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The Morning Grind / DayAhead |
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By John Mercurio
CNN Political Unit
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Pigskin politics: Clark will try to woo football fans this weekend by sporting a Patriots jersey in a TV ad slated to run during a Patriots vs. Jets game.
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Connecticut Gov. John Rowland and his wife Patricia call on God and Santa Claus in response to charges of illegal spending.
President Bush praises the staff at a Washington hospital after visiting injured troops and having MRIs of his knees.
An Osama bin Laden image is used to attack candidate Howard Dean's security credentials.
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SPECIAL REPORT
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- So much will happen between now and January 5, when the Grind will return, rested and ready, from our two-week holiday break. Some of it will even occur outside of Iowa.
Wesley Clark will turn 59, for example, raise money in Los Angeles (but not with Madonna), and launch his "True Grits" tour of eight Southern states. John Kerry will pull out all the stops in a four-day tour of Iowa, including a 24-hour "workday," and raise lots of cash in New Mexico (but not with Bill Richardson). Howard Dean will gobble up more big endorsements (maybe). Except for a few days in Oklahoma and D.C., where he'll make a last-minute round of fund-raising calls, Dick Gephardt will set up shop in -- you guessed it! -- the Hawkeye State.
Clark will fight with Kerry, who will fight with Dean, who will fend off charges from Clark, Kerry and everyone else. All nine '04 Dems will attend the presidential debate in Des Moines on January 4, the same day that "Inside Politics Sunday" will debut on CNN at 10 a.m. EST.
And, we predict, more than a few campaigns will continue to explore their newfound love for conference calls.
Like we said, so much. It's almost enough to make us reconsider our decision to go dark for two whole weeks.
Almost.
So, dark we go. But not before we provide you with the latest segment in the increasingly bizarre spat between the campaign staffs of Clark and Kerry. Today, we find Kerry aides questioning Clark's football team loyalties.
Pigskin politics
Clark plans to air a TV ad this weekend during the New England Patriots vs. New York Jets game.
The 30-second spot opens with a tight shot of Clark, but the camera quickly pans out to show the four-star general wearing a Patriots uniform. "We're all patriots," he says in the spot, presumably to the bemusement of thousands of Patriots fans across New Hampshire.
Well, apparently, Clark believes we're all Packers and Razorbacks, too.
Under the headline, "MARY, WHO DO I ROOT FOR?" Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter explains:
"Wesley Clark's football allegiances seem to be as flexible as his party affiliation," Cutter said. "He is planning on donning a Pats jersey and airing a special commercial during this weekend's game, the ultimate in pandering to New England football fans. But where does Wes Clark truly stand on football allegiances?"
Cutter then cited an AP article dated November 25, in which Clark said he "loves [the Green Bay Packers]. And I hope Brett Favre's thumb gets better." She also cited an October 24 article in which Clark spokeswoman Kym Spell declared Clark is "a Razorbacks fan."
The press release features a picture of Clark signing autographs while dressed in a Packers uniform. Ouch.
Garden State nods for Dean
Also today, Dean will travel to Trenton to pick up the previously reported support of yet another superdelegate. New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey today becomes the first sitting governor to endorse Dean, and the first gov to back any '04 Dem from outside their state. McGreevey and Dean will meet up at 8 a.m. EST in the Trenton Marriott ballroom. Dean will pick up another Garden State nod next week, this one from House Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Menendez.
And finally, we thought we'd close out the Grind for the year by reciting an original Dean campaign poem. "Twas the Month Before Caucus" was produced by the doctor's Iowa campaign, the very same folks who brought you a "fairy tale" last summer about "People Powered Howard" and a mystical visit to the "Land of the Caucuses." (This, again, is not a joke).
"'Twas the month before Caucus, when all through the state.
Howard Dean was by all accounts doing just great.
The precincts were being organized with care
In hopes that victory soon would be there .... "
Oh, never mind, you get the drift.
Happy holidays.
