MarkCurtisMedia Political Blog: February 2008

Friday, February 29, 2008

Green Party Makes Waves

(San Francisco, California)

We've written mostly about the Democrats and Republicans here all year, but the Green Party is making waves.

I've had a number of inquires about Ralph Nader's VP choice, Matt Gonzalez of San Francisco.

I covered Matt as a member of the SF Board of Supervisors, and as a candidate for Mayor in 2003, when he narrowly lost against current Mayor Gavin Newsom. I have had the chance to interview Matt Gonzalez more recently, when he helped represent some Yale singers who were severely beaten on a New Years trip to San Francisco 14 months ago. The case made national headlines and some of it is still pending.

I was impressed by his passion in the Yale case, and that of his co-counsel Jim Hammer a former SF Assistant District Attorney. The case seemed a "slam dunk" for prosecution. The beating was particularly brutal, and the eyewitness accounts pretty clear. Yet, some of the suspects were wealthy, well-connected San Franciscans, and accusations of political favoritism began to fly.

Eventually charges were filed. While I admired Gonzales and Hammer for "standing up for the little guy" and "standing up to the San Francisco establishment" many people wondered aloud about their own political agendas.

Gonzalez was mulling another race for mayor, and Hammer a possible run for District Attorney. Ultimately neither ran, so the political motive (if there was one) faded.

Matt is 42, a Stanford educated lawyer, with pretty good political skills. He was never part of the "SF Crowd" of insiders with Newsom, Willie Brown, the Alioto's etc. He's kind of made a career of sticking his thumb in the eye of the Bay Area establishment. Kind of a political tradition here!

Anyway, that kind of attitude makes him a great fit for Ralph Nader who has spent his whole adult life skewering the national establishment. He and Gonzalez would liven up the fall debates too! Let's see if they get in.

I will be in Dallas, Sunday through Thursday covering the Texas primary, and keeping watch on Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island, which also vote on Tuesday.

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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Is Tuesday the End? Or the Beginning of 'Obama-Clinton '08?'

(Danville, California)

For weeks I have been suggesting the end of the Democratic race for President would be Tuesday April 22, in Pennsylvania. Mostly, it was an issue of doing the math? Or is it?

Recent developments suggest THIS Tuesday, may be D-Day. Let's just score last night's latest Clinton-Obama debate as a tie. She needed to throw a knock-out punch, or he needed to stumble and fall. Neither happened. Instead they keep trying to "out nice" each other.

Oddly enough, I think we may see the makings of an "Obama-Clinton" ticket, even though I thought (and still do) that a "Clinton-Obama" ticket would never happen. More on that later.

What the candidates face now, is an issue of momentum. Obama has it, Clinton does not. I thought if she won 3 of the 4 contests this Tuesday, she'd be on a road to comeback. Right now polls have her leading in Ohio and Rhode Island, with Obama leading in Texas (barely) and in Vermont. A 2-2 split, will all but equally divide the delegates giving Clinton no traction.

In the interest of party unity, she might just concede after Tuesday, even though Obama still won't have the delegates needed.

I say this because of a major defection in her campaign today. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), a civil rights era icon and one of the longest serving Black Members of Congress has switched his allegiance. Lewis had endorsed Clinton, but is switching to Obama. He is also one of the party's so-called "Super Delegates."

If someone of Lewis's stature can defect, then the floodgates may open.

An early Clinton concession to the nomination could mean a lot. It could restore party unity versus a blood bath, and it just might get her the #2 spot on the ticket. I know, I know, most people think I'm crazy. But the Democrats need to win New York state, and she could deliver. Also, she is not up for re-election this year, so her Senate seat is safe, should the ticket lose. In an odd sense, Obama needs her, more than she needed him. And they don't have to like each other, they just need to strike a balance (think JKF-LBJ).

The most important reason of all, is that the Vice-presidency is still the best road to the White House. (It is NOT the U.S. Senate or the Governor's mansion as many believe).

