Election Recycling: Piggybacking Edition
• Vote on gay marriage amendment expected Wednesday. Conservatives annoyed opponents do not have prime-time slots at convention; White House cautious of undecided, independent voters; Conservatives seek bounce in swing states. Lynne Cheney supports states rights. Bush discusses it in radio address; Kerry, Edwards to vote. Tony Perkins: "The Republicans have got some explaining to do. Social conservatives are no happy." Paul Weyrich: "I hate to say it, but the conservatives, for the most part, are not excited about re-electing the president." [NYT, NYT, USAT, LAT, BG, WSJ]
• Kerry says attacks on his fortune are hypocritical, defends Edwards from claim of inexperience. Teresa: "I find it un-American for people to criticize someone and say they're not deserved for any position... Those very same people never criticized my late husband for his money or his wealth - in fact, they used it. His money was just dandy." [NYT, BG]
• Kerry pauses campaign to receive security briefing; launches largest Hispanic and African-American ad buys ever. [LAT]
• Kerry tries to maximize piggybacking of Edwards' appeal. [LAT]
• KE04 to tie Bush and Ken Lay as part of campaign for values. [WSJ]
• KE04, 527s have run twice as many ads as BC04; gap expected to increase. [USAT]
• Elizabeth Edwards profiled as more than a mother, wife. [USAT]
• Last week, Kerry foes had a few lines of attack. [USAT]
• Restless Kerry yearns for fresh air, has stationary bike delivered to hotel rooms, needs intellectual stimulation more than a friend, and plays pranks on associates. [WP]
• Bush, under pressure, acts slowly on Iran and North Korea. [NYT]
• RNC to pay commissions to sites that generate donations. [NYT]
• Media found to present mostly negative snapshots of candidates; news cycles dictated by events, not campaigns; Kerry has not capitalized on Bush's negative press. [WP, BG, BG]
• Clear Channel allegedly blocked anti-war ad from Times Sqaure; concerns over bomb imagery. [NYT]