Broad movement may dissipate if asked to work toward merely party-oriented goals

Los Angeles Times Nov 14, 08 1:48 PM CST
(Newser)
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Barack Obama’s campaign bred a network of grassroots activists who subscribed to the “Obama brand,” not necessarily the Democratic party. As Obama prepares for office, his advisers are split, the Los Angeles Times reports: Should the powerful grassroots operation remain separate from the party’s, mobilized to create consensus and push through reforms—or should the two be merged?
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Campaign bogeyman will discuss path to
'60s radicalism

ABC News Nov 13, 08 11:08 AM CST
(Newser)
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After keeping a low profile through the presidential election in which he became a talking point, Chicago activist Bill Ayers will appear on Good Morning America tomorrow, ABC News reports. In the exclusive TV interview, Ayers will discuss his transformation into a 1960s radical and his memoir, Fugitive Days .
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Many pundits ruled out Obama victory early

Der Spiegel Nov 6, 08 1:22 PM CST
(Newser)
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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
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Campaign manager's unswerving strategy praised; administration role uncertain
News Journal (Del.) Nov 6, 08 11:34 AM CST
(Newser)
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Barack Obama, in his victory speech Tuesday, called campaign manager David Plouffe the effort’s “unsung hero,” and his steady strategy is earning praise from Democrats, Republicans, and academics, the Wilmington (Del.) News Journal reports. Plouffe, 41, said he’s not planning on a White House post, though there is speculation Obama will name him a senior adviser.
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McCain makes swing to Colo.; Obama touts chances in Ind.

Chicago Tribune Nov 4, 08 4:28 PM CST
(Newser)
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John McCain and Barack Obama both made final pushes today, trying to invigorate voters in battleground states, the Chicago Tribune reports. McCain hit Colorado, hotly contested, and told supporters. “I feel momentum, I feel it. We're going to win it.” Obama also went next door. “I think we can win Indiana, otherwise I wouldn't be in Indiana,” he said.
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ANALYSIS
2008 changes US elections forever

New York Times Nov 4, 08 5:11 AM CST
(Newser)
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Campaign drama has overshadowed the fact that 2008 has permanently changed the way elections are fought in America, the New York Times reports. From now on, supporters will be organized in new ways and funds will be raised differently, due primarily to brave new media worlds. With the help of tools like YouTube that didn't exist in 2004, even methods of attack—and response—have changed dramatically.
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New York Times Oct 25, 08 4:56 PM CDT
(Newser)
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President Bush once taught a top John McCain adviser how to sell a candidate: by telling a story. The problem for Steve Schmidt, now McCain's main strategist, was finding the right tale to sell "a stubborn patriot" to voters, Robert Draper writes in the New York Times . While Obama has stuck to his "change" narrative, McCain kept switching his, and "the 'true character' of a once-crisply-defined political figure has become increasingly murky."
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OPINION
High-end duds totally at odds with GOP target (or Target) audience

Washington Post Oct 23, 08 3:00 PM CDT
(Newser)
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That the GOP dressed up “a no-frills hockey mom” for her star turn is fine, but that they dressed her up in Neiman's, Saks, and Barneys is “mind-boggling evidence of a tin ear for the symbolism of popular culture,” style maven Robin Givhan wails in the Washington Post . It doesn’t take much fashion knowledge to know a $10,000 handbag represents “exclusivity, success, and classiness”—not Jane Six-Pack.
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ANALYSIS
McCain cited union tenure as evidence of running mate's ties to 'regular folk'

Las Vegas Sun Oct 7, 08 2:45 PM CDT
(Newser)
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John McCain described Sarah Palin as a former union member when introducing his running mate in August, but was she? The Las Vegas Sun has been trying to find conclusive proof, but so far Palin’s union experience remains unclear. McCain officials were initially unresponsive, while her Alaskan office said: “I don’t believe the governor has ever been a member of a union.”
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But with 29 days to go, neither candidate is exactly galloping to
the finish line

Politico Oct 6, 08 11:18 AM CDT
(Newser)
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There are 29 scant days until Nov. 4, but you might not know there was a tight race for the White House given the leisurely schedules both candidates have been keeping—especially John McCain, reports Politico. McCain and Barack Obama have each been averaging barely more than one campaign event per day since the Republican convention ended, and McCain has taken at least a day off each weekend.
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Questions from state residents referred to McCain office 4,000 miles away

Los Angeles Times Sep 21, 08 8:30 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Alaskans seeking answers or help from their governor are sick and tired of being referred to John McCain's campaign headquarters 4,300 miles away, reports the Los Angeles Times. "Why did the McCain campaign take over the governor's office?" the Anchorage Daily News demanded in an editorial yesterday. "Is it too much to ask that Alaska's governor speak for herself, directly to Alaskans, about her actions as Alaska's governor?"
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Focuses on McCain, avoids fueling Palin fever

Los Angeles Times Sep 14, 08 12:33 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Barack Obama has maintained near-silence on the subject of Sarah Palin, a quiet amplified by his newfound willingness to aggressively attack John McCain, reports the Los Angeles Times . Her name is rarely mentioned outside of references to the McCain-Palin ticket; when asked directly about her, he switches the focus back to McCain; Joe Biden remains equally mum.
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