In the past 60 years, the VP job paved the way for Truman, Nixon, Johnson, Ford and Bush #1. Those are pretty fair odds. But even if she never rises above VP, she still makes the history books as the first female.

Obama could make her the "point person" on health care reform, and she'd be much more credible than in 1992. As for Bill Clinton, it won't be 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but the Naval Observatory isn't a bad spot to live in Washington, DC.

I will be in Texas, Sunday through Wednesday, watching it all play out.

Check in at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.

Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

Mark Curtis Talk Back With KTVU, February 20, 2008

Mark Curtis Talk Back With KTVU, February 19, 2008

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

"Obama Turban" and Ralph Nader Spark Presidential Debate

(Danville, California)
Don't political campaigns take the oddest turns sometimes?

Well, Ralph Nader entering the race as a Green or an Independent is not really a surprise. He runs every time and has the real possible distinction of becoming the "Harold Stassen" of 21st Century politics!

For our younger readers, Stassen was the former Governor of Minnesota who ran for President almost every cycle. He never came close, but ran a record nine times! The only thing he really "won" was to become the "king of jokes" by late night comedians. Johnny Carson made millions off of Harold Stassen jokes! The governor, died in March 2001.

Of course Ralph Nader is not joking, and while it's highly unlikely he can win, he certainly could be a factor. If you took his votes in 2000 in Florida for example, and gave them to Al Gore, we would have had a different President. But those are the "what ifs" of American politics. We have to live with the "what happened."

I have always been a supporter of having a viable third party in this country. That's not to say I would vote for Nader, any more than I might have voted for Ross Perot. But I would really like a third choice. And, let them debate. In 1996, people such as Nader and Pat Buchanan were polling about 5%, but were kept out of the debates? Why? Why are we so afraid to hear a "3rd option" (or a 4th) in this country?

A democracy is nothing more than a market place of ideas! The people are entrusted to listen and make their choice. Why limit them?

The answer is collusion by the Democrats and Republicans to keep "outsiders" out! While the two parties don't like each other, they unite for self-preservation. That's why they control the debates and keep 3rd parties out, and that's why we have this silly notion of a "Super Delegate" in some parties, that aims to preserve the status quo, and possibly nullify voter's actual choices.

So bring it on Ralph Nader. I probably won't vote for you, but admire that you have the backbone and principle to get up on the stage!

Now to the Turban crisis! (PLEASE, New York Times, do NOT dub this "turban-gate!")

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) visited his father's native homeland of Kenya a few years back and at the request of local dignitaries wore the native garb. This is not unusual, some of our most famous politicians have done this over the years. (Some were dignified, some were fashion disasters!)

Various reports say the photo was "leaked" by Hillary Clinton staffers hoping to perpetuate the "Barack is a Muslim Myth" that has been all over the Internet. (You can research it and other urban legends at www.snopes.com).

Anyway, we will see if the photo and the backlash have any impact on the upcoming votes in Texas and Ohio where Obama and Sen. Clinton are very close in the polls. She is way ahead in Rhode Island, while he is way ahead in Vermont, the two other states which vote that day!

I will be in Dallas, Sunday through Wednesday covering the Texas primary and the others. My daughter, loyal assistant and future "Lois Lane" Allie Curtis will be out helping me cover the campaign.

Tune in often to www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com for the latest. I am sorry there was no article yesterday, but I returned to California with a horrible case of bronchitis from Wisconsin! I should have eaten more Bratwurst in Milwaukee, to boost my immune system!

Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

"Slight Change in Democratic Polls; Race Razor Thin"

(Danville, California)

I am back on the rainy west coast today, after a great visit to Wisconsin!

The latest Democratic Presidential preference polls have changed slightly. The next round of polls taken might even be more telling as the candidates are really starting to go negative.

Here is the latest polling information from Real Clear Politics:

Ohio:

Clinton 50%

Obama 42%

Undecided 8%

Texas:

Clinton 49%

Obama 46%

Undecided 5%

Nationwide:

Obama 45%

Clinton 43.3%

Undecided 11.9%

As I have been saying for some time now, the undecided really hold the key. These new poll results were taken since last week's Wisconsin and Hawaii primaries.

