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

THE FIELD

Democrats' Attacks On Business Heat Up

By Laura Meckler and Kris Maher
Wall Street Journal
February 16, 2008

As the Democratic presidential contest moves to the distressed industrial Midwest, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have ratcheted up their antitrade, anticorporate rhetoric…

Democratic Candidates Emphasize Need for Unity

By Julie Bosman and Jeff Zeleny
New York Times
February 18, 2008

After days of battling each other in tit-for-tat television advertisements ahead of the Wisconsin primary, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama cooled their rhetoric…

Democrats Look for Way to Avoid Convention Rift

By Don Van Natta Jr. and Jo Becker
New York Times
February 18, 2008

Some senior Democrats plan to remain neutral for now in the presidential race in part to keep open the option to broker a peaceful resolution to a tight contest…

Clinton, Obama Dispute Roles of Superdelegates

By Peter Slevin and Jose Antonio Vargas
Washington Post
February 17, 2008

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 16 -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday urged the Democratic Party's unpledged delegates to make their own decisions about whether to support her or Sen. Barack Obama, predicting that the battle for the Democratic nomination will continue into the summer…

Who are these Democratic superdelegates?

By Peter Nicholas
Los Angeles Times
February 18, 2008

Those that may hold the balance in the race include former presidents, the party faithful, white- and blue-collar workers -- and the unemployed…

CLINTON

Old Clinton Ties and Voters’ Sway Tug at Delegates

By Adam Nagourney and Farhana Hossain
New York Times
February 18, 2008

The dwindling group of undecided Democratic superdelegates is being caught in strong political crosscurrents…

Chelsea Clinton Talks Policy in Obama Territory

By Jodi Kantor
New York Times
February 18, 2008

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign is sending her daughter into the heart of enemy-occupied territory: college campuses in the grip of Obama fever…

Clinton's Ties To Texas Run Long and Deep

By Dan Balz
Washington Post
February 18, 2008

AUSTIN -- Sen. Barack Obama left a phone message for J.D. Salinas, the county judge in South Texas's Hidalgo County, last weekend. Former senator Thomas A. Daschle called on the candidate's behalf last Wednesday. "He asked me to be part of the campaign," Salinas said. "I told him it was too late."

System Worries Clinton Backers
Big Vote Lead May Not Be Reflected In Delegate Count

By Matthew Mosk
Washington Post
February 18, 2008

Supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton are worried that convoluted delegate rules in Texas could water down the impact of strong support for her among Hispanic voters there, creating a new obstacle for her in the must-win presidential primary contest…

Clinton has a truth-teller in new campaign manager

By Maura Reynolds
Los Angeles Times
February 16, 2008

Maggie Williams, who was an aide to Hillary Rodham Clinton when she was first lady, has a reputation as someone who can tell the senator what she doesn't want to hear…

Clinton campaign accuses Obama of 'flip-flop'

By Susan Page
USA Today
February 18, 2008

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign hammered rival Barack Obama on Sunday for refusing to reaffirm his commitment to accept public financing in the general election, a development a top aide criticized as "a pretty big flip-flop" and an opening for Republican attack…

OBAMA

Obama and Edwards Meet

By Jeff Zeleny
New York Times
February 17, 2008

Barack Obama flew to Chapel Hill, N.C., to meet with John and Elizabeth Edwards this morning…

Obama Adding Detail to His Oratory

By Jeff Zeleny
New York Times
February 18, 2008

Senator Barack Obama seems to be taking criticisms that he is a candidate with more flash than substance as something of a warning shot…

Unofficial Tallies in City Understated Obama Vote

By Sam Roberts
New York Times
February 17, 2008

Unofficial results from the New York Democratic primary reported that not a single vote was cast for Senator Barack Obama in about 80 election districts…


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

HUCKABEE

Huckabee’s Island Getaway

By Katharine Q. Seelye
New York Times
February 17, 2008

"It may be that it will take a S.W.A.T. team to get me out of the hotel room in the morning," Mike Huckabee said before speaking at the Young Caymanian Leadership awards banquet…

Long odds don't faze Huckabee

By James Rainey
Los Angeles Times
February 17, 2008

The former Arkansas governor says he's determined to keep the faith and stay in the race. It's just what he's used to…

McCAIN

For McCain, a Choice on a Role for Bush

By Elisabeth Bumiller
New York Times
February 18, 2008

John McCain must decide how best to use President Bush to win over conservatives without driving away independents and moderate Democrats…

A Smiling, Fidgeting McCain, Learning to Rein Himself In

By Mark Leibovich
New York Times
February 18, 2008

Senator John McCain is recasting himself from one of the most disruptive figures in his party to someone playing it safer…

McCain Draws Criticism on Torture Bill

By Michael Cooper
New York Times
February 18, 2008

Senator John McCain’s recent vote against a bill to curtail the C.I.A.’s use of harsh interrogation tactics was seen as a betrayal by human rights advocates and a political ploy by Democrats…

<><>RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE<><><><><><><><><><><>

McCain and Obama Tussle Over Future Financing

By Michael Cooper and Jeff Zeleny
New York Times
February 17, 2008

John McCain challenged Barack Obama to abide by his earlier pledge to use public financing for his general election if Mr. McCain does so as well…


<><>WAR/TERROR<><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Guantánamo, Evil and Zany in Pop Culture

By William Glaberson
New York Times
February 18, 2008

In popular culture, Guantánamo Bay has become shorthand for hopeless imprisonment and isolation…

<><>CONGRESS<><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Bush's Medicare Plan Likely to Ignite Partisan Fight

By Sarah Lueck
Wall Street Journal
February 16, 2008

WASHINGTON -- President Bush sent legislation to Congress aimed at reining in Medicare costs. At the top of his list: charging wealthier beneficiaries more for their prescription-drug coverage…

Senate Forges Consumer-Safety Bill

By M.P. Mcqueen
Wall Street Journal
February 16, 2008

Following a rash of toy recalls last year, Senate Democratic and Republican leaders announced Friday that they reached a compromise on a bill to overhaul the Consumer Product Safety Commission…

House set to let warrantless eavesdropping law lapse
President lobbied hard Thursday for renewal of Protect America Act, which expires Feb. 16.

By Gail Russell Chaddock
Christian Science Monitor
February 18, 2008

Neither the White House nor House Democrats blinked in a standoff over renewal of a controversial eavesdropping law, now on track to expire at midnight Saturday…

Democrats' wiretap stance endangers U.S., Bush says

By Johanna Neuman
Los Angeles Times
February 26, 2008

Their refusal to extend warrantless powers increases the risk of attack on the nation, he says. Lawmakers accuse him of fear-mongering and say he has the tools he needs…


<><>OTHER NEWS<><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Bush Defends Foreign Aid Spending from Africa

Associated Press
February 16, 2008

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania -- U.S. President George W. Bush is betting his Congress will hear him better from the heart of Africa than it does from down the street in Washington…

President Invokes Religious Themes In Tour of Africa
Bush Touts Drugs' 'Lazarus Effect' on AIDS Victims

By John D. Mckinnon
Wall Street Journal
February 17, 2008

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania -- President Bush's current tour of Africa is widely viewed as a celebration of his historic efforts in battling poverty and disease here. But listen closely to Mr. Bush and his aides, and you might conclude that a higher power is at work -- and it's achieving near-miraculous results…