44 - Politics and Policy in Obama's Washington - February 17, 2008

Clinton Cites Husband's Record, 'Heart' on Race

By Perry Bacon Jr. NEW ORLEANS -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton acknowledged Saturday night that...

By Post Editor | February 23, 2008; 11:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (48)
Categories: Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Mixing Sweet and Tart

At a news conference today, Obama tackles questions about two American icons: Ralph Nader and soda pop. -- By Alec MacGillis

By Post Editor | February 23, 2008; 9:16 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Barack Obama
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COLUMBUS -- Illinois Sen. Barack Obama fired back at Sen. Hillary Clinton this afternoon, defending campaign mailers she decried earlier in the day, and declaring that, because of her entrenched status in the Democratic Party, it would take her being "knocked out" to drive her out of the race. --Alec MacGillis

By Web Politics Editor | February 23, 2008; 6:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Clinton Unloads on Obama's 'Destructive' Tactics

In one of her sharpest attacks of the 2008 race, Clinton blasted two mailings Obama's campaign has put out criticizing Clinton's views on health care and trade, accusing him of "using tactics that are straight out of Karl Rove's playbook." --Perry Bacon

By Web Politics Editor | February 23, 2008; 2:19 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (697)

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Obamamania in Corpus Christi

If anyone wonders why candidates often exhaust themselves and their staffs by scheduling rallies far from the big cities, this sort of local coverage is one good explanation. --Peter Slevin

By Web Politics Editor | February 23, 2008; 1:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Clinton's Worker Bee Campaign

By Anne E. Kornblut TOLEDO, Ohio, Feb. 22 -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has been...

By Web Politics Editor | February 23, 2008; 11:32 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Sen. Warner Questions Obama's Army Anecdote

Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), former chairman of the Armed Services Committee, sent a stern letter to colleague Barack Obama yesterday, exhorting the Democratic presidential candidate to provide information about an Army officer he cited in Thursday night's debate. --Josh White

By Web Politics Editor | February 22, 2008; 7:57 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Group Ranks McCain Last on Environmental Votes

The League of Conservation Voters gave John McCain a zero rating Thursday on its 2007 congressional scorecard -- making him the lowest-ranking lawmaker among all 535 members of Congress. --Juliet Eilperin

By Web Politics Editor | February 22, 2008; 2:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (54)

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Obama Woos South Texas Students

EDINBURG, Tex. -- Sen. Barack Obama courted Hispanic voters in South Texas today, hoping to dent the significant advantage Sen. Hillary Clinton enjoys among one of the most important constituencies in the Lone Star State's March 4 primary. --Dan Balz

By Web Politics Editor | February 22, 2008; 2:29 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (46)

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Rep. Renzi, a McCain Co-Chair, Indicted

A federal grand jury has indicted U.S. Rep. Richard Renzi (R-Ariz.) on 35 criminal counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and official extortion, the Reuters news wire service reported this morning. Renzi is an Arizona co-chair of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign. --Matthew Mosk

By Web Politics Editor | February 22, 2008; 1:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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McCain: That's It for Comments on Female Lobbyist

INDIANAPOLIS -- Sen. John McCain laid down the law today: He's not talking anymore about reports about his links to a female lobbyist. --Glenn Kessler

By Web Politics Editor | February 22, 2008; 12:42 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (62)

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After Officer's Death, Clinton Cancels Event

FORT WORTH, Tex. -- After a police officer guarding her motorcade died in an accident in Dallas, Sen. Hillary Clinton canceled a rally here. --Anne E. Kornblut

By Web Politics Editor | February 22, 2008; 12:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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No Valedictory from Clinton

AUSTIN -- When Hillary Clinton reached out to shake the hand of Barack Obama at last night's CNN-Univision debate and declared "I am absolutely honored" to be with him, there was a palpable pause in the press filing center to await the conclusion. Where was she heading? --Dan Balz

By Web Politics Editor | February 22, 2008; 12:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (113)
Categories: Barack Obama, Dan Balz's Take, Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Officer Killed Guarding Clinton Motorcade

DALLAS -- A Dallas police officer guarding the Clinton motorcade was killed on Friday morning after getting into an accident just moments before Sen. Clinton passed by.--Anne E. Kornblut

By Washington Post editors | February 22, 2008; 11:37 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Saving the Best for Last

By Jonathan Weisman The debate in Austin veered from cordial to contentious, then back to...

By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 10:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Debates
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Politeness Rules in Austin -- at First

AUSTIN -- With Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton hoping for a game-changing moment, tonight's CNN-Univision debate is serving as an elusive target. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 9:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Debates
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Clinton Working for Texas Votes

Laredoans turned out Thursday, Feb. 20, to see Democratic presidental candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton...

By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 7:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Face-Off

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By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 5:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Video Report
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Obama Fans Abroad

Sen. Barack Obama's winning streak continued today with his 11th straight victory in a primary or caucus. --Garance Franke-Ruta

By Washington Post editors | February 21, 2008; 5:44 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Before Debate, Obama Courts the Coach

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, walks with University of Texas head football coach Mack Brown...