By the way, I don't mean to ignore the Republican race. Next week, there are 285 delegates up for grabs, and if John McCain wins about 220 of them, he goes over the top for the nomination.

I will be assessing developments all week and then head to Texas next Sunday!

Please check in at http://www.markcurtismedia.blogspot.com/. Tell your friends too!

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Saturday, February 23, 2008

Parting Shots from Wisconsin

(Brookfield, Wisconsin)

Well I have enjoyed my week at home. There is something about being here that always revives me, perhaps it is the sub-zero temperatures.

I had a lot of time this week to analyze some of the poll results, in an effort to get a better snapshot of where we are headed in November.

Sen. Hillary Clinton is in a bind. She is losing her constituents. "Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel" exit polls in Wisconsin show that she only won (3) demographic groups and tied for another.

CLINTON COALITION:

She tied with Obama among women.. 50% each (she leads slightly among white women).

She is now losing to Latino voters which she courted effectively in early primaries.

She is winning "younger"old folks. The majority of people over 60 are still supporting Sen. Clinton.

People 65+ also support Clinton.

But that's all! She once led among Latinos and union members, but those leads are gone too after Wisconsin.

The point is, you must win far more than four "demographic" groups to win the White House.

Still, despite that grim outlook, Clinton is still very much in this race. She needs a big win in either Texas or Ohio on Tuesday, 3/4. Even if she lost Ohio, by a close margin, the overall race would still be in play.

If she could win Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island by strong margins, Clinton may still have a chance, even if she loses Ohio.

I will be on the road Sunday, but will check in with updates on my flight back to California!

You can check in too: www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com

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Friday, February 22, 2008

"So Why Does Obama Keep Winning?"

(Brookfield, Wisconsin)

Greetings again from Wisconsin. I am glad to report temperatures have risen from sub-zero. Today we may actually warm up to a sweltering 30 degrees!

Many people have asked me for my opinion on why Barack Obama keeps on winning. A year ago few people knew him.

The number one thing is probably the tone of his message, not the content. The comments that I hear most often including the words "hope, optimism and inspiration." He does give a "feel good" speech, even if it is lacking on specific program and issue details.

This is NOT a new invention. John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan are two examples from opposite ends of the political spectrum who were nonetheless beloved for their great rhetoric. Why is that, and does Obama have the same skills?

The basic answer is that Americans want to feel good about their country and about themselves. In 1980 for example, Ronald Reagan said "It's morning in America," and described the nation as a "shining city on a hill." It was very optimistic stuff.

President Jimmy Carter on the other hand, said the nation was in a "malaise." It was downright pessimistic. People don't want to hear the place was "going to hell in a hand basket" even if it is true!

So Obama has that very same touch...the idea that "America's best days are ahead of us, and not behind us." It is a message, that has lifted many politicians into office. Bill Clinton had a bit of that charm too! The problem is many voters look at Obama as "new and different" and at Hillary Clinton as "been there, done that." No it's not fair to her, because she is her own person, but that is the political reality. Jeb Bush may get the same response if he runs in 2012.

There will be a challenge to all of this. At some point, Obama will have to lay out the specifics of his programs, either in a challenge from Hillary Clinton, or in the general election against John McCain. The press has a responsibility to question him in minute detail as well.

The public has a right to know, who will run the country, how they will do it, what it will cost and who will pay. Sooner or later the feel good speeches will have to make way for an honest to goodness road map!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Latest Polls Show it's Still a Tight Democratic Contest

(Brookfield, Wisconsin)

I am still in the snow belt, taking a few extra days to enjoy my family after the Wisconsin primary. With the candidates gone, I have some time to reflect and assess what my be coming on the Democratic side.

The candidates have 12 days to campaign in Ohio, Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island, where 375 delegates are at stake.

Right now, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has 89 more delegates than Hillary Clinton, but neither will have the nomination sewn up by March 4, because there are just not enough delegates available.

