• In what was thought to be the biggest political news of the day (before the bombshell of Pat Robertson backing Giuliani - which we’ll get to later…), ex-’08 candidate and staunch friend to evangelical Republicans Sam Brownback decided to back John McCain in the remainder of the GOP primary race. This was a surprise considering Brownbacks’s initial discussions with Giuliani’s campaign about a possible endorsement almost immediately after he dropped out of the running last month. Brownback apparently missed what Pat Robertson saw in Rudy, deciding instead to give JMac a major religious right boost and join his team. This is big news for a stagnant McCain run, but we’re not as bullish on the positive impact for JMac in Iowa as some punidts are. Remember, SB was barely relevant in the Hawkeye State in almost every poll. But Brownback and McCain will be appearing together in a string of stops in Iowa and Michigan today.
    • Brownback’s statement - “Today I am proud to endorse my friend and a true American hero, John McCain, for President of the United States. While I respect all of the Republicans running for president this year, John McCain is the only candidate who can rally the Reagan coalition of conservatives, Independents, and conservative Democrats needed to defeat Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat in the general election next year. John McCain has spent a lifetime standing up for human rights around the world, including a consistent 24-year pro-life record of protecting the rights of the unborn. John McCain alone has the courage, leadership and character to lead our party to victory in 2008 while keeping faith with our most cherished values — life, faith and family.”

  • In what has already become a very busy day on the trail, and especially in Iowa, Barack Obama has joined the newsmakers by delivering a speech in IA giving his take on the plight of America’s middle and working classes. The agenda he proposes is all very liberal and will no doubt please the base. It focuses on combating the middle class income gap, pushing tax breaks for college, and reversing the Bush administration’s tightening of bankruptcy regulations. But it’s nothing original; it’s basically a copy of positions laid out by Hillary and Edwards - and those earlier than Barack. His campaign is looking rather tired…
  • In an effort to raise his national profile and perhaps make his VP prospects even better, Bill Richardson is not only ramping up his ‘08 campaign - he has released a book. It’s on energy solutions, a pet issue of his, and is entitled “Leading by Example: How We Can Inspire an Energy and Security Revolution.” Might get him on Larry King, but will it really help his presidential run? Going after the frontrunners is what got him near double digits in the polls.
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