Nader: Dems Offered Me Money in '04 to Skip Key States

Spokesman slams Nader's claim he was bribed to avoid key states in '04

(NEWSER) - Ralph Nader's claim that then-DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe offered him cash to stay out of key state races in 2004 is far from the truth, McAuliffe campaign strategist Mo Elleithee tells the Blue Virginia blog. McAuliffe did speak to Nader—who Elleithee claims was being funded by the GOP—to try to convince him not to run, or at least not to compete in battleground states, the strategist acknowledges. But all Nader was offered, he says, was a chance to push his issues via the DNC surrogate operation. More»

(NEWSER) - The country lawyer has trumped his better-known foes in Virginia's Democratic primary for governor, reports the Washington Post. State Sen. Creigh Deeds easily defeated former Clinton insider Terry McAuliffe and former legislative colleague Brian Moran. Deeds will now face Republican Robert F. McDonnell, a conservative with ties to Pat Robertson, in the general election. McDonnell beat him by a hair in the 2005 race for attorney general. More»

Affair rumors inspired 'doomsday' scheme if he led Dems

(NEWSER) - Suspicious that John Edwards was having an affair, several of his campaign staffers drew up a “doomsday” plan to take him down if he seemed likely to win the Democratic nomination, George Stephanopoulos blogs for ABC News. Most staffers dismissed the rumors, but a few close advisers saw the light by early last year. Describing themselves as “Democrats first,” they agreed on a back-up plan to derail the campaign. More»

Messy war looms over Senate vacancy between powerhouse families

(NEWSER) - The jockeying for the New York Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton is aggravating long-simmering tensions between Democratic powerhouse families the Kennedys and the Cuomos, reports the New York Daily News. Ted Kennedy is already lobbying for niece Caroline to step into the vacancy. But New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo—son of three-term state governor Mario Cuomo—believes he's the best man for the spot, and is considered the frontrunner. More»

Campaign lays out anti-RNC programs

(NEWSER) - All's fair in the war between conventions, and the Democrats are readying their spoiling machine ahead of the GOP gathering next week, the Swamp reports. An Obama campaign operative’s email lays out the attack Dems will launch from their war room literally across the street from the RNC:

• A mobile billboard (pictured) showing McCain hugging Bush that will follow McCain campaign stops on his way to St. Paul.