Here are the latest polls. Keep in mind they were taken before the Wisconsin vote, and may not reflect the shift in momentum to Obama, if there has been one. The polls, at least for now, show good news for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY). All are from Real Clear Politics.com:

OHIO:

Clinton 53%

Obama 38%

Undecided: 9%

TEXAS:

Clinton 50%

Obama 43%

Undecided: 17%

RHODE ISLAND:

Clinton 36%

Obama 28%

Undecided: 36%

VERMONT:

No polls available.

So it's a bit of good news and bad news for the Clinton campaign. The good news: She's ahead. The bad news: Obama has been attracting the lion's share of undecided and independent votes. So, slog ahead! It will be a tough fight for those March 4 delegates!

I will be writing political updates everyday from Wisconsin and California. Then I will be off to Texas for the March 4 primary!

Keep checking: http://www.markcurtismedia.blogspot.com/ for daily updates!

Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

“Forget Conventional Wisdom; Hillary Clinton Can Still Win”

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

It would be easy to write off Hillary Clinton’s devastating loss in Wisconsin as the end of her campaign. Many pundits have, and that is a mistake.

She is still very much in the running for the Democratic Presidential nomination. But it will take some revised strategy and luck.

Right now, polls in Ohio and Texas show Sen. Clinton with the lead. She has to campaign tirelessly for two weeks in both states (and make a few stops in Rhode Island and Vermont, who also vote on March 4).

Her campaign, including her husband and daughter, needs to start aggressively courting the so-called “Super Delegates.”

If she can win Ohio and Texas, and start getting solid commitments from Super Delegates, then she can still win. Momentum is not on her side though, but a big March 4 win could turn the psychological tide.

Keep in mind too, that the next big primary after March 4 is Pennsylvania on April 22. That’s a long time for Barack Obama to be out of the daily spotlight, and especially his fiery speeches. Six weeks can be an eternity in politics, or a chance at rebirth!

The Clinton campaign needs to change its media strategy too. Staffers need to press reporters, producers and editors to examine Obama’s legislative record (or perceived lack of one).

I am a political analyst by trade, but I love to play “political strategist” in my head. It’s the “what would I do, if I was in charge?” fantasy. (This is NOT an endorsement; I do this for every candidate). Here’s what I’d do with the key Clinton players:

Bill Clinton – Get him OFF the stage and into the backrooms. He has offended too many African American voters with his harsh attacks on Obama. He also turns off too many independents and moderates. Just get him out of the picture! On the other hand, he is a great “backroom, wheeler-dealer.” I would make him “Ambassador to the Super Delegates” and send him all over the nation for private meetings. Promise them Administration jobs (discreetly), or Congressional district highway projects, but get the uncommitted delegates on board.

Chelsea Clinton: Get her ON the stage, at every college campus in Ohio and Texas. I saw her at a college in Wisconsin this week, and she is terrific. Let her go after the youth vote that Obama has cultivated. The campaign has to quit handcuffing her too. Let her attack Obama, and let her talk to the press.

Hillary Clinton – She has to be tough. Politics is a “hardball” business. It’s a full contact sport. She needs to go after Obama’s perceived thin legislative record. Back in 1984, a weakened Walter Mondale surged back over a similar “feel good” candidate, by asking “Where’s the beef?” in a parody of a popular TV commercial. It worked, because Gary Hart had no “beef.” To many, he was an empty suit and was exposed. Hillary needs to try the same strategy on Obama.

Otherwise, it’s just back to the U.S. Senate chambers, representing New York State, instead of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, representing the whole nation.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Obama, McCain Win Wisconsin Primary

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

The drama ended early in Wisconsin tonight. At 8 p.m. when the polls closed, the networks declared Sen. John Mc Cain (R-AZ) the winner on the GOP side. Twenty minutes later, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) was projected as winning the Democratic primary. Many thought the close Democratic contest might take us into the wee morning hours. It was not to be, and may underscore the real need now for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) to win in Texas and Ohio in two weeks.

If she doesn't, her road to the White House may be over.

