Top Items:
Washington Post:
Clinton's Chief Strategist Steps Down — Mark J. Penn quit Sunday as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's chief strategist, the second shake-up in her campaign's top ranks since the onetime front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination began trailing Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, 1115.org, Sister Toldjah, Prairie Weather, New York Times and The Reaction
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Ben Smith / The Politico:
Clinton strategist left mark, message — Mark Penn's exit from his role as Hillary Rodham Clinton's chief strategist likely will portend no dramatic shift in message for the campaign in coming weeks but will bring satisfaction to scores of Clinton loyalists who have wanted the controversial image-meister sacked for months.
Zzaki / Political Radar:
Clinton Chief Strategist Pushed Out — ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, Jake Tapper and Eloise Harper Report: Mark Penn has been pushed out as chief strategist of Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign after his work on a Colombian free-trade agreement that Clinton opposes, sources tell ABC News.
Discussion:
protein wisdom, Politics Nation, CNN, Washington Wire, The Reaction, Political Punch, SocraticGadfly, Political Machine, Middle Earth Journal, Ben Smith's Blogs, HillaryClinton.com, The New Republic, Taylor Marsh, BuzzFlash.org, Salon, The Trail, Donklephant, Talking Points Memo, Gateway Pundit, Wonkette and PunditGuy
John M. Broder / New York Times:
Top Clinton Aide Leaving His Post Under Pressure
Top Clinton Aide Leaving His Post Under Pressure
Discussion:
The Carpetbagger Report, NY Daily News, FP Passport, Gateway Pundit, marbury and KIKO'S HOUSE
Joe Gandelman / The Moderate Voice:
Clinton Campaign's Controversial Mark Penn Ousted As Chief Strategist
Clinton Campaign's Controversial Mark Penn Ousted As Chief Strategist
Nick Timiraos / Wall Street Journal:
Obama May Not Have Fully Contained Damage From Ex-Pastor — Sen. Barack Obama's Philadelphia speech on race relations last month seemed to put the controversial remarks of his former pastor behind him. But three weeks later, there is evidence of lingering damage.
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William Kristol / New York Times:
The Shape of the Race to Come — I've spent a fair amount of time the last couple of weeks with conservatives of all ages and leanings. Call it my very own listening tour. — It began with a series of conversations with a group of Weekly Standard subscribers.
John Kass / Chicago Tribune:
Dialogue on race could begin on hallowed ground
Dialogue on race could begin on hallowed ground
Discussion:
protein wisdom
New York Times:
Iraqi Forces and Militia Clash in Baghdad — BAGHDAD — Sharp fighting broke out in Baghdad's Sadr City district on Sunday as American and Iraqi troops sought to control neighborhoods used by Shiite militias to fire rockets and mortars into the nearby Green Zone.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Firedoglake, Jules Crittenden, Informed Comment, Matthew Yglesias and The Page
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Jonathan Weisman / Washington Post:
The Next Campaign Stop: Iraq Hearings — At Tuesday's Sessions, Candidates Can Ask Questions, Try to Score Points — When Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker travel to Capitol Hill tomorrow, they might be the ones before the microphones, but the cameras will be trained …
Sean Wilentz / Salon:
If the system made sense, Clinton would be far ahead — Under a winner-take-all primary system, Hillary Clinton would have a wide lead over Barack Obama — and enough delegates to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination by June. — Hillary Clinton celebrates with supporters …
Anne Lieberman / Boker tov, Boulder!:
Your federal government at work ... for Palestinians … 04/12/2006 … And lest you think “certain [otherwise prohibited] transactions” are merely being “authorized,” think again. They're being encouraged, promoted and assisted... all over our federal — dot-GOV. Here's just one thread …
CBS News:
Insider: Iraq Attack Was Preemptive — Pentagon Insider Tells 60 Minutes U.S. Attack On Iraq Was Anticipatory Self-Defense; Not 9/11 Retaliation — In his memoir, “War and Decision,” due out this week, Feith writes there was one potential problem the Pentagon seriously underestimated …
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice
Lindsey Ellerson / Political Radar:
Dan Senor: Condoleezza Rice Is Pursuing the VP Spot — ABCNews' Mary Bruce Reports: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is actively courting the vice presidential nomination, Republican strategist Dan Senor said. — “Condi Rice has been actively, actually in recent weeks, campaigning for this …
Marc Ambinder:
Ex-Clinton Insider Launches Unity Ticket Drive — Hillary/Obama '08 becomes official today. In a way. — A Clinton insider who served as ex campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle's executive assistant for several years has set up a new website, http://www.voteboth.com/ and plans to register with the Federal Election Commission today.
Steven Zeitchik / Hollywood Reporter:
Thandie Newton, Ioan Gruffudd cast in ‘W’ — The Bush administration is coming together — and adding a key ally for good measure. — Oliver Stone has found the actress to play Condoleezza Rice in his upcoming “W,” with Thandie Newton in final negotiations to star as the National Security Advisor-turned-Secretary of State.