 |
|
The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
Kerry's money, cultural influences and more on Iraq
 | |
| |
|
 VIDEO |
 CNN's Judy Woodruff on campaigning for VP without seeming to.
 CNN's Bill Schneider on economic politics in an election year.
 CNN's Joe Johns on political implications of the Feds' rate hike.
|
RELATED |
• Bush marks Civil Rights' 40th
|
|
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Check out the links below to hot political stories around the country this morning.
WILY SUBTERFUGE: About 10,000 people have signed up to volunteer at this summer's Republican convention, but New York City is prepared for the possibility that some won't show up as a form of protest. Thousands have applied since the campaign for volunteers began and it is thought that a portion of those who signed up will not show up or worse yet, show up and cause trouble. The Boston Globe: GOP convention volunteers may be part of the ruse by protesters
NUMBER TWO: Edwards, Vilsack, Gephardt. Kerry sees them all is different ways, and while his staff isn't' saying much about the VP process, they are saying that personal chemistry will be a huge part of his choice. The New York Times: Will it be a match made in a political foxhole
LEADERSHIP RESTORATION: John Kerry's campaign announced yesterday a three-day swing of events starting Tuesday through political battleground states to underscore his message of ''restoring responsible leadership to the White House," a trip during which Kerry may name his running mate. At least one of the contenders has been taken off the list -- at his request -- Gov. Bill Richardson. He informed Kerry in a letter yesterday that he wanted to keep his pledge to serve out his term as Governor. The Boston Globe: Kerry schedules key 3-day trip amid VP rumors
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION: Kerry follows Bush into rural west Wisconsin, where jobs and Iraq issues could be decisive. Kerry will try to tap into the areas unease with these issues with his bus tour through the Midwest. The Los Angeles Times: Small towns playing a big role
KERRY'S MONEY: The Kerry camp announced Thursday it had raised a total of $180 million, exceeding nearly all expectations and keeping him financially competitive with President Bush. As of the end of May, Bush had raised about $215 million for his reelection bid (they have not yet released June numbers), a record for any presidential candidate. Kerry has raised more than any Democratic contender for the White House.The Los Angeles Times: Kerry up to $180 million
CULTURAL INFLUENCE: A spate of pointedly political movies and books -- most prominently "Fahrenheit 9/11," and Bill Clinton's memoir, "My Life" -- have the presidential campaigns and pundits pondering an unusual, and perhaps unprecedented, question: Can the popular culture influence an election? The Washington Post: Pop culture and the 2004 election
UNLIKELY SOURCE: Ralph Nader is getting some help in Florida from an unlikely source: the GOP. While Democrats are making sure that Nader sticks closely to Florida's ballot access laws, the GOP is saying the efforts fall ''beyond the bounds of hypocrisy." The Boston Globe: Florida GOP comes to Nader's aid
THE IRAQ ISSUE: In speeches, briefings, interviews and an online chat, Bush, Cheney, and Condoleezza Rice and others used the events surrounding this week's handover of political autonomy in Iraq to rebuild their case that Iraq. The Washington Post: Cheney, Bush tout gains in terror war
ADVERTISING WAR: The Bush campaign yesterday accused Kerry of distorting his own writing in an ad involving terrorism and rolled out a counterattack spot that will hit the airwaves today. While both ads will be airing only in New Mexico, the rapid response underscores the political sensitivity of the terrorism issue.The Washington Post: Bush campaign accuses Kerry of distorting book
PRESIDENTIAL REALITY: Showtime is tapping into the reality craze with a show called the "American Candidate". Each week, candidates will be judged on their completion of a specific challenge meant to show viewers the insides of a presidential campaign and week by week, contestants will be eliminated; the last candidate standing wins $200,000 and "a nationwide media appearance after the show" to promote his or her platform, according to the program's Web site. The Las Vegas Sun: Fake presidential candidates learn ropes
Compiled by Heather Riley
