44 - Politics and Policy in Obama's Washington - May 4, 2008

McCain's Convention Pick Quits Over Burma Ties

By Jeffrey H. Birnbaum and Juliet Eilperin The veteran political operative chosen by Sen. John...

By Post Editor | May 10, 2008; 8:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)

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Obama Passes Clinton in Superdelegate Count

By Alec MacGillis BEND, Ore. -- Barack Obama was "east of the mountains" in central...

By Web Politics Editor | May 10, 2008; 8:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (102)

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In NY, Clinton Makes Concessions

By Perry Bacon Jr. NEW YORK -- Appearing with supporters at a fundraiser in New...

By Web Politics Editor | May 10, 2008; 8:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (114)

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Obama Launches 50-State Voter Registration Drive

By Garance Franke-Ruta Sen. Barack Obama may not yet be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee,...

By Post Editor | May 10, 2008; 6:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)

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Will McCain Back Warming Bill?

By Juliet Eilperin Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) comments about climate change Friday have sparked a...

By Post Editor | May 10, 2008; 2:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)

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Obama Adviser Tied to Hamas Meetings Resigns

By Glenn Kessler An informal Middle East adviser to Sen. Barack Obama's campaign resigned Friday...

By Post Editor | May 9, 2008; 10:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (63)

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Obama Extends an Olive Branch Toward Clinton

Barack Obama says he's open to discussions with Hillary Clinton about doing whatever is necessary to unify the party. --Alec MacGillis

By Web Politics Editor | May 9, 2008; 6:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (236)

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Bill Clinton Argues With W. Va. Voter

Bill Clinton defends his wife against a voter who questioned her commitment to health care.

By Web Politics Editor | May 9, 2008; 2:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (41)
Categories: Video Report
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A Renewed Health Care Focus for Clinton

Clinton, stumping in Oregon, says she wants to pick up the thread of the health care fight she began in the early 1990s. --Perry Bacon Jr.

By Web Politics Editor | May 9, 2008; 2:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (23)

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The Real Race Begins

As the Democratic Primary contest winds down, Barack Obama would be well advised to focus on the difficult contest ahead. --Dan Balz

By Web Politics Editor | May 9, 2008; 1:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (514)
Categories: Dan Balz's Take
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McCain Touts Environmental Record; Disputes Huffington Claim

John McCain talks to the press about environmental questions, as well as his campaign's statements about Barack Obama and McCain's vote in election 2000. --Juliet Eilperin

By Web Politics Editor | May 9, 2008; 1:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (74)

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ColorOfChange Leader Accuses Clinton of 'Race Baiting'

Hillary Clinton's appeal to white voters upsets black liberal online activists. --Darryl Fears

By Web Politics Editor | May 9, 2008; 12:44 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (134)
Categories: The Debate Rages On...
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Clinton, Flying Against the Wind

Clinton challenges Obama to another debate while hopscotching across the country on a 48-hour campaign swing. --Perry Bacon Jr.

By Web Politics Editor | May 9, 2008; 12:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (52)

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Talking Taboo with Obama at 30,000 Feet

Does playing a word game with Sen. Barack Obama on his campaign plane signal a new era in his press relations? --Alec MacGillis

By Web Politics Editor | May 9, 2008; 10:05 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)

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Union, 3 Superdelegates Endorse Obama

Obama picks up endorsement from AFGE and the superdelegate support of its president and two Democratic lawmakers. But John Edwards stays neutral.

By Web Politics Editor | May 9, 2008; 9:42 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (169)
Categories: Barack Obama
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'West Wing' Actors Confirm Account of McCain Vote

Bradley Whitford and Richard Schiff say they recall the presumptive GOP nominee saying at a 2001 dinner party that he did not vote for President Bush. --Juliet Eilperin

By Web Politics Editor | May 9, 2008; 6:01 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (80)

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Clinton's End Game

Not with a bang, but with a whimper? --Dan Balz

By Web Politics Editor | May 8, 2008; 6:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (422)
Categories: Dan Balz's Take
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Clinton and White Voters

As Clinton continues her quest for the presidency against long odds, racial tensions come to the fore. --Darryl Fears

By Web Politics Editor | May 8, 2008; 6:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (254)
Categories: The Debate Rages On...
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Obama Picks Up Bonior Endorsement

Labor-friendly former Michigan congressman comes out for Illinois senator. --Alec MacGillis

By Web Politics Editor | May 8, 2008; 2:38 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Clinton Argues She Has the Broader Coalition

In West Virginia, Hillary Clinton argues that her ability to attract "hardworking Americans" gives her greater general election viability than Barack Obama. --Perry Bacon Jr.

