The Buzz

• The ongoing conflict between Russia and Georgia has certainly made its mark on the presidential race. Both candidates have used the fighting and Russia’s invasion to tag the other with whatever unflattering image on foreign policy works best for them. McCain has been uber-hawkish, taunting both Russia and Obama over the issue. McCain accuses Obama of playing politics with the Georgia crisis (which means McCain just played politics by accusing his opponent of playing politics…), chastising him for failing to understand the “importance” of a “bipartisan concern.” Indeed, the Obama campaign has used some of McCain’s bold statements and gut reactions to label him as “reckless” and “shooting from the hip,” with Obama adviser Susan Rice going so far as to complaining that McCain’s repeated comments on the conflict may be hurting chances for a ceasefire between the two countries. Either way, this has become the new central focus in the ongoing foreign policy battles between McCain and Obama. Like Iraq, both sides have presented very different views on how to handle a crisis and how to deal with a rising Russia. Question is, will voters understand the issue and who will they side with in their own gut reaction?

• McCain’s efforts to insert himself into the Georgian drama has shined a light on the past and current lobbyist ties that his foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, has. Scheunemann has worked for various governments and corporations for years as a lobbyist in Washington, including a job for the government of Georgia up until this March. That role is being especially scrutinized as McCain ramps up the rhetoric against Russia and prepares to send his own independent emissaries - Joe Lieberman and Lindsay Graham - to Georgia. McCain’s relationship with Scheunemann goes back to the 2000 campaign where ha also served as JMac’s foreign policy adviser.

• Bothered by public concerns over McCain’s knowledge of the internet and technology, his campaign has released what they are calling a “major plan” on tech issues that has been dubbed “John McCain and American Innovation.” It’s basically a tax and jobs plan disguised as something relating directly to the internet and tech usage, with a reiteration of McCain’s opposition to any “net neutrality” laws - laws supported by Democrats and internet advocates - thrown in. The plan also backs up McCain’s past statements rejecting taxes on internet sales and announces another new job training effort, this one devoted to R&D workers in tech.This is clearly just a slapped-together response to McCain’s perceived technophobia and news that he doesn’t use the internet. The plan won;t draw in any tech-minded voters - they’re all voting for Obama or Bob Barr.

• The status of Tim Kaine as Obama’s Veep as bounced around considerably sine the announcement that Mark Warner, former VA Governor, would deliver the keynote address at the Dem convention. Conventional wisdom would say that Kaine is done as a contender after another Virginian was named to such a major speaking slot. And rumors out of the Kaine camp have the Governor acting “glum” since the Warner news. But there is a glowing profile in the New York Times this morning (Kaine is a bipartisan “bridge builder”) and the fact that his schedule is being handled through the Obama campaign. The buzz is growing for Kaine every minute.

• Liberals distressed by Kaine’s pro-choice ideology and Bayh’s spotty record on Iraq are somehow latching onto Joe Biden as the “perfect”running mate for Obama. Or so says The Nation…

• Chicago’s Sun-Times has confirmed that Oprah will join her good friend has Obama accepts the Dem nomination in Denver. She will be at the convention and present during his Invesco acceptance speech, but no plans to actually have her on stage next to Barack. Will she get a larger role now that her presence has been confirmed?

• Plans from the Obama campaign to push hard for select Southern states are humming along as well as could be expected. While states like Ohio and Pennsylvania are still the major prizes to get to 270, the Obama team is serious about gunning for red states like North Carolina and even Georgia (not to mention their strong Western strategy). The Tar Heel state has been hit hard by the Obama effort, getting $2 million in ad spending and the beginnings of a grass roots outreach effort for October and November. And spirits are high despite polls showing Obama trailing McCain in NC. The Obama state campaign is optimistic about their prospects for this fall.

“It’s not that big a stretch for Barack Obama to win North Carolina this year,” state campaign director Marc Farinella told reporters in a conference call featuring Gov. Mike Easley. “This is a battleground state and we’re going to win it.”

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