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

McCain Tries to Rile Up Clinton Voters Against Obama

By Michael D. Shear SEDONA, Ariz. -- A new television ad by Sen. John...

By Web Politics Editor | August 23, 2008; 10:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (450)
Categories: Ad Watch, Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain
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Better Than a Root Canal

By Anne E. Kornblut CHICAGO -- Sen. Joe Biden was in an unexpected location when...

By Web Politics Editor | August 23, 2008; 8:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Joe Biden
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Obama's Text: Message Received, With a Few Garbles

By Jose Antonio Vargas It was the text message read 'round the country. But many...

By Post Editor | August 23, 2008; 6:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: Barack Obama, New Media
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Edwards' Money Man Also Has Ties to Biden

By Matthew Mosk When newly minted vice presidential pick Joe Biden arrives in Denver, he...

By Post Editor | August 23, 2008; 5:49 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Joe Biden, John Edwards
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Joe Biden, D-Amtrak

By Perry Bacon, Jr. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Have you heard Joe Biden takes the Amtrak...

By Web Politics Editor | August 23, 2008; 5:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (50)
Categories: Barack Obama, Joe Biden
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Obama Loyalists Turn Out for Springfield Rally with Biden

Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama appears with his selection for VP, Sen. Joe Biden...

By Web Politics Editor | August 23, 2008; 5:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Barack Obama, Joe Biden
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Biden and McCain, Rivals Again

By Michael D. Shear, Paul Kane and Jonathan Weisman By selecting Sen. Joe Biden as...

By Web Politics Editor | August 23, 2008; 5:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (63)
Categories: Joe Biden, John McCain, analysis
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In Biden, Obama Opts for Experience Over Change

Barack Obama smiles while listening to Joe Biden after announcing Biden as his vice presidential...

By Paul Volpe | August 23, 2008; 12:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (201)
Categories: Dan Balz's Take
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Tale of the Obama Text Message

By Anne E. Kornblut and Ed O'Keefe CHICAGO -- Obama campaign advisers are pleased with...

By Paul Volpe | August 23, 2008; 11:58 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)
Categories: Barack Obama, Candidates, Joe Biden
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New McCain Ad Uses Biden's Words Against Obama

By Ed O'Keefe DENVER -- You knew this was coming. The McCain campaign has released...

By Ed O'Keefe | August 23, 2008; 10:48 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (126)
Categories: Ad Watch, Channel 08, Joe Biden
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McCain Campaign Takes Aim at Obama-Biden

By Michael D. Shear SEDONA, Ariz. -- Sen. John McCain immediately began using Joe Biden's...

By Paul Volpe | August 23, 2008; 7:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (507)
Categories: Barack Obama, Candidates, Joe Biden, John McCain
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Obama Plans Text Announcement Saturday Morning

By Scott Butterworth Sen. Barack Obama's text message to announce his choice for running mate...

By Post Editor | August 22, 2008; 10:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (84)

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AP: Kaine Says He's Out of VP Hunt

By Michael D. Shear Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) will not be the vice...

By Post Editor | August 22, 2008; 10:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (31)

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McCain Tries to Raise Expectations for Obama

Sen. John McCain is predicting that the Democratic convention will produce a huge bump for his rival, Sen. Barack Obama.

By Web Politics Editor | August 22, 2008; 3:13 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (142)
Categories: Barack Obama, Conventions, John McCain
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For McCain, a Cappuccino Run with the Entourage

A six-car caravan makes a trip to Starbucks.

By Web Politics Editor | August 22, 2008; 1:23 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (76)
Categories: John McCain
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And Waiting...

Sen. Barack Obama, having chosen his running mate, is still torturing almost everyone else.

By Web Politics Editor | August 22, 2008; 1:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (40)
Categories: Barack Obama
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Waiting for Obama

Obama has orchestrated the vice presidential roll out deftly.

