Top Items:
Spencer Ackerman / The Washington Independent:
Biden Punks Crocker: ‘I Would Therefore Pick Al Qaeda on The Afghanistan-Pakistan Border’ — There was once a blog called Joe Biden Is Thugged Out. (I swear this is true.) Biden just proved why. He asked Ryan Crocker, who used to be ambassador to Pakistan, whether it would be better …
Discussion:
Confederate Yankee, Wonk Room, Comments from Left Field, Salon, Crooks and Liars, democracyarsenal.org and Newshoggers.com
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Dday / Hullabaloo:
Joe Biden Just Obliterated Every Administration Argument About Iraq — That was a very significant moment at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings with Amb. Ryan Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus. Joe Biden asked Amb. Crocker where it would be better for American national security interests …
Ali / Think Progress:
McCain seems confused about al Qaeda again, suggests it's a 'sect of Shi'ites.' — During today's hearing with Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) questioned Petraeus on what he called “the major threat” of al Qaeda in Iraq.
Discussion:
Comments from Left Field, Democratic National Committee, I Am TRex, The Carpetbagger Report, democracyarsenal.org, The Mahablog, The Reaction, Blue Girl, Red State, Pajamas Media, Commentary, Marc Ambinder, Trailhead, michellemalkin.com, CNN, Firedoglake, Crooks and Liars, Taylor Marsh, Macsmind, The Swamp and AMERICAblog
New York Times:
Petraeus Urges 45-Day Halt in Weighing New Iraq Troop Cuts — WASHINGTON — Telling Congress that progress in Iraq was “fragile and reversible,” the top American commander recommended Tuesday that consideration of any new drawdowns of American troops be delayed until the fall …
David Petraeus / Real Clear Politics:
Gen. Petraeus' Testimony to the Senate Armed Services Comm.
Gen. Petraeus' Testimony to the Senate Armed Services Comm.
Discussion:
The Belmont Club
Paul J. Nyden / Charleston Gazette:
Jay defends endorsement of Sen. Obama — Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., defended his decision to make an endorsement in the race for president during an interview with Gazette editors on Monday. — Rockefeller said some have criticized him for endorsing Sen. Barack Obama before the West Virginia primary in May.
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Fox News:
After Rockefeller Insult, McCain Camp Claims Obama Won't Shut Down Campaign Smears — John McCain is making the claim that Barack Obama seems unwilling to personally condemn the controversial remarks of supporters and prominent Democrats after Sen. Obama relied Tuesday on a campaign spokeswoman …
John McCain / CNN:
McCain campaign says Obama team's apology falls short
McCain campaign says Obama team's apology falls short
Discussion:
New York Times, The Carpetbagger Report, Comments from Left Field, NewsBusters.org and TownHall Blog
The Tartan Online:
Michelle Obama speaks at presidential rally in Skibo Gym — Only a week after her husband drew throngs to Soldiers and Sailors, Michelle Obama wooed a small crowd at Skibo Gymnasium on Wednesday. — Skibo's risers were packed with community members and students from many of Pittsburgh's universities.
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Michael Goldfarb / Weekly Standard Blog:
They Need More White People — The Tartan, Carnegie Mellon's student newspaper, reports on a campaign event featuring Michelle Obama: … The Obama campaign discriminates against people of color, and their own supporters no less, in what is presumably a misguided pander to white voters.
Discussion:
TBogg
Costas Panagopoulos / The Politico:
Obama supporter Oprah takes a big dive — Much hay was made nearly a year ago when Oprah Winfrey announced that she would support — and campaign for — Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Her effect in boosting support for Obama in early primary and caucus states like Iowa …
Peter Beinart / Washington Post:
Obama at the Helm — Deep into a primary campaign that was supposed be over by now, Barack Obama must still answer one fundamental question. Jeremiah Wright notwithstanding, it's not whether he's too black. It's whether he's too green. Hillary Clinton has made Obama's inexperience …
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Joseph Abrams / Fox News:
Report: Jimmy Carter to Meet With Hamas Leader in Syria — NEW YORK CITY — Former President Jimmy Carter is reportedly preparing an unprecedented meeting with the leader of Hamas, an organization that the U.S. government considers one of the leading terrorist threats in the world.
Townhall.com:
Joe Klein from Time Magazine on Barack Obama's positions. — HH: Joined now by Joe Klein of Time Magazine, knows all, sees all, comments on all from Time Magazine, sometimes at their blog, the Swamp[land], often in his column. Joe, welcome back, good to have you on the Hugh Hewitt Show.
Discussion:
Think Progress
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Mary Ann Akers / The Sleuth:
Grover Norquist Endorses Condi Rice for Veep — No speaker goes to conservative activist Grover Norquist's Wednesday breakfast meeting without a purpose. And so it was with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice two weeks ago when she convinced a rapt audience — without even raising the possibility …
Discussion:
The Trail, Political Radar, Top of the Ticket, The Raw Story, Below The Beltway and Donklephant
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Wall Street Journal:
The Coming Tax Bomb — As the presidential campaign enters its final stages, there will be increased debate over budget priorities and how they will be paid for. Many commentators and political leaders, including Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, believe that tax increases are needed …
Discussion:
Capital Gains and Games blogs, Say Anything, WILLisms.com, Angry Bear, Babalu Blog, Club for Growth and The Jawa Report
Sasha Issenberg / Boston Globe:
Obama's unprecedented Pennsylvania ad buy — PHILADELPHIA — If, as has been widely predicted, Barack Obama loses Pennsylvania, it will not be for lack of effort. — Obama is currently spending $2.2 million per week on television here, over twice what Hillary Clinton is spending …
Discussion:
Truthdig
Reuters:
Absolut vodka pulls ad showing California in Mexico — MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The distillers of Sweden's Absolut vodka have withdrawn an advertisement run in Mexico that angered many U.S. citizens by idealizing an early 19th century map showing chunks of the United States as Mexican.
Wall Street Journal:
Republican Iraq Vets Seek 17 House Seats — Seventeen Iraq combat veterans are running for House seats as Republicans, pledging to continue the war once in Congress and linking themselves to Sen. John McCain's candidacy for president. — As Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq …