Weekend Recap

The AP does a story on Iowa blogs. Nothing particularly interesting or insightful, but it's good to see the blogosphere getting some recognition.

The DNCers make it official. And it's Vegas Baby!

We've written about everybody else, so Brownback at least deserves a link. Kansas Senator was at the fair, Tom Beaumont gives you the story.

The Doctor is In

The Cooler made some calls this afternoon to GOPers and folks close to the Frist campaign, so we thought we'd let you know what we've heard. We haven't written on Frist since the Kennedy signing so it seems like it's about time.

Frist was welcomed by a medium sized crowd in Johnston for a fundraiser with Senate candidate Larry Noble. The usual suspects were in attendance, Frist discussed Health Care and the WOT. He then went to West Des Moines for a small roundtable discussion on health care with Jeff Lamberti. The Senate Majority Leader and Senate Co-President were joined by former Governor Terry Branstad. Then the Frist team went out to the fair where he did a TV interview, looked at some cattle, tried to avoid the fried food (he's a doctor you know) and met up with the venerable Charles Grassley and GOP Chairman Ray Hoffman. Apparently, Frist was dressed casually in a colorful shirt with a blazer. One person described his attire as "something you'd wear to a wedding at the beach." Whatever. Not an overwhelming crowd anywhere according to the reports. It seems as if Romney, Newt and McCain have been bigger draws.

Frist has an uphill battle ahead of him, but Kennedy and Branstad the younger are working hard getting him off the ground.

What do you think about the Frist preseason?

The Pro's articles here and here.

A measure that matters

The Fix has a breakdown today of which Presidentials are locking up the Bush rangers. (another reason Giuliani and Allen are behind the 8-ball). He says that Bush's "inevitablity was built in 98 and 99 by securing major money players."

Everyone knows that McCain has been lining up Rangers left and right, but Romney has joined the fray. Dr. Frist as a small handful as well.

Another indicator that McCain and Romney are leading the pack at this stage.
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Interesting article from South Carolina about Rudy's visits there.

Joshua- we'd love to hear your take on the pull Barry Wynn has in the Palmetto State

McCain wins another "Corn"y Poll

A year from the straw poll WHO-TV's Dave Price thought he would conduct a corn poll.

On the Republican side, Senator John McCain came out on top with 24 percent, and Rudy Giuliani and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice were tied with 20 percent.

McCain was in the state this week and we have recieved numerous tips in the tip jar that claim turnout was very high during his travels. One tipster said there were nearly 200 guests at Latham's home in Mason City for a fundraiser with Rep. Schickel.

For the Democrats, John Edwards tied Senator Hillary Clinton, each with 33 percent. The two were followed in the informal poll by Governor Tom Vilsack.

Update Full results with percentages at Dave's blog

Republicans shook out like this: McCain, Rudy/Condi (tie), Newt, Mitt, Dr. Frist, Huckabee, Pataki, Allen, Brownback.

Silly Polls

Well these stupid sidebar internet polls couldn't be less accurate or worthwhile, but for some reason we love them. We're closing down shop on the inaugural Cooler Poll. "Which candidate will pull out of the race first?"

Congratulations Bill Frist- you are our winner with 22% of the vote (about 20% more than our readers think you'll get at the straw poll). Frist was followed by Pataki (19%), Allen (16%), Huckabee (14%), Giuliani (13%), Romney (12%) and McCain (5%).

The most significant result was the gap between Romney (2nd least likely to drop out) and McCain (last) was about the same as the gap between Frist and Romney. So the folks out in coolerland are very confident the senior senator from Arizona is in this thing for the long hall. Thanks to all 359 participants.

The next poll will be up later to day. "Who made the racistest comment" Allen, Biden, or Romney. Should be a fun one.

Back with news later.

(thanks for pointing out our error Jeff!)

Spank the Macaca Part Deux

After doing some further thinking and reading on the Macaca incident, we at the Cooler are starting to believe that this was a playful nickname Allen's staff had given Sidarth and not a racial slur. The fact is that even if Macaca is a french racial slur (as of yet unconfirmed), it is certainly not a common one. And if you read the explanation given by The Hotline and Commonwealth Conservative it makes more sense.

As you can see in the picture, this kid definately has a mohawk. So, I'm going to buy Allen's explanation. He's been in politics a long time, too long to be making racial slurs while he's being taped.

