[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/02/04/art.blitzer.cnn.jpg caption=" The economy issue could help the Democrats."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - If the economy is weak in November, the Democrats will have a great chance of winning the White House and increasing their majorities in the House and Senate.
That’s the prevailing view among many political insiders of both parties. They say voters will tend to blame eight years of Republican leadership in the White House under President Bush for their fears of losing their jobs, homes and health insurance. If voters are worried about recession and inflation, they will want to see change in Washington. That, these insiders say, would be the major factor in the election.
They remember what happened in 1992. The economy was the dominant issue in that campaign when Bill Clinton challenged then-President George H.W. Bush. Bush was coming off the heels of a major win in the first Gulf War when he ordered half a million troops to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein’s occupation. At the end of 1991, we saw the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending more than 70 years of Communist rule in Russia and the other Soviet Republics. The president had enormous national security and foreign policy experience. But it was all for naught.
By mid-1992, there were serious fears of recession. People were worried about the bread-and-butter issues and they wanted change. Bill Clinton may have been a governor from Arkansas with limited foreign policy experience, but voters flocked to him and he won. With serious concern over the economy right now, Democrats are hoping to see the same scenario played out this year irrespective of whether Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama is the party’s nominee.
There is, of course, a huge wild card out there – the war in Iraq and the overall war on terror. We don’t know what is going to happen over the coming months on either front. If Americans come to fear a major terror threat, or if there is another major terror strike against the United States, all bets might be off. Voters could rally behind John McCain, who has lots of national security experience.
Just some thoughts to consider as this hectic campaign season continues.
–CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/02/27/art.clinton.msnbc.gi.jpg caption=" Sen. Hillary Clinton at last nights debate in Clevland, Ohio."]
It seems like Hillary Clinton is not only running against Barack Obama these days, she's also running against the news media.
Early on in last night's debate, Clinton referenced a Saturday Night Live skit that showed reporters fawning over Obama and showering him with softball questions. She said, "Maybe we should ask Barack if he's comfortable and needs another pillow." Clinton also whined about getting asked the first question more often in the last several debates.
The Clinton campaign has been complaining recently – more so since she has fallen behind – that the news media is tougher on her than Obama. It's a tactic as old as politics: things aren't going well, blame the media.
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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/02/27/art.buckley.ap.jpg caption=" William F. Buckley, Jr. has died."](CNN) - National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr. died overnight at his home in Stamford, Conn., officials at the magazine confirmed Wednesday.
"I’m devastated to report that our dear friend, mentor, leader, and founder William F. Buckley Jr., died this morning in his study in Stamford, Connecticut," Kathryn Jean Lopez, editor of the National Review Online wrote on the Web site Wednesday.
"He died while at work; if he had been given a choice on how to depart this world, I suspect that would have been exactly it. At home, still devoted to the war of ideas. "
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Attorney General Michael Mukasey is getting his first look at the controversial military prison complex at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Mukasey arrived late Wednesday morning for the previously unannounced trip, which is expected to last only about five hours.
"The visit provided him with the opportunity to see first hand the state of the art detention facility at the station," said Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr.
Mukasey is scheduled to meet with military personnel and other officials involved in the Military Commissions proceedings.
Justice Department prosecutors and FBI agents assigned to the the "high value" detainee cases have been involved in the investigation since they were moved to Guantanamo Bay.
Recently military officials announced they would be seeking charges and a potential death penalty against six of those detainees, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, known as the
mastermind of the Sept. 11th attacks.
–CNN Justice Producer Terry Frieden
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