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For Retiring Republicans, Several Explanations

By Carl Hulse
New York Times
October 30, 2007

Three senior Republicans from Ohio who are leaving Congress have not cited their minority status as a major factor in their decisions, but the bleak prospect of losing in 2008 is there beneath the surface…

Democrats Employ Risky Budget Strategy
Defense, Domestic Funds Packaged in Same Bill; Daring Bush to Veto

By David Rogers
Wall Street Journal
October 30, 2007

WASHINGTON -- In a risky change of strategy, Democrats are pursuing a plan that would dare President Bush to veto a massive bill that combines spending for veterans care, education and the Pentagon…

Critics of Spending Increase Offer Plan For Children's Health Insurance

Associated Press
October 29, 2007

WASHINGTON -- President Bush and other critics of a $35 billion spending increase for children's health insurance say they'll support expanding coverage to families of four making as much as $62,000 a year, but they want to limit states' ability to go beyond that level…

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THE FIELD

A Union With Clout Stakes Its Claim on Politics

By Steven Greenhouse
New York Times
October 30, 2007

Democratic presidential candidates are actively courting the Service Employees International Union, which also plans to spend on candidates in Congressional and state contests…

Rivals Go After Clinton Over Social Security and Donations

By Christine Hauser
New York Times
October 30, 2007

Senator Barack Obama and former Senator John Edwards took on Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, saying she was not being direct on Social Security and suggesting she was too cozy with lobbyists.

THE DEBATE

The Democratic Target in Tuesday’s Debate

By Jeff Zeleny
New York Times
October 29, 2007

When the Democratic candidates gather on Tuesday for yet another debate, the arrows may be pointed even more directly at Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York…

CLINTON

Anti-Clinton Video Draws Attention

Associated Press
October 29, 2007

WASHINGTON - First came the Orwellian mash up YouTube video that portrayed Hillary Rodham Clinton as Big Brother. Then came a clip of her off-key rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Now, a stinging 13-minute video by a bitter Clinton foe is finding its own Internet audience…

OBAMA

In S.C., Obama Seeks a Spiritual Reawakening

By Sridhar Pappu
Washington Post
October 29, 2007

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- As a man not only of God but of politics, the Rev. Joe Darby is an outspoken observer of the campaign scene. Reclining in his cluttered office at Morris Brown AME Church here, he witnesses the union between the pulpit and the polls…

Polls don't reflect Obama's star power

By Robin Abcarian
Los Angeles Times
October 29, 2007

The Democrat creates a stir wherever he goes, but runs far behind Clinton nationally. Some observers are puzzled; others say he's too gentle…

Obama plays it cool on MTV

By John McCormick
Chicago Tribune
October 29, 2007

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - There were no boxer vs. briefs moments…

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PAUL

Is San Francisco Ron Paul territory?

By Scott Martelle
Los Angeles Times
October 29, 2007

The GOP presidential candidate's California backers work on a theory that Republican-sparse districts are fertile turf for gleaning delegates…

ROMNEY

Mitt and Judd: Perfect Together

By Chris Cillizza
Washington Post
October 29, 2007

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Fix is still in Iowa after today's MTV/MySpace presidential dialogue with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) but, of course, the presidential campaign is in full swing all over the country…

THOMPSON

Fred Thompson's Southern Strategy
Bypassing Iowa and New Hampshire On the Road to the White House

By Amy Schatz
Wall Street Journal
October 30, 2007

Fred Thompson's cameo appearance here yesterday, to register for the ballot and formally open his state headquarters, was only his second visit to this early primary state since he declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination nearly two months ago. He was gone by evening…

Fred Thompson Quizzed on Civil Unions

Associated Press
October 29, 2007

CONCORD, N.H. -- Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson told New Hampshire voters Monday that efforts in some states to recognize same-sex marriage are a "judge-made controversy."

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The Thunder of N.H.'s Primary Waits for the Rumble of One Man

By Ed O'Keefe
Washington Post
October 29, 2007

CONCORD, N.H. -- Now that Iowa Democrats and Republicans have set the date of their presidential caucuses for Jan. 3, 2008, all eyes are on New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner, who has exclusive power to set the date of the Granite State's primary…

Time for C-c-casting a Vote

By Marjorie Connelly
New York Times
October 29, 2007

As states move their primaries earlier, the forecasts get colder…

Iowa poll shows state marches to its own drummer

Los Angeles Times Top of the Ticket
October 29, 2007

A new poll out of Iowa underscores the disconnect between voter preferences in that state -- among members of both parties…

Florida Democratic convention a bust

By Carol J. Williams
Los Angeles Times
October 29, 2007

All the presidential candidates but one (Mike who?) skip the event because of the state's rift with the national party over primary scheduling…

Courtship in the air on Iowa campuses

By John McCormick and Christi Parsons
Chicago Tribune
October 29, 2007

IOWA CITY - The epicenter of political activism in Iowa's largest college town is the retail level of a four-story brick apartment building at the corner of Gilbert and College Streets…

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Leading, but Not Always Winning

By Katharine Q. Seelye
New York Times
October 29, 2007

What does it mean to be the Democratic front-runner at this stage in the race? Not as much as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton might wish…

New Hampshire officials start endorsing their favorites

Los Angeles Times Top of the Ticket
October 29, 2007

Bill Richardson and Mitt Romney snare important endorsements by local New Hampshire politicians…

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An Engaged Independent Electorate

By Marjorie Connelly
New York Times
October 29, 2007

Many independent voters expect to weigh in on the selection of presidential nominees next year, according to a recent CBS News poll…