TRAIL MIX: McCain's White Powder Problem, Clinton's Debt Woes, and ... a Roach Race?

By: Kathryn Carlson In Friday's edition of Trail Mix: McCain's Denver campaign HQ falls prey to white powder, Clinton struggles to pay down her debt, and the McCain/Obama roach race, in ... where else? New Jersey.

This Story May Bug You: Roach Race Goes to McCain
On Politics
USA Today
By Mark Memmott

"Ewwww!" said Mark Memmott in a post this morning at the USA Today's On Politcs. What was Memmott squeamish about, might you ask? Roaches -- specifically one roach carrying a "little drawing of Republican presidential hopeful John McCain" and another creepy crawler sporting the "likeness of Democratic contender Barack Obama." Yes, you read that right. According to Memmott, the New Jersey Pest Management Association had two roaches race -- as an FYI, the McCain bug won the bulk of the matches. To watch the politically charged roach races, check out Memmott's post as it offers a video report made available by the Star-Ledger. "Ewwwww" is right!


Analysis: Why the 'How Many Homes' Debate Matters
The Fix
The Washington Post
By Chris Cillizza

In today's The Fix at The Washington Post, Chris Cillizza discusses why presidential candidates strive to avoid appearing like they've forgotten about the "little" people, "gone Washington," or live "higher on the hog than voters." Citing the most recent and heated debate on this issue, Cillizza notes why it's bad news for McCain that he couldn't remember how many houses he and his wife own -- and why Obama jumped on that gaffe ASAP. "Politicians are forever trying to cast their candidacies as closely rooted in the communities from which they sprung -- a purposeful attempt to ensure that voters know that the candidate 'understands the problems of people like you.' Put simply: The worst thing you can call a politician is an elitist," writes Cillizza. Check out the rest of his post for info on how Obama's camp immediately reacted, how McCain launched his own rebuttal, and a list of other examples where the elitist issue has caused problems for presidential contenders.


Clinton Campaign Struggling to Cut Debt
Political Intelligence
The Boston Globe
By Foon Rhee

While Obama was busy raking in an enormous $51 million in campaign contributions in July, Hillary Clinton wasn't swimming in a pool of green even a tenth that size. According to Foon Rhee at The Boston Globe's Political Intelligence, "Clinton raised less than $2.5 million last month and at month's end still owed nearly $24 million, according to the report filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission. She cut her debt by only about $1.2 million." As Rhee points out, looks like Clinton backers have another reason to be bitter: "Despite Barack Obama encouraging his supporters to help her retire her campaign debt, there's little sign that's happening."


Clinton Supporters Eager to Hear Speech
The Swamp
Chicago Tribune
By Katie Fretland

"Supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton are more interested in hearing her speak next week at the Democratic National Convention than hearing Sen. Barack Obama's planned acceptance of the nomination for president, according to a new study," said Katie Fretland at the Chicago Tribune's The Swamp. According to Fretland, a Pew Research Center study found that "56 percent of Clinton supporters are very interested in her speech to the delegates, while 43 percent show similar interest in Obama's speech. Only 37 percent of Obama supporters report high interest in Clinton's address, while 60 percent say they are very interested in hearing the Illinois senator's speech." Overall, the study found that interest in this year's DNC is up 23 percent from the 2004 convention.


McCain's Denver Campaign HQ Evacuated
The Washington Wire
The Wall Street Journal
By Susan Davis

Staff members at McCain's Denver campaign HQ were checked out by medical personnel yesterday after a threatening letter and an unidentified white powder made its way into the office. According to Susan Davis at The Wall Street Journal's The Washington Wire, "the campaign immediately notified local law and federal enforcement." Davis also notes that a "similar letter with white powder was reported at the McCain campaign office in Manchester, N.H., according to a campaign aide."


Trail Mix's Featured Blogs:

Chicago Tribune: The Swamp

Los Angeles Times: Top of the Ticket

The Boston Globe: Political Intelligence

The Denver Post: Politics West

The New York Times: The Caucus

The Wall Street Journal: The Washington Wire

The Washington Post: The Trail and The Fix

USA Today: On Politics