By Web Politics Editor | May 8, 2008; 1:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Obama Hits the House Floor

Sen. Barack Obama was mobbed on the House floor this morning as he hunted for superdelegates to lock up the Democratic nomination. --Shailagh Murray

By Web Politics Editor | May 8, 2008; 1:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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How the Web Contest Predicted the Real Thing

Online buzz was a good predictor of Obama's eventual electoral success. Jose Antonio Vargas

By Web Politics Editor | May 8, 2008; 12:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: The Clickocracy
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McCain, on Daily Show, Runs Through Runningmate Options

John McCain considers an officemate from "The Office" and defends linking Barack Obama to Hamas on "The Daily Show With John Stewart," airing tonight. --Juliet Eilperin

By Web Politics Editor | May 7, 2008; 7:36 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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A Comments Change

Tomorrow morning, The Trail will change how comments are displayed on the blog.

By washingtonpost.com Editors | May 7, 2008; 5:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (33)
Categories: About The Trail
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Clinton Vows to Press on Through May

Clinton reiterates that she is staying in the race. --Perry Bacon Jr.

By Web Politics Editor | May 7, 2008; 4:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Decision Time for Clinton

Former first lady's situation is much like it was just a day ago, but perceptions of her candidacy have taken a sharp turn for the worse. --Dan Balz

By Post Editor | May 7, 2008; 2:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (727)
Categories: B_Blog, Dan Balz's Take, Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Obama Manager: 'We Can See the Finish Line'

Sen. Barack Obama is expecting a net gain of 13 delegates from Tuesday's primaries, campaign manager David Plouffe announced. --Shailagh Murray

By Web Politics Editor | May 7, 2008; 2:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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McCain's Big Night

NYC event set to bring in $7 million for the presumptive GOP nominee. --Matthew Mosk

By Post Editor | May 7, 2008; 12:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Clinton Marches On

By Anne E. Kornblut Despite her less-than-overwhelming results Tuesday night, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is...

By Washington Post Editors | May 7, 2008; 11:38 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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McCain Vows to Push Religious Freedom

ROCHESTER, Mich. -- Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) delved into issues of religious freedom and human rights Wednesday morning, telling a crowd of several hundred supporters that policymakers need to confront the fact that "evil still exists in the world." --Juliet Eilperin

By Washington Post Editors | May 7, 2008; 11:28 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Clinton Lends Her Campaign $6.4 Million

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton loaned her campaign $6.4 million in the past few weeks in an attempt to keep pace with the prolific fundraising by Sen. Barack Obama, and her aides said she would continue to dip into her personal account if necessary, campaign officials said this morning. --Matthew Mosk

By Washington Post Editor | May 7, 2008; 10:53 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Gary, Ind., Calls It A Night (Almost)

Local law enforcement defends slow ballot counting in Gary, Ind. --Peter Slevin

By Web Politics Editor | May 7, 2008; 2:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Primaries
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Clinton Narrowly Wins in Indiana while Obama Romps in North Carolina

Sen. Barack Obama won a convincing victory over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton Tuesday in North Carolina and nearly toppled her in Indiana, twin results that could ramp up pressure on the New York senator to reconsider her candidacy for the Democratic nomination. --Chris Cillizza

By Web Politics Editor | May 7, 2008; 1:26 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (26)
Categories: Primaries
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Candidates React: Clinton Claims Indiana

Presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) addresses her supporters from Indianapolis after Tuesday's primary election results filter in. (Video by AP)

