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Pressure Mounts On Earlier Primaries
Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu leaves the San Mateo County Jail in California after posting bail. Hsu turned himself in on a 15-year-old grand-theft warrant.
(By Justin Sullivan -- Getty Images)
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-- Chris Cillizza
AND THEY'RE OFF . . .
Candidates Working Hard on Labor Day
As America's working masses tuck into their potato salad this Labor Day weekend, they can try to seek some consolation in the passing of summer with this thought: At least they're not running for president.
Monday will mark the start of a presidential primary stretch run the likes of which we've never seen, with more debates, tougher fundraising competition and, most important, more states than ever before set to vote in January and early February, forcing candidates into a nonstop charge through late summer, fall and winter.
Looking down the barrel of this Labor Day starting gun, several candidates opted to recharge this week, even if it meant ceding the field to the competition for a few days. Passing up even a token Labor Day barbecue in Iowa or New Hampshire, Rudy Giuliani doesn't have any events until Tuesday. Barack Obama is resting with his family until Monday, when he'll attend a Labor Day rally in Manchester, N.H.
Obama will have company on the campaign trail on Monday. Also in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney will spend the day at a picnic, parade and other events. Hillary Clinton will be in Iowa with her husband, former president Bill Clinton. They're attending a picnic in Sioux City, Iowa, hosted by the Northwest Iowa Labor Council.
John McCain will also be in Iowa tomorrow and Monday. Spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan laughed aloud when asked if the 71-year-old candidate is dreading the rush that awaited. "Dread? This is when the senator's at his best, on the road, speaking to voters one on one. Once we start this weekend going, it's going to be nonstop," she said.
John Edwards has a busy Labor Day planned as well: The former senator from North Carolina starts Monday with a rally in Pittsburgh with union members, then travels to Iowa for a "Labor Day Fest" and several community meetings.
Of the highly scheduled holiday, Edwards spokesman Eric Schultz said: "The need for change in this country doesn't take time off, and neither do we."
