Dave Davies reports:
If we had any doubt that this campaign has gone on too long, that was amply illustrated by the the comic relief of the Clinton campaign's daily conference call to spin reporters yesterday.
First, the campaign apparently didn't realize that their mikes were open too early, so reporters could hear communications director Howard Wolfson warming up the two surrogates on the call - two doctors ready to trash Obama's health care plan, one of whom was cell-foning from his daughter's soccer game.
We heard Wolfwon admonish the docs to be careful with what they say, because reporters "would like nothing more than to have us in a situation where we have something we have to go back on." We also heard Wolfson ask the operator not to take any "anonymous" calls.
After the docs droned on awhile about the nuances of the candidates' health care plans, they asked for questions, and it was clear no reporters had any. I suspect nobody cared much about the stale back-and-forth on who's plan does what, and had learned that if you ask a real question about the campaign, you don't get anything like a remotely candid response.
So after a pause, the campaign took a caller who asked if Hillary had any more muffin-tops. Wolfson quickly cut that off and took a caller who identified himself as Steve from the Reading media, and asked something about "moose-knuckles."
Wolfson put a merciful end to the thing and invited reporters to e-mail if they a real question.
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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