Top Items:
Ben Smith / Ben Smith's Blogs:
NY NOW: “Betrayal!” — Whoa. The New York State chapter of the National Organization for Women attacked Ted Kennedy for his endorsement today with some real heat.. The Times Union reported it first (writing, “'Scathing' feels inadequate here."), and I confirmed its authenticity with the president of the organization, Marcia Pappas.
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Andrew Malcolm / Los Angeles Times:
Breaking News: Rudy Giuliani hints at dropping out — Rudy Giuliani appears to be pondering an end to his long pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination. — In a meeting in the back of his chartered plane en route to St. Petersburg, Fla., a short while ago, the onetime …
Discussion:
Reuters, MSNBC, Associated Press, TalkLeft, Gallup, DownWithTyranny!, The Field, McCain Central, The Washington Note, Comments from Left Field, TPM Election Central, Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog, Wizbang, Hot Air, The Reaction, Donklephant, Pam's House Blend, Macsmind, The Politico and Washington Post
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David Mark / The Politico:
Poll: Obama trails Clinton in Calif. — Barack Obama continues to trail Hillary Rodham Clinton in California by a wide margin, according to a new Politico/CNN/Los Angeles Times poll, while John McCain has expanded his lead over Mitt Romney. — Clinton won the support of 49 percent …
Think Progress:
Embargoed: State of the Union Text — We'll start respecting White House embargoes when they start telling the truth. Here is President Bush's FINAL State of the Union address: — EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY January 28, 2008 — STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS — As Prepared for Delivery
Discussion:
New York Sun, Daily Kos, The Crone Speaks, The Democratic Daily, Taylor Marsh, D-Day and Left in the West
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White House:
President Bush Delivers State of the Union Address — Chamber of the United States House of Representatives — THE PRESIDENT: Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Seven years have passed since I first stood before you at this rostrum.
Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit.com:
OKAY, I HAVE TO GLOAT JUST A BIT: Bush led off with earmarks. His actions aren't as bold as I'd like, but still — back in 2005 when PorkBusters started, nobody in Washington cared and members of Congress were bragging about pork. Now the State of the Union leads of with an attack on earmarks, to thundering applause.
Chicago Tribune:
Cash to fugitive's family — Some of the $3.5 million went to pay off certain Rezko debts, while $20,000 went to the family of Alber Najjar, who also had extensive connections with Rezko's food companies but became a federal fugitive in 2004 when he fled to Lebanon following his indictment on bookmaking charges, prosecutors said.
Discussion:
ABCNEWS, Norwegianity, The Huffington Post, The Trail, TPM Election Central, Associated Press, Wonkette, The Politico and NO QUARTER
Glenn Greenwald / Salon:
Today's FISA vote — This morning, I wrote extensively about today's vote on the FISA filibuster and related matters here, but am starting a new post now to live-blog the proceedings, which have now begun in the Senate (and can be viewed on C-SPAN here). That earlier post should be read for background.
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Alexander Bolton / The Hill:
Clinton, Obama steal Bush's final show — All eyes were on Democratic presidential frontrunners Sens. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) Monday night as spectators and pundits followed their every move during President Bush's final State of the Union address.
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Laurie Kellman / Associated Press:
No Chitchat Between Clinton and Obama — WASHINGTON (AP) — So close, yet so far away — and so bitter. — Rival Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama came within a foot of each other just before President Bush's State of the Union speech Monday night and managed not to acknowledge each other, and certainly not touch.
Peter Baker / Washington Post:
Final Year's Realities Push Big Ideas Into Background
Final Year's Realities Push Big Ideas Into Background
Discussion:
Althouse
Allahpundit / Hot Air:
Video: Olby names Mary Katharine Ham “worst person in the world” — What deadly sin could she have committed to earn such a distinction? Quote: … Mind you, she's referring to a man whom certain members of the press literally offered to fellate. But never mind that.
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CNN:
CNN RELIABLE SOURCES — Obama Wins Big in South Carolina; Bill Clinton Scolds Journalists — THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. — HOWARD KURTZ, HOST (voice over): Race talk. Barack Obama stuns the media establishment …
Frank James / The Swamp:
At SOTU, Obama's Clinton snub was the news — So President Bush has delivered his last State of the Union. And what everyone in the House press gallery is talking about isn't the speech. Rather, it's the snub. — Sen. Barack Obama refused to make himself available to greet Sen. Hillary Clinton before the speech.
Discussion:
New York Times
Michelle Malkin:
State of the Grab Bag Address 2008 — Scroll down for updates...Democrat Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sibelius responds blandly to SOTU...McCain skips out, gives advice from Florida...Sen. Jim DeMint gives conservative response...Obama disses Bush... Nancy Pelosi final blink count: 1,002.
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Dan Froomkin / Washington Post:
Is Anyone Listening? — President Bush has a lot to accomplish in tonight's State of the Union address. He needs to lay out a plausible agenda for his final year in office, justify a war that the American people overwhelmingly oppose, stave off a recession and persuade the nation and the world that he's not been a colossal failure.
Discussion:
Discourse.net
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Adam Liptak / New York Times:
Illegal Globally, Bail for Profit Remains in U.S. — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Wayne Spath is a bail bondsman, which means he is an insurance salesman, a social worker, a lightly regulated law enforcement agent, a real estate appraiser — and a for-profit wing of the American justice system.
The Huffington Post:
Speech Text: Democratic Response By Gov. Kathleen Sebelius — Remarks as prepared for delivery by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius: — An American Call to Action — I'm Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of the State of Kansas. — And I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you tonight.
Discussion:
Gristmill