked a joke about the campaign trail that only their mutual experience as candidates allowed them to appreciate.

Of course, what everyone is dying to know, is whether there was any talk about an Obama-Clinton ticket. Analysts say it's highly unlikely Clinton would bring it up, and Obama has said he is going to take his time vetting potential candidates. A CNN Opinion Research Corporation poll sheds some light on what Democratic voters are thinking. The survey was conducted after Obama clinched the number of delegates needed for the nomination Tuesday night. Fifty-four percent of those asked say they would like to see Obama select Clinton as his Running Mate, while 43 percent do not. A split along gender lines suggests a potential problem for Barack Obama. Sixty percent of women said yes to that partnership, while 51 percent of men said no.

The women's vote may be something that Clinton and Obama discussed Thursday night. Many women are disappointed that Clinton lost her bid to become the nation's first female president.

The first attempt by Clinton to usher her supporters into Obama's camp will come tomorrow, in Washington, at a rally where Clinton will endorse her former rival and call for a unified drive for the white house. It's a rally I'm sure Clinton hoped she'd never have to address, but just may fall under the category of "necessary work" that both Democrats feel needs to be done to beat John McCain come November.

When Will Hillary Clinton Drop Out?

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
June 5, 2008

When will Hillary Clinton drop out? That question has been asked many, many times in the last few weeks, especially as the number of delegates needed for the Democratic nomination were increasingly in her opponent's favor. When Clinton narrowly won the Indiana primary, and Obama trounced her in North Carolina the same night, analysts wondered if that was the end.

Nope.

When Obama secured the majority of delegates the night of the Kentucky and Oregon primaries, they thought, yet again, there was a good chance Clinton might throw in the towel.

Wrong again.

And when, last weekend, the Rules and Bylaws Committee decided that Clinton would not receive 100 percent of the delegates from penalized states it seemed like the end of the road. But that weekend, the campaign headed for South Dakota.

Surely, analysts and pundits reasoned, Tuesday night, after the contests in South Dakota and Montana, she would finally end her bid. After all, Obama would have the number of delegates needed to secure the nomination. End of story, right?

No. Clinton had made clear that she would exit the race when, and only when, she wanted to. Delegates be damned. This is about the voters, she argued, and she was going to rally her supporters one more time.

The end of that road could come this Saturday in Washington. D.C. In an email to supporters, Clinton wrote, "I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise." Clinton is reportedly planning to "suspend" her bid according to her campaign. Suspend, however, does not mean end. Instead of dropping out, Clinton will be able to remain a candidate, technically. And therefore she can keep her pledged delegates, and also raise money to help pay off her campaign debt.

But as for the question, 'When will Hillary Clinton drop out?' It's likely that only Hillary Clinton knows the answer.

The End of the Road… For Now

Blog by Karin Caifa, News 13 Reporter in Rapid City, S.D.
June 4, 2008

It's been historic, enlightening, unpredictable, and, at times, absolutely maddening. Since January, Americans have decisively crowned an American Idol and a Dancing with the Stars champion, but in that same span they just couldn't agree on a Democratic presidential candidate.

Even the final two states in the long battle rendered a split decision: Montana backing Obama, and South Dakota -- despite pushing the senator from Illinois over the top in the delegate count -- going to Hillary Clinton. Although Barack Obama clinched enough delegates to claim the nomination, indecision still looms, as Clinton did not make a concession.

For me, the primary season ends much the way it started: bleary-eyed and on an airplane. Hours after ushering in 2008 in Times Square, I boarded a plane to Des Moines, where the giddy New Year's buzz stretched through Jan. 3, when exuberant Iowa voters engaged in their quadrennial kickoff caucuses. Democrats there vaulted Obama to his first victory on the national stage, and Republicans defied pundits and pollsters by giving Mike Huckabee the win in the first GOP match-up of the campaign. Now, without a contest in sight until the big day in November, I can use the flight from South Dakota to Washington to reflect upon the many, many, many voters we've encountered since that first contest in January.

Our perch at Mount Rushmore last night gave us access to a pretty broad representation of American voters eager to weigh in on the grand finale of the long Democratic battle. Curious tourists stopped often to ask if we had the latest numbers on the race for delegates. In return, many of them gave us unvarnished, unsolicited political analysis.

A farmer from Nebraska stopped to tell me that he just couldn't comprehend why the Democrats wouldn't put Obama and Clinton on the same ticket. "That would be unbeatable," he gushed. "And I'm a Republican!"