Why did Obama win so handily here? One reason may have been the early endorsement of Milwaukee's Democratic Mayor Tom Barrett, a former Member of Congress.

Barrett endorsed Obama almost a year ago. Tonight he told me, "I think I was the first big city mayor, outside of Illinois to endorse him," said Mayor Barrett. "It was his message of hope and unity," he added. Barrett also noted that Obama was a community organizer in Chicago, the nation's third largest city. "I need a President who understands urban issues," said the Milwaukee Mayor.

Across the Milwaukee River, it was more like funeral at the bar hosting what supporters had hoped to be a Clinton victory party.

"I am sick to my stomach," said Kaela Zielinski, a teacher at Cass St. School in Milwaukee. She backed Clinton and told me, "I can't believe Wisconsin would pick someone with so little experience compared to Senator Clinton."

Zielinski believes an early GOP win by John Mc Cain forced Democrats to pick someone like Obama, who may be more electable on a national scale.

In his victory speech from Columbus, Ohio tonight McCain took a swipe at Obama, who may be his November foe.

McCain referred to Obama's speeches as an "eloquent but empty call for change."

I will be "live" with Ross McGowan on KTVU's "Mornings on 2" at 7:45 Wednesday morning, with a complete round-up of the Wisconsin primary, with a look ahead to the next big contests in Ohio and Texas on March 4.

Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

Ms. Katie's Diner: Milwaukee's Political and Food Universe!

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

Every vibrant American city has a place like "Miss Katie's Diner." It's kind of a hub of the local political universe, and they serve great food too! It's a good place to check the political pulse and fill up at the same time.

Today being primary day in Wisconsin, I headed to Miss Katie's for a late breakfast. Sen. Hillary Clinton had campaigned there this past Sunday, and I needed to see what people were still talking about.

You see, President Bill Clinton ate here several years ago, and brought then German Chancellor Helmut Kohl with him. Those two larger than life political figures had appetites to match. It was quite the event! Then White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry described the two world leader's "eat-a-thon" as akin to combat! There is now a small photo shrine to their visit!

While I was chatting with bartender John Volpe today, a couple half way down the bar heard us talking politics and they had to chime in. What a hoot of a couple! Nancy and Dave Strehlow have been married 50 years.

She is a Democrat. He is a Republican.

Dave voted for Sen. John McCain today. How did that go over with his wife? "I'm trying to straighten her out, but it's hard," Dave said.

Nancy is voting for Hillary Clinton. "I think it's time for a woman President. I like what she stands for, " said Nancy.

That's when World War III nearly broke out!

"You are voting for her just because she's a woman," Dave shouted.

"I am NOT voting on gender," Nancy snapped back.

"Yes you are!" Dave retorted. "No I'm not," she insisted.

This went on a few minutes and then calmed down. Finally Nancy turned to me and said if Sen. Barrack Obama wins, she's OK with that too, and could even live with the moderate John McCain as President.

You see, she admitted, when they got married 50 years ago, she was a Republican and Dave was a union worker, and the family Democrat. Somehow over the years, they each switched parties.

Their sparring while fierce, was playful and not mean spirited. They finished their drinks and lunch, shook hands with me and the bartender and left all smiles! Nice people! The kind Miss Katie's is filled with!

By the way, Rachel Ray of "Food Network" fame also featured Miss Katie's in her book, "Under $40 Dollars a Day!" Miss Katie's is owned by Peter "Pitch" Picciurro and his sons. They are long-time, famed Milwaukee restaurateurs. Nice folks too!

I'll have a list of the winners, a bit later tonight in the Wisconsin Primary, after the polls close!

Check back at http://www.markcurtismedia.blogspot.com/

Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

Wisconsin Polls Open; Could Pollsters Be Wrong Again?

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

Polls opened across frigid Wisconsin this morning at 7 a.m. In Milwaukee, the temperature was 3 degrees, with a "wind-chill" factor of 17 below zero. Still, a record voter turnout was forecast. People here are hearty. If they brave these temperatures for a Packer game, they'll do it to vote as well. I stopped by the Ward 18 precinct in Milwaukee by mid-morning, where turnout was steady.

