Des Moines Register backs McCain and Clinton
DES MOINES — The editorial board of the Des Moines Register has endorsed Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton of New York in Iowa’s Jan. 3 presidential caucuses.
In an editorial published in today’s editions, the board said McCain and Clinton are the candidates it believes are most competent and ready to lead.
‘‘Time after time, McCain has stuck to his beliefs in the face of opposition from other elected leaders and the public. He has criticized crop and ethanol subsidies during two presidential campaigns in Iowa. He bucked his party and president by opposing the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. . . . He staunchly supported President Bush’s decision to increase troop strength in Iraq,’’ the board said.
The board said Clinton’s ‘‘readiness to lead sets her apart from a constellation of possible stars in her party, particularly Barack Obama, who also demonstrates
the potential to be a fine president,’’ the editorial said.
Huckabee denies role in N.H. push polling
NEWBERRY, S.C. — White House hopeful John McCain yesterday called on Republican rival Mike Huckabee to end push polling in New Hampshire tied to his presidential campaign’s supporters, but Huckabee denied any involvement.
McCain said he learned yesterday afternoon of calls made Friday on Huckabee’s behalf in New Hampshire. In push polling, people get calls that sound like an objective poll trying to measure public opinion, but the questions cast candidates in harsh light.
Huckabee said he has had no involvement and deplores the practice.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Giuliani says nation needs bold new leadership
TAMPA, Fla. — Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani’s ‘‘bold’’ vision for the nation sounded a lot like the same ideas he’s been talking about for months, but delivered in a new package yesterday.
Giuliani’s address before about 200 people was billed by his campaign as a new speech that shows the former New York mayor’s ‘‘bold’’ vision for the future of the country. But the speech hit on similar themes: a little Clinton bashing, some reflections on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a call to make energy independence as big a priority as landing on the moon was in the 1960s, and the need to fight terrorism so the United States can be safe, and to do more business in the Middle East. The theme was that he has shown the leadership needed to be president.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bill Clinton attacks Obama on experience
Former president Bill Clinton made an unusually direct attack Friday night on Senator Barack Obama, suggesting that voters who would support someone with Obama’s experience were willing to ‘‘roll the dice’’ on the presidency.
Appearing on ‘‘The Charlie Rose Show’’ on PBS, Clinton repeatedly questioned Obama’s preparedness for the White House. ‘‘When is the last time we elected a president based on one year of service in the Senate before he started running?’’ Clinton said. At another point, he appeared to compare Obama to a ‘‘gifted television commentator’’ running for president.
When asked about Clinton’s comments yesterday, Obama responded, ‘‘I believe that I have the experience that the country needs right now.’’ 