With all the 2008 spin out there today, it's no wonder I'm feeling a little dizzy.

It all started with a memo and an update on HillaryHub, then Drudge posted the blind item below that Clinton's "inner circle" blamed "unfair moderator Tim Russert. 'He bordered on the unprofessional,' top Hillary adviser charges. 'He broke debate rules and was belligerent.' "

Though I can't verify whether the above item is true, it would not be the first time a politician blamed Russert, host of "Meet the Press," for a poor debate performance.

After Virginia Republican Jerry Kilgore was trounced by Democrat Tim Kaine (now governor) in a 2005 debate, Kilgore advisers fired off an angry e-mail to supporters noting Russert's "obvious favoritism" of Kaine: "The debate was moderated by Tim Russert, who at every turn, disregarded the agreed upon rules and time limits." Russert responded later he broke no rules and said the problem, actually was "with the answers."

Regardless of Russert's questioning, most pundits — and Clinton's rivals — think she had a bad night.

Barack Obama's campaign sent out this memo outlining Clinton's "Secrecy, Calculation, and Caution," and John Edwards staffers sent out their own note with the subject line "The politics of trying to change the subject after losing a debate."

The Obama memo included another spin off the "politics of hope" battle, saying, "The 'politics of hope' doesn't mean hoping you don't have to answer tough questions."

"Senator Clinton offered more of the same Washington political calculation and evasion that won't bring the change America needs. ... Senator Clinton has clearly decided based on political calculation that her campaign strategy is to tell the American people as little as possible, avoid the difficult issues, and try to blur as many differences as possible."

Even though she is getting criticized by the left and the right on the illegals issue, Clinton spun the situation gracefully, announcing a key endorsement from the AFSCME union. The campaign also posted this video below featuring the senator laughing off the "obsession" with her candidacy, even though the Clinton quote at the end was in reference to Republicans talking about her.

UPDATE: An NBC source (kind of) responds to Russert criticism: "NBC doesn't comment on laughable blind Drudge items."

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

What do Santa Claus, Rudy Giuliani, illegal aliens and Shirley MacLaine have in common? They all were subjects broached at last night's Democratic presidential debate. (No kidding)

It was a lively forum, with seven hopefuls sparring on Iran, Social Security and everyone's favorite debate topic, Hillary Clinton.

Sen. Barack Obama's campaign knew he had a money line about Clinton being too secretive, and within minutes, they sent out the YouTube video below with his response to her answer on keeping her White House documents under seal.

"Part of what we have to do is invite the American people back to participate in their government again. Part of what we need to do is rebuild trust in our government again. And that means being open and transparent and accountable to the American people," he said, touting his own open government efforts.

Then he played the polarizing card. "Part of the reason that Republicans, I think, are obsessed with you, Hillary, because that's a fight they are very comfortable having. it is the fight that we have been through since the 1990s. Part of the job of the next president is to break the gridlock and to get Democrats and Independents and Republicans to start working the together to solve these big problems like health care, and climate change and energy. And what we don't need is another eight years of bickering," he said.

Here's the moment the Clinton folks are playing up, where she talks about fighting Republicans.

Former Sen. John Edwards evoked the Christmas spirit in his challenge of Clinton, or he may just have been pandering for the eight-year-old vote.

"Will she be the person who brings about the change in this country? You know, I believe in Santa Claus. I believe in the tooth fairy. But I don't think that's going to happen. I really don't," he said.

Here is the populist moment where Edwards asks, "What are we going to do for our children?" that his campaign is sending around.

Sen. Joe Biden had his own line of the evening, calling Rudy Giuliani the "most underqualified man since George Bush to seek the presidency."

"There's only three things he mentions in a sentence: a noun and a verb and 9/11. I mean, there's nothing else," he said, and the audience roared. "This man is truly not qualified to be president. I'm looking forward to running against Rudy Giuliani."

And about those aliens.

First, Clinton's rivals seized on her nuanced answer about whether she agrees with New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer's policy allowing illegals to get drivers licenses. She defended the idea as "an honest effort" but also said it wasn't the best plan, giving her opponents an opportunity to paint her as evasive.

Then, Rep. Dennis Kucinich owned up to a report he saw a UFO years ago at MacLaine's house.

