News and Notes: The National Scene

Big doings beyond the borders of the Buckeye State:

Oprah to Stump for Obama? - They're talking it over. I would never, ever underestimate what Oprah can accomplish. Also, to the extent that Obama is the candidate who could conceivably bring non-political people to the polls, Oprah with her huge mass-media-market following could help with that.

Republican Malaise Goes Way Beyond Bush - An analysis of polling by the Wall Street Journal shows that the declining fortunes of the Grand Old Party are not limited to displeasure with the current occupant of the White House. The Republican Party is losing support among younger voters, Hispanics, and independents, based largely on "the Iraq war, conservatives' emphasis on social issues such as gay marriage, abortion and stem-cell research, and a party-led backlash against illegal immigrants that has left many Hispanic and Asian-American citizens feeling unwelcome." In short, "Republicans face structural problems that stem from generational, demographic and societal changes and aren't easily overcome without changing fundamental party positions."

California Electoral Vote Proposal Looks DOA - Polling shows only 38% support for a Republican bid to divide California's electoral votes according to results in each Congressional district, probably dooming the controversial proposal.

Thompson to Upstage New Hampshire GOP Debate - Erstwhile GOP presidential contender Fred Thompson (R-TN) has a plan to totally upstage tonight's GOP candidates debate in New Hampshire (which he is skipping). First, he will air a 30 second commercial on Fox News Channel during the debate that will direct viewers to go view a 15 minute web cast on his campaign site. Then he will appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, a venue with a vastly larger audience than the presidential debate. All of this precedes tomorrow's official announcement of Thompson's candidacy.

UPDATE: Check Out RomneyFacts.com - This terrific web site by the Massachusetts Democratic Party sets out contrasting quotes from "Massachusetts Mitt" and "Red State Romney," one the governor of liberal Massachusetts and the other the presidential contender who is now pandering to the GOP's ultra-conservative base. It's hilarious. While he was governor Romney came out strong in favor of liberal positions (like gun control and raising the minimum wage and opposing privatization of social security), but that hasn't stopped him from contradicting his prior statements now.