Election Recycling: Half Day (If That) Edition
• Clinton, in 90-minute call from hospital, advisesKerryto move on from Vietnam and make the case for defeatingBush;Kerrytold to explain distinctions, connect dots between Iraq and domestic problems.John SassojoinsKE04;Carville, Begala, Greenbergpromoted. [ NYT , WP , WT , BG ]
• Bushconsidering flat tax, calls current code "full of special-interest loopholes."Matthew Dowdsays newsmagazine polls favoringBushindicate "fundamental shift." [ WP , LAT ]
• Clinton's bypass surgery expected this morning. [ WP , NYT ]
• Bushappeals to the center: "A safer, stronger, better America is for every citizen of this country. I think oldZell Millerset a pretty good tempo for Democrats all across the country." [ NYT , WT ]
•Events in the "economy and Iraq that neither campaign can control" will dictate whetherBushcan maintain lead, writesBrownstein. [ LAT ]
•NewBC04introduction video is inspired by MTV.McKinnon: "It's got a little bit of reality TV to it." [ NYT ]
• Kerrywas concerned about downsides of rehashing Vietnam, but took risk.Brinkley: "My book was a huge gamble. I knew he hadn't sanitized his collection because he was so nervous as I read it. Vietnam could cut for good or ill." [ BG ]
•Records ofBush's guard service missing or never produced. [ WT ]
•Campaign rhetoric placed in context. [ LAT ]
• Kerrysupporters use 1996 Senate race to bet on comeback, win. [ LAT ]
•Swing voters in Erie want specifics, debates, and talk of issues beyond terrorism and Iraq. Voters in New Lexington, Ohio split. [ WP , NYT ]
• Edwardsmasters the art of wrapping negative remarks in a positive tone. [ WP ]
•Analysis of Nexis searches find researchers/reporters interested inTeresa's cookies. [ WT ]