How Future Election Campaigns Will Be Handled

The mastermind behind Barack Obama's campaign ... Jim Messina Photo: Reuters, left, and Twitter

The Man Behind The Man: How A Strategist Called Jim Got Barack Obama Back Into The White House -- Sydney Morning Herald

He was once described as "the most powerful person in Washington you've never heard of".

While Barack Obama delivered a rousing victory speech in Chicago, it was his campaign manager Jim Messina who many were crediting as developing the strategy that kept the US President in the White House for another four years.

'He knew exactly where everything was going,' Messina said of Steve Jobs. 'He explained viral content and how our stuff could break out, how it had to be interesting and clean.'

The 42-year-old has never lost a campaign he has managed since his first race in 1993 when he was still a politics undergraduate.

Read more ....

My Comment: I know that this is not a war/national security/defense post .... but it is a fascinating look and analysis on President Obama's election strategy, and (in my opinion) how future election campaigns will be managed.

U.S. Election News Links And Live Blogs (This Post Will Be Staying On Top For Today)

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U.S. Election Coverage From U.S. TV And Wire Reports

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U.S. Election Coverage From U.S. Newspapers, Magazines, Websites

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U.S. Election Coverage From International Newspapers, Magazines, Websites

US 2012 Special Election Coverage -- Al Jazeera
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US Election Coverage -- BBC
Live US Election Coverage -- BBC
Euronews
(Australia) News.com.au
(Australia) The Australian
(Canada) CTV News
(Canada) Global News Live Blog
(China) Xinhuanet
France24
(Ireland) Irish Times
(Israel) Arutz Sheva
(U.K.) US Elections -- The Independent
(U.K.) US Elections 2012 -- The Guardian
(U.K.) US Elections 2012 - Live -- The Guardian
(U.K.) The Telegraph
(U.K.) Live Coverage -- The Telegraph

The U.S. Presidential Election Campaign In 2 Minutes

My Comment: Here is an easy prediction .... it is going to be an interesting evening/night in the U.S.. I will be posting on other stories tonight .... after-all the world does not revolve around the U.S. .... but I will be keeping an eye on the results, and will be commenting accordingly. As for my prediction on what will be happening tonight (and the next 4 years), I made my prediction yesterday.

International Poll-Watchers 'Amazed' US Doesn't Require Photo-ID's To Vote

Josh Rogin/Foreign Policy

Foreign Election Officials Amazed By Trust-Based U.S. Voting System -- Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy

For the head of Libya's national election commission, the method by which Americans vote is startling in that it depends so much on trust and the good faith of election officials and voters alike.

"It's an incredible system," said Nuri K. Elabbar, who traveled to the United States along with election officials from more than 60 countries to observe today's presidential elections as part of a program run by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). Your humble Cable guy visited polling places with some of the international officials this morning. Most of them agreed that in their countries, such an open voting system simply would not work.

"It's very difficult to transfer this system as it is to any other country. This system is built according to trust and this trust needs a lot of procedures and a lot of education for other countries to adopt it," Elabbar said.

Read more ....

My Comment: I live in Canada, and in our elections we must always show voter ID (Passport, drivers license, government permit, healthcare card, etc.). And for our advance polls, we need to bring proof of residence (this is usually a bill or a government letter to one's address) as well as our photo ID. The way we vote is also the same across the country (mark our vote on a ballot) .... no different rules for different provinces/states. Is our (Canadian) system? ... I would like to think so. As to the U.S. system .... as an outsider I am also amazed (like the above UN inspectors) by how much of it is dependent on trust and good faith.

Live Coverage: U.S. Presidential Debate

WNU Editor: Yahoos live coverage is here.

Other networks/newspapers live coverage:

ABC News
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CBS
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NBC
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Washington Post

Live blogs on the US Presidential debate:

ABC News
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Washington Post

The World Does Not Care About The U.S. Election

Why World Doesn't Care About U.S. Election -- Annette Heuser, Real Clear World

"Not really interested."

That's the refrain I have heard about this year's U.S. presidential campaign during my recent overseas travels. The indifference stands in stark contrast to the international mega-hype that the election created four years ago. Then, millions worldwide closely followed the Obama-McCain matchup. Friends, family and colleagues far and wide constantly called, seeking insight into America's upcoming vote. My e-mail inbox was flooded. As Election Day approached, it seemed everyone I knew wanted to camp out at my home to be a part of history. Even those who previously saw the U.S. as a shopping and tourist destination developed a sudden interest in the country's politics.

Read more ....

My Comment: I live next door in Canada, and interest in the U.S. election comes only from news junkies and certain parts of the media .... beyond that .... Annette Heuser is right when she states that no one cares.

Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney To Announce His VP Pick On Saturday, 9:00 EST

Photo: US Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney Announces VP Pick Saturday In Virginia. Rubio Or Ryan? -- Miami Herald

Mitt Romney is going to announce his vice presidential pick tomorrow. The short list is long (and unknown, really, to many of us), but allies of Sen. Marco Rubio think it's down to the Florida Senator and Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.

Of course, it could be neither of them.

There's Tim Pawlenty (boring), and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman (boring, with a dash of Bush-era budgeting to go with it). Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is a wild card, but way more exciting.

The press release:

Boston, MA – On Saturday, Mitt Romney will begin his “The Romney Plan For A Stronger Middle Class” bus tour by announcing his choice for Vice Presidential candidate in Norfolk, Virginia. The following events are open to the press. Please note that the tour of the USS Wisconsin and Homemades by Suzanne drop by are pool coverage.

Read more ....

My Comment: Sending the press release late Friday night .... hmmmm ..... OK .... but it is not the method that I would use to get the most publicity. But even with this late news announcement, his timing is a surprise .... he is picking his VP pick a month earlier than usual.

As to what is my take on who should he choose .... my hope is either Sen. Marco Rubio or Paul Ryan .... they are focused on the important domestic issues, and anyone else will just not excite the voters in the Republican base or in the independents that Romney will need to win in November. But .... I expect Mitt Romney to behave like Mitt Romney .... in short .... expect his selection to be someone who is boring, and like Mitt Romney not crystal clear in expressing his position on important policy issues..

Then again .... I can be completely wrong .... we shall know tomorow.