44 - Politics and Policy in Obama's Washington - March 16, 2008

A Quiet Weekend?

A weekend cease-fire offer?

By Post Editor | March 22, 2008; 2:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Oregon College Town Delivers a Standing O

By Jonathan Weisman CORVALLIS, Ore. -- After what even he described as "a turbulent couple...

By Post Editor | March 21, 2008; 10:34 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Barack Obama
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The New Hyde Park Project

The Center for American Progress Action Fund Friday morning unveiled the first installment of its "Hyde Park Project" to defend progressive ideas. --Juliet Eilperin

By Web Politics Editor | March 21, 2008; 6:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Carbon Offsets Off Clinton's Priority List?

On Earth Day last year, Hillary Clinton announced that her campaign was taking the somewhat costly step of becoming carbon neutral. But is her campaign keeping up its commitment?By Matthew Mosk

By Washington Post editors | March 21, 2008; 3:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Obama Calls Passport Intrusion 'Deeply Disturbing'

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Sen. Barack Obama said he told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice this morning that he expected a full and thorough investigation of the rifling of passport files by State Department contractors, later calling the intrusion "deeply disturbing."--Jonathan Weisman

By Washington Post editors | March 21, 2008; 3:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Five Ways the Richardson Endorsement Boosts Obama

Endorsements rarely determine the outcome of presidential races, but the decision by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to announce his support for Barack Obama today is nonetheless an important boost for Obama in his nomination battle with Hillary Clinton. --Dan Balz

By Web Politics Editor | March 21, 2008; 2:23 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dan Balz's Take
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Richardson, Endorsing Obama, Looks for Generational Change

PORTLAND, Ore. -- At a thunderous rally in Memorial Colliseum here, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president, appealing for peace in the Democratic Party and hailing the moment as historic. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | March 21, 2008; 1:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (175)

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McCain Blows by Public Spending Cap

Sen. John McCain has officially broken the limits imposed by the presidential public financing system, reports filed last night show. --Matthew Mosk

By Web Politics Editor | March 21, 2008; 12:23 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (103)

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Obama Camp Ratchets Up Attacks on Clinton

PORTLAND, Or. -- The Obama campaign fired off what may be its most aggressive broadside yet on Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's honesty this morning, with campaign manager David Plouffe issuing a diatribe on what they called her "history of misleading voters," then declaring on a conference call, "The American people simply are not going to elect someone who they think are not honest and trustworthy." --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | March 21, 2008; 10:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Obama Snags Richardson Endorsement

CHICAGO -- Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) will endorse Sen. Barack Obama's presidential candidacy today after a long courtship by both Obama and his rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Obama campaign announced this morning. --Peter Slevin

By Web Politics Editor | March 21, 2008; 9:13 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (326)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Traveling with Bayh Across the Crossroads of America

Clinton drew large, enthusiastic crowds in Terre Haute and in Anderson, a working-class town that has suffered severe job losses in the manufacturing sector in recent years. --Anne E. Kornblut

By Web Politics Editor | March 20, 2008; 7:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Ferraro: Obama Wrong to Compare Me to Wright

Geraldine Ferraro today objected vehemently to Barack Obama's linkage in his Tuesday speech of her comments and the inflammatory excerpts of sermons by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, his longtime pastor. --Alec MacGillis

By Web Politics Editor | March 20, 2008; 6:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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McCain Aide Suspended Over Video Forward

Arizona Sen. John McCain's campaign today suspended Soren Dayton, a low-level aide in the political department, after he forwarded an inflammatory anti-Obama YouTube video mashup to his private Twitter feed. --Garance Franke-Ruta

By Washington Post editors | March 20, 2008; 6:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (45)

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Obama at the Sports Bar

CHARLESTON, W.V. -- Barack Obama went trolling for votes with the white working class voters that have always given him trouble, in the best place he could find them -- a sports bar in the full bloom of March Madness. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | March 20, 2008; 5:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Obama Campaign Harshly Critical of Clinton's NAFTA Role

Updated 6:38 p.m. By Jonathan Weisman Barack Obama's campaign pounced on newly released documents showing...

By Web Politics Editor | March 20, 2008; 5:16 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Americans Dash Through Rain to McCain's London Fundraiser

LONDON -- Sen. John McCain took a break from meetings with high-level government officials in Europe and the Middle East this afternoon for a good, old-fashioned $1,000 to $2,300 presidential fundraiser in the heart of downtown London. --Michael D. Shear

By Web Politics Editor | March 20, 2008; 2:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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A Record Document Dump

The National Archives in Washington, Wednesday, March 19, 2008, where the Archives released more than...