"Dennis found his encounter extremely moving. The smell of roses drew him out to my balcony where, when he looked up, he saw a gigantic triangular craft, silent, and observing him," MacLaine said in her new book, "Sage-ing While Age-Ing."

"Did you see a UFO?" NBC's Tim Russert asked.

"I did," he responded, adding: "It was an unidentified flying object, OK? It's, like, it's unidentified. I saw something. Now, to answer your question, I'm moving my — it's — and I'm also going to move my campaign office to Roswell, New Mexico, and other one in Exeter, New Hampshire, OK? And also, you have to keep in mind that more — that Jimmy Carter saw a UFO and also that more people in this country have seen UFOs than I think approve of George Bush's presidency."

Russert corrected him that actually 14 percent claim they have seen UFOs, while Bush's approval rating is at about one-quarter, but used the question to ask Obama if there is life beyond earth.

"I don't know. And I don't presume to know. What I know is there is life here on Earth," Obama said. "And — and that we're not attending to life here on Earth. ... So, as president, those are the people I will be attending to first. There may be some other folks on their way."

UPDATE, 10:45 a.m.: The Clinton campaign posted this statement on her site this morning, riffing on yesterday's politics of hope message and saying they have been replaced by the "politics of pile-on."

"Despite the best efforts of her six fellow candidates to trip her up, Senator Clinton stood strong and made her case on critical issues like Iran, Iraq and Social Security. She kept her focus on the real target in this election: Republicans and the Bush Administration. Instead of going after the other Democrats, Hillary made the argument for why change is needed and why she has the strength and experience to lead the Democratic Party in its efforts to make that change happen," the release reads.

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

My Blackberry just buzzed with an "Urgent Message" from former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-Alaska), who is angry with debate organizers who won't allow him to take the stage tonight.

"Corporate censorship has taken over the Presidential race. I have been excluded unfairly from the MSNBC Debate at Drexel University this Tuesday. Why? GE owns MSNBC and NBC. Last minute, they claimed I did not raise enough money.
I won't stand for this in my country!
Join me for this truly historic event, tonight! LIVE."

Gravel points supporters to his site, where he will broadcast live from a Philadelphia cafe across the street, answering questions posed to the seven candidates allowed at the debate. He also asks for donations because: "According to NBC, money talks."

In other long-shot candidate news, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), pointed out "wave of improving poll results" heading into tonight's debate. He did place second in a San Mateo County, California straw poll earlier this month.

Kucinich leads a Democracy for America online poll with 24 percent, leading declared Democratic rivals Barack Obama and John Edwards. (Al Gore, who still says he's not interested in running, is winning the poll.) He also is tied for fourth place in a New Hampshire poll and a Zogby national poll.

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign team is trying to use Sen. Barack Obama's "hope" theme against him, suggesting he's gone negative after promising to be above the political fray.

It's not the first time the Clinton folks have questioned the politics of hope, but today especially they are pointing to it, directing reporters to HillaryHub, where they've set up these videos of both Obama and former Sen. John Edwards promising they would stay positive.

In this one, Obama (D-Ill.) says this winter that his campaign would be different. "In this mission our rivals won't be one another ... It's going to be cynicism that we're fighting against," he said, noting in another clip, "We want a politics of hope."

In this one, Edwards (D-N.C.) tells voters during his 2004 run he wouldn't be the guy who attacks other Democrats. "Our campaign is not based on the politics of cynicism, it's based on the politics of hope," he said.

The videos are a double whammy, calling out the Democrats for going back on what they previously said (though Edwards arguably has been more negative than Obama), and also showing they have used nearly identical language, a trend I've written about as well.

The Clinton campaign also sent out the memo below. You can expect it to come up again in tonight's debate, as both Obama and Edwards have stepped up criticism of Clinton in recent days.

To: Interested Parties
From: Mark Penn, Chief Strategist
RE: What Are The Politics of Hope?

There's been a lot of chatter lately about the "politics of hope." But what does the term mean? What are the "politics of hope?"

Does the "politics of hope" mean launching attacks on one candidate? Or does it mean laying out a vision for the American people? Does it mean questioning a rival's integrity? Or does it mean talking about the change we need?

