Leaked Obama memo: caution regarding Clay, Carnahan campaign roles
The mixed reviews that U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., received for last week’s performance in MSNBC’s Democratic presidential debate may be the least of his post-debate headaches.
According to the latest Newsweek, which went online over the weekend, a copy of one of his internal campaign faxes — inappropriately sent on Senate letterhead — ended up slid under the door of one of the magazine’s reporters covering the debate. (Tip to readers: This is how press leaks often are done when everybody is staying in the same hotel.)
According to Newsweek’s account (emailed by a source to yours truly over the weekend), “…The fax itself shows the campaign working to round up endorsements from established party leaders.
“In the ‘talking points’ for a call to Rep. William Clay of St. Louis, Obama is advised by his Chicago political team to say: ‘Your endorsement is important to me and I hope that you will join the movement supporting my campaign. I would like you to take an official leadership role for my campaign in Missouri.’ ”
“But the memo cautions Obama. ‘Avoid discussing specific titles,’ it says. ‘Staff will work this out later. YOU can assure him he will be one of the main leaders in Missouri for your campaign.’
“The guidance for Rep. Russ Carnahan of Missouri was similar. ‘Carnahan is just waiting for an official ask from you to endorse publicly,’ the staff advises. ‘Assure him he will be one of YOUR leaders in the state, but DO NOT lead him to believe that he will be in an exclusive role.’ ”
Such instructions are apparently part of the ramp up for Obama’s dual fundraisers in St. Louis — one low-dollar open to the public and the other high-dollar invitation-only at the Chase — slated for May 11.
Before the debate, anyway, rumors had been heightening that a certain other higher profile Missouri Democrat and fellow senator — Claire McCaskill — known to be leaning toward the Big O was preparing to soon make her support public.
Neither McCaskill nor her staff have responded to queries about such talk.
As regulars may recall, the biggest Missouri endorsements so far (on the Democratic side) are: former Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell for former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. (who also seemed off his game during the debate), and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. (whose debate performance has gotten the most accolades).
Hmmmâ¦
Looking to minimize ol’ Lacyâ¦
This Obama or his staff is smarter than I thoughtâ¦