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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
Kerry, Bush share affection for California donors
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Stay with CNN for updates and analysis on the controversy over Condoleezza Rice's position on 9/11 testimony, and for news from the Bush-Cheney and John Kerry forces on the campaign trail.
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 CNN's Adaora Udoji on liberal vs. conservative talk radio.
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 CNN's Dana Bash on Condoleezza Rice and 9/11 victims' families.
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 CNN's Bill Schneider on Boston as a site for the Democratic convention.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Check out the links below to hot political stories around the country this morning.
CALIFORNIA CASH: President Bush and John Kerry can't agree on jobs, taxes or Iraq. But they share documented affection for California -- where both are frequent fliers to court deep-pocketed campaign donors. Kerry arrived Sunday for a two-day campaign swing beginning in Sacramento. Kerry's trip comes just weeks after Bush concluded his most recent fund-raising swing through California, where he netted $1.5 million in just over 24 hours with three events.
The San Francisco Chronicle: California a gold mine of donations for both Kerry, Bush
KERRY'S MONEY PLANS: Kerry's trip will mark the start of a 20-city tour over several weeks that aims to raise $20 million, said Michael Meehan, an advisor in the Kerry campaign. In heavily Democratic states such as California, Kerry is benefiting from the intense hostility among many party members toward Bush.
The Los Angeles Times: Campaign gold awaits Kerry in California visit
SCRIPTURE CONTROVERSY: In a short address at a St. Louis Baptist church filled with references to prayer and scripture, Kerry quoted the Bible in a way that offended the Bush-Cheney camp. "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but doesn't have works," Kerry said, quoting James 2:14. "When we look at what is happening in America today, where are the works of compassion?" The Bush-Cheney camp cited that quote as an improper use of the Christian scriptures to take a veiled slap at Bush, a conservative Christian, and his claim to being a compassionate conservative.
Knight Ridder: Kerry's use of scripture in Missouri appearance angers Bush camp
AD CONCERNS: The Bush campaign will spend millions of dollars this year trying to convince voters that Kerry would be a weak, wavering president for a nation at war. But Republican senators who, like the Massachusetts Democrat, served in the Vietnam War, have warned the White House against overreaching in quick campaign bites. And the administration's highly personal approach to defense and foreign-policy issues may raise questions about Mr. Bush's credibility as much as the Democratic challenger's indecisiveness.
The Wall Street Journal: Ads on Kerry's defense votes may backfire
KERRY-CUOMO: Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, who almost ran for president in 1992, could emerge as yet another candidate for vice president. A small but influential group of Cuomo supporters have begun promoting the three-term governor as Kerry's running mate.
The New York Post: Backers push Mario for veep
MEDICAL QUESTIONS: Kerry, by most measures an unusually fit 60-year-old, has spent key parts of his presidential campaign battling ailments ranging from prostate cancer to a stubborn cough and cold. On Wednesday, Kerry will undergo elective shoulder surgery for a slight tear, marking the second time the Democratic candidate has missed time on the hustings for an operation. In 2003, shortly after announcing his campaign, Kerry had his prostate removed to cure early-stage cancer.
The Washington Post: A fit Kerry dogged by medical questions
KERRY THE WONK: Since returning from vacation Thursday, Kerry has largely shelved the signature line of his presidential campaign, the taunt to Bush that adorned magazines and newspapers as the Massachusetts senator rose in popularity this winter: "Bring it on!" Instead, the Democrat is delving more into policy, sprinkling his new plan to create 10 million jobs into his speeches and chats with voters, even though the nuts and bolts are sometimes less memorable than the three-word slogan. He is also directly appealing more to undecided voters and Republicans.
The Boston Globe: Kerry emphasis shifts from war cry to policy
BACK IN BUSINESS: Bush's confidante Karen Hughes returned to the public stage Sunday with plans to weave her combative defense of the White House into a six-week book tour, then go on the campaign payroll in mid-August.
The Washington Post: Hughes rises to Bush's defense
THE CLARKE SAGA: The White House acknowledged Sunday that on the day after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Bush asked his top counterterrorism adviser, Richard Clarke, to find out whether Iraq was involved. Mr. Bush was not trying to intimidate anyone to "produce information," Condoleezza Rice, the president's national security adviser, said last night on "60 Minutes". Rather, given the United States' "actively hostile relationship" with Iraq at the time, he was asking Clarke "a perfectly logical question," Rice said.
The New York Times: President asked aide to explore Iraq link to 9/11
NADER TO HELP KERRY?: Ralph Nader said Sunday he will meet with Kerry next month to discuss the effort to prevent President Bush from getting re-elected. While stressing that he is still a competitor in the race, the independent presidential hopeful said he views his candidacy as a "second front against Bush, however small."
The Associated Press: Nader to meet with Kerry to help drive Bush from White House
GREEN APPEAL: Peter Camejo, a Green Party advocate and the party's two-time California gubernatorial nominee, said yesterday that voters have no choice without a strong third party and urged a crowd gathered in the District to support Nader's bid for the presidency.
The Washington Times: Camejo calls to back Nader
Compiled by Mark Rodeffer
