Top Items:
Mike Allen / The Politico:
Dems pound McCain for new Iraq quote — The Obama campaign and Democratic leaders accused Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) of being confused and heartless after he told NBC's “Today” show Wednesday that it's “not too important” when U.S. troops return from Iraq. — Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) …
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Ben Smith / Ben Smith's Blogs:
Kerry: McCain confused, ‘unbelievably out of touch’ — John Kerry, who's served in the past as Obama's heavy-hitter on national security, expressed incredulity at McCain's remark this morning that the timing of troops return is “not too important.” — “It is unbelievably out of touch …
Josh Marshall / Talking Points Memo:
EX POST MCCAINO — The McCain campaign is hitting back hard against Democratic criticism of his “not that important” quote this morning on Today. But as often is the case with McCain, the explanations of what he said are even sillier than the original statement.
Marc Ambinder:
It's Not Important? Context Is Always Important — Democrats and allies are jumping on John McCain for telling NBC's Matt Lauer that “it's not important” when troops return from Iraq. Period. There's no because. There's almost never a because when one side seizes on the comments of another.
Kelly Moeller / Political Punch:
Playing the Age Card? Obama Camp Calls McCain “Confused,” Jumps On McCain Comments on Iraq — Poll after poll shows that more voters trust Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on matters of national security than they do Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois. Hoping to bridge that chasm …
Discussion:
New York Times, MSNBC, TPM Election Central, AMERICAblog, The Carpetbagger Report, Hullabaloo, Hot Air, The Jed Report, Commentary and Oliver Willis
Greg Sargent / TPM Election Central:McCain Campaign: Dems Took “Not Too Important” Quote Out Of Context
Ben Smith / Ben Smith's Blogs:
Johnson resigns — Obama and his campaign staunchly defended Jim Johnson against the charge that his ties to troubled mortgage lender Countrywide disqualified him from sitting on Obama's vice presidential search committee, but Johnson just pulled the plug: He resigned as chairman of the steering committee just now.
Discussion:
protein wisdom, New York Sun, Balloon Juice, Fox News, The Washington Independent, Rezko Watch and BuzzFlash.org
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CNN:
Obama's VP vetter steps aside — WASHINGTON (CNN) — A key member of Barack Obama's vice-presidential search team, James Johnson, is stepping down after criticism over a mortgage he received, the Obama campaign said. — “Jim did not want to distract in any way from the very important task …
Jeffrey M. Jones / Gallup:
Obama Gains Among Women After Clinton Exit — Now running as strongly vs. McCain among women as Clinton did — PRINCETON, NJ — Since Hillary Clinton decided to concede the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama last week, Obama has established a lead over Republican John McCain in general-election polling.
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Mark Leibovich / New York Times:
Those Loyal to the Clintons Take Note of Who Was Not — WASHINGTON — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was gracious in her full-throated endorsement of Senator Barack Obama. But that does not mean all is forgiven by others in the Clinton universe. — For proof, look no further than Doug Band …
Discussion:
The Crypt's Blogs, Wake up America, Power Line, The Swamp, Political Machine, Achenblog, I Am TRex, AMERICAblog and The New Republic
Matt / Think Progress:
McCain On Whether Cheney Might Serve In His Administration: ‘Hell, Yeah’ — As Vice President Dick Cheney makes the rounds on “the GOP's rubber chicken circuit” these days to raise funds for conservative candidates, he always implores his audiences “to make sure that we elect John McCain the 44th President of the United States.”
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Scott Glover / Los Angeles Times:
9th Circuit's chief judge posted sexually explicit matter on his website — Alex Kozinski, who is presiding over an obscenity trial in L.A., acknowledges that he had posted sexually explicit photos and videos. He says he didn't think the public could access the site.
Washington Wire:
WSJ/NBC Poll Shows Change Trumps Experience — Susan Davis reports on the presidential race. — The latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll results will be released later today, but an early teaser offers a snapshot on how voters are sizing up the John McCain-Barack Obama contest.
Discussion:
TIME.com
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Chris Bowers / Open Left:
McCain to Cut Defense Spending? — According a Forbes article, McCain's economic advisor suggests that he will pay for a corporate tax cut by cutting defense spending: … If true, this would be a much bigger bombshell that McCain's remarks on Iraq withdrawal.
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Rasmussen Reports:
Election 2008: Michigan Presidential Election — Michigan: Now It's Obama By Three — The latest Rasmussen Reports poll in Michigan shows Barack Obama attracting 45% of the vote while John McCain earns 42%. This is the fourth poll in Michigan since McCain wrapped up the Republican nomination …
Discussion:
FiveThirtyEight.com
Camille Paglia / Salon:
Obama's best veep choice — Here's a hint: She's not Hillary! Plus: Talk radio's paranoid delusions and a Brazilian diva Madonna could aspire to. — Shuddering, lurching and stumbling, the 2008 general election has finally, mercifully begun. For a year and a half …
Faiz / Think Progress:
In Debate Over Permanent Bases In Iraq, U.S. Seeks Authorization For War In Iran — In Debate Over Permanent Bases In Iraq, U.S. Seeks Authorization For War In Iran — The ongoing negotiations between Iraqi leaders and the Bush administration over the future role of the military occupation …
Maureen Dowd / New York Times:
Mincing Up Michelle — Hillary and Bill are busy updating their enemies lists. And Obama is racking his brain trying to figure out where to stash his erstwhile rival. — If a President Obama put her on the Supreme Court, of course, we would have the infinite fun of hearing Bill rant about how Scalia …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Salon, Reason Magazine, Big Brass Blog, No More Mister Nice Blog, michellemalkin.com and Too Sense
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