defining "is": an ongoing series

the Giuliani campaign, on why he reversed himself on exploiting Benazir Bhutto's death politically

Footage of Bhutto is used during the line “Leaders assassinated,” and it ends with Giuliani’s voice approving the message.

But the ad, set to run on Fox News and local stations in Florida and New Hampshire, seems to contradict statements Giuliani made less than a week ago about the use of Bhutto’s death for political purposes.

Last Friday, while campaigning in Fort Lauderdale, Giuliani responded to the death of Bhutto that morning by saying “I think it's inappropriate to see it in political terms.”

He went on to say, “The reality is this is an issue of security, national security. Obviously for the region of Pakistan. The people of Pakistan (and) Afghanistan are one region in many respects, right? What happens in one effects the other. It's a matter of national security for all of us because it reminds us that we're all in this together.”

The mayor ended his statement on Bhutto’s death by saying “It should not be viewed in a political light. Now, having said that, everything ultimately gets viewed in a political light. But I don't think that would be the most appropriate thing right now to talk about.”

When reached for comment, Giuliani campaign spokesperson Maria Comella said that the “right now” part of the statement the most worth noting, and that the mayor’s intention was to stress that it should not be politicized “that day”.

You might want to keep that in mind when evaluating any future deeply-felt statements of principle.

a mass of expensive grassroots makes up sod

Mr. Romney's campaign, defending themselves from charges of professionalism from the Huckabee campaign

Bob Vander Plaats, the Iowa state chairman for Huckabee, casts the turnout battle as one between GOP rival Mitt Romney's "well-choreographed, paid staff" and the former Arkansas governor's "ragtag volunteers who are true believers in the cause."

Tim Albrecht, Romney's spokesman in Iowa, said his team has a more "traditional grass-roots approach" that combines conservatives who agree on fiscal, defense and social issues. "Our people are motivated, they're excited, and they're working," he said.

the rootsy yeomen of the Romney campaign staff in Iowa

Gentry Collins – State Director: In 2003-04, he served as Executive Director for the Republican Party of Iowa, where President Bush carried the state for Republicans for the first time in 20 years. Last campaign cycle, Collins served as Political Director for the Republican Governors Association.

Jill Latham – Political Director: In the last campaign cycle, Latham, an Alexander native, served as Political Director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin. In 2003-04, she was field staff on the Bush-Cheney Wisconsin presidential campaign.

Nicole Schlinger – Straw Poll Director: Nicole is President and founder of Capitol Resources, Inc., Iowa’s largest fundraising and event management firm for Republican candidates. Prior to starting Capitol Resources in 1999, she was the Finance Director for the Republican Party of Iowa.

Tim Albrecht – Communications Director: Albrecht was field staff on the Forbes 2000 presidential caucus campaign, and most recently served as Director of Communications for House Speaker Christopher Rants.

the Romney campaign's completely unchoreographed volunteer organization puts a shoulder to the wheel

When the telephone of an Iowa Republican rings these days, it just might be a Utah volunteer for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney calling about Thursday's caucus vote there.

The Romney for President campaign has offices in Sandy and Provo, staffed with volunteers who spend much of their time on the phone with would-be voters in the early caucus and primary states.

Often they're asking for money, but as Iowa's first-in-the-nation vote nears, the focus is on making sure that state's Republicans are ready to brave what will likely be a very cold night Thursday and cast a vote for Romney at a neighborhood caucus.

"They call voters in Iowa and try to identify people who'll be voting for my dad so we can get them out to the caucuses," said Josh Romney, one of the candidate's five sons and the only one who lives in Utah.

Josh took time out from campaigning for his father in Iowa and other states last week to visit the Romney campaign office in Sandy, located near the South Towne Mall at 10150 S. Centennial Parkway.

"There's a lot of excitement," Josh said of the Utah offices, which the campaign has declared off-limits to reporters in an attempt to ensure that Romney's efforts to win Iowa votes stay secret.

...

Money is still being raised, of course, including a push to bring in dollars to pay for television commercials in Iowa and other key early states, including New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.

"People in Utah can have a huge impact making telephone calls around the country," Josh said, promising to keep volunteers busy at least through Feb. 5, the so-called "Super-Duper" Tuesday when more than 20 states vote — including Utah, California and New York.

Josh praised the commitment of Romney's volunteers across the country. Besides Utah, there are similar campaign offices up and running in Iowa, Nevada, Michigan and Florida. The campaign is headquartered in Boston.

you may remember from the Ames Straw Poll (in which he spent four million plus dollars) that Mr. Romney has a populous class of "volunteer" working on his campaign he pays up to $1k/head per month for.

There have been many strange sights during this primary, and I imagine there'll be many more. I have my doubts if any of them will be stranger than Mitt Romney pretending he would run a bake sale without cutting out every unknown he could find.

I wonder if the hard-charging Excel junkie of his previous self-invention feels a little strange selling himself as the makeshift candidate.

George MacDonald Fraser, RIP

author of the Flashman novels, and (unbeknownst to me) the script for Octopussy.

To be honest, I haven't read them (I'm not really an anti-hero sort of person) but people who like the books like them a lot.

The beleaguered husband and the erudite uncle, among others, are big fans.

life's cheap, dirty little ironies

Department of If an Fiction Author Tried This They'd Get Flayed:

Richard Mellon Scaife's favorite book is Appointment in Samarra

Also, he's scum.

You knew that, though.

In another instance of life's immoderate bent for tasteless snark, Karl Rove's most overused word is "fabulous"