campaign trail news stories on Newser

Candidate Turns 'Home Ec' Into 'Economics' Degree

Neal Colgrass — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:32:00 CST

Tiny note to political candidates: "Economics" and "home economics" aren't quite the same thing. Missouri gubernatorial contender Dave Spence quickly updated his website this week after reporters discovered that his touted "degree in Economics" was actually a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Home Economics, TPM Muckraker reports. The AP also...

How to Win Iowa: Stay Away

Matt Cantor — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:31:05 CST

The candidates leading the pack in Iowa and New Hampshire have an unusual strategy: they’re hardly visiting either state. Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain are topping early state polls, yet they’ve been more focused on their book tours than dropping in. Mitt Romney has spent a miniscule amount of time...

Bill Clinton in 11th-Hour Blitz to Rescue Democrats

Matt Cantor — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:25:12 CDT

The bulldog is back on the scene: Bill Clinton is tearing from coast to coast ahead of Election Day, and winning over Democratic crowds wherever he goes, writes Philip Rucker in the Washington Post . But the former president is dismayed at his party’s inability to craft a clear message about...

Obama Using Tired Tricks of the Trail

Matt Cantor — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:44:00 CDT

President Obama’s strategy for dealing with fallout from political controversy is growing tired, writes Frank Rich in the New York TImes . First, Obama stays cool as the crazies and 24-hour news networks explode; then, at a “superdramatic moment,” he delivers a speech the media “reliably hypes as The Do-or-Die Speech...

Dems to Palin: 'No Thanks on Campaign Help'

Matt Cantor — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:55:10 CDT

Sarah Palin recently said she’d be up for campaigning for some Democrats, but the interest doesn’t appear mutual, Politico reports: Many dove for cover upon being asked. “That’s a new one on me,” said a Georgia rep before ducking into an elevator. “There may be things we agree on, but...

Clothes Spending Spree 'Out of Our Control:' Todd Palin

Harry Kimball — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:36:41 CDT

Todd Palin says the $150,000 spending spree that outfitted his wife during last fall’s campaign was “out of our control,” the AP reports. “You come into a campaign late,” he told Men’s Journal . “You put all your trust into the team.” At least his Secret Service detail had a...

Oops, McCain Camp Sells Phone With Info

Matt Cantor — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:43:30 CST

At a McCain campaign garage sale to recoup money spent on the trail, some investigative reporters picked up BlackBerrys—and got a journalistic treat, MyFox Washington reports. One device was full of campaign phone numbers and emails. The Smartphone had belonged to a Democratic organizer for McCain and offered a...

Joe the Plumber 'Appalled' by McCain

Peter Fearon — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:30:38 CST

Joe the Plumber, a sidekick of John McCain's presidential campaign who came to represent the common man, now says he was "appalled" by the Republican candidate, Politico reports. Plumber Joe Wurzelbacher, who appeared at campaign stops with McCain, told a conservative radio show host his up-close look at presidential politics...

Campaign Vets Get Back to Reality

Sarah Quinn — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:54:57 CST

After months—and maybe years—on the campaign trail, reporters and staffers are still adjusting to post-election life, Politico reports. Sleep is a high priority, and so is reconnecting with long-neglected family and friends. "You have to remind yourself that a campaign is followed by a transition," Time reporter Karen...