Obama Gains, But Still Lags In Big States  —  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.  —  But Mr. Obama heads into the 22-state showdown as the underdog.

Clinton's Camp Seeks Gentler Role for Ex-President  —  Democrats inside and outside the Clinton campaign on Sunday debated and in some cases bemoaned the degree to which former President Bill Clinton's criticism of Senator Barack Obama last week had inflicted lasting damage on his wife's presidential candidacy.

Lessons of 1992  —  It's starting to feel a bit like 1992 again.  A Bush is in the White House, the economy is a mess, and there's a candidate who, in the view of a number of observers, is running on a message of hope, of moving past partisan differences, that resembles Bill Clinton's campaign 16 years ago.

Desperate Husband  —  In the run-up to Saturday's South Carolina primary, Bill Clinton repeatedly denounced racial divisions in American politics.  Indeed, he said Friday in Spartanburg, Americans are “literally aching to live in a post-racial future."  —  But Clinton certainly hasn't been hastening that day.

Kennedy Chooses Obama, Spurning Plea by Clintons  —  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Senator Edward M. Kennedy, rejecting entreaties from the Clintons and their supporters, is set to endorse Senator Barack Obama's presidential bid on Monday as part of an effort to lend Kennedy charisma and connections …

Economy, War To Dominate State of Union  —  Bush's Challenge May Be Getting People to Listen  —  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.

Echo of First Bush: Good Economy Turns Sour  —  WASHINGTON — Will George W. Bush be remembered as the president who lost the economy while trying to win a war?  —  Mr. Bush has spent years presiding over an economic climate of growth that would be the envy of most presidents.