The Clinton campaign believes the "politics of hope" should be about outlining how our candidate will reverse the policies of the Bush Administration and give America a new beginning for the 21st Century. That's why Senator Clinton has spent the last few months detailing:

- Her plan for ending the war in Iraq.
- A health care plan that provides coverage for all Americans and that builds on the present system.
- A middle class economic plan that rebuilds the road to the middle class by making our economy work for all of us, not just some of us.
- A plan to make college more affordable by expanding the Hope Tax Credit and Pell grants.
- The American Retirement Security Accounts to enable people to save for retirement and take those savings from job to job.
- A plan to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act and provide a better work-family balance.
- How she would use aggressive diplomacy to avert war and deal with Iran.

Contrast that with the campaigns of our two leading rivals, both of whom made their names by promising a "politics of hope" and have now abandoned that promise.

Losing ground in the polls, Senator Obama announced over the weekend that he will abandon the politics of hope and attack Hillary in tonight's debate. Senator Edwards, who rose to prominence in 2004 by eschewing attacks on other Democrats, formally announced last night that he is going to attack Senator Clinton's character.

Considering that both Senators Obama and Edwards made their names by pledging to be positive, the last thing one would have expected was for either of them to go out and announce with pride that they were now going to go negative on a fellow Democrat. It's unprecedented in my experience.

Of course, Hillary will not hesitate to set the record straight on the issues that opponents raise about her. But as we move deeper into the Fall we are seeing the clear contours emerge: One candidate is defining the "politics of hope" while the others are abandoning them. Want to guess which one?

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

A top pollster for Sen. Hillary Clinton said recently the New York Democrat could win a general election in part by attracting female Republicans, but a new survey of voters shows she could lose nearly as many men from the Democratic side.

Clinton strategist Mark Penn told reporters recently the "emotional" appeal of the potential first woman president could grab up to 24 percent of Republican women voters against a Republican challenger should Clinton win the Democratic nod.

But Rasmussen Reports, in a tabulation of eight polls, found she would lose an average of 20 percent of male Democrats while getting an average of 18 percent of female Republicans.

"In the eight match-up polls included for this analysis, Clinton's best performance showed her picking up 25% of Republican women. Her weakest performance was just 10% of Republican women," Rasmussen found in its survey yesterday. "As for Democratic men, Clinton's best performance in the surveys was to lose just 15% of support from Democratic men. Her worst was to lose 29%."

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

Jimmy Carter's son said today something sounds familiar when pundits declare the Democratic nomination is Sen. Hillary Clinton's to lose.

Jack Carter, writing a note to supporters of Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), said Washington reporters declared the same thing before his dad went on to win the presidential nomination in 1976. He writes to stress the importance of Iowa, where Biden is fighting the hardest to win the party nod.

"I am watching history repeat itself," Carter wrote, outlining how Birch Bayh and Mo Udall were "considered the favorites" for the nomination.

"Iowans went to their caucuses anyway. And come caucus day, the media prognostications of the previous few months were irrelevant. The hyperbole surrounding the campaigns was inconsequential. It was caucus day, and Iowans were not going to be told what to do— they were going to choose for themselves," he wrote. "They chose a little-known governor from Georgia, my father, Jimmy Carter. Dad's surprising showing in the caucuses catapulted him from long-shot to the White House. And it was all because of people like you."

"The national media is ready to call the election … yet we are still months away from the caucuses. The media doesn't pick the president. The pundits don't get to decide the Democratic Party nominee," he continued. "Iowans will make that choice for themselves, just as they did in 1976. And I believe that Iowans will pick Joe Biden for president."

Biden likes to point out he's nabbed the first endorsement from an Iowa newspaper, and he has almost as many legislative endorsements from the Hawkeye State as the top candidates. Carter, who lost his race for senate last year in Nevada, said Biden is the best choice and urged supporters to donate.

Anyone who thinks the calendar shuffle has diminished Iowa's role should recognize that for candidates like Biden, Sen. Chris Dodd and Gov. Bill Richardson, a better than fourth-place showing can make all the difference.

Dodd (D-Conn.) announced last week he is moving his family to Iowa. He will live with his wife and two young daughters in a rented house until the caucuses, and his oldest will enroll in an Iowa kindergarten class.

