Arizona Democrats tap Hildebrand, as DNC plans to revise '08 calendar

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Arizona Democratic Party officials have lined up veteran political operative Steve Hildebrand to help organize its caucuses if the Democratic National Committee chooses their state to join Iowa and New Hampshire as one of the first proving grounds for Democratic presidential candidates in 2008.

The signing of Hildebrand -- a well respected strategist who ran the Iowa caucuses for Vice President Al Gore in 2000 -- to a contingency contract illustrates to what lengths states are willing to go to demonstrate to the DNC how serious they are about being selected for this early position on Democratic presidential nominating calendar. Arizona has also turned to Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) to personally lobby DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee members to pick her state, while Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has made similar calls on behalf of Nevada.

"Arizona has a lot to offer and we wanted to make sure everyone knows it," Arizona Democratic Party Chairman David Waid said in an interview with the Grind.

Waid and representatives from nine other states and the District of Columbia will be in Washington, DC this weekend as the DNC's Rules committee chooses two states -- one from the West and another from the South -- for a coveted early position on the presidential primary calendar. One additional caucus state as well as another primary state will be picked Saturday afternoon and presented to the full DNC membership next month for ratification during the organization's summer meeting in Chicago.

Arizona and Nevada are the leading contenders to be chosen for the caucus slot, while Alabama and South Carolina are the frontrunners to be picked as the additional early primary state, multiple sources tell the Grind.

The decision to schedule additional states early on in the Democratic nominating process has not come without controversy. New Hampshire officials vehemently oppose altering the calendar saying it encourages frontloading and will result in Democrats choosing a nominee too early. Don Fowler, a member of the Rules panel from South Carolina, agrees with New Hampshire officials and predicted it will not work out the way it is intended.

"Every scheme that I have run into for the last 30 years has never panned out the way the schemes were planned and I have been a party to them and opposed to them," he said in an interview with the Grind. "But no scheme has really panned out and my guess is that the law of unintended consequences will occur again in 2008."

One person who could throw a wrench into the DNC's plans is New Hampshire Secretary of State William Gardner. The Granite State has a law that requires New Hampshire to have a seven day window prior to its primary and Gardner has vowed to uphold it. One proposal being floated would have Iowa hold its caucuses on Jan. 14, 2008 followed by the additional caucus state on the 19th and then the New Hampshire primary on the 22nd. The additional primary state would then hold its primary a week later on the 29th.

Proponents of the idea argue that Iowa and New Hampshire have had too much influence in choosing the Democratic presidential nominee and say this plan will help add more ethnic and union diversity to the selection process. And this is just what states such as Arizona and Nevada are promoting.

"I think they would be missing the boat if they passed up Nevada," said Thomas Snyder, national political director for UNITE HERE, a labor union with a strong presence in the Silver State. "It is a very union state, one of the most union-dense states in the country."

But Hildebrand suggests Arizona is the perfect state to join Iowa and New Hampshire early on in the nominating process.

"I believe that Arizona's Hispanic and Native American populations and the fact that there are a number of issues that a presidential candidate will have to deal with on a national basis (in Arizona) provides the best profile for them to be chosen by the DNC," he said.

Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi and West Virginia join Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Nevada and South Carolina as states vying for these two coveted slots. Unlike the Democratic Party, the Republican Party will not be altering its presidential primary calendar for 2008.

As the DNC crafts a calendar, Democratic candidates hit the trail

As the DNC takes steps to set up the 2008 Democratic caucus/primary schedule, several potential presidential candidates will be appearing before key constituencies or visiting influential states over the next few days. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack makes several stops in Michigan, addresses the College Democrats Annual Convention in Missouri, and attends the Democratic Leadership Council's 2006 National Conversation in Colorado; Sen. John Kerry (Massachusetts) addresses the National Black Chamber of Commerce in Louisiana as well as making two stops in South Carolina; retired Gen. Wesley Clark speaks to the College Democrats Annual Convention and then addresses the Florida Democratic Party's "Jefferson-Jackson Weekend"; Sen. Joe Biden (Delaware) visits New Hampshire; Sen. Chris Dodd (Connecticut) speaks at the Florida Democratic Party's "Jefferson-Jackson Weekend" as does New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (New York) delivers a speech before the DLC's 2006 National Conversation.

Party committees by the numbers

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee both have more money in the bank than the National Republican Senatorial Committee and National Republican Congressional Committee, newly released Federal Election Commission reports show. The DSCC and DCCC also raised more money than the NRSC and NRCC in the 2nd quarter, CNN's Robert Yoon reports. But the cash advantage Democrats enjoy on the Congressional committee levels is eclipsed by the Republican National Committee's continued dominance over the Democratic National Committee in fundraising and cash-on-hand.

