Daily Political Wire

George Wenschhof

President Obama To Visit 9/11 Locations - today, the president will visits Ground Zero in New York, Shanksville, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon. Tonight, Obama will give a speech at the Kennedy Center.

Ten years ago, I was coordinating Democratic Party efforts in The City of Frederick, Maryland primary elections. Busy overseeing activities at polling locations early in the morning with my ear seemingly glued to the telephone, I missed the first plane crash into the World Trade Center.

On the way to a much needed bathroom break, I passed through a campaign volunteers room where a television was reporting the breaking news. Upon returning from the bathroom break, I sat down to witness live the second plane crash into the Twin Towers. Watching the event unfold live on television was a surreal experience. But, one I immediately realized was not an accident.

After hearing reports were circulating New York City was calling off their election, I placed a call to the Frederick County Board of Elections to see what the local election judges would decide. The decision came early to mid afternoon the election would continue as scheduled.

On the Democratic Party side, Jennifer Dougherty would win a very close primary election beating second place finisher Meta Nash by 47 votes. Alan Imhoff came in third. Dougherty would go on to become the first women Mayor in The City of Frederick by winning the General Election against incumbent Republican James Grimes.

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Democratic National Committee Fund Raising Drops - the preliminary estimates show the DNC raised 5.5 million in August, down from 6.7 million in July. The official report will be issued on September 20. For the year 2011 to date, the DNC and Obama campaign have raised 118 million. Reuters.com has more here.

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Democrats Worry About Obama Reelection - more and more, it is becoming obvious the 2012 election is likely to be a close battle and one the Democrats could lose. The nation's unemployment rate of 9.1% is unlikely to drop significantly prior to the election. Even though Republican front runners Mitt Romney and Rick Perry do not appear to be able to mount a strong campaign alternative to the president, they are running neck and neck with Obama in the polls. The NY Times has a good read here.

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Tea Party Republican Debate Tomorrow - the presidential candidate debate will be broadcast live from Tampa, Florida by CNN. The debate will start at 8:00 PM ET.

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Uncle of President Obama Arrested - in Framingham, Massachusetts on August 24 on charges of drunken driving. Seems Onyango Obama is not in the country legally and had previously ordered removed. He was recently released by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement custody and ordered to check in regularly. You can read more here.

Look to see Republicans jump on this news as the debate continues on national immigration reform.

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California Democratic Campaign Treasurer Released on Bond - Kinde Durkee was released on $200,000 bond one week after being arrested on charges relating to misuse of candidate campaign funds.

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