By Web Politics Editor | May 7, 2008; 12:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Video Report
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Gary Mayor Predicts Possible Indiana Shocker

ary Mayor Rudy Clay said just now that it might take a while yet to finish counting the vote in Lake County, which includes Gary, and said that his city had turned out so overwhelmingly for Barack Obama that it might just be enough to close the gap with Hillary Rodham Clinton. --Alec MacGillis

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 10:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Primaries
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Hearing the News in South Bend

South Bend, Ind., voters react to news that their state is too close to call. --Peter Slevin

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 10:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Primaries
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Live, from Northwest Indiana

The Northwest Indiana Times is updating election results live on its blog, and you can follow along the blow-by-blow there. --Garance Franke-Ruta

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 10:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Primaries
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Obama Campaign Points Finger at Rush

Before either North Carolina or Indiana were called, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton blasted out a transcript from Rush Limbaugh bragging about his self-declared Operation Chaos, an on-going effort to encourage Republicans to vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 9:24 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Primaries
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Covering the Ind. and N.C. Primaries

Washington Post Executive Editor Len Downie speaks about the top stories coming out of the Indiana and North Carolina Primary races during Tuesday's live video cast of the primary. (Video by washingtonpost.com & Newsweek.com)

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 8:24 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Video Report
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Win Met with Silence at Obama N.C. HQ

Obama N.C. HQ is deserted when earlier-than-anticipated call comes in that he's won the state. --Shailagh Murray

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 7:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (30)
Categories: Barack Obama, Primaries
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Republicans Give Mixed Reasons for Obama Votes

GRANGER, Ind. -- Voters make their choices for all kinds of reasons, then leave it to the analysts to figure out what it means. At the Harris Township Fire Department, Sen. Barack Obama picked up votes from some Republicans who may support him in November and one who almost certainly will not. --Peter Slevin

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 7:32 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (134)
Categories: Primaries
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Voter ID Law Consequences Mild in Ind.

Beyond the case of a dozen nuns turned away by a fellow sister at a convent for lack of photo ID, Indiana's strict voter-ID law was not reported to have caused many problems today. --Alec MacGillis

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 6:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Primaries
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A Familiar Demographic Story in N.C.

A day following a local reporter in a small N.C. town reveals votes that break down along predictable demographic lines. --Krissah Williams

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 6:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Primaries
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Portrait of Two Last Minute Deciders

A portrait of two undecided voters. --Peter Slevin

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 6:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Primaries
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An Obama Tilt at Granger, Ind., Poll

Pre-election polls showed Sen. Hillary Clinton edging Obama in Indiana, but such voters were not much in evidence at the Harris Township fire station here, where an economically diverse array of white Democrats and Republicans favored Obama over his New York rival. --Peter Slevin

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 5:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (43)
Categories: Barack Obama, Primaries
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The Candidates React to Burma Cyclone

As the toll of dead or missing in Burma soared to 60,000 , in the wake of Cyclone Nargis's slamming into the South Asian state over the weekend, the candidates for president issued statements on the tragedy. --Garance Franke-Ruta and Juliet Eilperin

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 5:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Candidates
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At Speedway, Clinton Says to Put it in D

Hillary Clinton visits the Indy Speedway and compares the presidential race to the sport, telling reporters that to go forward, put it in D. --Perry Bacon Jr.

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 2:23 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Primaries
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Obama's Lean and Hungry Voter Outreach

INDIANAPOLIS -- Sen. Barack Obama is still short of the 2,025 delegates he needs to win the Democratic nomination, but his daily calorie intake is getting there. --Shailagh Murray

By Web Politics Editor | May 6, 2008; 1:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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At the Pump in Elizabeth City

North Carolina Voters talk gas prices and the economy on election day. --Krissah Williams

By Washington Post Editors | May 6, 2008; 12:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Primaries
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A Test for the Clinton Campaign

For Clinton, time to shine may be now or never. --Dan Balz

By Post Editor | May 6, 2008; 12:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (381)
Categories: A_Blog, B_Blog, Barack Obama, Dan Balz's Take, Hillary Rodham Clinton
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McCain Sees Roberts, Alito as Examples

In speech at Wake Forest University, presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) decried "the common and systematic abuse of our federal courts by the people we entrust with judicial power." --Juliet Eilperin

By Post Editor | May 6, 2008; 11:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (98)

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Obama Holds Primary Eve Rally in Indianapolis

As Indiana residents prepared to head to the polls for Tuesday's primary vote, Barack Obama held a 'Get Out the Vote' rally at the American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis.

