IP: DNC's McAuliffe at the Gridiron Dinner

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Reply-To: <ray () everett org>
> From: "Ray Everett-Church" <ray () everett org>
> To: <farber () cis upenn edu>
>
> As reported in http://www.rollcall.com/pages/columns/hoh/:
>
> McAuliffe in '04?
>
> Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe joked that he's
> launching a bid for president in 2004 during a comedy routine at the
> recent Gridiron Club winter dinner.
>
> "As president, I would have one thing to say about the Republican
> policies that benefit the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans: Thanks!,"
> quipped McAuliffe, who added that he has a great shot at winning because
> of the weak field of potential Democratic candidates.
>
> Although the Gridiron speeches are supposed to stay off the record,
> here's McAuliffe's scouting report on potential '04 candidates,
> according to attendees who took notes.
>
> House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (Mo.): "How can he possibly win?
> He's too closely tied to me,"said McAuliffe.
>
> Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.): "Massachusetts. Enough said. Actually that's
> not fair. Senator Kerry's a real contender. He had the biggest
> fundraiser of the year last night - he had dinner with his wife."
>
> Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.): "As if Americans would ever elect a
> smooth-talking, good-looking Southerner as president."
>
> As for another potential Democratic candidate, McAuliffe said, "We have
> a vice president in total seclusion, at a secure location. Whereabouts
> completely unknown. And I'm talking about Al Gore."
>
> He also took aim at some top Republicans, including Bush. "A lot of
> Democrats are criticizing President Bush on his decision to cancel
> normal trials and hold military tribunals with quick executions. But to
> be fair, it worked well for him in Texas."
>
> McAuliffe joked that he had hoped to share the stage with sacked
> Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Gilmore. "I talked to Jim,
> and he's very happy,"he said. "The President has made some calls and
> gotten him a big new job as CEO of Enron."
>
> -------

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