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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
Did 'Shrum Curse' shake up Kerry campaign?
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John Kerry jokes with talk show host Jay Leno after taping his Tuesday night appearance on "The Tonight Show."
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CNN's Jonathan Karl on partisan warfare in Congress.
CNN's Maria Hinojosa examines the impact of 'third tier' candidates on the Democratic Presidential race.
CNN's Candy Crowley on Kerry's decision to replace his campaign manager.
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SPECIAL REPORT
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Check out the links below to hot political stories around the country this morning.
• "SHRUM CURSE": Bob Shrum's political expertise is widely known, but so is his ability to be "a polarizing figure" within a campaign. How much did he have to do with the Kerry campaign shake up?
The New York Times: In middle of the Kerry storm, a man known to whirlwinds
• "NEGATIVE POLITICS?": Wesley Clark isn't too thrilled that retired General Hugh Shelton has an advisory role with the John Edwards campaign. The Clark camp called the move "negative politics," especially in light of Shelton's recent comments about Clark.
The News and Observer: Clark campaign chides Edwards for using Shelton
• Clark told a New Hampshire audience last night he would support a constitutional amendment that made it illegal to desecrate the American flag.
The Boston Globe: Clark backs a ban on flag burning
• DOUBLE PUNCH: Howard Dean's dual union endorsements today show "that, even as he is building support at the grass roots, he is also playing a skillful inside game with some of the Democratic Party's most important power brokers."
The Washington Post: Howard Dean's unlikely road to a major boost from labor
• "For Dean, the windfall seems equal parts the result of his own hard work at courting the SEIU, one of the most liberal unions in organized labor, and a failure by his opponents to seize opportunities to gain favor with AFSCME, whose pragmatic president, Gerald W. McEntee, has been focused on finding the Democrat with the best chance to beat President Bush."
The Los Angeles Times: 2 powerful unions set to endorse Dean today
• Dean's tough-talking Veterans Day speech on Iraq "appeared to mark a new phase in the campaign of a candidate who has accumulated strong momentum toward winning the Democratic presidential nomination, but who has faced questions over whether the governor of a small state has the knowledge and gravitas to handle foreign affairs."
The Chicago Tribune: Dean blasts Bush over Iraq contracts
• BIG GAMBLE?: If John Kerry opts out of public financing does he have enough donor support to keep up with Dean?
The New York Times: A crucial question for Kerry
• Two Kerry aides resigned in protest over the firing of Jim Jordan.
The Boston Herald: Kerry campaign goes hog wild
• Kerry tried to remain upbeat during his "Tonight Show" appearance despite the staff shake-ups and getting heckled by Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.
The Los Angeles Times: 2 Kerry officials quit to protest firing of top aide
• ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE: John Edwards is convinced voters are ultimately looking for a positive leader and not just someone who knows how to take a good whack at President Bush.
The Washington Post: Edwards aims to focus on the positive
• LONG SHOT CANDIDACY: Dennis Kucinich admits his campaign "is seen as being way back in the pack right now." But the Ohio congressman has no plans to give up just yet.
The Des Moines Register: Kucinich remains undeterred as campaign lags
• PARTY'S OVER: There will be no luxury booze cruise for Republican big wigs during next summer's convention.
The New York Post: GOP-ers sink boat party
Compiled by Sasha Johnson