"If the Democratic Party doesn't see that that ticket is the way to win, they just don't want to win," he said. "I'm telling you, Obama and Clinton. They will be the winning team in November."

(He also warned me that clouds above indicated rain was due within minutes. But the downpour didn't come for hours, so I somewhat question his powers of prognostication.)

In terms of that "dream ticket," that is now being advocated by some advisers and supporters of Hillary Clinton (as well as farmers from Nebraska), the reaction from voters was mixed. We all knew the Democratic Party stands divided between Obama and Clinton (and if we didn't, Clinton reminded us last night of the 18 million or so people who voted for her in this primary process.) But there are factions forming within those factions, as supporters of both candidates ponder that question: To veep or not to veep?

Two middle-aged women, the kind that gave Clinton a solid base in so many of her primary wins, disagreed on whether their candidate should accept the number two slot on the Democratic ticket.

"Oh, that's good," said the first. "It's better to have her as the number two than to not have her at all!"

"No," her friend protested. "She's a chief and a chief needs to be number one, not number two!"

An Obama supporter from the Boston area was also opposed to the idea. "It doesn't make any sense, when you think about it. It undermines his whole message of change," he said. "How can you change if you bring back the Clintons?"

"I say Clintons, not just Hillary," he continued. "Because you know Bill will be right there. And we saw that's not such a great idea," he said, alluding to some of the former president's verbal gaffes on the campaign trail this year.

"But if it's going to help us win in November," he added, "We may not have a choice from the looks of things now. I don't know where else we go from here."

So where do we go from here? Last night we got a preview of where the general election campaign is headed, as Obama and McCain delivered speeches laced with sharp jabs. Obama made that argument that he is the candidate of change. McCain retorted that Obama advocates the wrong kind of change. It is a debate that will extend through November. As for Clinton, it doesn't look like she's ready to exit just yet, indicating that the battle that captivated American voters through the winter and spring just might make it to summer.

Last In Line

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Reporter at Mount Rushmore, near Keystone, S.D.
June 3, 2008

When you're last in line, you don't usually get much attention, especially in politics.

At the beginning of the year, all eyes were on Iowa, and as the contests went on, each state, big and small, seemed to enjoy some time in the spotlight -- and, of course, there's the story of those renegade states, Florida and Michigan -- but the very last states scheduled to vote, Montana and South Dakota, did not seem to mind their place in the process. Primaries in June are just fine.

I think South Dakota, in particular, is an appropriate state to cap off the season. Reporting from Mount Rushmore has provided not only a majestic and symbolic backdrop, but the chance to talk to people who have come from all over the country to see it.

Many of those folks have voted in their own primaries or caucuses, and are still very interested in the election.

For instance, on Monday, we reported that Rep. James Clyburn, a prominent member of Congress, would be backing Obama. A couple walking by at the time stopped to tell me they were from South Carolina, and that Clyburn represented their district.

Clyburn's support is a sign that something big is probably going to happen Tuesday night -- not in South Dakota, but probably in New York City, where Hillary Clinton is scheduled to deliver her post-primary speech.

Her campaign is already refuting a report that Clinton will acknowledge that Barack Obama has the delegates needed for the nomination.

The number Obama needs to reach is 2,118. Between Tuesday's two states, 31 pledged delegats are at stake, and that will require a few more superdelegates to pledge their support.

I am already curious as to who will be the one, the last superdelegate, to bring Obama to that total.

A South Dakota or Montana superdelegate would be a nice touch.

Nomination Not Set In Stone, Yet

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Reporter in Rapid City, S.D.
June 1, 2008

I haven't seen Mount Rushmore yet, but the man working at the counter this morning at Walgreen's has already prepared me.

"Its smaller than you might think," he said with a smile. "You see all those pictures of the faces up close, and in person, its still really amazing, but small." It's true that up until now, I've only seen the famous monument in pictures.

Both Democratic candidates have visited Mt. Rushmore recently, and sort of answered those obligatory questions about whether they can see their own faces carved in stone next to Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Obama said he thought his ears were too big.

Of course, Mt. Rushmore is the big tourist attraction in the area. I find it interesting that this famous monument is located in a state that with the exception of being the birthplace of Tom Daschle, the former Senate Majority leader, doesn't often consider itself to be politically influential on the national stage. And even though its been getting a lot of attention from Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, many people across the country and South Dakota believe the nomination is sure to be in the hands of Barack Obama by the end of the week, regardless of what voters here decide.

