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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
The elusive Ralph Nader
 |  Making nice? Rivals Ralph Nader and John Kerry meet Wednesday in Washington. |
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 VIDEO |
 CNN's Joe Johns on Hastert's swipe at McCain.
 CNN's Ed Henry on Kerry's meeting with Nader.
 CNN's Joe Johns on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Iraq.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Check out the links below to hot political stories around the country this morning.
THE KERRY-NADER SUMMIT: Faced with growing concerns about Ralph Nader's potential to siphon off Democratic votes, John Kerry began a forceful but delicate effort on Wednesday to win over the man whose candidacy caused so much trouble for the Democratic nominee four years ago. Kerry did not ask him to abandon the race, and Nader showed no signs of bowing out. The New York Times: Kerry woos Nader, who deems him 'very presidential'
THE ELUSIVE NADER: After Nader agreed to speak to the media following his meeting with Kerry, Nader spokesman Kevin Zeese told reporters that Nader was not "comfortable" meeting the media outside, citing security concerns. Several reporters and cameramen bull-rushed the lobby, where Nader had just stood, but he'd left through an auxiliary exit. "What kind of [expletive] operation are you running here?" one cameraman, who said he'd been waiting four hours, yelled after Zeese.The Washington Post: At Kerry HQ, hanging around for a handshake
CLOUDY SKIES: Despite the sunny public pronouncements from White House and Bush campaign officials about staying the course, Republicans in Congress and outside presidential advisers describe a gloom in the Republican Party -- and serious concern in the White House political operation -- about continuing crises that have helped drag the president's approval ratings ever closer to those of his father, who drove Saddam Hussein from Kuwait but then lost the election.The New York Times: Concern in Republican party is tempered by the calendar
WHERE'S THE LITMUS TEST? Kerry said yesterday he's open to nominating anti-abortion judges as long as that doesn't lead to the Supreme Court's overturning the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling that made abortion legal. Hours after his comments in the interview with AP editors and reporters, Kerry issued a statement pledging not to appoint anyone to the Supreme Court who would undo abortion rights. He left open the possibility of appointing anti-abortion judges to lower courts.The Associated Press: Abortion-rights supporters stick by Kerry
ISSUE POTPOURRI: In the AP interview, Kerry gave his views on an array of issues, saying that he generally backs gun rights, supports civil unions and opposes gay marriage but is against efforts to amend the constitution to ban gay marriage.The Associated Press: Kerry interview issues
THE OHIO PLAN: The mayors of Ohio's six largest cities will huddle in Cincinnati today with two goals in mind: battling the Republican-dominated state government and electing Kerry president. Yes, the mayors are all Democrats -- and they're likely to represent the public face of the Kerry campaign in Ohio.The Cincinnati Enquirer: Big-city mayors use clout for Kerry
GASSY POLITICS: Hammered again by Democrats over rising gasoline prices, Bush said yesterday he had foreseen the run-up three years ago and offered a solution -- only to be thwarted by those criticizing him now. Bush's assertion that his long-stalled energy plan would have avoided today's $2-a-gallon pump prices drew scorn from Democrats. They accused him of inaction and called it emblematic of a larger failure to understand the travails of average Americans. But some analysts say neither Bush nor Kerry is addressing the real problem: insufficient domestic refinery capacity.New York Newsday: Pols pump up debate
LAURA ON LENO: Making what has become a compulsory stop on the campaign trail of the 21st century, First Lady Laura Bush appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in Burbank on Wednesday, and surprised the comedian when she told him that reading newspapers was a daily ritual in the White House.The Los Angeles Times: First Lady says president reads papers regularly
FRIENDLY FIRE: In a rare public swipe at a fellow Republican, House Speaker Dennis Hastert on Wednesday questioned the GOP credentials of Sen. John McCain, who has often challenged party orthodoxy. Talking to reporters, Hastert pretended not to know who McCain was when asked about a recent statement by the GOP senator from Arizona. As other House GOP members stood behind him laughing, Hastert, R-Illinois, then expressed doubt that McCain was indeed a Republican.CNN: Hastert questions McCain's GOP credentials
CHURCH POLITICS: Forty-eight Roman Catholic members of Congress who are Democrats have signed a letter to the cardinal archbishop of Washington, saying the threats by some bishops to deny communion to politicians who support abortion rights were "deeply hurtful," counterproductive and "miring the Church in partisan politics."The New York Times: Democrats criticize denial of communion by bishops
SOUTH DAKOTA'S SPECIAL: A special election to fill South Dakota's sole seat in the House of Representatives may have national impact in more ways than one. The race between Democrat Stephanie Herseth and Republican Larry Diedrich will almost certainly be the last Congressional election before Bush and Kerry face off in November, so both parties are eager for the momentum. This race, however, holds extra promise for the Democrats because many people here think their candidate could gain national recognition.The New York Times: Both parties seek national momentum in South Dakota race
THE FORMER SOUTH DAKOTA CONGRESSMAN: Lawyers for Bill Janklow appealed his manslaughter conviction to the South Dakota Supreme Court on Wednesday, two days after the former governor and congressman was released from jail. Janklow earlier had asked the court to delay his 100-day jail term while his appeal was being prepared. The request was denied. In the appeal, Janklow claims he is entitled to a new trial on charges of second-degree manslaughter and reckless driving.The Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Janklow appeals convictions
Compiled by Mark Rodeffer
