Pure Horserace: Road Hazards

Presidential politics is no place for nuance or "responsibility genes." That's something you'd expect a savvy political operative like Hillary Clinton to understand — which makes her interview in today's New York Times so puzzling. Having spent the past several months trying to convince Democratic activists of her anti-war bona fides, she hits the brakes — sort of.

Here's what Sen. Clinton said at a gathering of party members last month: "If we in Congress don't end this war before January 2009, as president, I will." Today, Clinton tells the Times that, as president, she would leave some contingent of U.S. troops in Iraq to help with the "remaining military as well as political mission" there.

Clinton said the number of troops she would keep there would be much reduced from current levels and that their mission would be to fight al Qaeda elements, prevent the spread of fighting across the region, train Iraqi security forces and stay out of the middle of any sectarian violence. If you think that sounds like a semi-reasonable approach someone who might be charged with leading the free world would take, well, then, you're probably going to be surprised at the reaction it's likely to provoke.

Look for a vocal segment of Clinton's own party to skewer her for, as they see it, stepping back from her pledge to "end the war" as president. For anti-war activists, the only acceptable policy is complete and total withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Clinton has been pressed on the campaign trail about her refusal to apologize for her vote authorizing the war — she certainly isn't going to be given a pass for this. Of course Republicans will see this as one more Clintonian attempt to have it both ways.

Is there enough room in the middle of her own party to keep straddling the line when it comes to Iraq? That appears to be the betting, here but usually the only thing left standing in the middle of the highway is road kill.

Speaking Of Hillary… The latest juicy detail to be leaked from Democratic strategists Bob Shrum's upcoming book is that the former first lady was on John Kerry's list of possible running mates but was ruled out because she was deemed too polarizing. That's according to an account by The Associated Press, which reported yesterday that Shrum's tome claims John Edwards' vote in favor of the 2002 authorization for the Iraq War was cast on the advice of his political advisers.

That the senator from New York might be on a list of some 25 possible vice presidential picks or that political considerations would play some role in casting a vote is hardly surprising. Neither is an attempt to sell books on the part of a consultant who has been involved in, count them, eight losing presidential campaigns. Grain of salt, anyone? How about a bucket?

McRudy Romney? A new poll by CBS' Boston affiliate WBZ and Franklin Pierce College shows a tightening three-way Republican race in New Hampshire. John McCain, winner of the 2000 New Hampshire primary, clings to a statistically insignificant lead over Rudy Giuliani, 29 percent to 28 percent. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney is sneaking up on the two front-runners, garnering 22 percent in this latest survey. Numbers for the Democratic primary were released yesterday.

That's Sooo Two Elections Ago: McCain has reached deep into his bag of tricks to try to recapture some of that 2000 campaign magic. Yep, he's pulled the "Straight Talk Express" bus out of mothballs and boards it today for an Iowa expedition. Here's hoping it's still equipped with state-of-the-art technology — like fax lines and dial-up Internet connections.

Gold Rush? California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed legislation which moved his state's presidential primary up to Feb. 5 of next year. Conventional wisdom holds that this will again make the once-vital state a player in presidential politics. Solidly in the Democratic column in recent general elections, California has also been sidelined in the nominating process due to the fact its primary came late in the process — after nominations were already wrapped up.

So, more clout for the nation's most populous state, right? Yes – but how much more remains to be seen. Twenty or more states either have already moved to that same date or are looking at the possibility of doing so -- states like Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas will compete for attention. A de facto national primary could leave California less pivotal than this move was designed for.

It's Good To Be The Gov: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has had a busy week. First, he signed legislation outlawing cock-fighting in his state, then made the bolo New Mexico's official tie with another stroke of his pen. Now, he's declared today "Alan Arkin Day." It seems the recent Academy Award winner makes his home in New Mexico and is being honored for his Best Supporting Actor award. Is this Richardson's way to reach out to the Hollywood crowd? Anyone holding their breath for New Mexico landowner Don Rumsfeld to get a day?