The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

p> DIRTY TALK br> Republican Presidential campaigns that are focusing much of their energy in Iowa and elsewhere this week will be keeping an eye on New Hampshire. But not for the reason you might expect. /p>

Rumors in Iowa have New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte releasing the results of an investigation into the mysterious polling phone calls made in November that quizzed prospective voters on their views of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his Mormon religion. The results could be released as early as today, though there is no timetable for the release of the results.

The calls were made to voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, and Ayotte opened the investigation after Sen. John McCain denied a Romney charge that it was his campaign that undertook the poll, and asked for an investigation.

p> TRUE CONVENIENCE br> Sen. Barack Obama 's campaign is attempting to set up a meeting between the new, hot, Democrat candidate and former Vice President Al Gore . /p>

Gore has put off a meeting, but based on Obama's new found poll footing and political momentum, Gore might be looking to insert himself more explicitly into the Democrat primary season, something he has thus far avoided.

It's unclear if Gore would endorse any candidate for the nomination he was once thought to desperately want. But like New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gore might see some advantage to being seen as politically engaged in the primary process.

Gore was expected back in the United States after a trip to Europe and Bali, where he embarrassed U.S. negotiators in a public speech attacking the Bush Administration at the UN climate change conference.

topics:
Barack Obama, Religion, Energy