McCain's Campaign Chief: He Never Had a Chance

Plouffe, Axelrod, Messina lay groundwork for reelection campaign

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s inner circle is already privately laying the groundwork for his 2012 reelection campaign. The planning so far consists mostly of informal private conversations, in between more rigorous 2010 planning, but insiders tell Politico that the consensus is that the campaign will be run out of Chicago, managed by current deputy chief of staff Jim Messina. More»

Says he's 'proud' of her, but 'it's just time to move on'

(NEWSER) - John McCain is careful to praise Sarah Palin at the same time he stands by the staffers she's going after in her book. “There's been a lot of dust flying around in the last few days,” he tells Reuters , referring to the publication of Palin’s Going Rogue. “I just wanted to mention that I have the highest regard for Steve Schmidt and Nicolle Wallace,” the two staffers who bear the brunt of Palin’s ire. More»

Still ostentation averse, Plouffe credits teamwork and focus

(NEWSER) - Stepping out from behind the curtain where he directed Barack Obama's earth-shaking campaign, David Plouffe quietly professes pride in the historic achievement to Lloyd Grove in Portfolio, and talks about a race where stability and consistency won the day and "Clinton might have won the nomination if she had just competed in the far-flung caucus states." Plouffe, who jumped into Obama's corner in January 2007, points to the benefit of an impromptu run: having to make it up as you go along. More»

Attack ad surfaces, but GOP candidate refused to run it

(NEWSER) - John McCain's campaign created a commercial slamming Barack Obama for his relationship with inflammatory pastor Jeremiah Wright. The 30-second spot, obtained by ABC News, contrasts McCain's years in a Vietnam POW camp with footage of Wright shouting "God damn America." The commercial was ready for release and even includes the tag, "I'm John McCain and I approve this message." More»

Many pundits ruled out Obama victory early

(NEWSER) - With the election over, what's more fun than calling out all those whose predictions were off—way off. Der Spiegel lists some highlights:

• "He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win." Hillary Clinton, on Barack Obama
• "We'll win Florida." Rudy Giuliani
• "Virginians are really getting fired up for this ticket of McCain and Palin." George Allen
• "Romney for the Republicans, Hillary for the Democrats." Ann Coulter, on the nominees