The week ahead

It's going to be a big week for the 2008 race.

On Sunday, the Democrats gather for the CNN/WMUR/Union Leader Debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH.

On Monday, sources say former Senator and current Law & Order star, Fred Thompson will enter the race with a "testing the waters" committee.

On Tuesday, Republicans take the stage at Saint Anselm for the third debate of the season. Like their Democratic counterparts, the debate is hosted by CNN, WMUR and the Union Leader.

Policy by the people for the people

Barack Obama's webteam has created a section on their website called "My Policy." It's a chance for people to log on to the site and share their stories and policy ideas with the campaign while the platforms are still in a formative stage.

This is a great opportunity for county officials to log on and let Senator Obama know how counties would like to see their issues addressed. Please take the time to log on to http://origin.barackobama.com/issues/ and submit your ideas or share your story under the "My Policy" section on the sidebar.

Publish Post

As far as the eye can see

While the rest of the country enjoys a three day weekend, the candidates for president use the time to hit the trail.

Starting today, Iowans will have a chance to see Sam Brownback, John Edwards, Tommy Thompson, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Mitt Romney.

The Granite State also plays hosts to Thompson and Clinton as well as Chris Dodd and Barack Obama while Nevada gets Clinton and Obama early next week.

Dennis Kucinich and Duncan Hunter take to the Sunshine State, home of the latest early primary, on Saturday.

John McCain serves as an honorary starter at the Coca-Cola 600 in North Carolina.

And Bill Richardson is in New Mexico and California.

Campaign Countdown

Days until the Iowa GOP Straw Poll: 78 days
Days until the Iowa Caucus: 234 days*
Days until the Nevada Caucus: 239 days*
Days until the New Hampshire Primary: 243*
Days until South Carolina and Florida Primary: 249*
Days until Super Duper Tuesday: 256 days*
Days until Election Day 2008: 529 days

*Dates subject to change

Couch Potatoes beware!

With 8 months to go until the caucuses and primaries begin, another round of campaign ads are hitting the Iowa and New Hampshire airwaves. Check out the latest from Chris Dodd and Mitt Romney:

Latest Iowa Poll

We're not in the business of editorializing poll results, but we do provide the numbers. Here's the latest Iowa Poll:

GOP
Mitt Romney 30
John McCain 18
Rudy Giuliani 17
Tommy Thompson 7
Sam Brownback 5
Mike Huckabee 4
Tom Tancredo 4
Jim Gilmore 1
Duncan Hunter 1
John Cox 1
Ron Paul -
Undecided 12

DEM
John Edwards 29
Barack Obama 23
Hillary Clinton 21
Bill Richardson 10
Joe Biden 3
Dennis Kucinich 2
Mike Gravel 1
Chris Dodd -
Undecided 11
The poll was taken May 12-16 and sampled 400 likely Democratic and 401 likely Republican caucus goers.

The Des Moines Register's Jonathan Roos has a full run down on the Republican and Democrat numbers.

County Officials make it Official

County officials across the county continue to make their voice heard by showing their support for the 2008 candidate of their choice.

Here are the latest endorsements:

Clinton
Jack Kennedy, Clerk of Courts -- Wise Co, VA
Barbara Favola, County Board Member -- Arlington Co, VA

Edwards
Tena Henkel, Recorder -- Monona Co, IA
Jan Horton, Treasurer -- Webster Co, IA
Kas Kelly, Supervisor -- Muscatine Co, IA

Giuliani
Edward Diana, County Executive -- Orange Co, NY
Gregory Edwards, County Executive -- Chautauqua Co, NY
Joel Giambra, County Executive -- Erie Co, NY
Kathleen Jimino, County Executive -- Rensselaer Co, NY
James Molinaro, County Executive -- Richmond Co, NY
Thomas Santulli, County Executive -- Chemung Co, NY
Scott Vanderhoef, County Executive -- Rockland Co, NY

McCain
Bailey Humphries, County Council -- Cherokee Co, SC
Steve Kelly, County Council -- Kershaw Co, SC
John Wells, County Council -- Kershaw Co, SC

Richardson
Gloria Molina, Supervisor -- Los Angeles Co, CA

Romney
Vaughn Beck, Commissioner -- Bay Co, MI
Jan Bunting, Commissioner -- Gratiot Co, MI
Scott Haines, Register of Deeds -- Midland Co, MI
James Leibeg, Commissioner -- Midland Co, MI
Jerry Nielson, Sheriff -- Midland Co, MI

You can see the full list of endorsements -- over 175 county officials -- here

Pics from Columbia

Here's a shot from outside the Koger Center:

And here's Ron Paul's RV in front of the Capitol:

First-in-the-South GOP Debate

If you were watching carefully toward the end of the debate, you heard Governor Jim Gilmore emphasize the need for a strong working relationship between federal, state and local governments. In response to a terrorist attack scenario, Gilmore said

We've got to put a system in place that talks about a complete partnership between federal, state and local people, the private sector and community leadership.

Good answer, Governor.

If you missed it, you can check out Jim Gilmore and the video of the entire debate here.

Video links are up

Check out the videos from NACo's Legislative conference to see John McCain, Chuck Hagel, Joe Biden and Congressman Dennis Kucinich in action .

