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Mark Halperin / The Page:
Transcript of Romney's Speech Withdrawing From the Race — Governor Romney's Address to the Conservative Political Action Committee - February 7, 2008 — I want to begin by saying thank you. It's great to be with you again. And I look forward to joining with you many more times in the future.
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Krooney / The Page:
Romney Quits Race — Says time of war is not the right time to continue GOP fight: “I feel I have to stand aside.” — Read full remarks from CPAC conference here. … AP: Decision effectively cedes nomination to McCain. — Obama, kicking Romney as he heads out the door, criticizes him for saying Democrats are soft on terror.
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John King / CNN:
GOP sources: Romney to suspend campaign — (CNN) — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will suspend his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, GOP sources tell CNN. — Romney had won 270 delegates in through the Super Tuesday contests, compared with front-runner John McCain's 680.
Byron York / The Corner:
Romney Pulling Out? Campaign Doesn't Want “To Look Destructive At What Might Be The End.” — We are beginning to see signs that Mitt Romney might be preparing to pull out of the Republican race. — Everyone is looking for tea leaves from the campaign, and we'll know more about the governor's state …
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You Decide 08!, Boston Globe, Pajamas Media, Weekly Standard, Redstate, TIME, Wonkette and Classical Values
New York Times:
Romney Drops Out of Presidential Race — Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who sought to position himself as the true conservative choice for the Republican presidential nomination, announced Thursday afternoon that he had ended his campaign. — Mr. Romney, who had vowed …
Amanda / Think Progress:
McCain booed at CPAC. — Speaking to a right-wing crowd at CPAC today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was loudly booed when he mentioned his push for comprehensive immigration reform last year. (A position he has since given up.) … Watch it: — This morning, Politico reported that CPAC organizers …
Discussion:
Crooks and Liars, The Politico, Shakespeare's Sister, The Mahablog and Jonathan Martin's Blogs
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Anne Schroeder Mullins / Anne Schroeder's Blogs:
CPAC to all CPAC-ers: Don't boo McCain — John McCain may have it easier than he expected today when he commandeers the podium at CPAC this afternoon. Conservatives from all over will predictably fill the room to the brim to listen to what the now GOP front-runner has to say, despite a hate/love relationship with the guy.
Terry Frieden / CNN:
Mukasey won't investigate ‘waterboarding’ — WASHINGTON (CNN) — Attorney General Michael Mukasey told lawmakers Thursday he will not open a criminal investigation into the CIA's acknowledged use of “waterboarding” on terror suspects. — House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers …
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David Kurtz / Talking Points Memo:
MARK THIS DAY — Attorney General Michael Mukasey is back on the Hill today, testifying to the House Judiciary Committee. Paul Kiel is covering it at TPMmuckraker. — So far, he's dropped two big bombshells. DOJ will not be investigating: — (1) whether the waterboarding, now admitted to by the White House, was a crime; or
Jennifer Parker / Political Punch:
And Obama Wept — Inspiration is nice. But some folks seem to be getting out of hand. — It's as if Tom Daschle descended from on high saying, “Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city …
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John McCain 2008:
Remarks By John McCain to CPAC — ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released the following remarks by John McCain as prepared for delivery: — Thank you. Thank you for inviting me. It's been a little while since I've had the honor of addressing you …
Discussion:
Hot Air
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Kate Snow / ABCNEWS:
Clinton Campaign Staffers Not Going Without Pay — Staff Had Offered to Go Without Pay to Save Campaign Money But Never Did — So it turns out the Clinton campaign may not be so cash-strapped after all — at least not at this very moment. — After offering on Wednesday to go without paychecks …
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Mark Naymik / OPENERS:
Obama agrees to debate Clinton in Ohio — It's on! — Barack Obama said he will debate Hillary Clinton in Ohio before the March 4 primary. — “I think we said we will do two more debates, and at least one of them will be in Ohio,” he told Plain Dealer editors and reporters Thursday afternoon during a phone interview.
Discussion:
Buckeye State Blog
Steven Aftergood / NiemanWatchdog.org:
The next president should open up the Bush Administration's record — By now no one expects the Bush Administration to make itself accountable for its controversial and possibly illegal practices. But the next President will have a unique opportunity to reveal what has been kept hidden for the last seven years.
Kevin Drum / Washington Monthly:
McCAIN AND THE GOP....By now, everybody knows that the Senate version of the economic stimulus bill failed to overcome a Republican filibuster yesterday. You need 60 votes for that, and the final tally was 59-40. (Harry Reid changed his vote at the end for parliamentary reasons, so the reported tally was 58-41)
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Matthew Yglesias:
Establishments — There's something a little silly about Hillary Clinton's efforts to label Barack Obama “the establishment candidate” considering that she's also bragging about her lead in superdelegates, is running on experience, and is backed by the bulk of the senior leadership cadres from her husband's administration.
Discussion:
TalkLeft
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Joe Pappalardo / Popular Mechanics:
Sun Stays Sluggish as Weathermen Fight for Anti-Ice Age Funding — Every day, scientists hoping to see — an increase in solar activity train their instruments at the sun as it crosses the sky. This is no idle academic pursuit: A lull in solar action could potentially drive …