The week in politics: Hits and misses on the campaign trail
There are 450 days until Election Day 2016 (yes, really), and each week we plan to keep you apprised of the more notable moments of the long (long, long) election cycle ahead.
Most memorable soundbite
I cherish women.
Republican Donald Trump’s comment came during a one-on-one interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity and after days of controversy over his thoughts on Megyn Kelly (“She had blood coming out of her wherever”). Trump went on to say that he would do more for women than Democratic contender Hillary Clinton and that he supported Planned Parenthood … except for that “abortion aspect.”
Best response on Twitter
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Democrat Hillary Clinton (or rather, whoever handles her social media accounts) sent out the classic shruggie after an earlier tweet asking supporters to describe student debt in emojis. It did not go over well.
The campaign took it in stride and sent out the shruggie with a Medium link detailing Clinton’s position on college affordability.
Best week post #GOPdebate
She may have been in the “happy hour” debate, but Republican Carly Fiorina is looking more like a prime-time winner this week, with both her fundraising and poll numbers up. Dems are now on the attack about her business record, including her dismissal as Hewlett-Packard CEO.
Worst week post #GOPdebate
Republican Rick Perry reportedly can no longer afford to pay his campaign staffers, though his spokesmen say it’s not about the money. A glimmer of hope: Super PACs that support his campaign are rolling in some dough (to the tune of $17 million) that can buoy voter outreach in Iowa and other tasks.
Not likely to make a comeback in 2016
Despite what you may have read, former vice president and 2000 Democratic nominee Al Gore is probably not running for president. At least, that’s what his spokesman and “two sources close to Gore” told The Tennessean, Gore’s hometown newspaper.
Late-night TV we're looking forward to
It’s been a little over a week since we said #JonVoyage to Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. That honor goes to Stephen Colbert, who will host Jeb Bush on his very first episode of Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Lest you think Bush will get all the fun, Colbert says to just wait:
Colbert says he’s looking forward to being himself on the show, not the faux-conservative audiences have known for several years. What does that mean for any candidates who appear on his show? We’ll have to wait for Sept. 8 to find out.
Best Iowa State Fair photo* so far
*featuring a presidential candidate, of course
In case you didn't know, the Iowa State Fair kicked off Thursday, and with contenders vying for those caucus-goers, nearly everyone who has announced their candidacy is slated to make an appearance.
And as it turns out, they could all learn a lot from Democrat Martin O’Malley.
This photo has it all: Selfie. Family. #ButterCow.
But for now, maybe the best thing for candidates to remember is how not to eat a corndog, per TheDes Moines Register.