Raised in June 2006

DNC $5.7 million

RNC $7.9 million

DSCC $8.8 million

NRSC $4.8 million

DCCC $9.8 million

NRCC $9.5 million

Raised Jan 2005 through June 31, 2006 (a.k.a. "cycle-to-date")

DNC $90.2 million

RNC $167.1 million

DSCC $73.0 million

NRSC $62.6 million

DCCC $75.5 million

NRCC $102.6 million

Cash on hand as of June 30, 2006

DNC $10.8 million

RNC $44.7 million

DSCC $37.7 million

NRSC $19.9 million

DCCC $31.9 million

NRCC $26.5 million

HRC backs Bubba's stumping for Joe

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) repeated her support Thursday for embattled Sen. Joe Lieberman (Connecticut) in the Democratic primary, but she won't be joining her husband when he stumps for Lieberman on Monday. Sen. Clinton will be thousands of miles away attending the Democratic Leadership Council's 2006 National Conversation. It is the DLC that helped springboard then- Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton (D) into the White House and is an organization that Lieberman once chaired.

"Oh, I think it is absolutely fine," Sen. Clinton responded when asked by CNN's Dana Bash about her husband's decision to campaign for Lieberman. "I'm for Joe Lieberman in the primary. I want Joe Lieberman to win the primary."

But if Lieberman loses, Sen. Clinton's support for her Democratic colleague ends there. She, along with a handful of other Democrats, has declared they will back the winner of the August 8, primary. The latest poll has Lieberman narrowly losing to challenger Ned Lamont in the primary, although the race is a statistical dead heat. Despite the lack of support from some of his colleagues, Lieberman has vowed to run an independent campaign in November if he loses. If that happens, the poll shows Lieberman would win re-election to a fourth term.

House Members head to Israel and the Southern border

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Pete Hoekstra (R-Michigan) is leading a fact finding mission to Israel this weekend to assess the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, CNN's Deirdre Walsh reports. Democratic Rep. Jane Harman (California) and GOP Reps. Rick Renzi (Arizona) and Darrell Issa (California) will join Hoekstra on the trip.

The lawmakers are expected to meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials as well as U.S. personnel during their visit. The group's itinerary is not being released for security reasons.

Meanwhile, Hastert is leading his own fact-finding mission to Arizona and Texas to see first-hand the security needs along the border. GOP Reps. Peter King (New York), Jim Kolbe (Arizona), Candice Miller (Michigan), Charles Boustany (Louisiana) and Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush (Illinois) will join Hastert on the trip that makes stops in Arizona today and El Paso, Texas on Saturday.

Pelosi's no 2-pack a day person

Infants beware! Stay clear of the Democratic cloakroom. That is House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's (D-California) advice, given the second hand smoke that lingers when her colleagues light up.

"I know one time somebody brought his newborn baby into the cloakroom, where people have been known to smoke," she told reporters yesterday. "I actually thought, 'This is one of the most dangerous places in America for a newborn baby.' I thought, 'I know you are proud of your child, but you don't want him breathing the air in this place. And that was really just because of the smoking.'"

Pelosi was talking about the dangers of smoking after being asked to comment on her colleagues' ability to light up just off the House floor in the Speaker's Lobby. Pelosi said she was unaware that is where people smoked.

"I didn't know that was an issue," she said. "But I certainly wouldn't bring my grandchildren in there if they are still smoking in the Speaker's Lobby."

The next time Pelosi is looking for House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) during a vote, she might want to cover her face and stop by the Speaker's Lobby.

DAYAHEAD/Events making news today and through the weekend

POLITICAL HOT TOPICS

Compiled by CNN's Stephen Bach

RICE AT U.N. "WILL TRY TO RECONCILE" CEASE-FIRE DEMANDS: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will try to reconcile demands for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah with the U.S. priority to disarm the Islamic militia when she meets United Nations officials today in New York. The U.S. hasn't endorsed the outline of a cease-fire plan presented to the Security Council yesterday by Secretary-General Kofi Annan following the return of his three envoys from the Middle East. U.S. officials insist that Annan's plea for an immediate end to hostilities won't produce a sustainable peace unless the threat posed by Hezbollah is eliminated. Bloomberg: Rice Seeks UN Help on Middle East While Resisting Cease-Fire

"THERE IS A CIVIL WAR GOING ON IN IRAQ," SAYS REID: Declaring that he believes the situation in Iraq has devolved into a civil war, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday he plans to try to bring the war back up for debate on the Senate floor. The Nevada Democrat said he has been "somewhat gingerly approaching this.... No longer. There is a civil war going on in Iraq. In the last two months, more than 6,000 Iraqis have been killed. That's averaging more than 100 a day being killed in Iraq and we need to make sure there is a debate on this." Republicans questioned why Reid wants to go over old ground and were ready to highlight the divisions among Democrats once again. CNN: Sen. Reid: Iraq devolves into 'civil war'

