Election Recycling: Birthday Edition

 
 •NewBC04ad showsKerrywindsurfing, shifting positions "whichever way the wind blows."KE04responds with critical ad about Iraq, noting casualties and beheadings. [ WP , NYT , LAT , BG ]

• RovesaysBC04is erodingKerrysupport in blue states while building support for president in red states; optimistic about New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio.Rove: "We're going to get Republican gains in the Senate. And even a gain of a couple of seats is going to work a sea change on their ability to obstruct these judges." [ WT ]

•Congress warned of significant violence in Iraq leading to election there; military offensive likely in major cities. [ WP ]

•Women find comfort inBush's national security, but pickKerryfor economic issues. This year, security trumps the pocketbook. Scholar: "If [Kerry] loses among women, he will lose this election." [ WP ]

•CBS News establishes independent probe into controversial report;Rovedenies involvement. [ WP , NYT , BG , WT ]

•Senate confirmsGossto head CIA. [ WP ]

•With terrorism and Iraq top concerns, election could depend on whether voters focus onKerry's past orBush's vision. [ USAT , LAT ]

• Kerrydiscusses domestic issues in Florida, suggestsBushcould reinstate the draft. [ WP , NYT , BG ]

• Bushvisits Pennsylvania for 37th time: "You cannot lead the war against terror if you wilt or waver when times get tough." [ WP , NYT , USAT ]

•Perception ofKerryas inconsistent is prism through which all campaign events are viewed;Bushswitches overlooked. [ WP ]

• Kerryreaches out to women on Social Security: "Our mothers, our grandmothers are the first ones hurt when benefits go down." [ LAT ]

• KE04takes risks with focus on Iraq.Kerryaims to separate Iraq from war on terror in voters' minds; energize antiwar voters; and persuade voters he is strong on security. [ WSJ ]

• BC04up in Nevada, West Virginia;KE04leads in California. [ USAT , LAT ]

• KE04drops ad buy in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri. [ USAT ]

•For weekend of debate preperation,Kerryheads to Wisconsin,Bushreturns to Texas. [ WP ]

• McCain, Feingoldprepare bill to regulate financing of 527s. [ WP , LAT ]

• BC04asks FEC to allow unlimited individual donations during possible recount. [ NYT ]

• Carter: "I think [Iraq is] the issue thatKerryhas to pursue, because, in my opinion,President Bushhas not been honest with the American people and has certainly failed in almost everything he professes to be doing in Iraq and in Afghanistan, unfortunately." [ USAT ]

•Economy picking up, but not fast enough for someKerryvoters to switch. [ WSJ ]

•Influence of Indian vote grows and politicians take notice. [ NYT ]

•In Atlanta, 14% of black men ineligible to vote due to prison, parole, or probation. [ WP , NYT ]

•Absentee voting begins today in Iowa. [ USAT ]

• Bushtwins visit Minnesota. [ USAT ]

[ AFP/Luke Frazza ]