- Sun. Jul 6, 2008
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WHAT'S NEWS
•Superdelegate/VA Del. Jennifer McClellan announced yesterday that she is switching her support from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama because of "the math" (Richmond Times-Dispatch). Meanwhile, ex-John Edwards mgr./ex-Rep. David Bonior (D-MI) will endorse Obama today (ABC News).
•If the Dem fight reaches the convo, Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) intends to follow his CD and cast his superdelegate vote for HRC (Wake-Up Call! reporting).
•HRC "spent ninety minutes" at the DNC yesterday, "convincing superdelegates of her case for staying in the race" ("Political Radar"). But some, including Reps. Brad Miller (D-NC) and Lincoln Davis (D-TN), "refused to meet with" her (The Hill).
•Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), who supports HRC, said yesterday that "if you look at all the math and what's out there, it's pretty unlikely" that HRC can win (Bloomberg).
•HRC raised $1M at a DC fundraiser last night, telling the crowd "there is no cause for alarm" in seeing the Dem fight play out (NBC/National Journal). Meanwhile, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "The people should all have the opportunity to speak as long as two candidates wish to compete" ("Political Ticker").
•In an interview with USA Today, HRC said she had "a much broader base to build a winning coalition on," citing an AP article "that found how Sen. Obama's support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again."
•MI Dems leaders "have settled on a plan" to give HRC 69 delegates and Obama 59, and voted yesterday to ask the Rules and Bylaws Cmte to approve the plan when it meets 5/31 (AP).
•However, in a conference call yesterday, HRC spokesperson Phil Singer "estimated that in a best-case event," where the MI and FL delegates were seated according to each state's popular vote, HRC "would still be about 100 delegates shy of the number needed" (New York Times).
•Asked yesterday whether HRC had discussed dropping out, senior adviser Howard Wolfson flatly told reporters: "No" (Washington Post).
•After "months of political combat" with HRC, Obama is "about to try another approach: ignoring her" (Los Angeles Times).
•The Obama camp "has begun talks" with Clinton admin. veterans and "loyalists" in an attempt to "recruit field organizers, finance officials and press officers" (New York Daily News).
•John McCain raised $7M for his camp and the RNC at his NYC fundraiser last night -- "the largest single fundraising haul" for the McCain camp ("Political Radar").
•For more headlines, see today's Earlybird: Top News; Campaigns; Pundits & Editorials; Network News; TV Guests; Today In Washington.
PLAY OF THE DAY
McCain finally reveals his VP pick on Play of the Day!
HAIR OF THE DOG
In happier news for HRC's camp, Howard Wolfson has "finally" sold his two-bedroom, 1,333-square-foot apartment at 455 Central Park West for $1.91M (Observer.com).
GOSSIP BUFFET
•According to neighbors, the "overgrown weeds" in Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) front yard on Capitol Hill "make his yard a monstrosity, not to mention the talk of the street" (The Hill).
•When Bill Clinton recently called uncommitted superdelegate/Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) "late at night," he "instantly sat up in bed," because "when the president calls, you ought to be formal about things" ("Yeas & Nays").
•On "The Daily Show" last night, Jon Stewart suggested "Grumpelstiltskin" as McCain's Secret Service codename, while McCain ventured: "My name is Jerk" ("The Trail").
•At her DC fundraiser last night, HRC "came out to 'I'm Every Woman,' as many in the audience waved their napkins as if they were Terrible Towels" (NBC/National Journal).
•Although "it's not THE trendiest steak house" in DC, FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R) joined Tim Russert for lunch at The Palm yesterday to celebrate Russert's 58th birthday (Palm Beach Post blog).
•Lil Wayne recently told Blender that he backs Obama, "but warns that electability remains key" ("The Reliable Source").
•According to Univ. of Central FL chain restaurant expert Chris Muller, HRC would most likely eat at Red Lobster or Applebee's; Obama at Starbucks or P.F. Chang's; and McCain, for some reason, at Morton's of Chicago or Ruth's Chris Steak House (South Florida Sun-Sentinel).
•"Adorning the restroom walls" at Obama's Chicago HQ "are large road maps of states with upcoming caucuses and primaries," and "in prime position, above the urinals," is a map of WV (Los Angeles Times).
•Both McCain-tied lobbyist Vicki Iseman and Laura Fay, who reportedly picked up Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY) after his arrest, live in the same "charming" Alexandria neighborhood, Cameron Station (Roll Call).
•If he was invited to the wedding, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) said he would give Jenna Bush "a year's supply of Omaha beef and a bushel of wheat" as a gift ("Shenanigans"). So now we know why he wasn't invited.
•Barbara and George H.W. Bush reportedly "have problems" with their granddaughter, Lauren, 22, dating Ralph Lauren's son, David, 36 -- "aside from the nagging concern" of her becoming Lauren Lauren (New York Daily News).
•Jay Leno, on where HRC goes from here: "Today, even Yogi Berra said, 'It's over'" ("Tonight Show").
ROOSTER'S CROW
•Obama on "The Situation Room" (CNN, 4 pm).
•The Nat'l Symphony Orchestra plays Paganini (Kennedy Center, 7 pm).
•Brewing expert Garrett Oliver discusses the Italian beer renaissance (National Geographic Live!, 7 pm).
•McCain on "The O'Reilly Factor" (FNC, 8 pm).
•Comedian Katt Williams (DAR Constitution Hall, 7:30 and 11 pm).
•Arianna Huffington on "The Colbert Report" (Comedy Central, 11:30 pm).
BREAKFAST FLAKE
"Let me tell y'all something mighty quick because I know y'all didn't come to a cow sale to hear a politician" -- MS 01 candidate Travis Childers (D), spending a day on the trail in West Point, MS (AP).
Nora McAlvanah, Editor
Maura O'Brien, Associate Editor
About Wake-Up Call
- A morning news briefing on politicians and the press.