Okay finally I update
September 22nd, polling
Democrats
Clinton-32%
Clark-23%
Gore-21%
Richardson-11%
Edwards-8%
Others-5%
Republicans
Giuliani- 29%
Thompson- 23%
Romney 21%
Huckabee 15%
Brownback 6%
Paul 4%
Others-2%
~~~
CNN.com, September 22nd, 2007
“Republican A-Team” identities revealed
McCain, Cantor, Gingrich, Rove, DeMint, and Thompson team up to ensure republican victory.
Clinton, Clark poll ahead of Gore for first time
Clinton jumps in national polling
~~~
Giuliani Headquarters, September 22nd, 2008
“Polls are looking good sir, although Thompson is getting a little too close for comfort.” A staffer said, showing Rudy her computer screen.
“As long as we're beating everyone in Florida. That's where the momentum lies. Besides, the early states are to fractured. Thompson can't win Iowa or New Hampshire, and Romney sure as hell can't get South Carolina.” Rudy said, sporting his trademark smile. “We're good. Don't worry about the national polls. They're a waste of time.”
“Of course, but it doesn't hurt to keep an eye on the polls.” The staffer replied.
“Might as well. No reason not to.”
~~~
Democratic Primary Debate at Dartmouth College, September 26th, 2007
“Hello, I'm Tim Russert, We have some big issues to talk about tonight, so let's start right now. General Clark, I'd like to start with you. According to President Bush by 2009 we'll have 100,000 soldiers in Iraq, it's January 2009, you're president, how do you end the war?”
“First of all I’d like to thank you Tim and thank Dartmouth College for hosting this debate. I think that we need to take some time to stop and see how bad the situation is, but our first priority is to get our troops out of there. We need a time table, and I would have one with the first one hundred days of my presidency. We need to leave Iraq carefully, but we need to bring our boys home. That’s what I would do as President.”
“Mister Gore same question”
“Thank you Tim, we need to be cautious and make sure that once we're out of Iraq we are never going back.”
The audience burst out in applause.
“Please keep all applause until the candidates are done speaking.”
“We need to get out and I don't think we need a time table, we just need to have a discussion with the Iraqi government and tell them we want out. The only people who really want a time table are senators and they want it so they can say they ended the Iraq war in their campaign ads. The American people just want this long war to be over, and that's what we should give them.”
The applause poured out again.
“Senator Clinton, your thoughts?”
“Well Tim, I would first like to say that as President my first goal would be to remove all of our troops by the end of my first term. I don't care if it is done with or without a time table, we need to shift our focus back to the real war, the war in Afghanistan. I want to end Iraq so we can end Afghanistan and bring our boys back home.”
The applause was louder than it was for Gore
~Later~
“Mr Gore, many people believe the American economy is dwindling, what do you hope to do to stop it?”
“I hope to bring in more jobs, but I want to bring in good jobs. Jobs that will last are aren't going to go away and cause this problem all over again. Recently there has been a movement towards so called green-collar jobs and I think that is a wonderful place to start in the movement towards stronger jobs. We also need small business growth. Small businesses are some of the most stable employers and we need to give them the strength to keep going. I think those are excellent places to start, and once we have more jobs, we can kick the economy into gear.”
~~~
Outside of the debate, September 26th, 2007
Mark walked calmly towards the drinking fountain. It was a colder night and the college was turning up their heat. It was just a little too much for Mark, who was already a bit nervous for obvious reasons. A crucial debate in a crucial state. As he approached the drinking fountain, a voice called out from behind.
“Hey Mr. Penn!” a younger voice rang out.
Mark turned around, perhaps the timing for it was perfect, and his reaction would have been different if he had moved his head any other direction. He saw it shine in the hands of the teenager, it was pointed right at him and he couldn't do anything. He closed his eyes. The pie hit him directly in the face.
A knee jerk reaction followed, now something was flying towards the other man's face, it was Mark's fist, and it certainly wasn't cover in whipped cream.
~~~
The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer September 27th, 2007
“We have today two videos, one from last night and another just leaked from an incident earlier this month, both involving top members of the Gore campaign. The first video has been making headlines as the “Pie heard 'round the world”. As you can see in this video, a student at Dartmouth comes from behind Mark Penn, current co-campaign manager of Al Gore, and throw a pie in his face. Penn's immediate reaction is to punch the student in the face, knocking them to the ground. This video has caused quite a stir and Gore is expected to make a statement about it later today. The other video is of the incident that sparked rumors of a fist fight in Gore's campaign headquarters. It also features Mark Penn, this time arguing with his co-campaign manager David Axelrod. During the argument, the two get heated and Penn puts his hands on Axelrod and shakes him a bit while talking. Axelrod takes Penn's hands of of him and storms away. Many are asking for Gore to get rid of Mark Penn and continue the campaign without him, Gore is set to speak to the press in 30 minutes.
~~~
Al Gore's speech, Gore 2008 New Hampshire office, Berlin, New Hampshire September 27th, 2007
“Hello, in light of recent events today I would like to address the situation of my campaign management. After two incidents involving my top campaign managers, I've had to take some time to think about the future of them in my campaign. Specifically, I refer to the incident last night involving Mr. Penn. His response to the incident last night was not in any way appropriate. I have decided it is within the best interests of me and everyone involved in the campaign to let Mark go. David Axelrod will now take over full duties as campaign manager. I apologize for all of the trouble that has been caused and I will assume responsibility for all of it, as it happened under my watch. I apologize to the student and to the entire faculty and student body of Dartmouth College, as well as to the American people, you all deserve a more adult political system than this.”
Gore left the podium as questions rang out. He walked out the door while someone handed him a rag to wipe the sweat from his brow. Gore hated stage lights.
“And no we are fucked right in the ass” Gore said to a staffer. “Fucked so bad my wife might put a sticker on it”.