Sen. Barack Obama is up with a new radio ad in Iowa, featuring one of the state's best known celebrities — the Butter Cow Lady, whose work is on display at the state fair.

As I've written a few times, It's Iowa, stupid.

This blogger thinks Clinton can lose Iowa unless she takes more questions and makes herself more available. (Though reporters noted this weekend she has taken more of late.) Yepsen of the Des Moines Register this weekend wrote up her acknowledgment it's the toughest state for her campaign.

—Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

LONG BEACH, Calif. — The Women's Conference is over now, with many of the Californians who attended telling me they haven't started to think much about the presidential primary.

The 14,000 attendees got a taste of politics yesterday, when five presidential spouses chatted with CA First Lady Maria Shriver, but while the women I spoke with said it was "awesome" to get another side of the 2008 race, they say the forum will have little to no affect on where they cast their votes come Feb. 5.

Here are a few tidbits from the forum that didn't make the print edition.

Jeri Thompson (whose driver was waiting when I got off my flight yesterday) said her role in Fred Thompson's campaign is more mom than strategist, despite multiple stories that paint her as playing a large part in shaping the White House bid. She also revealed she refused to go on the trail with Fred until they built a changing table on the campaign bus.

Michelle Obama said there is something "exciting" about being a part of such a historic presidential race. "It is a moment in time, it's not like I'm sitting on the couch eating Bon Bons — not that there's anything wrong with that."

She also lamented the money race, and the "pontificating and the polling" when people say "who's in and who's out." "That interferes in my view with the Democratic process of listening and learning and getting to know the candidates," she said.

Thompson called for more long forums to talk about "real issues," blasting the debates (her husband has been in two of them) for offering little more than 30-second sound bytes.

After the forum, Elizabeth Edwards participated in a tribute to women living with breast cancer, bringing several attendees to tears. "We are alive right now and that is a victory each and every day," she said.

The New York Times has this gem from Obama, which I couldn't catch on my tape because the laughter was so loud in the arena:

"I would like to think he would have the good sense to understand that on everything, I am correct — but in no way would I expect it," she said, sparking raucous laughter. It was a money line many women remembered later.

Also of note, actress Jamie Lee Curtis welcomed the women to the "estrogen festival" before the first lady hopefuls got going. She talked about the fires, comparing them to the Hurricane Katrina response, and then apologized for coming across like a "harsh beyotch."

But then Curtis, who has battled drug addiction and eating issues, used some statistics to urge the attendees to stop buying fashion magazines and supporting television that portrays women with unhealthy body images.

"46% of high school girls drink — a lot," she said.
"40% of 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders want to be thinner," she said.
"What the 'f' are we doing ladies?" she roared. "We look like freaks! Take back your minds because we have them and we can make better choices."

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

LONG BEACH, Calif. — It smells like a campfire, and not in a good way.

As we flew into Southern California, some smoke was visible. But as we started to descend, passengers — including me — let out loud gasps as the thick and billowing fire smoke came into view. We couldn't see flames from the plane, but the smoke stretched for miles.

A source warned me ahead of time about the air quality, but it was still a shock when as soon as the plane door opened, it became tough to breathe. News helicopters can barely be seen circling the area through the brown haze. But the smell is the worst — pungent, even though the fires are not very close to where I am.

Everyone at the airport has some connection to the blaze, and are sharing their stories. The car rental line was filled with tired-looking evacuees.

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

News from my old stomping ground today -- San Mateo County Democrats like former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) best, choosing him in a straw poll of about 800 voters yesterday.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) came in second in the liberal county, just south of San Francisco, but he was the only White House contender to attend.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was third, and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) was in fourth place.

Also, Clinton held a rally in Fresno this morning. There aren't a lot of nice things to say about Fresno, nicknamed the Golden State's armpit, but the locals sure are happy to get some visits by presidential candidates.

A few months ago I wrote about how California officials, especially in Fresno, were envious of Iowa and New Hampshire for their access to the hopefuls. The Fresno City Council passed a resolution to invite candidates from both parties to participate in town-hall-style meetings, with some complaining they only fly over central California to raise money in Hollywood or Silicon Valley.

The candidates responded, and Clinton's visit follows one by Edwards, and stops made by Republicans Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and John McCain.

