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).
Sad news, Concerned Republican: Congressman Akin is going to be even further back in the line than the gentlemen from the 1st and 3rd districts, due to the (R) behind his name. Does that mean that voters in the 2nd should consider electing a Democrat if it looks like the Republicans are going to blow it again?
This ’story’ is just no big deal–Obama’s campaign isn’t ready to start passing out titles to volunteers. Big whoop. I’d also guess that Obama asked somebody else to do something that he wasn’t supposed to and now staff feels the need to caution him in his phone notes.
It’s important that we get to the bottom of things like this since there is nothing else going on that’s important.
Nick, Lacky Clay and Russ Carnahan recently had a golden opportunity to get some pork, but they both just gave away their votes for surrender. While spinach farmers and peanut storers asked for money, these two clowns couldnt think of a damn thing worth asking for.
No, Nick! The citizens of the 2nd Dist. should consider electing a younger, go getter who is……………..Republican!
And what is it we would want him to go get, CR? On a more important subject, any news on when Democrats are going to start returning the campaign contributions from that pedophile lawyer over on the east side?
#11 and #14: If the Democrats run a Golden Retriever as their candidate, and if he can randomly bark once for yes and twice for no, he would be a distinct improvement over Akin in the House of Representatives. If he can obey the commands “sit” and “stay,” even better.
Looks like this article has awaken the democrats in St Louis County. Both Russ and Lacy are mentioned as leaders for Obama in Missouri. Think they forget someone, what about Charlie Dooley? Seems he would make a better Congresscritter that Clay, at least he held employment other that a job from his Daddy prior to getting into office as did Clay!
Then Todd Akin is mentioned in several letters; well I guess there was a need to include a class act somewhere in the article, even in the blogs!
This is ’08s version of the Canuck letter that sunk Muskie. Where’s the Donsald Sefretti here? Must be from Giuliani’s campaign!