Get ready for another debate

South Carolina returns to the spotlight as the GOP candidates converge on Columbia for a debate tomorrow night.

Fox News will air the debate live on Fox News Channel as well as www.foxnews.com. As with previous debates, Fox is offering a chance for you to ask questions. You can email your question to debate@foxnews.com. Per the Fox website, you must include your name, town, state and contact number for verification.

The debate will be at the USC Koger Center for the Arts and will take place from 9:00-10:30 PM. I'll be there with camera and computer -- look for pictures later in the week.

Can't get enough of the 2008 race?

Attention all political junkies: clear your calendar for Sunday when '08 candidates are leading the lineups.

Rudy Giuliani will be on "Fox News Sunday," John McCain talks to Tim Russert on "Meet the Press," Barack Obama's on ABC's "This Week," and Mitt Romney takes his campaign to "60 Minutes."

Candidates Take to the Airwaves

With eight months before the primaries are scheduled to begin, people in Iowa and New Hampshire are getting their first taste of 2008 political ads. Mitt Romney, Bill Richardson and John Edwards are coming to a TV near you -- if you live in New Hampshire or Iowa, that is.

If you haven't had a chance to view the ads yet, you can see them below:

The endorsements keep coming

Edwards
Frank O'Leary, Treasurer -- Arlington Co, VA
Chris Zimmerman, County Board -- Arlington Co, VA
Jimmy Warren, Clerk of the Court -- Smyth Co, VA
Fred Parker, Treasurer -- Washington Co, VA

Obama
Thomas Drayton, County Council -- Georgetown Co, SC

McCain
Hoss Mack, Sheriff -- Baldwin Co, AL
Wayne Gruenloh, Commissioner -- Baldwin Co, AL
Skip Gruber, Commissioner -- Baldwin Co, AL
Greg White, Commissioner -- Covington Co, AL
Mike Dean, Commissioner -- Mobile Co, AL
David Gee, Sheriff -- Hillsborough Co, FL
Mark Sharpe, Commissioner -- Hillsborough Co, FL
Dennis Conrad, Sheriff -- Scott Co, IA
Rock Adams, County Council -- Spartanburg Co, SC
Billy Baldwin, County Council -- Darlington Co, SC
Wesley Blackwell, County Council -- Darlington Co, SC
Curwood Chappell, County Council -- York Co, SC
Ron Charlton, County Council -- Georgetown Co, SC
Randy Crenshaw, County Council -- Pickens Co, SC
Bob Grabowski, County Council -- Horry Co, SC
Jonny Jeffcoat, County Council -- Lexington Co, SC
Marion Lyles, County Council -- Oconee Co, SC
Bill McAbee, County Council -- Anderson Co, SC
Carl Schwartkopf, County Council -- Horry Co, SC
Buzz Shaw, County Council -- Darlington Co, SC
Mario Suarez, County Council -- Oconee Co, SC
Scott Singer, County Council -- Aiken Co, SC
John Wells, County Council -- Kershaw Co, SC

Candidates tout County Endorsements

In a sign that presidential campaigns realize the importance of county officials, two candidates issued press releases today touting recent endorsements by county officials.

John McCain was endorsed by Los Angeles County Sheriff Baca while Joe Biden has netted support from Scott County (IA) Supervisors Jim Hancock and Roxanna Moritz.

Want more than soundbites?

As the first debates have proven, it’s hard to learn a lot about a candidate in a 60 second response. That’s why we’ve invited every candidate to join us in Richmond at NACo’s Annual Conference to speak to one of our general sessions. Each candidate will have 10 minutes and will speak independently of others. This is a chance for county officials to hear from the candidates directly on where they stand. Video from the event will be posted to the site.

In the meantime, as you talk to candidates be sure to encourage them to attend. If you need a copy of the invite, email krogers@naco.org.

What’s so funny?

In an attempt to broaden their appeal, candidates are taking to the late night airwaves. Last night Sen. Mike Gravel (D-AK) took the hot seat on Comedy Central’s Cobert Report while one of his GOP counterparts, Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) chatted with Jay Leno.

These are only the latest in the series of candidate appearance on late night comedy shows. To see the lighter side of the candidates, click on the links below:

Daily Show
Joe Biden
Hillary Clinton
Chris Dodd
John Edwards
John McCain
Barack Obama
Bill Richardson

Colbert Report
Mike Huckabee
Mike Gravel

Advice from the Field

Our Iowa county officials have brought up a great point: One of the best ways to raise awareness of county issues with the presidential campaigns is by meeting with staff.

While talking to candidates, you’re often limited to a 30 second exchange as you shake hands and welcome them to your county, but as the campaigns grow, there will be plenty of staff willing to take some time to speak to county officials. This is a great opportunity to share our issues and explain our goals. It is a chance to develop relationships and educate others on what county government entails. Plus, you never know when you could be talking to someone who could work for the next President.

Republicans take the stage

This week marks the first Republican debate of the 2008 season hosted by MSNBC and the Politico. All 10 GOP candidates are scheduled to appear at the Reagan Library in Ventura County, California. The debate kicks off on Thursday, May 3rd at 8 pm EST and will be broadcast live on MSNBC. If you’re without cable, you can watch streaming video on politico.com.

In the meantime, log on to Politico to submit your question for the debate.