CAMPAIGN QUICK HITS

Here are some quick thoughts and questions about the presidential and congressional races as of today:

Former Congressman John LeBoutillier
• Once again - as we were on the Monday before the New Hampshire Primary - the Death Watch is out for

Hillary’s campaign. And, this time, even Obama’s campaign is getting cocky, proclaiming, “She can’t catch us!”

• Be careful: the Clintons are desperate to win this race. There is no telling what they will do;

• It is indeed wonderful to smell the stench of death around Hillary’s campaign. The infighting, the leaks, the firings, the resignations, the money troubles, the media speculation - all of this is wonderful to see!

• Obama has gotten a <total free ride from the media. No vetting; no probing; no asking. “Where’s the beef?”

• This present upward surge for him will not last. He has yet to have his inevitable ‘down’ days. They are coming. The only question is: do these ‘down’ and ‘tough’ days come after he has already sewn up the Democratic nomination?

• You can bet that Bill Clinton is going to do something else to get this thing for Hillary and himself. The 800 super-delegates are his target. God knows what he’ll do to get them over to Team Clinton.

• I am not yet ready to gloat over my prediction of a year ago: Hillary won’t make it because an anti-war party is going to nominate an anti-war candidate (Obama) - not the most pro-war candidate (Hillary). No gloating over the demise of the Clintons until and unless she has withdrawn from the race. A long way from now. But that day may be coming. Hopefully.

• McCain? He hasn’t been vetted either. Have we heard a word about the Keating Five lately? Has the media re-examined that cesspool of lies by McCain? I specifically remember where he lied about ever accepting money from Charles Keating - and later was forced to admit that he had and had also take Keating-paid trips to the Bahamas. And he got away with it!!! Because the media loves him!!!

• The GOP is in a state of total confusion: half the party detests and distrusts McCain. A goodly percentage - maybe 10%-15% will sit it out in November.

• Believe me: despite what some tell us - many conservatives hate McCain much more than they hate the Democrats, even Hillary. These conservatives detest McCain - not on any particular issue. It is his personality, his cockiness, arrogance, condescension, anger and temper that turn people off - especially those who have been on the receiving end of his explosive, out-of-control temper and meanness.

• Still do not rule out this scenario: McCain is not the GOP nominee when the Republicans leave St. Paul in September.

• Just a feeling: revelations and events may conspire to show the Real McCain - and the GOP may realize that they cannot march into battle this fall with a damaged, divisive figure at the head of the Republican Party.

• No matter what happens on the Presidential level, we are going to get creamed in the House and Senate. We are going to lose a ton of seats. That is why so many senior GOP Congressmen are choosing to retire.

• GW Bush has presided over and caused the destruction of the Republican Party. His seven years have been a total political disaster. And we are only just beginning to pay the price for Bush’s political malpractice.

• He will be a huge issue in the fall. In fact, it has already begun: Obama says now, “If you want a third term of George Bush, then vote for John McCain.” A very, very effective line.

• Congressional Republicans looked awful yesterday at the Roger Clemens hearings. Pathetic. Embarrassing. Chris Shays and Dan Burton were disgraceful.

• Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Former Congressman John LeBoutillier

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