Two governors propose that
campaigns split cost of redos.
A pair of governors and Clinton supporters are floating a plan to try to help the Democratic parties in Florida and Michigan redo their primaries, said Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.
Rendell said Friday that he and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, who both endorse Clinton, have sent an open letter to The Washington Post that proposes that the campaigns of Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama each put up $15 million to cover the costs of the redo.
The states have estimated the total cost could be as high as $25 million.
The Democratic National Committee stripped Florida and Michigan of all their delegates after the states broke party rules and moved up their primaries.
Clinton won both states, but the results are hardly clear. She was the only candidate on the ballot in Michigan, and the candidates agreed not to campaign in either state.
Chuck Plunkett, The Denver Post
Washington-Combat veteran speaks for Dems against McCain and continuing war
Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party, an Iraq combat veteran said Saturday that apparent GOP nominee John McCain should not win the presidential election because he would continue the war in Iraq.
Roger Martinez, who served as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan and Iraq, noted in the Democrats’ weekly radio address that President Bush endorsed McCain last week. Bush said McCain “won’t flinch in the face of danger” and McCain strongly supports the U.S. efforts in Iraq. Electing a leader who would continue Bush’s policies in Iraq would be a mistake, Martinez said.
“Our country and our armed services cannot afford another leader like President Bush who would keep our overstretched military in Iraq for 100 years while ignoring the other threats our country faces both at home and around the world,” he said.
McCain has said that U.S. troops could be in Iraq for many years if those troops were no longer being injured or killed.
“We vigorously dispute the Democrats’ assertions,” said McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers. “Only John McCain has the experience, judgment and courage to lead us to victory and bring our troops home with honor.” The Associated Press
Pass Christian, Miss.-Former President Clinton says his wife wants to reform national flood insurance
Former President Clinton highlighted his wife’s support for reforming national flood insurance and for rebuilding wetlands in a town nearly wiped off the map by Hurricane Katrina as he campaigned ahead of this week’s Democratic presidential primary in Mississippi.
Bill Clinton spotlighted Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s résumé and legislative record and reminded the audience at a high school that he and former President George H.W. Bush raised millions of dollars for Mississippi after the storm Aug. 29, 2005.
George W. Bush’s administration’s response to the hurricane sent a message that “cronyism is more important than competence,” Bill Clinton said, referring to the slow response under former Federal Emergency Management Agency director Michael Brown.
The Associated Press
Long, multistate campaign takes its toll.
Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama, who spent 20 minutes shaking hands with people at Johnny J’s diner in Casper, ordered a vanilla milkshake and a piece of coconut cream pie and walked outside. “It’s really nice in Wisconsin,” he said, hesitating for a beat, “and Wyoming.” Bloomberg News Service