By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 4:19 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (52)

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McCain's Lobbyist Problem Presents Fundraising Tool

By Mary Ann Akers Borrowing a page from Hillary Rodham Clinton's playbook, Sen. John McCain...

By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 3:52 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: John McCain, The Green Zone
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McCain's Daughter Weighs In on Her Blog

Last night, after the New York Times posted a story online reporting that some of her father's aides had concerns about his closeness to a female lobbyist eight years ago, John McCain's daughter Meghan, a recent graduate of Columbia University, took to her blog with an elliptical entry that reads like a statement of support for her father as he headed into what were sure to be difficult days for the family. --Garance Franke-Ruta

By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 3:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Johnson's Legacy, Today's Democratic Race

President Lyndon B. Johnson reaches to shake hands with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr....

By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 3:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (67)
Categories: Dan Balz's Take
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McCain Camp Takes On the New York Times

WAYNE, Mich. -- The McCain campaign launched a broadside against the New York Times today, saying the story about the Arizona senator's relationship with a female lobbyist fell short of the newspaper's standards. --Glenn Kessler

By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 1:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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FEC Poses Fresh Problem for McCain

Just when things seemingly couldn't get worse for John McCain, now comes a letter from the Federal Election Commission alerting him to the possibility that he may not be able to withdraw from the presidential public financing system. --Matthew Mosk

By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 12:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: John McCain, The Green Zone
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McCain: Reports 'Not True'

TOLEDO, Ohio -- Sen. John McCain today denied any impropriety in his relationship with a female telecommunications lobbyist, saying he did not perform any business favors for her and flatly saying there was no romantic relationship. --Glenn Kessler

By Web Politics Editor | February 21, 2008; 9:56 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (72)

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New York City Still Tallying Votes

NEW YORK -- It's been 15 days since Super Tuesday, but New York City is still waiting to find out if Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. Hillary Clinton won the most-contested areas. --Robin Shulman

By Web Politics Editor | February 20, 2008; 7:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (60)

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James Hoffa and Bill Clinton: The Dinner

Last Wednesday, Israel honored Teamsters President James P. Hoffa with its Yitzhak Rabin Legacy Award for his support of the Jewish state at a dinner in Washington. Among the guests was Bill Clinton, who needless to say was very interested in whether the 1.4 million-member International Brotherhood of Teamsters planned to endorse a presidential candidate. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | February 20, 2008; 6:44 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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McCain Knocks Bush Signing Statements

YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio -- Sen. John McCain criticized President Bush today for his practice of issuing signing statements that suggest the president will ignore elements of the bills he had signed into law, saying he "strongly disagreed" with the practice. --Glenn Kessler

By Web Politics Editor | February 20, 2008; 5:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (45)

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Drawing a Blank on His Man

By Garance Franke-Ruta Sigmund Freud, in The Interpretation of Dreams, devoted a whole section to...

By Web Politics Editor | February 20, 2008; 4:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (33)
Categories: Making the Rounds
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Obama Rallies Dallas With Swipe at Clinton

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) came to Dallas today for a rally at Reunion Arena, where he was met by a crowd that was black, brown, white and boisterous and took a fresh swipe at his opponent, Hillary Rodham Clinton. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | February 20, 2008; 3:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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McCain: Not Looking for Breakthrough Veep

DAYTON, Ohio -- Sen. John McCain said today that the prospect of facing either the first African American or first female presidential candidate would not play a factor in his selection of a running mate. --Glenn Kessler

By Web Politics Editor | February 20, 2008; 2:42 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Pro-Clinton 527 Releases First TV Ad

By Matthew Mosk A new independent group has started raising substantial amounts of money to...

By Web Politics Editor | February 20, 2008; 2:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (67)
Categories: Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Green Zone
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Teamsters Endorse Obama

The International Brotherhood of the Teamsters is expected to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president this afternoon. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | February 20, 2008; 2:19 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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McCain Calls Obama 'Naive'

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by his wife Cindy, left, former Ohio Sen. Mike...

By Web Politics Editor | February 20, 2008; 1:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)

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Obama's Strategy to Avoid a Convention Fight

By Peter Slevin CHICAGO -- Before Sen. Barack Obama added Wisconsin and Hawaii to his...

By Web Politics Editor | February 20, 2008; 1:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (77)

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Another Bleak Wednesday for Clinton

It is another bleak Wednesday for Hillary Clinton's campaign, the second in as many weeks in which she has awakened to the aftermath of what President Bush would call a thumpin'. Can a different strategy turn the tide?--Dan Balz

By Washington Post editors | February 20, 2008; 12:09 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: A_Blog, B_Blog, Dan Balz's Take, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Primaries, The Democrats
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Adviser Defends Obama on Foreign Policy

Barack Obama's campaign seemed reticent to respond to John McCain's attacks early this morning, but when the Arizona Republican's latest comments went public, they were forced to answer.--Jonathan Weisman

By Washington Post editors | February 20, 2008; 11:37 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)

