Bob Graham

excerpts from the Iowa Daily Report

April 2003

… Graham campaign officials report just over $1 million raised during Jan.-Mar reporting period, but they’ve only held first fundraiser -- last week after the filing deadline. They attribute low figure to late start and Graham’s January heart surgery. (Iowa Presidential Watch, 4/8/2003)

Graham: “Graham was the most emphatic, arguing that the conflict had opened breaches with nations the United States needs to work with against terrorism. ‘I believe the war in Iraq has absolutely reduced our ability to effectively carry out the war against terrorism.” – Los Angeles Times.  4/9/2003

… When the Senate voted 80-0 Monday to confirm the judicial appointment of Cormac J. Carney as a federal district judge in CA, all of the senator-wannabes – Edwards, Graham, Kerry, Lieberman – were among the missing. Meanwhile over in the House, Gephardt continued to assure his St. Louis area constituents that they continued to be un-represented. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: Actually, it’s a tossup whether he’s there or not.  They are un-represented when he misses House votes – and are misrepresented when he is there and voting.) Gephardt was recorded as “not voting” when the House considered a series of fairly non-controversial bills. (Iowa Presidential Watch, 4/9/2003)

… From “Inside Politics” column by Greg Pierce in yesterday’s Washington Times: “Sen. Bob Graham, Florida Democrat, raised just over $1 million for his presidential campaign, and Rep. Richard A. Gephardt, Missouri Democrat, pocketed $3.6 million in first-quarter fund-raising results. Mr. Graham’s total came in just three weeks of phone calls, according to his campaign. His campaign got a slow start after the senator underwent heart surgery earlier this year. Mr. Gephardt, in addition to the $3.6 million, transferred another $2.4 million from his Gephardt for Congress committee.” (4/10/2003)

… From Ronald Brownstein’s coverage in yesterday’s Los Angeles Times of Dem candidate forum in Washington: “Dean, Kucinich, Sharpton, Braun and Graham said they continued to view the war with Iraq as unnecessary or counterproductive.” (4/11/2003)

… Under headline “Graham courts power brokers on West Coast,” the Orlando Sentinel reports from Beverly Hills that “Graham, making his first West Coast campaign trip this week, spoke of a ‘passion’ inspiring him to seek the presidency. But in their first exposure to Florida’s senior senator and former governor, some of California’s wealthiest political activists saw more moderation than passion. In methodical and measured tones, Graham displayed more of a smoldering dissatisfaction with the direction of the country than any room-lighting fire for the office he seeks.”  Also from the report by Sentinel staff writer Mark Silva: “Some already say Graham may be better-suited as a running mate than ticket-leader. Yet some suggest Graham’s non-threatening manner may appeal to the most practical Democrats who understand that primary elections are a partisan better but that the 2004 presidential campaign will be waged in the middle of the road.” The report added: “The idea that Graham can carry Florida is highly attractive to Democrats he is courting here.” On another matter, Graham – who voted against the Iraq resolution – told the Sentinel military action against Syria might be necessary. He said: ‘We threw a few cruise missiles into the terrorist training camps in Afghanistan … that’s what we may have to do in Syria.”  (4/16/2003)

… California Dreamin’ I: Although some numbers from The Field Poll (among registered Democrats) in California have been reported, Iowa Pres Watch notes that – as far as early observers are concerned – the field of Dem wannabes is breaking into three distinct factions. The Big Three with double-digit numbers: Lieberman (22%), Kerry (16%) and Gephardt (12%). The single-digit group: Dean (7%), Sharpton and Moseley Braun (both with 4%), Edwards (3%), Graham (2%) and Kucinich (1%). The third – and largest – faction: Undecided (29%).  (4/18/2003)

… So this is New Hampshire? New Hampshire reporters – who apparently keep track of such things – have determined it’s been nearly two decades since Graham campaigned in NH, when he made an ’84 trip on behalf of then FL Guv (and pres candidate) Ruebin Askew. Graham – fresh from his California fundraising expedition – arrived in NH yesterday for his first campaign visit to the state, despite The Union Leader senior political reporter John DiStaso reporting that “a few sourpusses” from other campaigns are not “thrilled about still another candidate.” DiStaso wrote that “some made sure we saw yesterday’s Miami Herald report that Graham is calling for potential cruise missile strikes against terrorist camps in Syria and Syrian-controlled Lebanon if the Syrian government does not eliminate terrorist activities.” DiStaso also noted Graham was “the only senator in the race who opposed last year’s congressional resolution authorizing George Bush (43) to use military action against Iraq.” During a campaign stop yesterday, Graham said: “I voted against the resolution to go to war because I thought the priorities were wrong. Syria has harbored some of the most serious terrorist groups in the world. That should be our first priority.” (4/18/2003).

