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

THE FIELD

For Gays, a New Era in Politics

By Andrew Jacobs
New York Times
January 28, 2008

For the first time in two decades, the leading Democrats presidential candidates are staking out similar positions on issues that resonate with gay men and lesbians…

CLINTON

Clinton’s Kennedy Backers

By Katharine Q. Seelye
New York Times
January 27, 2008

The Clinton campaign released a statement from Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy…

After Obama Victory, Clinton’s Camp Seeks Gentler Role for Ex-President

By Patrick Healy
New York Times
January 28, 2008

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign team will try to shift former President Bill Clinton back into the sunnier, supportive-spouse role that he played before the Iowa caucuses…

OBAMA

Obama Gains, But Still Lags In Big States

By Christopher Cooper and Amy Chozick
Wall Street Journal
January 28, 2008

Barack Obama's overwhelming weekend victory in South Carolina's Democratic primary gives him new momentum in the run-up to the near-national nominating contest a week from tomorrow, known as Super Tuesday…

Kennedy Chooses Obama, Spurning Bill Clinton Plea

By Jeff Zeleny and Carl Hulse
New York Times
January 28, 2008

Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s endorsement of Barack Obama pits leading members of the nation’s most prominent Democratic families against one another…

Team Obama Is Courting Everybody But the Press

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post
January 28, 2008

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- When reporters filed onto Barack Obama's press plane after his acrimonious debate with Hillary Rodham Clinton last week, one thing was noticeably missing amid the wine and snacks on the Boeing 737…

Obama Vows to Return All Rezko Funds

By Matthew Mosk
Washington Post
January 27, 2008

Sen. Barack Obama today vowed to return all of the contributions raised with help from his embattled early supporter, Chicago developer Tony Rezko…

After South Carolina: Can Obama capture a wider swath of voters?

By Ariel Sabar
Christian Science Monitor
January 28, 2008

The black vote was key to his decisive win Saturday. To be competitive in the Feb. 5 sweepstakes, he'll need a broader coalition of independents, young people, and affluent whites, analysts say…

Two key Kennedys to endorse Barack Obama

By Don Frederick
Los Angeles Times
January 27, 2008

Sen. Ted Kennedy will announce his choice Monday. Caroline says Obama is inspirational…

Obama overwhelms Clinton in heated S.C. primary

By Mark Z. Barabak
Los Angeles Times
January 27, 2008

The Illinois senator wins a landslide, leads in delegates. Edwards trails…

A vote for Obama, and for something larger

By James Rainey
Los Angeles Times
January 27, 2008

Blacks in Orangeburg, S.C., the site of a notorious civil-rights protest, hope their ballots are a new page in history…

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

THE FIELD

McCain, Romney trade accusations

By Maeve Reston and Seema Mehta
Los Angeles Times
January 27, 2008

In the run-up to Florida, the Arizona senator gives his take on the former governor's comments on Iraq. Vehement denials and demands of apologies ensue…

GIULIANI

Giuliani Challenged on Trail
Campaign Dogged By Ex-Firefighter Who Lost a Son

By Brody Mullins
Wall Street Journal
January 28, 2008

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Presidential campaigns and interest groups have spent millions of dollars on television advertisements telling people how to vote here tomorrow…

Giuliani Hangs Loose

By Michael Cooper
New York Times
January 27, 2008

Rudolph W. Giuliani, wrapping up a day of campaigning in Cocoa Beach Sunday at the mammoth Ron Jon Surf Shop…

In Miami's Little Havana, Giuliani makes his stand

By Linda Feldmann
Christian Science Monitor
January 28, 2008

On the eve of Tuesday's primary in Florida, the one-time national GOP front-runner is still running strong among Cuban-Americans, who represent 10 to 12 percent of the state's GOP electorate…

HUCKABEE

Big Dreams Born in A Humble Town
2 Candidates Count On Ties to Hope, Ark.

By Joel Achenbach
Washington Post
January 28, 2008

HOPE, Ark. -- Bill Clinton's first home is a modest frame structure that looks out over the railroad tracks, a poster-plastered tobacco shop, a car lot and a Sonic fast-food drive-in. Mike Huckabee's boyhood home, just on the other side of downtown, is a small brick house that's only peashooter distance from where young Billy Blythe -- years before he changed his name to Clinton -- went to Miss Mary's Kindergarten…

McCAIN

Senators Lieberman, Martinez Stump With McCain

By Kate Phillips
New York Times
January 27, 2008

The Republican candidate's town hall meeting this afternoon was packed…

McCain, Long a G.O.P. Maverick, Is Gaining Mainstream Support

By John M. Broder
New York Times
January 28, 2008

Is John McCain, the maverick flyboy of the Republican Party, becoming the candidate of the G.O.P. establishment?

