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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
President splits electorate in new poll
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Bush's agenda and performance have negatively influenced him in the minds of some American voters.
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VIDEO
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The U.S. Army admits an armor shortage in Iraq that could persist for years
Opponents seek to block legalizing same-sex marriages.
Check out the new mudslinging ads from Democratic presidential hopefuls.
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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.
• A NATION DIVIDED: "While most Americans view President Bush as a strong leader and say they like him personally, doubts about his performance and agenda have produced an electorate divided almost in half on whether he deserves a second term."
Los Angeles Times: Doubts create a voter split over Bush
• PILING ON: Joe Lieberman and Wesley Clark bust out of the gate with attacks on Howard Dean's plans to "re-regulate key sectors of the U.S. economy."
Washington Post: Opponents assail Dean's economic proposal
• CONSOLATION PRIZE: They may not have the money of a Dean or a Kerry, but the other '04 Dems are reaping financial rewards from their rivals' decision to bow out of the campaign finance program
AP: Public financing defections give rivals a boost
• HARD REALITY: Democrats who pushed for campaign finance reform are now feeling its effect, as their party struggles to keep up with GOP 'hard money' gains.
New York Times: A hard road for Democrats in a day of no 'soft money'
• KERRY'S ALL-STARS: "More than any other candidate, Kerry has set up his own version of the White House's National Security Council and assembled advisers with eye-catching bona fides"
Boston Globe: Big names help Kerry hone his foreign policy message
• ENDURING GRIEF: John Edwards's new book details how the Senator has coped with the death of his son Wade.
USA TODAY: Edwards discusses impact of losing His son
• THE FINE LINE: The Massachusetts court ruling on same-sex marriage presents a thorny political puzzle for both Republicans and Democrats, as the public remains largely divided on the emotionally-charged issue.
Los Angeles Times: Parties uneasy about politics of gay marriage
• CONSERVATIVES CAUCUS: Leaders of "half a dozen" conservative groups met in Washington yesterday to discuss the gay marriage decision. Topping the agenda: debate over a constitutional amendment to block same-sex nuptials.
New York Times: Conservatives mobilize against ruling on gay marriage
• VIRTUAL ELECTION: "The Michigan Democratic Party is looking to increase turnout in its presidential caucus through Internet voting, despite criticism that the plan could disadvantage poor and minority voters who are less likely to own a computer."
AP: Internet voting stirs debate in Michigan
• WAKE-UP CALL: Two days after his inauguration, the actor-turned-governor has already run into roadblocks laid down by the state legislature. "Lawmakers in both parties on Wednesday flexed their muscles in ways that suggested Schwarzenegger would need patience in the pursuit of his legislative goals."
Los Angeles Times: A dose of reality for Schwarzenegger
• SOFTIES ROCK: "In this age of heart-on-your-sleeve politics, signs of emotion are no longer the kiss of political death and may even help breathe life into candidates in need of a human touch."
AP: Emotions now rule the political world
Compiled by Claire Brinberg