Iowa a week ago while rivals Lieberman and Kucinich cancelled IA stops to cast votes in Washington. Gephardt spokeswoman Kim Molstre quote: “Dick has said all along you can’t make all the votes and run for president…He feels very strongly that being out in Iowa is very, very important.” At the other end of the spectrum, Kucinich hasn’t missed any votes this year. In the Senate, Kerry has missed the most (52 votes), Lieberman was absent for 29 votes (22%), Edwards 21 votes (16%), and Graham has missed only three votes. (4/19-20/2003)

… So, is Graham better qualified to be a dishwasher, firefighter, park ranger or to drive the Cog Railway in New Hampshire? Those, according to several NH media reports, were just some of the suggested options after Graham announced he will participate in “work days” during his presidential effort there. He has used the “work days” gimmick – during which he puts in a shift at an everyday job, a political ploy he’s used in past FL campaigns – and asked NH Dems to suggest jobs he could do during a Concord visit last Friday. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: Iowans wouldn’t be as easily impressed by the “work days” façade – since Harkin employed the political gimmick for years. Besides, the more pressing question about Graham’s candidacy isn’t whether he plans to do “work days” in IA – but whether he expects to show up in Iowa at all?)  (4/21/2003)

… Tallahassee Democrat reports that Graham – campaigning in known, comfortable FL territory – “shrugged off President Bush’s popularity in public-opinion polls. ‘I’m surprised that George W. Bush is 10 to 20 points lower in the polls than his father was at a comparable point in his candidacy,” said Graham. Yesterday’s Tallahassee Democrat report indicated Graham was in the Florida Panhandle for “some fund-raising and media exposure.” He told reporters he was “satisfied with his first national campaign swing through California and New Hampshire last week” – and that he plans to visit Iowa next week. The Democrat coverage also indicated that “Graham said he’s well on his way to raising about $20 million before the primary caucus season gets started next year.” A related report: The Associated Press – under headline, “Fla. Sen. Graham May Not Seek 4th Term” – reported Graham said yesterday he is “urging potential successors to start working on their bids to replace him in the U. S. Senate.” More from AP coverage: “The Florida lawmaker has not ruled out a fourth term next year if his presidential campaign falters. Still, a handful of state Democrats have expressed interest in the race, and Graham said he has heard from several.” Graham also indicated he will formally announce his presidential candidacy on 5/6. (4/23/2003)

… Edwards’ West Coast fundraising rampage continues. On the heels of a Monday Tacoma (WA) News Tribune report that Edwards was the leading Dem fundraiser in Washington state, the Portland Oregonian reported yesterday that Edwards received nearly $62,000 of the almost $100,000 the Dem wannabes raised in Oregon during the first quarter of the year. It also proved there are trial lawyers in Oregon – noting that “at least $33,000 of the nearly $62,000 he raised in Oregon came from trial lawyers or their spouses, according to reports filed last week with the Federal Election Commission.” As in Washington state, Dean was second in Oregon fundraising – with “just less than $25,000. Staunch opposition to the war in Iraq helped bring him to the attention of Democratic activists.” Others: Kerry, $8,050; Gephardt, $2,000; and Lieberman and Kucinich “received less than $4,000 from Oregon contributors.” Graham and Moseley Braun did not have any Oregon contributors and – as the New Hampshire media and Tacoma account have reported – Sharpton did not file a first-quarter FEC report. (4/23/2003)

… From Thomas Beaumont on DesMoinesRegister.com this morning – headline, “Graham schedule shift surprises staff” Beaumont reports that Graham “made a quick change to his schedule that will have him visiting Iowa two weeks earlier than first planned. But whether it signals the Democratic presidential hopeful from Florida is going to campaign hard in Iowa or that he’s symbolically squeezing in a trip to the leadoff caucus state remains to be seen.” Graham to visit IA next Monday – not 5/9 as earlier announced. (4/25/2003)

… Speaking of the Confederate flag, Graham told the Gainesville Sun that “the Confederate battle flag should not be prominently displayed at the South Carolina capitol.” In yesterday’s edition – under the headline, “Graham makes distinction between Confederate flags” – Graham “did not say what type of display might be acceptable. But a spokesman said the Florida Democrat was leaving that up to South Carolinians. A Confederate national flag flew outside the Florida statehouse throughout Graham’s two terms as governor, from 1979 to 1987, but Graham said that was different. The flag, with the controversial cross emblem in one corner of a white field, flew from 1978 until Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, removed it in 2001.”  (4/26/2003)

