Dem Campaign Chatter 8-3-2008

Today, Obama is in Chicago, Illinois - no public events are planned. Chicago is the home of his national campaign office. The Washington Post has a good read today about the secrecy of the campaign operation and the adjustments made from the primary to the general election. Read more here.

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New Gallup Poll has Obama - McCain tied at 44% - the poll was conducted from July 30 through August 1. The nine point lead Obama received after his overseas trip has already evaporated in one week. Say what you will about negative advertising - but the reason it is used - is it works. Read more here.

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Obama campaign agrees to three debates - campaign manager, David Plouffe sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates yesterday. They also agreed to one VP debate and named Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) as the one who would negotiate the details of the debates. Politico.com has more here. McCain is sure to make a point he asked for ten town hall debates and Obama did not agree to one - sure enough he did - read it here.

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H.I.V. cases up annually in the U.S. - the New York Times reports in a article today that the annual rate in the U.S. is 56,300 compared to the earlier reported figure of 40,000 by the Centers for Disease and Infectious Diseases. Let's see how the candidates for President react to this report. Read more here.

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As Olympic games near, China continues Internet censorship - the International Olympic Committee continues to receive comments on this restrictive action by the Chinese government. Read more here.

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Obama-Bayh ticket rumor heats up - Obama is scheduled to appear at Concord High School in Indiana on Wednesday morning with speculation on Indiana Senator Evan Bayh being selected as the VP prior to the kick off of the Olympics. Bayh was a Clinton supporter in the primary and Clinton narrowly won the state with his help. I still feel any leaks or speculation out there is for the benefit of the individual being considered and not to be taken seriously. Read more here.

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Former President Bill Clinton says he will have more to say about this year's Democratic primaries next year when time has gone by - He was interviewed while in Africa and interestingly, said next year he and others will have more space to say what they believe to be the truth about the primary. In the article in the Washington Post, it is unclear if Bill Clinton will have any role in the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Read the article here.