By: Suzanne Rosenberg In today's news from newspaper campaign blogs: McCain POW interview online, McCain on Imus defends Palin, and Bob Barr on a "faux conservative." See links to blog at bottom.
McCain POW interview onlineOn Politics
USA Today
By Mark Memmott
The 1967 film of John McCain as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, the long version of which has not been available for decades, is online this week. A French reporter made the film and it shows McCain without a shirt, smoking and unshaven talking about being shot down, his treatment by his captors and his family. If interested, Mark Memmott of On Politics can tell you where to go to see the full version.
McCain on Imus on PalinThe Trail
The Washington Post
By Michael Abramowitz
On Don Imus? syndicated radio show Wednesday, John McCain professed to be "amazed" at the constant critique of Gov. Palin and described her once again as "the most qualified" vice presidential candidate in recent years. "My question is, what's their problem?" McCain was responding to Imus about criticism of Palin from Colin Powell and others. Michael Abramowitz of the Trail goes on to report that in a "feisty" exchange with Imus, McCain compares Palin's experience to that of Bill Clinton, who also came out of a small state to run for President.
Two incumbents challengedThe Washington Wire
The Wall Street Journal
By Easha Anand
Two Senate races that are still too close to call -- and in which republican incumbents are challenged by democrats -- are the lively races in Minnesota and New Hampshire. Easha Anand reports on both races for the ?Down the Homestretch? feature Wednesday. In Minnesota, the Republican incumbent Norm Coleman is running against former comedian, social critic, and writer Al Franken. They have spent $28 million attacking the other over expensive suits and outdated video featuring foul language and comedic outtakes. Minnesota is a state which trends blue and which has the longest streak of any state for voting Democratic for president albeit often narrowly (three points in 2004). A third-party candidate might also have as much an impact on this election as Obama or McCain coattails. Dean Barkley, Jesse Ventura's former campaign manager, could be a spoiler, though it is unclear whether he'll hurt Franken or Coleman.
Another close Senate race is that between the Republican incumbent John Sununu vs. former Democratic Gov. Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire. To a large degree this race illustrates the classic Republican-Democratic dichotomy of "reduce government and lower taxes" of John Sununu (the son of former White House Chief of staff) vs. the liberal positions of a candidate who once chaired Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign. New Hampshire is the only state that voted for President George W. Bush in 2000 but not in 2004. Many believed that even though Shaheen lost the race to Sununu in 2002, the wide margin by which she lost may have been the result of GOP jamming get-out-the-vote efforts by two republican operatives who have done jail time for their actions. Initially, Shaheen had been leading by double digits throughout the summer, however Sununu appears to have narrowed the gap.
GOP?s Bob Barr: McCain a "faux conservative"Political Intelligence
The Boston Globe
By Foon Rhee
It's one thing when democrats say you're doomed, or even a few notable Republicans. But even Bob Barr, the former GOP congressman from Georgia and current Libertarian nominee for president, is saying that John McCain is "toast," according to Foon Rhee of the Globe's ?Political Intelligence.? Barr has said that McCain is on his "farewell tour" across America because he has no realistic chance of winning the presidential election. He goes on to say that McCain has an angry and mixed message, supports big spending policies, and has no chance of becoming president. Barr appeals to voters saying, "Now, principled conservatives can vote their conscience instead of voting for a faux conservative just because he carries the Republican label. A vote for McCain is a wasted vote."
Trail Mix's Featured Blogs:Chicago Tribune:
The SwampLos Angeles Times:
Top of the TicketThe Boston Globe:
Political IntelligenceThe Denver Post:
Politics WestThe New York Times:
The CaucusThe Wall Street Journal:
The Washington WireThe Washington Post:
The Trail and
The FixUSA Today:
On Politics
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