VOINOVICH COMES AROUND ON BOLTON: Since last year, John R. Bolton has had the title of United States ambassador to the United Nations, and the work that goes with it. But he has not had the formal approval of the United States Senate for his appointment. Instead, President Bush installed him in the job when Congress was out of session. Now a former Republican critic of Mr. Bolton has changed his mind, giving the White House impetus to try again to get the Senate's endorsement. Senator George V. Voinovich, Republican of Ohio, urged the Senate on Thursday to approve Mr. Bolton's nomination, saying the United States needs a fully sanctioned United Nations representative in the tumultuous world climate. New York Times: Bolton's First Year at U.N. Wins Over a Critic

HOW CHARITABLE IS LEAVITT'S CHARITABLE FOUNDATION? Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt and his relatives have claimed millions of dollars in tax deductions through a type of charitable foundation they created that until recently paid out very little in actual charity, tax records show. Instead, much of the foundation's money has been invested or lent to the family's business interests and real estate holdings, or contributed to the Leavitt family genealogical society. The Leavitts used nearly $9 million of their assets to set up the foundation in 2000 under an obscure provision of the federal tax code. But unlike standard private foundations, which are required to give away at least 5 percent of their assets to charitable causes, the Leavitt organization donated less than 1 percent of its assets in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The donations jumped to 6.3 percent of total assets last year, after the sale of family water interests that also allowed the foundation to increase its lending to Leavitt business interests. Washington Post: HHS Secretary's Fund Gave Little to Charity

BUSH CHEERED, JEERED AT NAACP SPEECH: After shunning the NAACP for five years, President Bush made an effort yesterday to warm up their frosty relationship with a speech that mixed folksy humor, frank talk about political disagreements, and promises to build stronger ties between his administration and black America. The 33-minute speech at the group's annual convention drew rounds of thunderous applause, such as when the president acknowledged that his political party wrote off the black vote and when he vowed to sign a bill to renew the Voting Rights Act. At other times, the audience groaned, such as when Bush said his family is committed to civil rights. People booed sharply when he praised charter schools. Two men were quickly hustled out of the hall by Secret Service agents for heckling Bush about the Iraq war. Washington Post: At NAACP, Bush Tries to Mend Rift

SENATE PASSES VRA EXTENSION 98-0: The Senate yesterday passed a 25-year extension of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in the same form that the House passed a week ago, eliminating the need for a conference, after President Bush's call to get the bill to his desk before the summer recess. "I said that I looked forward to the Senate promptly passing the House bill without amendment. Today, the Senate acted and voted to reauthorize this historic legislation," President Bush said after the act was passed 98-0. "I will be pleased to sign the Voting Rights Act into law, and I will continue to work with Congress to ensure that our country lives up to our guiding principle that all men and women are created equal." Washington Times: Vote act renewal passes in Senate

BORDER LIKE "A PATIENT WHO IS BLEEDING TO DEATH," SAYS HASTERT. "CLOSE THE WOUND FIRST": Two months after the Senate passed a bill that would give citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants, House Speaker Dennis Hastert remains adamant that border security must be improved before Congress considers other changes to the law. I would look at it as if you have a patient who is bleeding to death," Hastert told USA TODAY. "Close the wound first. Secure the border. And then you can begin to look at what other options are." The Illinois Republican's comments came on the eve of a weekend inspection of the U.S.-Mexican border, which he calls "a sieve." He is leading a delegation that includes supporters of a House immigration bill that emphasizes tighter border security and penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants, as well as opponents who prefer the Senate bill. USA Today: Border security should be priority, Hastert says

SPECTER'S "COMPROMISE" SURVEILLANCE BILL RUNS INTO "IMMEDIATE TROUBLE": A Senate surveillance bill personally negotiated by President Bush and Vice President Cheney ran into immediate trouble this week, as Democrats and other critics attacked the proposal while key GOP leaders in the House endorsed a different bill on the same topic. The Senate legislation, drafted during negotiations between the White House and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), would allow the administration to submit the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance program to a secret intelligence court for review of its legality. The proposal was billed as a rare and noteworthy compromise by the administration when unveiled last week. But the legislation quickly came under attack from Democrats and many national security experts, who said it would actually give the government greater powers to spy on Americans without court oversight. Washington Post: Surveillance Bill Meets Resistance in Senate

