Top Items:
Karl Rove / Wall Street Journal:
Is Obama Ready for Prime Time? — After being pummeled 55% to 45% in the Pennsylvania primary, Barack Obama was at a loss for explanations. The best he could do was to compliment his supporters in an email saying, “you helped close the gap to a slimmer margin than most thought possible.”
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Joe Klein / Time:
The Incredibly Shrinking Democrats — “This election,” Bill Clinton said in the hours before the Pennsylvania primary, “is too big to be small.” It was a noble sentiment, succinctly stated, and the core of what Democrats believe — that George W. Bush has been a historic screwup as President …
Jason Zengerle / The New Republic:
Is That NC GOP Ad Really That Hard to Figure Out? — This morning on NPR, I heard Renee Montagne and Juan Williams spend about 5 minutes talking about this anti-Obama ad—featuring Jeremiah Wright—from the North Carolina Republican Party. First Montagne and Williams discussed whether …
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Lynn Sweet / Chicago Sun Times:
Wright offering fresh fodder to Obama critics — WASHINGTON—The controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright — Sen. Barack Obama's pastor — is speaking Monday at the National Press Club as part of a divinity conference of black church leaders. Wright's decision to headline an event at the Press Club …
Nick Timiraos / Wall Street Journal:
Obama, Clinton Split Over McCain Plan For Gas-Tax Holiday — In a new policy split in the presidential campaign, Barack Obama opposed a federal gas-tax holiday supported by John McCain, the likely Republican nominee. Hillary Clinton said she would be open to the tax break.
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Examiner:
Jenna Bush: I may not support McCain — In Republican circles, this could constitute a form of sacrilege. — Speaking on Larry King Live last night, first daughter Jenna Bush, who appeared alongside first lady Laura Bush, confessed that she's not sure if she'll vote for the presumptive Republican nominee …
Josh Marshall / Talking Points Memo:
GETTING REAL — I think I've said this a hundred times, as have many others. But this article in Thursday's Times is a good moment to revisit the point. As Patrick Healy explains, it is simply a fallacy to claim that winning a state's Democratic primary means you're more likely to win …
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Adam Nagourney / New York Times:
For Obama, a Struggle to Win Over Key Blocs
For Obama, a Struggle to Win Over Key Blocs
Discussion:
Marc Ambinder, Wall Street Journal, Real Clear Politics, American Power, Connecting.the.Dots, MSNBC, Associated Press, Corrente and marbury
City Journal:
Obama's Real Bill Ayers Problem — Barack Obama complains that he's been unfairly attacked for a casual political and social relationship with his neighbor, former Weatherman Bill Ayers. Obama has a point. In the ultraliberal Hyde Park community where the presidential candidate first earned …
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Robin Wright / Washington Post:
N. Koreans Taped At Syrian Reactor — A video taken inside a secret Syrian facility last summer convinced the Israeli government and the Bush administration that North Korea was helping to construct a reactor similar to one that produces plutonium for North Korea's nuclear arsenal …
Micah L. Sifry / techPresident:
The Clinton-Obama Money Chase Continues [UPDATED] — So now the Clinton campaign [is walking back] has clarified its post-PA fundraising numbers (and I'm clarifying my post as well). As I noted yesterday, the campaign's finance co-chair Hassan Nemazee left the distinct impression …
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Charlie Cook / National Journal Online:
Hillary's Political Purgatory — CLINTON HAS SPENT WEEKS IN A HORRIBLE SITUATION. EVEN IN VICTORY, SHE ISN'T GETTING ANY CLOSER TO WINNING THE NOMINATION. — Sat. — The good news for Hillary Rodham Clinton is that she's winning a lot of battles. The bad news is that the war is pretty much lost.
Discussion:
TalkLeft, Balloon Juice, PoliBlog (TM), AMERICAblog, Blue Crab Boulevard and Real Clear Politics
Dana Milbank / Washington Post:
What the Family Would Let You See, the Pentagon Obstructs — Lt. Col. Billy Hall, one of the most senior officers to be killed in the Iraq war, was laid to rest yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery. It's hard to escape the conclusion that the Pentagon doesn't want you to know that.
Nathan / FlowingData:
Showing the Obama-Clinton Divide in Decision Tree Infographic — Amanda Cox, of The New York Times, made another excellent graphic (and I wouldn't expect anything less). We see an entire story between Obama and Clinton - positions taken, counties won, and counties lost. Go ahead and take a look.
Discussion:
Prairie Weather
Josh Meyer / Los Angeles Times:
Gap opens between Al Qaeda and allies — A backlash builds over the network's tactics, including suicide attacks. Its leaders try to defuse the anger. — WASHINGTON — Al Qaeda increasingly faces sharp criticism from once-loyal sympathizers who openly question its ideology and tactics …
Los Angeles Times:
Democratic superdelegates also divided over a prolonged race — Many party leaders say an ongoing Democratic contest can't hurt. Others want it over well before the convention. — WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton's Pennsylvania win has bought her time — but not much …
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Carl Hulse / New York Times:
Republican Senators Block Pay Discrimination Measure — WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a measure intended to overturn a Supreme Court decision limiting pay discrimination suits in a politically charged vote certain to be replayed in the presidential and Congressional campaigns.
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Rasmussen Reports:
Election 2008: Minnesota Senate — Minnesota Senate: Coleman 50% Franken 43% — The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey shows that Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman has opened a seven-percentage point lead over Democratic challenger Al Franken in his bid for re-election.