Nevertheless, Hillary Clinton has been campaigning hard in the state. Late last night, I caught one of her new TV ads that claims she has "won more votes than anyone in the history of the Democratic primaries." Well, as it turns out, that depends on how you add, and her claim is being disputed.

Clinton celebrated a big victory in Puerto Rico last night, but that may have been her last. Obama seems to have more support in the last two contests in South Dakota and Montana tomorrow. But these two relatively sparsely populated states aren't expected to deliver enough pledged delegates for Obama to officially claim victory. Just as expected, it looks like the nomination will be determined by superdelegates. And as Clinton pointed out Sunday, superdelegates can change their mind. And technically, they have until the convention in late August to decide.

A fight on the convention floor has been raised as a possibility for months, but I don't know that anyone really thought it might happen. Of course, who could have said that the race for the Democratic nomination would go on this long, cost this much, or become so divisive. So much for expectations. Maybe Mt. Rushmore will look bigger than I expected.

Three States Remain For Democrats

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
May 30, 2008

There are three contests left in the Democratic primary season: Puerto Rico, South Dakota and Montana. But the biggest impact on the nomination may not result from any of them. Instead, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are awaiting a possible decision from the rules committee of the Democratic Party after a meeting scheduled in Washington tomorrow. There are 30 members of the Rules and Bylaws committee, that's the official name for the folks who will try to decide what do with delegates from disqualified primaries in Florida and Michigan. Thirteen of the committee members have endorsed Clinton, eight are backing Obama, and nine have not made an endorsement.

It’s really impossible to predict what might happen. Democratic Party rules say the rule breakers (Florida and Michigan, for moving up the dates of their primaries) must lose at least 50 percent of their delegates. Of course, Clinton wants (and needs) to see 100 percent of those delegates restored, but the only way that can happen is if the rules committee can't decide, and they pass the buck along to the credentials committee. That's a big problem though, because the credentials committee doesn't meet until later this summer and many leaders in the Democratic Party want to the nomination wrapped up by the end of June.

In fact, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is working with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and calling uncommitted superdelegates. That's a lot of phone calls because there are 194 remaining as of Friday. It’s Pelosi's goal to urge them to make up their mind next week so the Democratic Party has more time to prepare for the general election.

As for the meeting tomorrow, supporters of both candidates are expected to gather in large numbers outside the hotel. There has been so much interest that the Democratic Party decided to offer tickets to the public, which were snapped up in minutes on line. Of course, nobody will be watching closer than the candidates, who after five months of campaigning, are looking to 30 people to put the delegate debate behind them.

Ricky Martin Throws Support To Clinton

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Reporter in Washington
May 29, 2008

The man who sang "Livin' la Vida Loca" has decided to weigh in on the presidential race. And before you think that Ricky Martin, the pop superstar, offered his support a little late, he has a very good reason. Martin is from Puerto Rico, where Sunday's primary is one of the last three contests for the Democrats. The primary season wraps up on Tuesday with South Dakota and Montana. Martin's choice is Hillary Clinton, whom he believes has shown a commitment to the Hispanic community.

Both Democratic candidates have spent time in Puerto Rico, but Clinton recently wrapped up a three-day swing and is expected to head back again on Friday. Former President Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, have also campaigned on her behalf. While it may not seem like much of a chore to campaign in a beautiful area like Puerto Rico, the Clintons have a strategy in place with the U.S. territory.

Puerto Rico offers the most delegates of the remaining contests -- 55. Clinton not only wants to do everything she can to close the delegate gap with Obama, she also wants to lead him in the popular vote. To do that, she is also relying on the Democratic National Committee to rule in her favor over the disqualified Florida and Michigan contests in this weekend's meeting.

While there's no way to predict what may happen in that meeting, a victory in Puerto Rico does look like a serious possibility on Sunday. A poll conducted by Greenberg (Bill Clinton's first pollster), Quinlan, Rosner showed Sen. Clinton with a 13 point lead over Obama. However, the survey asked 800 Puerto Rico Democrats their preferences between May 8 and May 20, which for the most part was before the candidates campaigned there. Only 3 percent were undecided in that poll.

If Clinton does win on Sunday, there's no word yet on whether Martin might make an appearance with her, or if one of his hits may become a last minute campaign theme song. But, stand by -- in this election, it seems like anything can happen.

