In Video Trail Mix, Craig says it seems like John McCain and Sarah Palin are having more fun than the man who beat them.

Craig considers how Barack Obama embodies our apology to the world for going nuts after 9/11. (Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)

Craig recaps some of the more memorable moments of the 2008 election. (Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Video Trail Mix asks white voters in southwest Virginia if they think their community is ready for a black president.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Video Trail Mix explores the political expediency of Barack Obama's happy talk.

Craig to speak and sign books:
TONIGHT (Oct. 10) at 7:00 PM EST
Milton Theater, 110 Union Street
Milton, DE 19968 (302-684-3400)

Video Trail Mix wanders downtown Roanoke for chats with small business owners about what's on their minds. (Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)

ROANOKE, VA -- Talk to people "outside the beltway" and it doesn't take long to discern that most are barely interested in what typically fascinates the political world. The process and mechanics of campaigns that keep junkies buzzing are little more than distant thunder in places like southwest Virginia.

In an afternoon of chats with Roanoke small business owners, for instance, no one even brought up the Washington food fight over John McCain's threat to skip tonight's debate. Even McCain's business-related reasoning -- his plan to instead focus on the economic crisis -- was not upper most in the minds of these local entrepreneurs, interviewed for today's Video Trail Mix (click "Play Video" in screen above).

So many Americans are weary of politics because the repetitive gotcha games and tactical brinksmanship come across as little more than intramural competition for a really boring sport. They'd rather watch fleas wrestle.

Discussions with the average Washington politico inevitably center on process details such as polling nuances, dirty tricks, or who's about to get fired from somebody's staff.

A far different -- and more substantive -- range of topics emerge when you walk around a town like Roanoke and talk to someone who runs a small oil company, a print shop, a jeans store and a vegetable stand. Here, the discussions center on locally pressing matters such as the rising number of customers who can't pay their heating bill, the rapidly declining number of small businesses -- and rumors about the closing of a nearby garment factory.

Who might lose their job in the next plant closing easily trumps talk about who's up and who's down in the world of campaign insiders.

Video Trail Mix gets reaction to John McCain's debate pullout threat in a visit to The Coffee Pot, a bluegrass roadhouse in Roanoke, Va. (Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)

The John McCain campaign sometimes reminds me of a well-worn maxim for lawyers: If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table and argue like hell.

Threatening to boycott Friday's debate in favor of full time focus on the nation's financial meltdown is one way to at least temporarily upset the course of a race that isn't going your way. Whenever things aren't going well for McCain he comes up with something to change the narrative.

So much is stacked against McCain. Republicans are politically on the run. His party's president is unpopular. And the sudden national obsession with big-finance economics is keeping the GOP nominee on the defensive, even threatening to ensare his own campaign manager for doing business with a troubled company.

Pounding the table is about all that's left for McCain to do. And, as sometimes happens for lawyers who resort to theatrics in a tough case, arguing like hell might work.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Nostalgic for elections of year's past? Then according to the latest presidential campaign ad buy statistics, you'll love the 2008 campaign -- the major states in play include all of the great hits from yesteryear.

Webcam Trail Mix produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig says that whether the candidates admit it or not, in an election year, 9/11 is political.

While Trail Mix soaks our blistered feet, a look back at our video coverage of the Republicans:

• GOP Sings the Gustav Blues: As Hurricane Gustav pounds the Gulf Coast, Craig talks to delegates from Texas, a state both physically and politically in the eye of the storm. (9/1)
• An Unconventional Convention: Due to a plethora of unexpected distractions, the Republican National Convention is off to a slow start. (9/2)
• McCain's Very Large Screen: Convention sets say a lot about how campaigns try to brand their candidates. (9/3)
• The Race Is On: Video Trail Mix winds up our convention coverage with a visit to Minnesota's Mall of America. (9/4)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Video Trail Mix at the Democratic Convention

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Video Trail Mix winds up our convention coverage with a visit to Minnesota's Mall of America.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Convention sets say a lot about how campaigns try to brand their candidates. Craig takes a look at the interior of the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul to see what the setup says about John McCain.