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McCain Criticizes Obama on Financing

Sen. John McCain accused Sen. Barack Obama this morning of engaging in "Washington doublespeak" and challenged him to abide by what he called a signed commitment to accept public financing in the general election.--Glenn Kessler

By Washington Post editors | February 20, 2008; 11:07 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)

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Obama Team Sees 'Wide Lead' Over Clinton

He didn't come out and say it, but Sen. Barack Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, came close this morning to asking Hillary Rodham Clinton to drop out of the race.--Jonathan Weisman

By Washington Post editors | February 20, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)

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Obama Opens Two-Front Fight

An increasingly confident Obama is beginning to battle on two fronts, holding off Hillary Clinton with one arm as he takes increasingly frequent swings at John McCain with the other. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 10:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (46)
Categories: Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain, Primaries, The Democrats
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Victorious Obama : 'We Have Liftoff'

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By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 10:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (84)
Categories: Barack Obama, Primaries, The Democrats
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Clinton Defiant After Wisconsin Loss

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By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 9:49 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (156)
Categories: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Primaries, The Democrats
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McCain Wins, Says He's the One

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By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 9:34 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: John McCain, Primaries, The GOP
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A Morning at the Dakota

Before anyone declares fundraising from wealthy patrons to be outmoded, they should spend Wednesday morning at the Dakota, the gabled Central Park West high-rise made famous as the scene of John Lennon's assassination in 1980, where Hillary Clinton will have back-to-back fundraisers. --Matthew Mosk

By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 6:40 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Hillary Rodham Clinton
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From Bilingual Education to the War, Obama Plans Big

In 1992, Bill Clinton sought to prove he was a New Democrat, not beholden to his party's Balkanized interests, by standing up to a controversial black rapper. Sen. Barack Obama swept into Texas today ahead of the pivotal March 4 showdown with Hillary Rodham Clinton, promising once again to bridge the partisan divide -- not, however, by standing up to anyone, but seemingly by offering something to everyone. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 5:57 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)

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McCain Promises to Be a Uniter ... for the GOP

Speaking to reporters after he flew to Ohio's capital this afternoon, McCain acknowledged that he still needed to energize a Republican electorate that was dismayed by GOP missteps in recent years. --Glenn Kessler

By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 5:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (60)

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Clyburn Pooh-Poohs the Power of the Superdelegates

Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) has joined an influential chorus on Capitol Hill that believes superdelegates will not play a decisive role in the nominating convention in August. --Paul Kane

By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 3:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)

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Mortgage Woes on Table in Texas, Obama Finds

SAN ANTONIO -- Perhaps, as he said, it was because his voice wasn't used to the warmer weather. Perhaps it was the withering criticism he has been absorbing for a campaign his detractors charge is long on inspiration and short on substance. Sen. Barack Obama came here, sober, soft-spoken and ready to discuss the intricacies of the nation's burgeoning credit crisis -- and his prescriptions to fight it. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 2:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (39)

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The Democratic Party's Nomination Mess

Workers try to set the stage for the Democratic National Convention in 2004. (Nate Parsons/The...

By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 1:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (121)
Categories: Dan Balz's Take
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Ben & Jerry & Obama

Obama wins a key Vermont endorsement: Ben & Jerry.--Rachel Dry

By Washington Post editors | February 19, 2008; 1:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)

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Any Given Tuesday

We like to think of the presidential campaign as a chain of events, a more or less linear process in which, if all goes as planned, chaos will inexorably give way to order. Pundits attempt to impose some narrative coherence upon the tangle of data points from the contested turf. Momentum is discerned. Opinions are polled and duly calibrated. Balloting results are contextualized. Over time, a narrative takes shape, one that ideally makes some kind of logical sense. But go talk to voters, and things get a little more convoluted. --Joel Achenbach

By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 11:46 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Joel's Two Cents, Primaries, The Democrats
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In Wisconsin, Clinton Has a Specific Appeal

By Jose Antonio Vargas ON THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN PLANE -- Speaking to reporters late Monday...

By Web Politics Editor | February 19, 2008; 12:34 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (217)

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Use Patrick's Words? Obama Says, 'Yes We Can'

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Speaking with reporters on his campaign plane, Sen. Barack Obama took issue with the Clinton campaign's claim that he purloined words from his friend and supporter, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. --Peter Slevin

By Web Politics Editor | February 18, 2008; 8:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (102)

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The Courtship of John Edwards

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The courtship of John Edwards has been entirely inconclusive, Sen. Barack Obama said this afternoon, one day after he flew from Chicago to North Carolina to seek the support of his vanquished rival. --Peter Slevin

By Web Politics Editor | February 18, 2008; 5:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (30)
Categories: Barack Obama
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And 43 Weighs In...Almost

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania -- His father, brother and former advisers are now all officially on the John McCain bandwagon and President Bush is edging ever closer himself. But as titular head of the party, he still can't quite bring himself to declare the Republican contest over. --Peter Baker

By Web Politics Editor | February 18, 2008; 3:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Network News

44: February 17, 2008 - February 23, 2008