Fallen Soldiers Remembered

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
May 26, 2008

If you live in Washington, D.C., Memorial Day weekend and the "unofficial" start of summer are ushered in by the sound of tens of thousands of motorcycles.

Every year, "Rolling Thunder" comes to the nation's capital.

Sunday, an estimated 350,000 motorcyclists rode from the Pentagon, across the Potomac River, and on to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They were here to draw attention to members of the military who were held captive or missing in action.

Monday, though, is a much quieter, somber scene. Every one of the more than 220,000 tombstones in Arlington National Cemetery is marked with an American flag.

President Bush laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and then he and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates spoke.

Every serviceman and woman who gave their life for the country is being honored Monday, but it is the current conflicts -- the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- that are on the minds of military leaders every day, as well as the presidential candidates, one of whom will decide what to do next.

All three major candidates were holding Memorial Day events.

Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke in Puerto Rico, where she is wrapping up a three day swing before the territory's primary on June 1. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama were both in New Mexico.

At the New Mexico Veterans Memorial in Albuquerque Monday afternoon, McCain reiterated his support for the war, and said embracing a different course of action could result in a "mistake of colossal historical proportions."

McCain's reference to changing course is certainly directed to both of his Democratic rivals, Clinton and Obama, who both call for pulling out troops, and have vowed to do that if elected.

It is a stark contrast in policy that will be at the forefront of the presidential election in November.

This time next year, after the sounds of "Rolling Thunder" quiet around the capital, it will be one of them laying the wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, and perhaps weighing the consequences of whatever decision is made about the war.

3 Contests Remain In Race For Democratic Nomination

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
May 23, 2008

In the numbers game that is the race for the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama is 57 delegates short of the prize, while Hillary Clinton is 247 short. That's as of Friday afternoon. There are three contests left offering 86 pledge delegates and 209 superdelegates remaining.

Even though she is showing no signs of letting up, Hillary Clinton is still being dogged by rumors about how and when she may exit the race. Her campaign is denying any notion of quitting. But several close friends and supporters of Clinton say both camps are efforting a "graceful exit strategy." Not so, says Bill Burton, who is the national spokesman for Obama's campaign. "We are two campaigns, in real competition, not having any such talks about exit strategies."

A graceful exit for whoever it may be is very important to the remaining nominee. They will need their opponent's supporters in the race against presumptive Republican nominee, John McCain. Clinton has proven herself with groups of voters that Obama is having trouble attracting: women and blue collar workers. Some are still speculating that if one candidate were to join the other on a "merged" ticket, that could potentially unite the Democratic Party and bridge the division between some of those voting blocks.

Some Clinton supporters say the New York Senator hasn't really considered joining Obama because the contest isn't over yet.

In the meantime, Obama is clearly moving his campaign past the nomination phase, even with the remaining primaries coming up in Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Montana. Obama's priority next week is to visit Western swing states that President Bush barely won in 2004.

Let The Speculation Begin!

Blog by Karin Caifa, News 13 Washington Reporter
May 22, 2008

Yesterday brought word that Republican nominee-to-be John McCain will host three potential running mates at his Arizona ranch this weekend for some grilling. No, not that kind of grilling, says the campaign. Just burgers, of course.

Now it looks like Democrat Barack Obama is also cooking up a "veep-stakes" as we head into Memorial Day weekend. Party officials say that as the Democratic primary calendar dwindles, Obama has launched a super-secret search for a running mate.

So what did Obama have to say about today's breaking news? Not much.

"I am not commenting on vice presidential matters because I have not won this nomination," he said as he ducked reporters and dove into the confines of a black SUV.

Pressed further, and asked his criteria for a running mate, he declined again. "No criteria right now. I'm going back down to Florida to campaign. I haven't won the nomination yet."

As close as Obama is to claiming the Democratic nomination, he has to tread lightly. Hillary Clinton is still out there campaigning, and still winning primaries. The Obama campaign can't afford to alienate the Democrats who have remained loyal to Clinton, even as her nomination prospects grow dimmer.

Former Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson will head up the search party for Obama, reprising a role he played for John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984. So who might the committee look at? Here are some ideas that have been floated:

Clinton: Hillary Clinton, not Bill. (Though wouldn't that be entertaining?) Obama-Clinton has been dubbed the "Dream Ticket," by some, and considered a nightmare by others. With Democratic voters split between the two candidates, some see reconciliation in adding Clinton as number two. But her spokesman Howard Wolfson said today, "There have been no discussions with the Obama campaign about Sen. Clinton being the V.P." (Yet.)