California has seen more of the candidates from both parties this year, given its Feb. 5 primary on Super Duper Tuesday and that it's a good place to score campaign cash.

Clinton's California fundraiser with director Rob Reiner prompted a "As Hillary Clinton was serenaded by Hollywood elite, California burned" note from the Republican National Committee, linking to this story.

Some of the presidential spouses (sorry, no Bill) will be in Long Beach tomorrow for Maria Shriver's Women's Conference, which will go on as planned even though it is close to the fires. I'll be there, so stay tuned.

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

When the leaves are that color, you know politics is in the air in New Hampshire.

State Democrats gathered over the weekend for the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. As I wrote in today's paper, Sen. Barack Obama's supporters had the biggest showing on the street outside of the event.

A few of the candidates and Michelle Obama greeted Democrats before the dinner, but Sen Jim Webb gave the keynote. Webb kept his speech short, saying he didn't want to be "one piece of roadkill between 1,000 people and a RedSox game."

The crowd loved his to-the-point message, and the VP speculation rumbled. Webb says he has no interest, of course.

The other candidates in town did their share of stumping, and I caught up with some of them. One odd moment came Saturday when Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) bumped into Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta when greeting voters at the Red Arrow Diner. Dodd warmly greeted the Republican, who Democrats are itching to defeat in the next election.

Guinta politely introduced his two toddlers and thanked Dodd for campaigning there. He seemed surprised when the senator, 63, said his children were about the same age. Dodd pulled out his wallet to flash snapshots of Grace and Christina, but instead of showing the mayor, he bent down to the children. "Let me show you a picture. When you're 35 or 40 I want you to call me," he said.

Also, famed New Hampshire Democrat Doris "Granny D" Haddock, now 97, is the subject of a new HBO documentary. "Run, Granny, Run" touches on her walk for campaign finance reform in 1999 but focuses on her 2004 Senate race against Republican Sen. Judd Gregg. Any political junkie will enjoy this.

Two not-to-miss moments in the documentary: Howard Dean, who had just ended his presidential bid as Granny D launched her challenge, is caught on video practically running from an event to avoid taking a photo with the longshot candidate. Granny D is crushed when Democrat John Lynch, then a candidate for governor, praises Gregg during a debate when he is asked if he backs her run.

By the way, Granny D has endorsed former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-Alaska) for the 2008 primary.

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

That sizzling quote came a few minutes ago from Missouri House Minority Whip Connie Johnson, a longtime supporter of former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.).

Edwards is doing a "True Blue Majority" push — in other words, I'm the most electable. Johnson was one of several state officials, from Maine to Oregon, that the campaign trotted out today to prove the 2004 vice presidential nominee has the best chance in a general election.

It's not a new theme, and voters are likely to hear it a lot more as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) plays herself as the best general election candidate. Yesterday, her pollster Mark Penn said she could attract up to 24 percent of Republican women and put swing states in play.

Johnson, who backed Edwards in 2004 as well, says the opposite is true. "John Edwards' candidacy is about building bridges and unifying a fractured country," she said, noting he appeals to "black, white, urban, rural, north and south."

She lamented how her state's Democratic Party has been "hemorrhaging" and said if the party gets a nominee who doesn't unite fractured interests, Missouri will "go red ... treasurers, governors, everybody."

"If Hillary comes to a state like Missouri, we can write it off," she said. "We will not regain the majority. It's as simple as that. It's all about math."

— Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

I had hoped to avoid writing about the Ellen DeGeneres-dog scandal. But what do you know, it affects the 2008 Dems so here I am, writing about Fluffy. Er, Iggy.

Long story short, for those who don't follow daytime talk show drama: DeGeneres adopted a terrier mix through Mutts and Moms, but when the pup couldn't get along with her cats, she gave the dog to a friend/hairdresser, a violation of the nonprofit's policies. Mayhem (with TV camera in tow) ensued, and Ellen sobbed.

Here's where the White House hopefuls come in -- Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) taped a segment (and danced) with DeGeneres on Wednesday. That will air Oct. 29.

Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) was scheduled to tape a segment for the show today, but that's been canceled since DeGeneres decided to take a "long weekend."

And readers of B Blog will remember Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) made her own appearance on the show last month.

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

A Rural Americans lunch ... in Washington, D.C.?