Most polls here have the Democratic race fairly close, with Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) at 47% to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) at 43%. However, the Clinton campaign had some overnight polling showing her up 49% to 43%. So we will find out if the pollsters were way off, as they were in New Hampshire and California. The race should be close, with campaigns working the phones to get out the vote today.

John Hallanger is the Milwaukee County Chairman for the Clinton campaign. He told me this morning, "We've got people calling from the office. We've got people calling from their houses." Having phone banks in people's homes, should help in the cold weather.

Despite the deep freeze, skies were clear and sunny and road crews did a great job clearing snow, with plenty of salt and sand on the roads. Getting out to vote will be brisk, but otherwise not difficult to do!

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) held a morning rally in the Milwaukee suburb of Brookfield, then left the state for Ohio. Obama, Clinton and former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) are gone as well, to campaign in the next big states of Ohio and Texas. So tonight, the victory speeches will take place somewhere other than Wiscosnin. (Somewhere sure to be warmer too!)

This morning I broadcast "live" from the newsroom of WITI-TV 6 in Milwaukee, a station I grew up watching here as a kid. What a thrill!

I will be back there "live" Wednesday at 7:45 a.m. on KTVU's "Mornings on 2" with Ross McGowan

Monday, February 18, 2008

Obama Warms Cold Wisconsin Crowd

Beloit, Wisconsin)

At 9 p.m., it was 5 degrees in Beloit, Wisconsin. With a stiff prairie wind, that made the "wind chill" here 20 degrees BELOW zero. Having grown up in Wisconsin I should be used to this, but after nine years in Florida, and another nine in California, I just plain forget.

My fingers froze tonight for the first time in 24 years and I was wearing gloves!

The Beloit Memorial High School Pep Band kept the crowd warm for an hour! They are recent State Champs, and I am not surprised. GREAT band! And we needed it! Good thing its not half time at a football game. We are inside at the "Flood Arena" at Beloit College. My hope is the arena was named after some college donor named Flood, and NOT after a natural disaster. We don't need that kind of karma right now. Bbbbbbbbrrrrr!

At 9:43 p.m., Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) arrived on stage. The arena thawed!

While some polls showed a tight race in Wisconsin, Obama never mentioned his opponent Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) by name, until nearly the end of the rally. He didn't have to. When he said, "I am not running because of what I think is owed to me!" the crowd cheered and knew to whom he was referring.

The crowd was easily 3,000, dwarfing the 300 who showed up for Chelsea Clinton this afternoon, on the very same campus. Granted, one is a candidate; one is a candidate's daughter. But still, it was pretty stark.

Yet I am left to wonder the real differences on the issues. Today both the Obama and Clinton campaigns we're cheered the loudest when they spoke of the war ending; they both spoke of health care for all Americans but letting people who like their current insurance keep it; and they spoke of annual college tuition tax credits ($3,500 from Clinton; $4,000 for Obama). Both spoke of public service jobs to pay back student loans.

The agendas are nearly identical. It was like comparing Pepsi and Coke. But in the end, after all these weeks of watching both, the differences are hard to discern. Likability may turn out the most crucial issue. More people seem to like him, than her. We'll see what the polls say Tuesday!

One difference may matter. "This was an unwise war. I opposed it," Obama said to the loudest cheers of the night. Sen. Clinton supported it initially, but now opposes it. Obama may have the edge, even though he was not in the Senate, when the original vote was taken.

"I will not just meet with our friends. I will meet with our enemies," Obama said to loud cheers, but Chelsea Clinton pledged that on behalf of her mother today too.

Of course the more stark comparison will come when one of these candidates finally faces off against John McCain (R-AZ). But it's unlikely that question will be resolved this Tuesday.

Finally Obama addressed the recent criticism from Hillary Clinton, that his inspirational message was not a public policy road map.