JUDGE LETS AT&T SUIT PROCEED... "STATE SECRETS WOULD NOT BE AT RISK": A federal judge on Thursday rejected a motion by the Bush administration to dismiss a lawsuit against AT&T over its cooperation with a government surveillance program, ruling that state secrets would not be at risk if the suit proceeded. The case was filed in February by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a civil liberties group, and alleged that AT&T was collaborating with the National Security Agency in a surveillance program tracking the domestic and foreign communications of millions of Americans. In rejecting the motion brought by the Justice Department, Vaughn R. Walker, chief judge of the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California, ruled that the government had already disclosed in broad terms whose communications it monitored, and that it was generally interested in calls between the United States and other countries. New York Times: Judge Declines to Dismiss Privacy Suit Against AT&T

DEMS TO TARGET KEY HOUSE SEATS WITH $30 MILLION IN ADS: Signaling a new phase in the struggle for control of Congress, House Democrats have reserved time for more than $30 million worth of campaign advertising this fall in roughly two dozen congressional districts, with a heavy emphasis on the Northeast and Midwest. The Democratic targets include clusters of Republican-held seats in the Philadelphia area held by Reps. Jim Gerlach, Curt Weldon and Michael Fitzpatrick, as well as the Ohio River Valley, where Reps. John Hostettler of Indiana, Geoff Davis of Kentucky and Steve Chabot of Ohio can expect a protracted televised barrage. Based on information available to date, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee intends to air ads for eight weeks in an attempt to defeat Rep. Heather Wilson of New Mexico. Rep. Clay Shaw of Florida faces a particularly well-financed opponent, but he can also expect to face five weeks of Democratic-paid advertising. AP via Yahoo! News: Democrats plan $30M ad campaign

DeLAY'S ARMPAC SHUTTING DOWN: Former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay's national political action committee was fined $115,000 on Wednesday for improperly reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars in debts and contributions, a ruling that critics say could affect his trial in Travis County. In a deal negotiated with the Federal Election Commission, DeLay's Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee agreed to shut down and accepted FEC findings that:

Austin American-Statesman: DeLay fundraising group fined, shutting down

EXCITED FOR OBAMA IN IA: Sen. Tom Harkin announced Thursday that Illinois Sen. Barack Obama will be the featured guest at his annual fundraiser in Indianola in September. Obama, an Illinois Democrat, will headline Harkin's annual steak fry scheduled for Sept. 17 at the Warren County Fairgrounds, the Iowa Democrat announced... The headline act at Harkin's event has been a plum gig, with former President Clinton and six presidential candidates appearing there in 2003. Harkin told Iowa reporters that Obama is a "very excellent speaker" and that he was glad to work out an arrangement so that the Illinois senator could appear at the steak fry. But Harkin was reluctant to characterize Obama as a potential presidential candidate in 2008. "I think he's going to motivate people to work hard for this November, and I think a lot of people are anxious to see him and - what do they say - feel the cloth," Harkin said. "I think it's going to be pretty exciting."Des Moines Register: Sen. Barak Obama to attend Harkin fundraiser

"A STEAK FRY ISN'T ALWAYS SIMPLY A STEAK FRY": In an interview, Obama said no greater significance should be attached to his trip to Iowa. Harkin extended the invitation and he accepted, he said, just as he has for other Democrats. "I've already been to 30 states," he said. "Why not Iowa?" But in Iowa, a steak fry is not always simply a steak fry. The state's precinct caucuses have helped launch the race for the White House for 30 years. Seldom does a week go by--even in off-presidential years like this one--when an ambitious Democrat or Republican isn't dropping by the state to court activists for 2008. Chicago Tribune: Obama trip to Iowa ups buzz on '08

BOB BARR SUING NYC'S BLOOMBERG: Former Congressman Bob Barr, a Cobb attorney, said aligning himself in a high-profile lawsuit against New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has nothing to do with future plans to run for public office. Barr announced to nearly 100 people gathered Thursday on the Marietta Square that he and the law office of Edwin Marger planned to represent Adventure Outdoors, a family-owned gun retailer in Smyrna, in a civil lawsuit against Bloomberg, New York officials and others. Bloomberg has targeted Adventure Outdoors - one of five gun dealers in Georgia - and 10 dealers in four other states in a federal lawsuit. The mayor's lawsuit claims that the gun store sold 21 guns over seven years that were used in New York crimes. In public statements released May 15, Bloomberg called the stores "rogue gun dealers," and claimed they violated federal and state laws. Barr plans to sue Bloomberg for $400 million in compensatory and punitive damages for bringing slander and defamation to Adventure Outdoors. Marietta Daily Journal: Bob Barr sues N.Y. mayor

The Morning Grind

Story Tools

Subscribe to Time for $1.99

Home Page Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

Home Page Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.