You got it. There will be a Rural Americans for Hillary "lunch and briefing" this month at lobbying firm Troutman Sanders.

It first raised eyebrows over at ABC, then former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) pounced.

Here's the release:

In response to reports that Senator Clinton is planning a "Rural Americans for Hillary" lunch and campaign briefing at the DC offices of Troutman Sanders Public Affairs, the lobbying firm for Monsanto, John Edwards for President communications director Chris Kofinis released the following statement:

"While John Edwards was in rural Iowa yesterday talking about his plans to help family farmers, the Clinton campaign was in Washington, DC planning an event with the lobbyists from the biggest corporate agriculture company in the world. The difference between John Edwards and Hillary Clinton could not be more clear. Here's some news for the Clinton campaign, when folks in rural Iowa talk about the problems with hog lots, they don't mean parking lots on K Street.

"John Edwards believes family-owned farms are critical to America's future and that the corporate greed that's killing the family farm is hurting America. Apparently, Hillary Clinton doesn't feel the same way. While John Edwards has introduced policies to ensure family farmers can compete against big agribusiness, protect the food we eat and preserve farming communities, Hillary Clinton, beholden to Washington lobbyists, is tailoring her rural policy to reflect the needs of big agribusiness. While corporate America and lobbyists may want someone like Clinton in the White House, regular Americans are ready for someone who will stand up for them and fight for real change."

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

Watch out, 2008 hopefuls -- the race just got a lot more crowded.

Stephen Colbert, host of a popular Comedy Central program that bears his name, announced last night that he is "joining" the presidential field. He's a lover of eagles, hater of bears, stealer of microwaves and supporter of wrist awareness.

He teased the decision on "The Daily Show," his alma mater, then announced his plans (to run as both a Republican and a Democrat, and only in South Carolina) on his own show a few minutes later, under a banner: "I'm doing it!"

"I am from South Carolina, I am for South Carolina," he said. "I defy any other candidate to pander more to the people of South Carolina, those beautiful, beautiful people."

Political pundits and fans moved quickly to analyze the decision. Jeff Greenfield of CBS appeared on the show immediately after the announcement, saying, "This could be it for Mike Gravel."

After noting Sen. Hillary Clinton has been quoting him on the campaign trail (it's true), he also predicted a Hillary Clinton concession speech after the South Carolina primary in January: "I concede to Stephen Colbert, he has crushed me."

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

The Draft Gore group found another way to get some attention — charting their Web hits. In fact, on a day when the former VP won the Nobel Peace Prize and didn't ask them to stop collecting signatures on their petition, their traffic skyrocketed.

"According to the Web tracking firm Alexa.com, traffic on Draftgore.com surpassed that of Hillary Clinton's official campaign Web site by more than two-to-one that day," the group wrote in a press release this afternoon.

The group also plans more print, radio and TV ads urging Gore to jump into the race — include a radio spot titled "Florida" that will run there.

Here's the release:

The Web site of the national Draft Gore organization (draftgore.com) experienced an extraordinary spike in web traffic last weekend, pushing the number of signatures on its petition to more than 200,000 — a jump of 70,000 signatures in four days. The site received nearly 100,000 hits on Friday.

According to the Web tracking firm Alexa.com, traffic on Draftgore.com surpassed that of Hillary Clinton's official campaign Web site by more than two to one that day.

This spike in activity was triggered by Draft Gore's full-page ad in the New York Times on Wednesday followed two days later by the announcement that Al Gore was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

"Interest in a Gore candidacy is skyrocketing," said Draft Gore founder Monica Friedlander. "People are stirred to action in record numbers by the possibility of America's greatest statesman and global leader becoming the next president of the United States."

The online Draft Gore petition, currently at 208,000 signatures, calls on Al Gore to run for President in 2008. An additional 45,000 people signed a paper version of the petition, and these are not included in the online total. Both documents will be delivered to Vice President Gore's office in Nashville, Tenn.

Also, more than 12,000 liberal activists voted at Daily Kos, and 41 percent think it is "definitely not" too late for Gore to get in the race.

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

That's the subject line from a Barack Obama e-mail this morning.

Noting Sen. Hillary Clinton's lead in the fundraising race, and suggesting the cash advantage is thanks to special interests, Obama (D-Ill.) tells supporters he needs their help to "close that gap."