ROMNEY

Romney Goes Casual

By Michael Luo
New York Times
January 27, 2008

Mitt Romney took off his white shirt, tie and blue suit (at least the jacket) to don a guayabera at a Cuban-American event…

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

FLORIDA

In Florida, Rivals Focus on Economy and Security

By Michael Luo and Michael Cooper
New York Times
January 28, 2008

Mitt Romney and Senator John McCain continued their tug-of-war Sunday over what should be the top concern of voters in the Florida Republican primary on Tuesday — the economy or national security…

Real Estate Troubles Are Weighing on Florida Voters’ Minds as Primary Nears

By Kirk Semple
New York Times
January 28, 2008

Florida is a cultural patchwork, but one issue appears to sew together its disparate parts: the real estate crisis…

Fla. Hispanics diverse in origin, culture, politics

By Martha T. Moore
USA Today
January 28, 2008

TAMPA — At Sunday lunch at Danny's Pizza Cubano, you can find Republicans who plan to vote for Rudy Giuliani, such as Carlos and Madeline Campos. "He cleaned up New York, he's going to clean up the country," says Carlos Campos, a machinist and Cuban immigrant…

FEBRUARY 5

Strategizing for Super Tuesday
Candidates Refine Plans As They Vie for Delegates In Coast-to-Coast Contest

By Laura Meckler
Wall Street Journal
January 28, 2008

For weeks, presidential candidates have waged battle one state at a time. But now the race enters a new phase, with candidates delving into the complex coast-to-coast contest known as Super Tuesday, and tough decisions are being made about where and how to compete…

Tight races make Calif. a bigger catch

By Jill Lawrence
USA Today
January 28, 2008

VAN NUYS, Calif. — Finally, voters in the nation's most populous state get to help pick the finalists for president…

N.Y. emerges as pivotal primary

By Martha T. Moore
USA Today
January 28, 2008

NEW YORK — During primary season, presidential candidates come here all the time to raise money. This year, they're looking for votes as well…

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

Blair Tells Candidates To Be Flexible on Trade

By Marc Champion
Wall Street Journal
January 28, 2008

DAVOS, Switzerland -- Tony Blair cautioned U.S. presidential candidates not to lock themselves into damaging protectionist or isolationist policies they could have a tough time walking away from once in office…

Races Entering Complex Phase Over Delegates

By Adam Nagourney
New York Times
January 28, 2008

The presidential campaign is entering a new phase as the campaign has turned into a possibly lengthy hunt for delegates for the first time in 20 years…

In Open Nomination, ‘Superdelegates’ May Hold Key to Victory

By Carl Hulse
New York Times
January 28, 2008

It is conceivable that a group of politicians and party insiders could hold the balance in awarding the Democratic presidential…

<><>OTHER NEWS AND VIEWS<><><><><><><><><><><><>

Senate Weighs Changes As It Takes Up Stimulus Bill

By Sarah Lueck
Wall Street Journal
January 28, 2008

WASHINGTON -- The House-negotiated plan to jump-start the economy heads this week into the Senate, where lawmakers who want to weigh in with their own ideas could disrupt the careful balance that got the deal this far…

Stimulus bill hits Senate this week

By Gail Russell Chaddock
Christian Science Monitor
January 28, 2008

A bipartisan accord in the House calls for a $150 billion spending plan, including significant tax rebates. But senators may want add-ons…

Mormon Leader, Gordon Hinckley, Dies at 97

Associated Press
January 27, 2008

Gordon B. Hinckley, the president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, led Mormonism through an period of global expansion…

STATE OF THE UNION

In Bush’s Legacy, Weak Economy Moves Up Front

By Sheryl Gay Stolberg
New York Times
January 28, 2008

President Bush’s final State of the Union address will focus on the economy, as Mr. Bush himself suggested Friday during a short preview of the speech at a Congressional Republican retreat…

State of Union To Touch On War, Economy
Bush's Challenge May Be Getting People to Listen

By Michael Abramowitz
Washington Post
January 27, 2008

For years, President Bush and his advisers expressed frustration that the White House received little credit for the nation's strong economic performance because of public discontent about the Iraq war. Today, the president is getting little credit for improved security in Iraq, as the public increasingly focuses on a struggling U.S. economy…

In State of the Union, Bush to begin framing legacy

By Peter Grier
Christian Science Monitor
January 28, 2008

Monday's address is expected to highlight improvements in Iraq, but not reforms for immigration or Social Security…