"She is right that 'speeches don't put food on the table,' but for the past 20 years I've worked at it." When he finally mentioned Sen. Clinton by name, there was a smattering of boos.

"Sometime a speech can help people find what they have in common with each other," he said, "I don't apologize for inspiring people!" The crowd cheered wildly! Then he talked about a November opponent.

"I respect John McCain for his service to this country. He's a genuine American hero," Obama said, " But he has defended George W. Bush and he wants to continue Bush's economic policy. I want to have a debate with John McCain. He can debate the politics of the past, because I want to debate the politics of the future," the Illinois Senator said. The crowd roared again.

"I talk about hope a lot, because the odds of me standing here are low." Obama spoke for 40 minutes, much longer than his normal stump speech.

Hope: "That is how this nation was founded," said Obama, "that's how the greatest nation defeated Hitler and lifted us out of the Great Depression. That's what hope is."

The crowd roared one final time.

By this time tomorrow night, we'll know if Obama's hope paid off in Wisconsin.

I'll be on at 7:45 with Ross McGowan on KTVU's "Mornings on 2!"

Chelsea Clinton Appeals to Youth Voters

(Beloit, Wisconsin)

If Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) is to win the Democratic Nomination for President, she must start attracting more youth voters. To that end, her daughter Chelsea made a solo appearance today at chilly, snow covered Beloit College in southern Wisconsin.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has owned the youth vote this primary season. In fact he probably single-handedly "awoke" the sleeping 18-24 demographic, that almost never votes in large numbers.

So, the New York candidate has turned to the 27 year old Stanford educated, former first daughter for help.

Beloit students applauded every time Chelsea said her mother would end the Iraq war. It is the issue that received the most response today.

The first student to question her called her Hillary, and the crowd burst out laughing.

"My grandmother does it too, its OK," Chelsea said. Then students in a glass enclosed balcony above her could not hear. "I can mime, " she said, again to much laughter. All-in-all she was very at ease, even during some hostile questioning from what appeared to be Obama and Republican students. She never flinched.

Whether you agree with the Clinton's or not, their daughter has made a remarkable transformation. From the awkward 12 year old who entered the White House with her parents, to a sharp, articulate college graduate, who spoke completely off the cuff today with no notes. Her jokes were spontaneous and she had the packed Campus Center laughing often. She made no speech and just took questions for well over an hour. "Oh Gosh," she said repeatedly to the huge number of student questions. If that was her only nervous tick, she could be quite a candidate somewhere down the road.

Finally a male student asked, "As early as 8 years from now, would you consider running for President?" The young Clinton will be old enough then at age 35, but was diplomatic in her response. "My political aspirations stretch to my mom becoming your president," she said.

There was controversy too. Chelsea said of her mother "She certainly supports opening diplomatic relations with everyone. She won't go to Tehran (Iran) on Jan 21^st, but she will talk to everyone," the younger Clinton said. Obama supporter and Beloit student Alex Brown seized on that after the rally, because Clinton has criticized Obama for making similar statements in the past. Brown says the New York Democrat is trying to have it both ways. "She'll try to appease the far left as much as possible, then move to the right" (on speaking to enemy nations like Iran), he said.

A little of news was made at the rally. One student asked about Super Delegates, who may determine the outcome of this race if neither Clinton, nor Obama have the 2,025 regular delegates to win outright. Some Members of Congress have promised to vote the way their district votes, regardless of previous campaign endorsements, but others are unrelenting.

"I'm going to stick with Senator Clinton," said Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) who is a Super Delegate. She plans to vote for Clinton, even if her district goes to Obama.

Chelsea Clinton ended the rally posing for pictures with students and mingling with the crowd. As is her practice, she declined to speak with any reporters. While she impressed the Beloit crowd, she will have competition. Barack Obama will speak to many of the same students here tonight.

I'll be "live" with Ross McGowan, at 7:45 Tuesday morning on KTVU's "Mornings on 2" as Wisconsin begins voting.

Check in at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.

Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

Independents (and Snow) Make Wisconsin a Battleground State in 2008

(Elm Grove, WI)

Greetings from snowy Wisconsin. Winter storms on Sunday and today, could make things slick for voting on Tuesday. But plows and salt trucks are working, so hopefully hearty voters here will rise to the challenge!

While many have pit this as a year of Democrats vs. Republicans, watch out for the Independents, especially in this battleground states.

Why? Because Wisconsin could be the deciding state in November. In 2000, Al Gore beat George Bush here by just 5,000 votes. In 2004, John Kerry beat Bush by 11,000 votes. That was the closest margin of victory of any state, in the last election.

This time it could be even closer! Remember that George W. Bush was a conservative. John McCain is a moderate, with proven appeal to independent voters. Barack Obama also has huge appeal among independents.

Wisconsin loves electing independent "mavericks." On the Republican side, the state has sent Sen. "Fighting Bob" LaFollette to Washington, DC, where he also tried to run for the White House.

The much reviled Sen. Joe McCarthy and his anti-communist crusade was from Wisconsin. Then there was the much loved "red-vested" GOP Governor Lee Dreyfus, who as a little known professor beat 3 millionaires to become Governor in 1978.

On the Democratic side, we've had Sen. Bill Proxmire and his famed "Golden Fleece Award" for wasteful, pork-barrel spending in Washington.

Proxmire raised no money and won re-election every six years, simply by paying the $100 filing fee! He was succeeded by my old boss, Sen. Herb Kohl, who took no donations and spent his own money to run. Then there is Sen. Russ Feingold, who beat the two party favorites, the Republican incumbent and three multi-million dollar campaigns, to win a set in the U.S. Senate. He of course is the Feingold from "McCain-Feingold" campaign finance reform fame.

So Wisconsin LOVES mavericks and independents! The state loves to pick people who have "upset the apple cart" in both major parties.

Keep an eye on the independents on primary day, but more importantly, watch out for them in the November general election.

I'll be "live" from Wisconsin at 7:45 on KTVU's "Mornings on 2" with Ross McGowan on Tuesday and Wednesday.

As always, tune in here: www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com

Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

(Danville, California)

It's good to be back on home ground after an ICY five days in the Washington, DC area covering the Potomac Primaries.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) today and the combined delegate total all but seals the nomination for McCain. Look for Romney to be on the short list for VP. He gives the Republican ticket geographic balance (Southwest vs. Northeast); ideological balance (Moderate Vs. Conservative); and age balance for those concerned about McCain (71 vs. 60). Romney could also help shore-up McCain's own self-confessed weaknesses on economic issues.

All that said, there are some numbers out today that are bound to make Republicans worried.

So far in the 2008 Primaries and Caucuses, Democrats have received almost 21 million votes to just under 13 million for Republicans. That's a split of 59% to 38%, and a troubling trend that could hurt Republicans in November. That said, there are a few possible explanations for the disparity:

1) The party "out" of power tends to draw more numbers especially if it's a contested primary. The Clinton vs. Obama showdown matches "Ali vs. Frazier" in boxing. Simply put, right now the Democrats are selling more tickets.

2) The GOP race had trended toward McCain for a few weeks. Some Republican voters may simply stay home, assuming another win for McCain. This gets compounded by bad weather such as the ice storm during Tuesday's Potomac Primaries. Right now, GOP voters are less motivated. That could easily change by November.

3) Independent votes are skewed. Some states do not allow independents to vote in partisan primaries. McCain draws big numbers of independents. It's possible that people will come out to vote for him in November, who cannot vote for him now. Keep an eye on this for Tuesday February 19, when Wisconsin votes. It's one of only a few states that allows an "open primary" where any voter can vote for any party. It's totally non-partisan. Exit polling will tell us how many independents voted and for whom.

Last week in Sacramento I spoke with California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim, about the disparity in total voters. He is not worried. "We still have nine months before us," Sundheim said, "We've got a long way to go."

The next stop on the campaign trail for me is Wisconsin for next Tuesday's primary. Voters also go to the polls in Hawaii.
Check in daily at: www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.