Due to a plethora of unexpected distractions, the Republican National Convention is off to a slow start. But Craig says the week can still be salvaged.

 

Craig on "Imus in the Morning"
Thursday (9/2) 6:30 AM EST 

WABC-AM / WJZW-FM
(Simulcast on RFD-TV)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

As Hurricane Gustav pounds the Gulf Coast, Craig talks to delegates from Texas, a state both physically and politically in the eye of the storm.

Party-deprived GOPers? Not exactly. Turn your fest into a fundraiser for hurricane victims and party on! Now on Being There, the CQ Politics party patrol.

While Trail Mix travels today to the Republican convention, a look back at our video coverage of the Democrats:

• Dems to Secure America, Denver First: Video Trail Mix kicks off Democratic convention coverage with a look at how security is not just a party theme in Denver. (8/25)
• What Disunity Lurks Below: Craig's Webcam Edition ponders the disconnect between public claims of unity among Democrats and private words about an Obama-Clinton rift. (8/26)
• Denver, What's Your Issue: Craig takes to the streets of Denver, where everyone has a cause or an issue they are hawking at the Democratic National Convention. (8/27)
• Dem Delegates Say Yes We Can: Craig talks to Democratic Convention delegates moments after Barack Obama's official nomination on Wednesday. (8/28)
• The Long Road to Invesco Field: Craig takes you behind the scenes of Obama's acceptance speech. (8/29)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Starting Monday:
Video Trail Mix Covers the GOP Convention

 

Latest GOP/Gustav Updates: CQPolitics.com

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig takes you behind the scenes of Barack Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig talks to Democratic Convention delegates moments after Barack Obama's official nomination on Wednesday.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig takes to the streets of Denver, where everyone has a cause or an issue they are hawking at the Democratic National Convention.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig's Webcam Edition ponders the disconnect between public claims of unity among Democrats and private words about an Obama-Clinton rift.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Video Trail Mix kicks off Democratic convention coverage with a look at how security is not just a party theme in Denver.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

While all of political junkiedom waits for their smart phones to announce Barack Obama's running mate, Video Trail Mix (Webcam edition) looks ahead to three things he must do with the upcoming Democratic convention.

Craig on "Countdown with Keith Olbermann"
Tonight (8/22) MSNBC 8:10 PM EST

Craig talks about the presumed GOP nominee with Keith Olbermann (MSNBC, 8/7)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig's Video Trail Mix: It's that time of year when the "dark arts" practitioners of presidential campaigns try to frighten voters.

From the "We're Not Making This Up Department," the Wall Street Journal seriously explores whether Barack Obama is too skinny to be president.

Craig talks with Keith Olbermann about this goofy idea . . .

MSNBC (8/1)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig on "Countdown with Keith Olbermann"
Tonight (8/1) MSNBC 8:55 PM EST

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter
(Click screen to play video) 

Craig on MSNBC Wed (7/30)
9am-1pm EST (various times)

Iran's Missile Tests. A news music video edited by Craig Crawford. "We Will Rock You" (Elektra Records, 1977).

• Is Obama Talking Too Tough on Iran? (David Corn)
• State Department Official Downplays Iran's Strategic Influence (CQ Today)

A video tribute to Thomas Jefferson, author of The Declaration of American Independence (July 4, 1776). Read by Bill Barker of Williamsburg, VA. Edited by Craig Crawford.

Happy Fourth Trail Mixers!

Who's Your Favorite Founder? Now on Facebook
(Our Trail Mix home for your non-political needs)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

In today's Video Trail Mix, Craig looks at how Sen. Barack Obama is aggressively battling against smears with speeches on patriotism and faith.

Craig on HuffPo:
For McCain, it's Jobs First in Mexico

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig goes to the movies with Barack and Hillary.