By Web Politics Editor | March 20, 2008; 1:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Morning Cheat Sheet
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Obama Pivots Back to the Pocketbook

CHARLESTON, W.V. -- Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama, visiting the potentially critical state of West Virginia today, pivoted his campaign from the difficult issues of race and war back to pocketbook issues, making an economic case for ending the conflict in Iraq. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | March 20, 2008; 12:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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A Do-Over Undone

How the Michigan primary deal fell apart.

By Web Politics Editor | March 20, 2008; 12:09 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (341)
Categories: Barack Obama, Dan Balz's Take, Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Barack's Bracketology

After toiling all day Wednesday on his bracketology, Barack Obama has revealed his politically astute picks. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | March 20, 2008; 11:24 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Dalai Lama Writes McCain

The Dalai Lama sent a letter today to Sen. John McCain, thanking him for "concern you have shown regarding the sad turn of events in Tibet and for your efforts to persuade the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in dealing with the demonstrations." --Glenn Kessler

By Web Politics Editor | March 19, 2008; 7:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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While McCain, Obama Trade Barbs on War, Voters Have Other Questions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- On the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, presumptive Republican nominee John McCain and Democratic hopeful Barack Obama traded barbs on the war that offer a preview to the potential general election campaign. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | March 19, 2008; 5:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (105)

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The General Election

Sen. Hillary Clinton and a different kind of Generals' Revolt.--Rachel Dry

By Washington Post editors | March 19, 2008; 4:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)

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A Lofty Speech of Uncertain Impact

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), right, shakes hands with Philadelphia police officers as...

By Web Politics Editor | March 19, 2008; 2:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dan Balz's Take
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A Virginian Veep? Webb Downplays the Rumors

Is Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia made a less than firm rejection of the rumors linking him to the No. 2 spot at a breakfast session sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor. --David Broder

By Web Politics Editor | March 19, 2008; 1:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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On Iraq Anniversary, Obama Speaks of 'Security Gap'

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- On the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion, Sen. Barack Obama drew a stark contrast with Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain, portraying his rivals as political opportunists who made the wrong call by voting to authorize the war. --Shailagh Murray

By Web Politics Editor | March 19, 2008; 12:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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For Clinton, Michigan Revote a Voting Rights Issue

DETROIT -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton flew here on Wednesday to demand that the state hold another primary vote or count the earlier disqualified one, challenging Sen. Barack Obama to live up to his claim that he cares about making sure people's votes count. --Anne E. Kornblut

By Web Politics Editor | March 19, 2008; 12:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Obama Speech Reaches Most-Viewed Status on YouTube

By Jose Antonio Vargas Barack Obama's Philadephia speech on race, posted on the senator's own YouTube channel, has been viewed more than 1.2 million times in less than 24 hours.

By Web Politics Editor | March 19, 2008; 12:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Barack Obama, New Media
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Obama Lawyer Questions Wisdom of Michigan Revote

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Sen. Barack Obama's campaign has raised questions about a possible June 3 revote in Michigan, although the Democratic National Committee seems fine with the idea. --Shailagh Murray

By Web Politics Editor | March 19, 2008; 11:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Meaning of Murtha

The biggest endorsement value of John Murtha, whose Johnstown-based district won't yield many Democratic votes for either candidate, may be in the power he commands among a handful of acolytes in the state's delegation. --Paul Kane

By Web Politics Editor | March 19, 2008; 10:01 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (31)

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McCain Mobbed by Crowds at Western Wall

JERUSALEM -- What was supposed to be a somber visit by Sen. John McCain to the Western Wall this morning was marred by an unruly mob of Israeli photographers, police and tourists who threw punches at each other as they engulfed the Republican presidential candidate. --Michael D. Shear

By Washington Post Editor | March 19, 2008; 6:54 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: B_Blog, John McCain
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Heading to Detroit to Press Delegate Issue

Updated 11:09 p.m. By Anne E. Kornblut LANCASTER, Pa., Mar. 18 -- Sen. Hillary Rodham...

By Post Editor | March 18, 2008; 8:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (17)
Categories: Hillary Rodham Clinton
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John Murtha Endorses Hillary Clinton

LANCASTER, Pa. -- Rep. John P. Murtha has announced his endorsement of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, bringing his clout as a 17-term member of the House and a prominent anti-war Democrat to bear with more than a month until the primary here in his home state. --Anne E. Kornblut

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 6:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (152)

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Trinity Handles Scrutiny with Expertise

By Eli Saslow Trinity United Church of Christ continues to be a hot topic after...