By washingtonpost.com Editors | May 6, 2008; 8:49 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Barack Obama, Video Report
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Bill Clinton Urges N.C. Voters to 'Start an Earthquake'

RALEIGH , N.C. -- A hoarse and visibly tired Bill Clinton rushed through the reasons to vote for his wife, telling a crowd of approximately 1,000 people tonight that "North Carolina can start an earthquake tomorrow." By Ed O'Keefe

By Web Politics Editor | May 5, 2008; 11:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (57)

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McCain Addresses Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A day before North Carolinians head to the polls, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) addressed Charlotte's Chamber of Commerce on slew of business-oriented issues. --Juliet Eilperin

By Web Politics Editor | May 5, 2008; 11:52 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Obama Nets Maryland Superdelegates

Sen. Barack Obama picked up two new superdelegates from Maryland, including the chairman of the state Democratic Party, on the eve of key presidential primaries in North Carolina and Indiana. --John Wagner

By Web Politics Editor | May 5, 2008; 7:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (28)

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For Clinton, It's the Economy, Stupid, from N.C. to Indiana

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Campaigning in two cities in North Carolina before heading to the Hoosier State for three events, Hillary Clinton continued her intense focus on the economy. --Perry Bacon Jr.

By Web Politics Editor | May 5, 2008; 7:07 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (46)

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McCain Denies Huffington Vote Claim

After sitting on the story for nearly eight years, Arianna Huffington said yesterday that John McCain told her soon after the 2000 election that he did not vote for George W. Bush. --Howard Kurtz and Juliet Eilperin

By Web Politics Editor | May 5, 2008; 6:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (54)

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GOP Takes Anti-Obama Message to Mississippi in New Ad

Republicans are looking to a special election in Mississippi as a test case for the down-ballot power of an anti-Obama message. --Paul Kane

By Web Politics Editor | May 5, 2008; 5:52 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)

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Economists Release Letter Opposing Clinton Gas Tax Plan

More than 230 economists -- Democrats, Republicans, advisers to past presidents and four Nobel laureates -- signed a letter today opposing proposals by Hillary Clinton and presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain to suspend the 18-cent federal gas tax for the summer driving season. --Jonathan Weisman

By Web Politics Editor | May 5, 2008; 5:04 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (371)

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Gas Prices Squeeze Indiana Voters

Indianapolis drivers share their thoughts on the price of gas and what the candidates can -- or cannot -- do to ease the burden. (Francine Uenuma / washingtonpost.com)

By Web Politics Editor | May 5, 2008; 1:23 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (53)
Categories: Primaries
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Clinton, Obama Stress Unity in Indianapolis

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton addressed Indiana Democrats at the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on Sunday night in Indianapolis.

By washingtonpost.com Editors | May 5, 2008; 7:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (57)
Categories: Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Video Report
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Sunday in the Park With Barack

Almost 40 years to the day after Robert F. Kennedy came to Elkhart, Obama goes door-to-door.

By Post Editor | May 4, 2008; 5:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (95)

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On the Barack Bus to Indiana from Chicago's West Side

INDIANAPOLIS -- Race was very much on the minds of the mostly African American group that piled onto a West Side bus in Chicago Saturday morning to campaign for Sen. Barack Obama in Indianapolis three days before the state's Democratic presidential primary. So, too, was history. --Kari Lydersen

By Web Politics Editor | May 4, 2008; 1:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)

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Hoosiers Hear Clinton, Mellencamp

Indiana voters turned out for a Hillary Clinton campaign stop in Indianapolis on Saturday featuring famous native John Mellencamp. Some say they are still undecided as to which Democratic candidate they will vote for in Tuesday's primary. (Francine Uenuma / washingtonpost.com)

By Web Politics Editor | May 4, 2008; 11:54 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: Video Report
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Network News

44: May 4, 2008 - May 10, 2008