Sort of like Hillary Clinton… except… not: Obama could draw in Clinton's ardent female supporters by choosing Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, or Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona. The two state executives have been prominent backers of his campaign. Obama would break free of the drama of the primary fight, and tap into a key Clinton constituency that has confounded him in late primaries: women.

A foreign policy guru: It's the policy point where Obama has already clashed fiercely with McCain. The GOP will continue to paint Obama as naïve for his expressed willingness to meet with the leader of Iran and other nations deemed rogue by the U.S., if elected. They'll also attack his relative lack of experience on the national stage. Obama could dodge those arguments by teaming up with an elder statesman who knows foreign policy in and out, like former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, or current Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Joe Biden.

A swing-state senator: In the latter days of the Democratic campaign, Obama has pivoted to the general election campaign by visiting states that will be fall battlegrounds. Why not pick a representative of one of these states? Virginia's Jim Webb has military credentials and bipartisan appeal (he served in the Reagan administration.) Evan Bayh delivered Indiana for Hillary Clinton in the primaries. On the downside, two senators on the ticket didn't clinch the White House for the Democrats in 2004.

John Edwards: Edwards, of course, already played this role in 2004 for John Kerry. Edwards avoided taking sides in the Democratic fight until last Wednesday, when he endorsed Obama. Choosing Edwards could balance the ticket and quiet the talk about Obama's primary struggles with white men and blue-collar workers. But Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, continues to battle cancer, and Edwards said last month he would not accept another vice presidential nomination.

A wild-card: Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg both flirted with independent presidential bids, but ultimately declined. Would going outside of the party help Obama counter McCain's pull with independent voters?

Obama, Clinton Visit The Sunshine State

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
May 21, 2008

Usually after the primary results are in, the Democratic candidates scurry to the next state holding a contest. But after last night's primaries in Kentucky and Oregon, there's a two-week gap before Puerto Rico.

The U.S. territory with 55 delegates at stake votes on June 1. Two days after that, the primary season ends with South Dakota and Montana. So where did Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton go today? None of the above. They are both in Florida, but for very different reasons.

Barack Obama is focusing on the general election in November. Florida, in addition to about a dozen other states, could "swing" either Republican or Democrat. His attacks are focused on Republican John McCain, who was also campaigning in Florida this week. Obama also wants to get to know Florida voters, something he didn't do during the primary season because the state's Democratic Party lost its convention delegates as a penalty for moving up the date of its primary.

And that is exactly why Hillary Clinton is there. Even though the Democratic National Party is sticking by its rules to punish Florida and Michigan, Clinton is campaigning to include the delegates from those contests. And include them in her column. Clinton would receive a majority of the Florida's 211 delegates if that happened. But we won't know what the Democratic Party decides until a rules committee meets May 31. Clinton also counts votes from Florida and Michigan in her tally of the popular vote.

So why Florida for the candidates this week? Even though Puerto Rico has the most delegates left of the last three contests, its influence on the race is minimal compared to Florida. If there is a change in the Democratic party's rules, Florida may allow Clinton to hang on and stay in the race. Regardless, Barack Obama is making plans for the general election, and wants to see Florida turn blue.

Garden Club Wives

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Reporter in Frankfort, Ky.
May 19, 2008

You've heard of soccer moms, NASCAR dads and latte liberals -- political nicknames the pundits use to identify a particular voting block.

I sort of love and hate these monkers, because they are, in a way, descriptive and clever, but by nature, stereotypical.

Here's what I mean. I want to coin a new one, and I thought of it on my connecting flight down to Lexington: Garden club wives. Maybe you can guess who they support.

My inspiration is a woman named Karen, who was sitting next to me during my flight. She lives in Lexington. I guessed her to be in her mid-50. She's married and has a daughter, but is originally from Massachusetts. That may have given you a clue, but wait.

She was flying home with a friend of hers, who was sitting in front of us, same approximate age. They are neighbors and are also in the same garden club, and while I imagined them sharing all sorts of tips on what to grow and when, I realized they are spending a considerable amount of time talking about politics, because they knew their presidential candidates, and Karen is currently working on a campaign.

Which one?

When she sat down in the aisle seat next to me, Karen pulled out "Dreams From My Father," Barack Obama's first book.

She looked to be about three-quarters of the way through. That's what initially started our political conversation.

