February 22, 2008

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

 

THE FIELD

 

Obama, Clinton Trade Jabs on Health Care

 

By Christopher Cooper and Amy Chozick

Wall Street Journal

February 21, 2008

 

AUSTIN, Texas -- One of the most anticipated debates of the primary season unfolded largely without drama early on, but a hint of the snarling tone that has marked the race between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama rose up as the debate progressed…

 

Got Your Superdelegates Added Up? Count Again

Blogs Notwithstanding, About Half These Voters Remain Uncommitted

 

By Jackie Calmes

New York Times

February 22, 2008

 

Liberal groups and bloggers have been sounding alarms that Democratic Party insiders -- the so-called superdelegates -- could tip the presidential nomination to Sen. Hillary Clinton behind closed doors. MoveOn.org and Democracy for America are advertising and even raising money on the issue. "Will party insiders overturn your vote?" DFA asks recipients…

 

Obama rose. Clinton slid fast. Why?

Poor planning for post-Feb. 5 races tripped up the Clinton camp, analysts say.

 

By Linda Feldmann

Christian Science Monitor

February 22, 2008

 

When the dust had settled after Super Tuesday, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton were locked in a dead heat for the Democratic presidential nomination. Since then, over the past two weeks, Senator Obama has gone on a tear, winning 10 straight primaries and caucuses, and forcing Senator Clinton's back to the wall. Obama now leads the former first lady by almost every conceivable measure – total delegates, total popular vote, national polls, and finances…

 

In debate, Clinton works to distance herself from Obama

The Democratic rivals start out genially, but sharpen their words over healthcare, readiness to serve, and charges of plagiarism.

 

By Scott Martelle

Los Angeles Times

February 21, 2008

 

Facing a set of primaries March 4 that could either revive or cripple her presidential campaign, Sen. Hillary Clinton tonight struggled to create space between herself and rival Sen. Barack Obama in a crucial debate in the heart of Texas…

 

Clinton, Obama sharpen words

 

By Kathy Kiely

USA Today

February 22, 2008

 

AUSTIN, Texas — In a debate that could help shape the final days before a pivotal set of Democratic primaries, Hillary Rodham Clinton fought to reverse Barack Obama's wave of momentum that threatens to swamp her once-dominant presidential campaign…

 

In mostly civil debate, Obama parries Clinton

 

By Susan Milligan

Boston Globe

February 22, 2008

 

Hillary Clinton, fighting to revive her flagging presidential bid, tonight accused Democratic rival Barack Obama of borrowing the words of others to conduct a campaign she characterized as long on rhetoric and short on specifics…

 

CLINTON

 

Spending by Clinton Campaign Worries Supporters

 

By Michael Luo, Jo Becker and Patrick Healy

New York Times

February 22, 2008

 

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s latest campaign finance report appeared to be a road map of her political and management failings…

 

Bill Clinton: Texas and Ohio or Bust

 

By Sarah Wheaton

New York Times

February 22, 2008

 

The former president has been telling Texas crowds that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton cannot be the nominee if she does not win those states…

 

OBAMA

 

Rezko Trial Comes Near Critical Voting

 

By Nick Timiraos

Wall Street Journal

February 22, 2008

 

Barack Obama hopes to deliver a knockout punch to Hillary Clinton's presidential ambitions in the March 4 primaries in Texas and Ohio. His quest may be complicated by the felony trial slated to open March 3 for Antoin Rezko, once a top Obama fund-raiser…

 

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

 

McCAIN

 

McCain Told He Must Take Public Money

 

By Leslie Wayne

New York Times

February 22, 2008

 

John McCain’s decision to use private money through the rest of the primary process has been challenged by the Federal Election Commission…

 

McCain Denies Aides’ Statements About Lobbyist

 

By Elisabeth Bumiller

New York Times

February 22, 2008

 

Senator John McCain said on Thursday that an article in The Times about his ties to a lobbyist was untrue…

 

FEC Warns McCain on Campaign Spending

 

By Matthew Mosk and Glenn Kessler

Washington Post

February 22, 2008

 

The nation's top federal election official told Sen. John McCain yesterday that he cannot immediately withdraw from the presidential public financing system as he had requested, a decision that threatens to dramatically restrict his spending until the general election campaign begins in the fall…

 

The Anti-Lobbyist, Advised by Lobbyists

 

By Michael D. Shear and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum

Washington Post

February 22, 2008

 

For years, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has railed against lobbyists and the influence of "special interests" in Washington, touting on his campaign Web site his fight against "the 'revolving door' by which lawmakers and other influential officials leave their posts and become lobbyists for the special interests they have aided."