He reminds supporters that Clinton (D-N.Y.) once defended lobbyists as representing real Americans.

Here are excerpts from his (very direct) appeal:

The results are clear. We continue to build the largest grassroots movement in history, but Washington lobbyists and special interests rallied to help Hillary Clinton out-raise us for the first time.

If we want real change in this country, then we need to prove that together we are stronger than the lobbyist-driven money machine that has dominated Washington for too long.

The situation here is simple. We are $2.1 million behind. We must close that gap right now. I need you to make a donation.

Hillary Clinton aggressively seeks money from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs. She's even said that these lobbyists represent real Americans.

She's wrong.

I think it's time to turn the page on that kind of politics, and that's why I have not accepted a dime from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs in this race. We rely on a network of more than 350,000 ordinary people to make us competitive -- more supporters than all the other Democratic candidates combined.

Washington lobbyists have chosen their candidate and are determined to provide her with an overwhelming advantage. But you can even up this contest.

In the face of the most entrenched political machine in Democratic politics, I believe a movement of ordinary Americans can change our country. And you can prove that right now.

I need you to make a donation to close the gap.

Barack

Our team is scouring the campaigns' financial disclosures today, so stay tuned.

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) kicked off a week of reaching out to women this morning with an appearance on ABC's "The View," telling the hosts there is a tougher standard for women running for president.

As part of the campaign's "Women Changing America" week, she also will tackle policy, highlighting her family leave proposal tomorrow in New Hampshire and discussing her health care plan Thursday at a forum hosted by the Federation of American Hospitals and Families USA. Clinton also spoke at the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee's lunch in New York and Wednesday the campaign is hosting 1,000 female contributors at women's finance summit in D.C. that is expected to raise $1 million.

The former first lady said on "The View" that women in their 90s come to her events and tell her they want to live long enough to see a woman in the White House, and said she overhears parents tell their daughter, "See honey, you can be anything you want to be."

"We've broken a lot of barriers to get where we are today," she said.

Clinton even joked she could be both president and first lady: "Give a busy woman a job ..."

She also was asked how she would handle male leaders from countries that do not respect women. "That sends a very strong message to those countries. You cannot expect to have a successful society if you keep half your country in servitude," she said. "It may take a little adjustment but it’s time the world adjusted."

Clinton strategist Mark Penn sent a campaign memo today detailing the importance of female voters in the Democratic primary.
"Women are and will be a powerful force in American politics this presidential election. They were the critical swing voters in the last three elections, and they promise to again play a pivotal role in this one," he wrote.

--Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

Surely former VP Al Gore and his staffers know the Draft Gore folks were looking to him for hints about his political future when making his first public statement since winning the Nobel Peace Prize this morning.

Gore instead talked about the urgent need to raise global awareness about climate change, and even dropped a cute "This is just the beginning." He took no questions, but seemed to have a smile on his face as Bay Area reporters shouted presidential bid questions at his back as he and Tipper walked away.

If he has no intention to run, why not use the global attention — and live televised press conference — to politely thank his fans for their efforts and tell them he isn't interested?

One theory: He'll run.

Another theory: He wanted to keep the focus on global warming.

Either way, the door is wide open for him to jump into the race. The draft movement, as I've noted all week, is growing. As of 2:30, there were nearly 186,000 signatures on the petition.

— Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

Sorry for the light blogging today - I was working on this story about how Iowa's caucus is anyone's to win.

Here's a brief wrap-up of what's making news today.

The RNC, keying off the baby bonds issue, has started a Hillary Clinton "Spendometer". The RNC announcement cites the New York senator's quote in today's Boston Globe: "I have a million ideas. The country can't afford them all."

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has a new Web ad tied to the anniversary of the Iraq war vote, calling it "the blank check too many Democrats gave George Bush five years ago today," and is pushing back against Clinton's vote for an Iran resolution. (Though the Clinton camp reminds us today with a Huffington Post story posted at "HillaryHub" that Obama skipped the Iran vote.)

Former Sen. John Edwards uses a similar tactic in this video:

Rep. Dennis Kucinich and wife Elizabeth are treated to 11 pages in the latest Esquire, which comes with these cute photos of the couple and includes the Ohio Democrat saying he does not need "for somebody to recreate me. I don't need to be prettified. I don't need image makers working with me That's not where I come from."

