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OBAMA SPEECH IN FULL: A MORE PERFECT UNION — “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union.” — Two hundred and twenty one years ago, in a hall that still stands across the street, a group of men gathered and, with these simple words, launched America's improbable experiment in democracy.
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Full Text Of Obama's Big Race Speech: A Big Break With Political Precedent — We have a full transcript of Obama's big race speech for you after the jump. He's set to deliver it in Philadelphia within moments. — Reading it, you can't escape the fact that in various ways it represents …
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Talking Points Memo, Open Left, Booman Tribune, American Street and Democratic Strategist

Have I missed the competition? — I read the various posts here on “The Corner,” mostly pretty ho-hum or critical about Obama's speech. Then I figured I'd better read the text (I tried to find a video of it, but couldn't). I've just finished. Has any other major American politician ever …


FIRST THOUGHTS: OBAMA'S BIG SPEECH — From Chuck Todd and Mark Murray — *** Obama's big speech: The last time a top presidential candidate gave an important speech on a sensitive topic was last December, when Mitt Romney talked about American faith. His speech drew favorable reviews …

The Speech — Alas, I cannot give a more considered response right now as I have to get on the road. But I do want to say that this searing, nuanced, gut-wrenching, loyal, and deeply, deeply Christian speech is the most honest speech on race in America in my adult lifetime.

The Obama Bargain — Geraldine Ferraro may have had sinister motives when she said that Barack Obama would not be “in his position” as a frontrunner but for his race. Possibly she was acting as Hillary Clinton's surrogate. Or maybe she was simply befuddled by this new reality …
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The Daily Dish, No More Mister Nice Blog, The Root, baldilocks, Debbie Schlussel and Dr. Sanity

The speech — He hasn't started speaking yet here in Philly, but Drudge just busted the embargo, so I've posted the text after the jump. — It's quite a speech: autobiographical, embracing complexity, and answering questions about Wright — whose most offensive words, he says …

Obama's Lies — Not so much lies as a sort of slippery sleight-of-mouth. I'm starting to really dislike Obama. … Segregation was not “the law of the land” in the 1950s. It was the law in a minority of states. … If, as Obama seems to be claiming, those are the sentiments …

CHECKING IN WITH THE OTHER SIDE....I thing we can safely assume that Barack Obama's supporters will all swoon over his speech today. And why not? It was, as usual for him, a helluva good address: intelligent, sane, sympathetic, and broadly appealing. He didn't, however …

The Politics of Grievance — Obama is no longer a post-racial candidate.

The Politics of Obama's Speech
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The Carpetbagger Report

Newsflash: Obama says “God bless America;” …
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MoveOn Move In — Obama's speech was thoughtful, powerful …
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TBogg

A McCain Gaffe in Jordan — AMMAN, Jordan — Sen. John McCain, traveling in the Middle East to promote his foreign policy expertise, misidentified in remarks Tuesday which broad category of Iraqi extremists are allegedly receiving support from Iran. — He said several times that Iran …
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Supreme Court hears arguments on gun ownership — WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday took up gun control, hearing arguments concerning a District of Columbia ban on handguns more than two centuries after the Second Amendment gave Americans the right to “keep and bear arms.”
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Law Blog
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U.S. Supreme Court seems poised to strike down D.C. handgun ban

More On Imminent Death Of Michigan Primary.... This dispatch from the MIRS News Service in Michigan (no link)
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McCain's 67% Favorable Rating His Highest in Eight Years — Obama has a 62% favorable rating, while Clinton's is 53% — PRINCETON, NJ — John McCain's 67% favorable rating is the highest of any of the three major candidates running for president, and ties for his highest in Gallup polling history.
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Obama Seeks to Bridge Racial Divide Among Democrats
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Examining Presidential …

Clinton widens leads over Obama in Pa., poll finds — Sen. Hillary Clinton has widened her lead over Sen. Barack Obama in the Pennsylvania Democratic presidential primary battle, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. — Sen. Clinton now leads Sen. Obama …
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Associated Press
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For immediate release — The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower its target for the federal funds rate 75 basis points to 2-1/4 percent. — Recent information indicates that the outlook for economic activity has weakened further. Growth in consumer spending has slowed and labor markets have softened.