Second City? Maybe Not.

By Karin Caifa in Chicago, IL

Late last night when my colleagues sat down for some deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s here in Chicago, our bartender Kirby, sensing we were out-of-towners, made certain he offered the following caveat about our impending meal: “You’re gonna have to eat it with a knife and fork. You can’t pick it up and fold it over. It’s not New York pizza.”

Great Expectations

By Samantha Hayes – Chicago, Illinois

November 5th, 2008

Much will be said today about Barack Obama’s Presidential victory. His inspirational speech in Grant Park, the emotional response from supporters all over the country, his now significant place in American history.  The world was watching. And I was able to observe all of it up close.

VP shopping spree

Samantha Hayes – Washington, DC

In the musical “Annie” there is a song that goes something like this: It’s what you wear from ear to ear, and not from head to toe that matters.”  Well, Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin certainly has the smile, but her wardrobe carries a hefty price tag, according to a recent report by the Politico that dug up financial disclosure forms from the Republican National Committee.

The VP debate: Must see TV

By Samantha Hayes – En route to St. Louis

As we travel to St. Louis for the first and only vice presidential debate between the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, and the Republican candidate, Sarah Palin, I’m struck by the fact that this may be the most watched debate-ever.

The Associated Press is reporting that 3,100 media credentials have been issued.  The group that organizes the event, the Commission on Presidential Debates, says that’s more than any of the seven VP debates it’s hosted in the past. That’s a lot of journalists for two candidates who are campaigning to fill the number two spot.

Economics, With a Feminine Touch

By Samantha Hayes, Washington, DC

You can’t help but notice that Barack Obama’s recent economic message is aimed at a specific group of voters.  They are voters he desperately needs to win the election. And for many of them it will take a great amount of effort on Obama’s part to convince them.  They are, in many ways, chief executive officers, and very concerned right now about making ends meet. WE’RE talking about women, who quite often are the ones managing the family budget.  And Barack Obama is speaking directly to them.

Tube Time for the Candidates

By Karin Caifa in Washington

Not getting enough of the presidential race from network and cable news? You’re in luck. The candidates are out in force, fanning out among some of your favorite afternoon talk shows and late-night fare. Barack Obama popped up on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” Wednesday night, where he poked some fun at this week’s “cosmetic controversy.” You know, where Obama compared John McCain’s promise of change to the old metaphor of putting “lipstick on a pig,” and the McCain camp took that as a slap at vice presidential pick Sarah Palin? Letterman asked if Obama had ever tried to apply lipstick to a pig. Obama replied, “The answer would be no. But I think it might be fun to try.”

Democrats Curbing Republican Enthusiasm

By Karin Caifa in Washington, DC

Remember during the long Democratic primary fight, when some pundits criticized Hillary Clinton for not being exciting enough?  While Barack Obama electrified crowds of thousands with his speeches, Clinton toiled away, outlining wonky policy details in small, roundtable discussions.

With the arrival of Sarah Palin on the presidential campaign scene, Obama might now know how Clinton felt. Palin is a newcomer even newer than Obama, and now she’s the one with “electrifying” attached to her appearances. The addition of Palin to the Republican ticket revitalized the McCain campaign, and that’s got to have Obama concerned.

Unity: It’s Not Just for Democrats

By Karin Caifa in St. Paul, MN

The Democrats and Republicans came into these back-to-back conventions with the same, obvious goal: to make their nominations for president of the United States. But the Democrats’ Denver confab last week was branded with another purpose: shoring up support from disappointed Hillary Clinton supporters. The word “unity” was ubiquitous all week. It was the concept that drove the week’s storyline, ratcheting up primetime drama as political observers prepared for a possible knock-down, drag-out battle that never really materialized.

Presidential Campaign’s One-Two Punch

By Karin Caifa in St. Paul, MN

Surprised by John McCain’s announcement today that he’s tapped Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate? You’re not the only one. While Palin was on the GOP radar, the 44-year-old mother of five, didn’t generate nearly as much buzz as guys like Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, or even Joe Lieberman. Perhaps the Arizona senator took advantage of the week between rival Barack Obama’s decision and his own. He’s countered the Democrats’ one-two punch with a ticket that provides a stark contrast, and features some of the same assets.

DNC Notes: Getting to Know Joe

By Karin Caifa in Denver, CO

Long after Hillary Clinton came and went from this hall Tuesday night, another figure took the stage. By that time only a tiny fraction of the evening’s audience remained — some fishing for those leftover banners that read “Hillary” on one side, and “Unity” on the other, others beginning the monumental task of cleaning out the arena and getting it prepared for the next day’s events.