 

McCain story proves incendiary among journalists, conservatives

Debate rages over fairness, motivation behind New York Times article on senator's ties to lobbyist.

 

By James Rainey

Los Angeles Times

February 22, 2008

 

A New York Times story accusing Sen. John McCain of an untoward relationship with a Washington lobbyist set off a furor among journalists -- who both defended and lambasted the story -- while unifying conservative commentators around the presumptive Republican presidential nominee…

 

McCain denies romantic or improper relationship with lobbyist

His campaign dismisses the allegations as 'gutter politics.' His rival for the GOP presidential nomination, Mike Huckabee, says he knows McCain to be 'a man of integrity.'

 

By Johanna Neuman

Los Angeles Times

February 21, 2008

 

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) today denied allegations that he had a romantic or improper relationship with a female lobbyist, telling reporters at an early morning news conference that a New York Times story alleging both was "not true."

 

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

 

Voting Changes May Snarl Tallies in Big Ohio County

 

By June Kronholz

Wall Street Journal

February 22, 2008

 

Ohio's March 4 primary could be do-or-die for New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential ambitions. Here is the catch: Cuyahoga County, where she hopes to cement a victory, has just changed the way it casts, collects and counts its votes, potentially clouding any win…

 

Clinton Has Edge in Ohio; Race in Texas Deadlocked

In Ohio, Clinton Has Small Edge

 

By Dan Balz and Jon Cohen

Washington Post

February 22, 2008

 

AUSTIN, Feb. 21 -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, facing a pair of big Democratic primary tests on March 4 that could determine the fate of her presidential candidacy, is deadlocked with Sen. Barack Obama here in Texas and holds a slender lead over him in Ohio, according to two new Washington Post-ABC News polls…

 

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

 

A new U.S. push to release more detainees in Iraq

The US implements a program to release those not deemed a threat.

 

By Gordon Lubold

Christian Science Monitor

February 22, 2008

 

The US military, in a move to foster "goodwill and reconciliation," has this month released 300 detainees in Iraq who are no longer considered a threat. The release reflects the beginning of a push by the military to release thousands of individuals who have been held for months or even years but who were never charged with wrongdoing…

 

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

 

Bush Sees No Compromise With Democrats on Wiretap Bill

 

Associated Press

February 22, 2008

 

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE -- President Bush on Thursday stood by his demand for legal protection for phone companies that help the government eavesdrop on suspected terrorists, saying he sees no prospect of a compromise with congressional Democrats…

 

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

 

U.S. Embassy in Belgrade Overrun

Serb Mob Also Attacks Facilities of Other Nations in Fury Over Kosovo Independence

 

By Peter Finn and Robin Wright

Washington Post

February 22, 2008

 

MOSCOW, Feb. 22 -- A rampaging crowd of several hundred Serb demonstrators, incensed by the U.S. recognition of Kosovo's independence, overran and burned part of the American Embassy in the Serbian capital of Belgrade on Thursday. The assault drew fierce protests from Washington and illustrated the rage in Serbia over the loss of its historic province…

 

How falling home prices imperil the U.S. economy

Some argue government should do more to stop a negative feedback loop in the housing market.

 

By Mark Trumbull

Christian Science Monitor

February 22, 2008

 

America's economy confronts a vicious cycle of falling home prices and rising foreclosures, and the challenge for policymakers is how – and how much – to intervene. Top economic officials are already taking some steps that are aimed, at least in part, a

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