<><>DEMOCRATS<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

THE FIELD

Candidates Differ on Housing
Clinton Embraces Direct Intervention On Certain Issues

By Nick Timiraos
Wall Street Journal
February 20, 2008

Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama sparred over housing policy yesterday, revealing some differences in their approaches to economic policy, with Mrs. Clinton more willing to embrace direct government intervention on some issues…

In Politics, Inspiration or Plagiarism Is a Fine Line

By Sam Roberts
New York Times
February 20, 2008

Hillary Rodham Clinton’s accusations of plagiarism against Barack Obama revived questions about Bill Clinton’s 1993 Inaugural Address…

If superdelegates pick nominee, Democrats face backlash
The idea that party insiders would decide contest strikes many as 'undemocratic.'

By Gail Russell Chaddock
Christian Science Monitor
February 20, 2008

If Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton manages to emerge victorious from the primary season, the 796 "superdelegates" to the Democratic National Convention won't be needed to break a deadlock. To many, that would be a relief. Although some superdelegates said just a few weeks ago they'd welcome a deciding role, a backlash has been building to the notion that party insiders could tip the outcome. Superdelegates, known in the party rules as unpledged delegates, clearly are feeling the heat…

Clinton and Obama travel a populist route
Economic woes are on most people's minds in the industrial belt. The Democrats' messages aim to ease those fears.

By Nicholas Riccardi and Tom Hamburger
Los Angeles Times
February 19, 2008

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO — An eroding economy has left industrial state voters uneasy and angry, and as Hillary Rodham Clinton made her last stops in Wisconsin before today's primary and Barack Obama swept across Ohio in advance of the state's March 4 contest, both tailored their messages to tie into the anxious mood…

CLINTON

Clinton Shifts Definition of Night Shift

Amy Chozick
Wall Street Journal
February 20, 2008

Sen. Hillary Clinton is hoping her strong support among lower-income voters will help her score the victory she needs on March 4 to stay in the race…

Warming Up for Clinton, Taking Aim at Obama

By John M. Broder
New York Times
February 19, 2008

The whole idea of having surrogates or warm-up speakers in politics is to have someone say the things the candidate couldn’t get away with saying. One of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s warm-up speakers tonight came close to redefining the genre…

Wisconsin: Beginning of the end for Clinton?
Obama's victory -- yet another one -- in an important state primary suggests her coalition is beginning to come unstuck.

By Michael Finnegan
Times Staff Writer
February 19, 2008

With his victory in Wisconsin's Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday, Barack Obama withstood an aggressive assault by rival Hillary Rodham Clinton and gained new momentum for their high-stakes battle ahead in Texas and Ohio…

OBAMA

Michelle Obama's comments under fire

By Jill Lawrence
USA Today
February 20, 2008

Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, is taking heat for saying Monday at a Milwaukee rally that "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country — and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change."

One Politician's Homage Is Another's 'Plagiarism'

By Elizabeth Holmes
Wall Street Journal
February 20, 2008

Words can come back to haunt candidates, sometimes when those words were uttered by someone else first…

Wisconsin Hands Obama a Victory, the Ninth in a Row

By Patrick Healy and Jeff Zeleny
New York Times
February 20, 2008

Barack Obama cut into Hillary Rodham Clinton’s long-held support among women, union members and middle-aged voters in Tuesday’s primary…

Small Donations Add Up for Obama

By Michael Luo
New York Times
February 20, 2008

Barack Obama’s success at fund-raising is tempting him to back away from accepting public financing in the general election…

Obama adds to victory streak

By Susan Page
USA Today
February 20, 2008

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama handily defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Wisconsin primary Tuesday, extending an unbroken streak of victories since Super Tuesday and propelling him toward what could be a final showdown in two weeks…

Obama says more work to do

By Foon Rhee
Boston Globe
February19, 2008

Barack Obama, with his ninth straight win over Hillary Clinton in the Wisconsin primary, told supporters in Houston that while he's on a roll, he needs their help to secure the nomination, then win the White House…

<><>REPUBLICANS<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

McCAIN

McCain Raised Nearly $12 Million In January, Propelled by Victories

Associated Press
February 20, 2008

WASHINGTON -- Republican John McCain raised nearly $12 million in January…

Propelled by victories in New Hampshire and South Carolina, he solidified his place as the leading candidate for the GOP presidential nomination…

A 'Challenge' Worth Challenging

By E. J. Dionne Jr.
Washington Post
February 19, 2008

The boilerplate in a candidate's speeches gets little attention because words used over and over never constitute "news." But one of John McCain's favorite lines -- his declaration that "the transcendent challenge of the 21st century is radical Islamic extremists," or, as he sometimes says, "extremism" -- could define the 2008 election…

<><> PRIMARY CONTESTS<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

WISCONSIN / WASHINGTON / HAWAII

McCain, Obama Win Wisconsin Primaries

By Susan Davis
Wall Street Journal
February 19, 2008

The next chapter of the increasingly combative Democratic primary race ended this evening with Sen. Barack Obama landing his ninth straight victory in his nomination battle against Sen. Hillary Clinton with a decisive win in Wisconsin's Democratic primary…

Comments Bring Wives Into Fray in Wisconsin

By Michael Cooper
New York Times
February 20, 2008

In the last week, Senator John McCain has increasingly been taking on Senator Barack Obama at campaign events. And now their wives seem to be entering the fray…

McCain Wins Wisconsin, Dulls Huckabee's Draw

By Glenn Kessler and Michael D. Shear
Washington Post
February 20, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 19 -- Sen. John McCain logged another victory over former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee on Tuesday in Wisconsin, where he appeared to be matching his rival among conservative voters, who previously shunned his candidacy…

Obama, McCain win Wisconsin primary

By Cathleen Decker and P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times
February 19, 2008

MILWAUKEE — Barack Obama swept to victory in the Wisconsin primary tonight, exit polls showed, turning aside a fierce effort by Hillary Rodham Clinton and propelling his campaign as the Democrats careen toward titanic March contests in Ohio and Texas…

Obama broadens winning coalition in Wisconsin

By Sasha Issenberg
Boston Globe
February 19, 2008

MILWAUKEE — Barack Obama defeated Hillary Clinton in today’s Wisconsin primary, showing a broad reach across Democratic constituencies, including many — such as women, lower-income families, and union households — that had been strongholds for Clinton in previous contests…


Record turnout predicted in Hawaii

By Bryan Bender
Boston Globe
February 20, 2008

HONOLULU -- Turnout for the Hawaii Democratic caucuses appeared headed to record levels tonight as voters began gathering at schools around Honolulu to choose between Hillary Clinton and native son Barack Obama, who was expected to win by a large margin…


MARCH 4: TEXAS / OHIO

Wisconsin? Texas and Ohio Are Where All the Action Has Gone

By John M. Broder and Jeff Zeleny
New York Times
February 20, 2008

Before the polls even opened in Wisconsin, the Democratic contenders had moved on to campaign in Texas and Ohio, the two next big prizes on the primary calendar…

Candidates look ahead to Texas, Ohio

By Kathy Kiely and David Jackson
USA Today
February 20, 2008

HOUSTON — Before polls closed Tuesday in Wisconsin and Washington state, the fight already was on in Texas and Ohio for the next prizes in the presidential sweepstakes…