Freaky Friday on Facebook
(Our home for your non-political needs)

Unlikely Burrito (our new Official Dog Walker) seeks your dog pics . . .  Dexter shares cool clips in Posted Items (Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Dave Clark Five) . . .  Shelia marvels at all the "lookers" in member photos . . . Tylenol reports from Montreal JazzFest . . . and, as always, we diss the latest celebrity gossip (Madonna had no pre-nup???)

 

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

 

Craig on "Imus in the Morning"
Thursday (6/26) 6:30 AM EST 

WABC-AM / WJZW-FM
(Simulcast on RFD-TV)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

In today's Video Trail Mix (click screen above), Craig looks at how both Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain benefitted from a so-called "bounce" in the polls after winning their respective nominations.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig looks at the recent history of war heroes failing at the ballot box (Click screen above).

Join Craig's Friends

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

A Blogger You Can Believe In
Today's Video Trail Mix (click screen above) compares
the props, theatrics and style of candidate speeches.

Three years ago today I started a blog called crawfordslist. Many who joined then are still here. As we grew, we suffered many pains through a series of servers and various software experiments. In the past year CQ Politics came to our rescue and we were born again as Trail Mix.

To celebrate our survival as a cyber community since 2005, here is a video depicting many of our regulars. Enjoy! -- Craig

Now on Facebook: Join Craig's friends

 

Clinton Steps Aside

• Clinton Ends Campaign with Forceful Endorsement of Obama (CQ Politics)
• The Impact of Clinton's Withdrawal (Poll Tracker) 
• Five Questions About Clinton's Goodbye (CQ Politics)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Who Should Obama Pick? Now that Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, his attention -- and ours -- can turn to the process of selecting a vice-presidential running mate.

Play CQ Politics VP Madness (Round 1 ends June 10).

In the GOP Edition, former Arkansas Governor (and former presidential candidate) Mike Huckabee was chosen as John McCain's best bet.

• Clinton disavows push to make her veep (AP)
• Analysis: Obama's Next Test Is Choosing No. 2 (CQ Politics)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig on "Verdict with Dan Abrams"
Tonight (6/2) MSNBC 9:00 PM EST

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Now on C-Span.org
Craig talks about presidential politics
with C-Span's Steve Scully
and students at the University of Denver (5/29)

 

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee was CQ Politics readers' choice for John McCain's running mate. Craig explores the upsides and downsides to Huckabee as Vice President.
(Click "PLAY VIDEO" in screen above)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig's Webcam edition of Video Trail Mix examines Barack Obama's "victory" speech on Tuesday night, which stopped short of claiming the Democratic nomination while still moving the ball forward toward becoming the party's standard bearer.

Also on CQ Politics

• Clinton Scores Big Victory in Kentucky
• Obama Moves Closer to Nomination After a Split Decision
• Poll Track: State-by-State General Election Match-Ups; Obama's Challenge -- White Women Voters

 

Craig on MSNBC "Morning Joe"
Today (5/21) 6:30 AM EST

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Now on Video Trail Mix: The Democratic victory in a Mississippi congressional special election on Tuesday is good news for the party, but not necessarily for Barack Obama.
(Click PLAY VIDEO in screen)

Edited by CQ's Andrew Satter
("Fabulous Moolah" provided by Barbara B.)

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Better the No. 2 Spot...or Going Back to the Hill?
(Jonathan Allen, CQ Politics)

Edited by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig to Speak and Sign Books in Orlando
WHEN: Friday, May 9 at 6:00 PM EST (Free to the Public)
WHERE: Orange County Library, Southwest Branch
7255 Della Dr. Orlando, FL 32819 / (407) 835-7323
Sponsored by the Dr. Phillips Rotary Club

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

We Pair Them and You Decide:
Play VP Madness (GOP Edition)

Craig's first-round picks for John McCain's Republican running mate: Condi Rice, Lindsey Graham, Mark Sanford, Tim Pawlenty, Colin Powell, Haley Barbour, Sarah Palin, Fred Thompson, Tom Coburn, Bobby Jindal, Rob Portman, Joe Lieberman, John Thune and Charlie Crist.

