New Orleans 1st Logo

Today on the presidential campaign trail

Section: Politics

The Associated Press

IN THE HEADLINES

Giuliani wants U.S. to promote benefits abroad ... Oprah Winfrey to stump for Obama ... New Hampshire's first lady endorses Clinton

GIULIANI-FOREIGN POLICY

Giuliani calls for State Department that sells U.S., benefits abroad

BEDFORD, N.H. (AP) — Republican Rudy Giuliani said Monday the reputation of the United States has suffered globally not so much because of arrogant actions but for lack of salesmanship about benefits of democracy.

If he is elected president, he said, he would seek ambassadors who would work hard to sell U.S. strengths to foreigners, not just explain those distant nations to Washington.

Giuliani, who is making a late push in the first primary state, also rekindled a dispute with rival Mitt Romney, accusing the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts of presiding over a crime surge while in office.

"I think Mitt kind of runs away from his record as governor," Giuliani said, a day after the two candidates clashed over Romney's appointment of a judge who later freed a convicted killer now charged with murdering a young couple.

Romney has called for the judge's resignation, and cited statistics showing a decrease in crime in Massachusetts.

OPRAH-OBAMA

Oprah Winfrey hitting campaign trail in Iowa for Obama

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Oprah Winfrey will join Democrat Barack Obama again on the campaign trail, this time visiting the early contest states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, the candidate's campaign said Monday.

The talk show host and media mogul plans to visit Iowa on Saturday, Dec. 8, with stops in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. The following day, she'll travel to Columbia, S.C. Later that day, Obama's campaign said, she'll go to Manchester, N.H.

In September, she rolled out the red carpet for Obama at a fundraiser in California that brought in about $3 million for his campaign.

CLINTON-ENDORSEMENT

New Hampshire's first lady backs Clinton

Dr. Susan Lynch, a pediatrician who is married to New Hampshire's Democratic governor, endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for president Monday.

Lynch, a childhood obesity activist, said Clinton's commitment to fighting for children and families help make her the best choice for Democrats and the country. She will be a national co-chairwoman of Clinton's presidential campaign.

"As a mother and as a pediatrician, I share Hillary Clinton's commitment to fighting for children and families. We face big challenges, and I believe Hillary Clinton is the best candidate to deliver the changes we need," Lynch said in a statement shortly before a planned appearance with the New York senator.

Lynch works at Concord Hospital in a program to control cholesterol in children. In 2004, she was a member of "Doctors for Dean," which supported former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean for president.

Gov. John Lynch hasn't endorsed anyone.

"Governor Lynch will remain neutral and will continue to focus on being a good host to the primary," spokesman Colin Manning said.

THE DEMOCRATS

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois meets with undeclared voters in New Hampshire. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York attends a round-table discussion of health care and a potluck dinner in the state. John Edwards talks to New Hampshire teachers in between several stops there. Rep. Dennis Kucinich also has scheduled events.

Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut holds a round-table discussion of women's issues in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Delaware Sen. Joe Biden also campaign in the state.

THE REPUBLICANS

Arizona Sen. John McCain and Texas Rep. Ron Paul make stops in South Carolina.

Rep. Tom Tancredo hosts a town hall meeting in Hillboro, N.H.

Mike Huckabee attends a fundraiser in Austin, Texas.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"I'm ahead of any Republican candidate for president either 23-0 or 15-0. That's almost a Patriots score." — Rudy Giuliani, alluding to New England's undefeated football team.

STAT OF THE DAY:

Voter registration for the 2004 presidential election was 142 million people, an increase of 12.5 million since the 2000 election. (Census Bureau)

More Articles