… Headline from New Hampshire’s The Union Leader yesterday – “Graham calls for pressure on Syria” Coverage by AP’s Will Lester in DC reports Graham said the U. S. “must pressure Syria to stop Hezbollah from operating training camps there because that group has pledged a goal of ‘death to America’ and terrorist operatives in this country.” He said the United States must convince Syrian President Basher Assad there will be consequences if he does not shut down the camps. Graham, in remarks before the Council of Foreign Relations, said: “One thing we have learned about these groups is that they tend to do what they say they will do.”(4/26/2003)

… Hartford Courant headline report: “Lieberman, Graham Fight for Same Turf” Coverage by Courant Washington Bureau Chief David Lightman – “Bob Graham is precisely the kind of person Joe Lieberman didn’t want to have to run against for president. Both are veteran 60-something U. S. senators. Their resumes are nearly identical – both were elected to their state Senates in 1970, then held statewide offices and got elected to the U. S. Senate in the 1980s. Their calm, even humble styles are the same. They both promote themselves as moderates. They’re both foreign policy wonks. And they both are counting on Florida, the nation’s fourth largest state, for big money and lots of votes. Lieberman was aiming to make Florida a critical part of his strategy. He looked to the state as a crucial source of money and a place where he could win with enthusiastic support. But with Graham in the race, the edge now goes to the Florida senator.”(4/27/2003)

… Before embarking on his initial IA campaign adventure, Graham stopped by ABC’s “This Week” to opine that the U.S. has virtually abandoned Afghanistan and the war on terrorism. Graham, who contended that the Bush administration has allowed al-Qaida terrorists to regroup while engaging in the Iraq war, said: “I don’t think that’s a very impressive national security record.” As president, Graham said he would emphasize efforts to crackdown on al-Qaida and other groups – including Hezbollah and Hamas – that primarily target Israel.  (4/28/2003)

… Too good – and too funny – to be true or ignored. During first visit to IA, Graham yesterday accused other senator-wannabes of voting for a tax cut proposal they opposed. Coverage by AP resident caucus-watcher Mike Glover: “Florida Sen. Bob Graham, in his first visit to the state that launches the presidential nominating season, attacked three Democratic rivals on Monday, claiming they backed a $350 billion tax cut. All three, however, actually voted against the tax cut. Graham, a moderate, was asked how he would distinguish himself from other moderates seeking the Democratic nomination, and he quickly seized on the tax cut. ‘I voted against any tax cut,’ Graham said. ‘It’s irresponsible to be cutting taxes at a time that you’re facing record deficits and a war of undetermined cost.” Graham pointed to North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry…However, on final passage, Georgia Sen. Zen Miller was the only Democrat that voted in favor of the budget that includes $350 billion in tax cuts.” (Iowa Pres Watch Note: Graham – obviously – has missed an important Iowa Caucus 101 lesson. This is Iowa – not Florida – where election outcomes are recorded correctly and mean something, politicians are held accountable and ridiculed for their missteps, and political has-beens are retired to the nearest pasture. A mistake like this will haunt Graham for months to come – like until next January – in Iowa, and may jeopardize Graham’s vice presidential aspirations.) (4/29/2003)

… Graham – according to Greg Pierce’s “Inside Politics” column in yesterday’s Washington Times -- is leaving possible Senate successors in Florida in political limbo. Pierce’s report: “As Democratic presidential candidate Bob Graham heads to the cornfields of Iowa this week, he leaves in Florida a bewildered field of candidates for his Senate seat, Cox News Service reports. These wannabe senators long to hear him speak these words: ‘I will not run for the Senate.’ Mr. Graham is determined to become the nation’s 44th president. He acknowledges that getting there will not be easy. He speaks candidly about the difficulty of the campaign ahead, the crowded field, his rusty campaign style and the need to raise $20 million, reporter Brian E. Crowley writes. But Mr. Graham refuses to give a clear answer to one simple question: ‘If your campaign for president falters, will you run for a fourth term in the Senate?’ His answers include, ‘I will be the next president’ and saying Democratic candidates should ‘get organized, start forming a campaign and be ready to go.’ But never does Mr. Graham just say ‘no.’” (4/30/2003)

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