His wife also is quoted saying: "Dennis will be the next president of the United States. Period."

Here's one of the many photos accompanying the Esquire piece.

-- Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

My inbox is getting flooded with news from Al Gore fans who are trying to draft him to run for president. Since my story was published in Monday's paper about how the state movements are strengthening, draft organizers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, among others, have dropped me a line.

I gave a little update Monday, but the Draft Gore folks wrote this morning about their full-page New York Times ad (seen below) featuring an open letter to the former VP. There were more than 143,000 signatures on the Draft Gore petition when I last checked, and organizers estimate they are getting 750 new signatures per hour today.

Here's the ad, which cost organizers $64,575.

The letter tells Gore: "You say you have fallen out of love with politics, and you have every reason to feel that way. But we know you have not fallen out of love with your country. And your country needs you now — as do your party and the planet you are fighting so hard to save.

"Ours is an urgent call to service on behalf of the country we love, the democracy that's slipping away from us, and a world and planet that are in peril. We write on behalf of our children and grandchildren and plead with you to to lead us to a brighter future," it continues. "Many good and caring candidates are contending for the Democratic nomination. But none of them has the combination of experience, vision, standing in the world, and political courage that you would bring to the job. Nor do they have the support among voters that you enjoy and that would lead you to victory in 2008.

"Please rise to this challenge, or you and millions of us will live forever wondering what might have been," it concludes.

The group has also done this video comparing Gore to JFK:

—Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

Continuing his aggressive attacks on Sen. Hillary Clinton, former Sen. John Edwards this morning became the first 2008 candidate to remind voters she voted for the Iraq war exactly five years ago.

So did Edwards, but as he points out in a press release: "Unlike Senator Clinton, I have apologized for my vote in support of that bill."

He outlines his plan to end the war, criticizes Mrs. Clinton for telling the Washington Post in an interview yesterday she would keep some troops in Iraq for limited combat missions and said her vote on a recent Iran resolution "takes this nation one step closer to war" and "opens the door for the president to attack Iran."

"Unfortunately, political rhetoric aside, Senator Clinton has no specific plan to end the war in Iraq. Instead, she refuses to commit to a specific timeline for withdrawal and has made it clear that she will continue 'combat missions' in Iraq," he said in a statement. "These missions would just be excuses to justify continuing George Bush's failed strategy in Iraq."

On Iran, he said: "Evidently, Senator Clinton and I learned two very different lessons from the Iraq war. I learned that if you give President Bush even an inch of authority, he will use it to sanction a war."

Expect more from the others, especially Sen. Barack Obama, who always reminds voters he opposed the war from the get-go, and Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, the antiwar candidate who plans a press conference today on how to end the war without voting.

-- Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

"Are there donuts in it?" -- Some staffer not using a mute button before the Hillary Clinton campaign conference call with reporters about her new retirement security policy this afternoon.

-- Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

Hollywood's Rob Reiner stars in the latest Hillary Clinton Web video, directing her volunteers to best demonstrate their dedication to the campaign. It's part of an effort to drum up 1 million volunteer hours.

Reiner sent an e-mail to Clinton supporters (subject line: "Action!") today in an appeal for their help.

"When I received Hillary's email asking for volunteers, I did what any other Hollywood director would do. Made a movie," he writes. "Starring myself and a great supporting cast of Hillary volunteers from all over town.

"Watch my movie. Then sign up to volunteer. And who knows — you may even laugh a little along the way," Reiner continues. "After all, volunteering isn't just important. It's fun."

The close of the video, which includes one fan chanting "Hilldizzle in the White House": "Make noise, make signs, make history. Everyone has a role."

-- Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times

I wanted to post a few updates to my story on former VP Al Gore from today's print edition. The story outlined the strengthening "Draft Gore" movements despite the Democrat's seeming disinterest in mounting another White House bid.

A Democrat familiar with the inner workings of the 2000 campaign said former staffers and supporters have mixed feelings: "Some of them feel like he is probably getting too late to get anything together to make it a showing. Some think it's never too late."

In addition to the California and Iowa efforts detailed in the piece, Gore fans in Michigan are also pushin