"I just find him to be inspiring," Karen said.

She used to be a supporter of Hillary Clinton, which to be honest, is the candidate I would have thought she might still be supporting.

Karen said she thinks Clinton would be a good president, thinks she has the experience, "whatever that means," she joked, and has in-depth knowledge of the issues.

I wondered what happened to change her mind.

"I felt like her campaign became very negative, and I really didn't like the way she attacked him … and I didn't like what her husband said about Obama in South Carolina."

Ironic, she added, "Because Bill Clinton has been revered as perhaps the best campaigner of his generation."

She had heard Obama speak before, in person. Apparently he visited Lexington last summer for an early campaign event, and the experience stuck with her.

She read his second book, "The Audacity of Hope," and "was very impressed."

So impressed, that when she decided that Obama was her candidate, she attended the opening of his campaign office in Lexington, and has been canvassing for him.

I asked her if other people in her neighborhood shared her feelings.

"Probably not," she laughed. "I basically keep to myself, politically, because I live in a very conservative area, but the church I attend is liberal, and the majority of people there are definitely Democrats."

But according to Karen, Obama is not just for liberals. She added that her friend, the president of the garden club, attended a conservative church, and was also supporting Obama.

Karen said she also enjoyed the diverse group of people working in the local office for Obama's campaign.

While he is not expected to pull out a win in Kentucky, Karen's experience made me wonder if Obama is making an impression on voters that may pay off in the general election in November.

If that's the case, I'm doubtful that it will be "garden club wives" who will swing the vote, but in this election, it's always good to be reminded that you never know which candidate someone may be supporting.

McCain Looking For NRA’s Support

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
May 16, 2008

He may not have been their first choice, but for the National Rifle Association (NRA), John McCain is the only Republican they've got. And today, McCain is looking for the group's support in Kentucky at their annual meeting.

It has been a rocky relationship between the two. The NRA didn't like McCain's campaign-finance reform act, saying it restricted free speech. McCain's support of mandatory background checks at gun shows doesn't earn him points either. In fact, the NRA assigns letter grades to the candidates and McCain is apparently just a little better than average, with a C+.

On the way to Louisville, McCain said, "I'm proud of my record of supporting the second amendment and I'm proud of my overall support from the NRA and gun owners, people who own guns and firearms in America." McCain is looking for votes from conservatives as well as independents and support from Southern states where hunting is an important part of the culture.

While the NRA has not endorsed a candidate, its fair to say they are not looking to the Democrats. NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre told The Associated Press that the organization will have to "agree to disagree" on some issues with McCain. "We're not foolish enough to ignore the vast areas of agreement in which John McCain has been a friend to gun owners."

In November, McCain needs gun owners to be a friend to him at the polls.

Edwards Endorsement A Welcome Boost For Obama

Blog by Samantha Hayes, News 13 Washington Reporter
May 15, 2008

Sen. Hillary Clinton had one day to celebrate her landslide victory in the West Virginia Democratic primary before the headlines changed -- and they changed in her opponent's favor.

Clinton's campaign had been saying her win in West Virginia proved a deficiency in Barack Obama, that his message does not connect with rural, white, working class voters.

Sen. John Edwards disagrees. Both Obama and Clinton had been courting their former rival for months, hoping that his nod would sway the race in their favor.

It took a while for Edwards to weigh in, but Wednesday in Grand Rapids, Mich., he made his choice clear.

"There is one man who knows and understands that this is a time for bold leadership," said Edwards. "There is one man who knows in his heart that it is time to create one America, not two, and that man is Barack Obama."

Edwards' endorsement also seemed to be a message of unity, and he spent several minutes beforehand praising Sen. Hillary Clinton for her strength and tenacity.

The endorsement from Edwards may also lend support for Obama in the form of delegates. Edwards won 19 during his time in the race, and they are now free to choose either Clinton or Obama.

Several union endorsements may also be up for grabs. The Pittsburgh-based Steelworkers union had endorsed Edwards, but changed to Obama.

The union has 600,000 members, and may help Obama attract support from a voting demographic he has been struggling to win.

The next test will come this Tuesday, when Oregon and Kentucky hold primaries.

Barack Obama has already said that if he has the majority of delegates after those two contests, he will claim victory and the nomination.

While Clinton may be favored to win Kentucky, Obama is hoping Edwards' support will change that.

‘Hill Mobile’ Crosses Country For Clinton