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 6:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)

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Michigan Revote Plan Up in the Air, and Up to Obama

WASHINGTON --The fate of Michigan's Democratic presidential delegates remained unclear Tuesday ahead of consultations between state politicians and strategists for Sen. Barack Obama. --Peter Slevin

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 5:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (35)

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Opening Up the Clinton Archives

After months of controversy, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library plans to make public tomorrow more than 11,000 pages of records from Hillary Rodham Clinton's time in the White House, in this case her daily schedule for eight years as first lady. --Peter Baker

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 5:32 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)

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Clinton Responds to Obama Speech

"I'm very glad he gave it," Clinton said. --Anne E. Kornblut

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (118)

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For Obama, a Test of Leadership

PHILADELPHIA -- The damage to Barack Obama's presidential candidacy was already real when he stepped into the pulpit of the National Constitution Center here on Tuesday morning. Obama was a politician under fire, his campaign engulfed in controversy by the fiery, divisive and racially charged words of his Chicago pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 2:32 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (213)
Categories: Barack Obama, Dan Balz's Take
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Progressive Groups Plan Robust 2008 Mobilization

A broad range of interest groups today announced plans for a costly independent drive to mobilize progressive voters for the 2008 election, much of it targeting younger and minority voters. --Matthew Mosk

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 1:38 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: The Hidden Campaign
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Obama Speech Confronts Racial Divisions

PHILADELPHIA -- Sen. Barack Obama sought to quell the political firestorm stirred by his former pastor Jeremiah Wright with a deeply personal speech about black anger, white anger, and the gulf that race continues to represent in U.S. society. --Shailagh Murray

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 1:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (138)

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Five Years On, Iraq Slips Off the Radar

This was supposed to be the week of Iraq, the week that the fifth anniversary of the invasion focused the nation's attention back on its turbulent project in the Middle East. And yet the war debate that gripped the capital last year has slipped off the frontburner.

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 12:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (31)
Categories: Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain, Morning Cheat Sheet
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Obama's Philadelphia Speech on Race and the Race

A transcript of Sen. Barack Obama's speech "A More Perfect Union."

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 11:04 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (94)

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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. --Cameron W. Barr and Michael D. Shear

By Web Politics Editor | March 18, 2008; 10:56 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (181)

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Scranton Gets to Meet Candidate O'Bama

By Shailagh Murray SCRANTON, Pa. -- Sen. Barack Obama introduced himself to Electric City on...

By Post Editor | March 17, 2008; 9:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (54)
Categories: Barack Obama
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Gary Hart Takes a Few More Swings

In an interview this afternoon, Hart remained upset about Clinton's attacks on Obama's national security credentials. --Alec MacGillis

By Web Politics Editor | March 17, 2008; 7:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (29)

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Elton John to Croon for Clinton

Musicians are permitted to donate their time and talents to assist candidates, even when the performers hail from foreign soil, said Bob Biersack, an FEC spokesman. --Matthew Mosk

By Web Politics Editor | March 17, 2008; 7:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)

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Florida Revote Plan Scuttled, Michigan Plan Stalls

Florida Democrats reversed course Monday and declared dead their plans to hold a do-over presidential primary to settle the dispute over whether their delegation to the national convention in Denver will be seated. --Dan Balz

By Web Politics Editor | March 17, 2008; 6:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (170)
Categories: B_Blog, Primaries, The Democrats
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McCain Adviser Rips the Religious Right

And Dana Milbank is there.

By Web Politics Editor | March 17, 2008; 6:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Video Report
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Obama Plans Speech on Race

MONACA, Pa -- Sen. Barack Obama will deliver a major speech about race in Philadelphia tomorrow that he said would explore his relationship with Chicago pastor Jeremiah Wright and the wave of controversy it has stirred in his presidential bid. --Shailagh Murray

By Web Politics Editor | March 17, 2008; 2:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (207)

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John McCain Visits Baghdad

John McCain visits Iraq.

By Web Politics Editor | March 17, 2008; 1:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Video Report
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Obama Racks Up Superdelegate Commitments

After winning the popular vote in the Texas and Ohio primaries on March 4, it seemed that Hillary Clinton had captured the momentum in the Democratic race. The all-important superdelegates don't seem to agree. --Perry Bacon Jr.

By Web Politics Editor | March 17, 2008; 1:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (120)

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Bill Clinton Pushes Back Against Critics

President Clinton, in two of his first interviews since his wife's campaign at times starting blocking reporters' access to him in the wake of controversial remarks he made in January, this weekend forcefully took on criticisms that his rhetoric against Barack Obama has had racial overtones. --Perry Bacon Jr.

By Web Politics Editor | March 17, 2008; 12:23 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (33)

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44: March 16, 2008 - March 22, 2008