Edited by Andrew Satter

CQ Politics has compiled a video and a list of those times when, in our media age, a single sound bite or picture helped propel a candidacy to victory or sank it to defeat. More Videos

Coming Monday: Craig’s webcam report from this weekend’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig Crawford was at Hillary Rodham Clinton's Pennsylvania primary victory party in Philadelphia, where he says she did just what she needed to do to keep the race going

.

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

"The Space Between Clinton and Obama"
by CQ's David Nather (1/14)

Craig at the Virginia Festival of the Book
Saturday (3/29) 2:00 PM EST
Barnes & Noble, 1035A Emmet Street
Charlottesville, VA  (434) 984-0461

 

Craig on MSNBC Today
1:30 / 3:00 / 4:00 PM EST
. . . and on MSNBC "Hardball" 5:10 PM EST

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Craig on "Imus in the Morning" Tues (3/18)
RFD-TV/WABC-AM 6:30 AM EST

 

Produced by CQ's Andrew Sattter

Michigan Dems Agree on June 3 Do-Over

While Florida Democrats search for a limited do-over plan (see Webcam report above), Michigan Democrats are close to an agreement with presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama to hold a new primary. If that happens. look for stepped-up pressure on Florida to re-run a full primary despite the enormous cost.

Craig on "Morning Joe"
Thursday (3/13) MSNBC 6:30 AM EST

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter

Neither Democratic presidential candidate seemed to completely grasp the name of the incoming president of Russia during their debate on Tuesday.

Give Hillary Rodham Clinton credit for at least mumbling Dmitry Medvedev's last name, although she appeared unsure whether she had gotten it right. Barack Obama did not even try to name Medvedev, although he echoed Clinton's observation that the new Russian leader is President Vladimir Putin's hand-picked successor.

That is not the sort of flub that will matter this week. But it sure could make a difference if something like that happened in the general election debates against Republican nominee-to-be John McCain, who has recently talked about Medvedev by name and at length.

But at least Obama or Clinton have plenty of time to memorize the names of foreign leaders before taking on McCain in a debate.

CQ Politics Debate Bests and Mosts

Was it the awkward handshake at the end or the half-hearted delivery of scripted attack lines that made Hillary Rodham Clinton come across as the one conceding the race in the Democratic presidential debate on Thursday?

Surprisingly, Clinton showed no signs of a combatant who had come to change the game against Barack Obama. For instance, when served a softball question about Obama’s past vows to unconditionally meet with enemy dictators, Clinton mostly passed on the easy opportunity to press her campaign’s recent effort to portray her rival us unequipped to manage foreign policy.

CQ Politics: Debate Bests and Mosts 

Perhaps Clinton is coming around to the view that some in her own camp hold – that Obama’s nomination is inevitable but that his victory in November is not. By easing into a gracious exit strategy, Clinton would hope to be in shape to pick up the pieces if Democrats lose the general election under Obama.

Or maybe the Clinton camp believes that debates are not the place to tear into Obama – and some other tactic is in the works. Either way, in this debate Clinton chose against an aggressive and sustained effort to win ugly.

PollTracker: Dem Race in Texas a Tie

 

Craig on "Imus in the Morning" Monday 
(2/25) RFD-TV/WABC-AM 6:29 AM EST

Double-click screen to watch
(Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)

In the News:

• For McCain, Self-Confidence On Ethics Poses Its Own Risks (New York Times):  "A female lobbyist had been turning up with him [John McCain] at fund-raisers, visiting his offices and accompanying him on a client’s corporate jet. Convinced the relationship had become romantic, some of his top advisers intervened to protect the candidate from himself."
  
• News Networks Bump Clinton Out of Picture (Washington Post, Howard Kurtz):  "Craig Crawford, a Congressional Quarterly columnist, said the networks had no choice but to cut away from Clinton Tuesday night after Obama forced the issue. 'That was a definite violation of the etiquette of these election night dramas, where people take turns giving their speeches and don't step on each other,' he said. 'When you break a rule like that, it's a very hostile gesture.'

Double-click screen to watch
(Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)