Nonetheless this was a stupid, stupid move- but it seems like something that's fun buzz in August, but will be long since faded by January '08. The only way this has any staying power is if Allen allows the media to continue to play into his past as a guy who is racially insensitive. That's definately going to be brought up ad nausem between now and the caucus.

Bylaws Byshmaws

A little bit of buzz in New Hampshire regarding the National Committeeman flirting too hard with Governor Romney. While this seems like a minor indiscretion to us at the Cooler, it is a reflection of how careful these PAC's are going to have to be. It's not a good sign for Mitt if Team Romney is going to blatantly skirt the rules- but more likely this is an isolated incident that won't even make a murmur in the Granite State... Jeff/Burton tell us what you know about this.

Aside about Iowa- I'm not sure if anyone here would be too worried if Steve Roberts was joining a PAC- Tom Rath must be an influential National Committeeman- the committeeman's influence and duties vary from state to state.

Romney Update: Mitt joins the group of Presidentials who have unveiled their energy plan.

Cooler you're such a tease

The operative words around the cooler the past few days have been "free-agent" and "pick-up." A couple months back Krusty did his "Top 5 Free Agents", following a similar post by the Hotline (can't find the link).

Well in the past few days/weeks the "Big 3" on the Cooler Line- Romney, McCain, and Pataki have been making the hard push on many of the top free-agents. The Cooler is telling you to expect a few big name political signings (lobbyists, lawMAKERS, and strategists) before the leaves start to change and well before the November election. The former Bush crew in particular have been hot items. This aggressive recruitment, this early, serves as a major disadvantage to Mssrs. Allen and Giuliani.

So keep your eyes on the Cooler in the next 30 Days and you might be suprised to see who's signing on 17 months out from the 2008 Iowa Caucus.

Back with some real news later today. Until then, discuss amongst yourselves.

FOCUS

A recent focus group done by Republican pollster Frank Lutz yields some interesting results. He tested likely voters in New Hampshire and Iowa and came up with the following analysis:

McCain- Expectations are the highest, credibility on national security, humanizing wit. If he turns down his intensity a notch or two and manages expectations he could be unstoppable.

Newt- Came in with barely any support; he won over the most voters with his policy and communications skills.

Rudy- Republicans see him as Presidential, but after hearing the whole story on his stances voters aren't sure he's the right choice

Romney, Allen, and Frist all face problems as well: Romney's being religion, Allen turns off women (and macacas), Frist seems "uncomfortable in his own skin."

Here's the link from Ankle Biting Pundits

Spank the Macaca

What's with Presidentials and racist comments this summer. Senator Allen took the dip out of his mouth just long enough to slur a staffer for opponent Jim Webb. Apu might have to come back for another guest column

From CNN
"This fellow over here with the yellow shirt -- Macaca or whatever his name is -- he's with my opponent," Allen said. "He's following us around everywhere."

Macaca is a term associated with a species of monkeys.

Update

• Washington Post chimes in with a scathing editorial (shocker)
• Here's the You-Tube
• USA Today did a story yesterday on Hillary and Allen balancing their Senatorial ambitions with their Presidential Ambitions.
  

Schedule

Lots of Prezzy activity in Iowa this week. Here's a breakdown of the schedule.

Tuesday the 15th

• McCain fundraising for Danny Carrol, the State Fair and then Bill Schickel
• Evan Bayh in Eastern Iowa

Wednesday the 16th

• McCain breakfast in Council Bluffs for Struyk and Belt
• Romney in Dubuque for the Red White and Blues Dinner with Nussle
• Brownback doing something secret
• As broken at the Caucus Cooler- Governor Barbour comes to town

Thursday the 17th

• Brownback in Grinnell with Danny Carrol and State Fair

Friday the 18th

• Frist for Lamberti and doing the Fair- According to the below Tipster, Frist will be helping out Larry Noble as well. It's an Ankeny Themed Friday for the good doctor!

Indeterminate

• Biden boring Iowans to death. Is the 15 days over yet?

Let us know if we missed anything- email caucuscoolertipjar@gmail.com or post in the comments. You guys usually correct us pretty quick!

Chuck Barris would agree

Cruising the blogosphere on a Sunday evening, I was directed to "Confessions of a Moderate Republican." Kristine Anderson of Cedar Rapids has a great post on why she likes McCain, but loves Romney in '08. A very interesting post from a knowledgeable Iowan. Check it out.