By Web Politics Editor | August 22, 2008; 12:42 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (317)
Categories: Barack Obama, Dan Balz's Take
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Maraniss on His Obama Biography

David Maraniss takes an in-depth look at Obama.

By Web Politics Editor | August 22, 2008; 12:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Barack Obama, Video Report
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Young Evangelical Backs Out of Giving Convention Opening Prayer

A popular young evangelical backs out of the Democrats' Monday night program.

By Web Politics Editor | August 22, 2008; 11:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (74)
Categories: B_Blog, Cast of Characters, Conventions, Democratic Party, Religion
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The 1956 and 1960 Democratic Conventions

Columnist David Broder recounts his first political convention and the convention that nominated John F. Kennedy.

By Web Politics Editor | August 22, 2008; 11:12 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Broder Remembers, Conventions, Democratic Party, Video Report
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And How Many Houses Do You Have?

DNC pounds McCain for forgetting how many houses he has.

By Web Politics Editor | August 22, 2008; 6:49 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (78)
Categories: Barack Obama, Democratic Party, John McCain
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Independent Group Ad Plays Ayers Card

Officials with the American Issues Project, a nonprofit that describes itself as a champion of conservative values, say they will spend $2.8 million to air a stinging television ad.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 11:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (70)
Categories: Ad Watch, Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton
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McCain Targets Obama's Glass House

John McCain ad attempts to drag back into the news Obama's dealings with a corrupt fundraiser.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 7:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (114)
Categories: Ad Watch, Barack Obama, John McCain, The Green Zone
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Church and Politics Now a Less Popular Mix

Voters are growing wary of the mix of faith and politics, says survey.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 6:52 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (33)
Categories: Religion
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McCain's Denver Headquarters Evacuated

A worker opened an envelope and discovered white powder, along with a threatening message.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 6:42 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (49)
Categories: B_Blog, Battlegrounds, John McCain
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Obama Strong with Major Donors, Too

Obama took in at least $12 million of his $51 million July haul from major donors.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 5:54 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, The Green Zone
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Pastor Who Opposes Abortion to Deliver DNC's Closing Prayer

Joel C. Hunter, a Florida megachurch pastor who will deliver the convention's closing prayer following Obama's speech accepting the Democratic presidential nomination.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 5:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (31)
Categories: Barack Obama, Cast of Characters, Religion
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Ohio Voting Machines Contained Programming Error That Dropped Votes

A voting system used in 34 states contains a critical programming error that can cause votes to be dropped.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 5:09 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (121)
Categories: B_Blog, Battlegrounds, The Hidden Campaign
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Obama Has Made His VP Decision

"I've made the selection, and that's all you're going to get," Obama said during a Virginia campaign stop.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 4:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (85)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama
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About Those Clinton Primary Voters

Many of Clinton's primary-season supporters are not necessarily loyal Democratic presidential election voters.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 3:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (208)
Categories: Barack Obama, Battlegrounds, Hillary Rodham Clinton, analysis
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Club for Growth Displeased by GOP Convention Lineup

The Club for Growth is not satisfied with the lineup of GOP convention speakers announced yesterday.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 3:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Republican Party
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For Obama, Roundabout Path to Convention

Obama will head out on the road to several battleground states on the way into Denver.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Battlegrounds
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Convention Spotlights Battle for the Intermountain West

Rapid growth and demographic upheaval have put a region once considered reliably Republican in presidential races in play.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 2:06 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: Barack Obama, Battlegrounds, Dan Balz's Take, John McCain
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McCain Spokesman's Retort: Obama Lives in "a Frickin' Mansion"

Pressed on growing controversy over McCain's comment on not knowing how many houses he has, McCain's spokesman loses his cool.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 1:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (881)
Categories: Barack Obama, John McCain
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Obama Paints McCain as Wealthy and Clueless

New Obama spot slams the Arizona senator for not knowing how many houses he owns.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 12:24 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (147)
Categories: Ad Watch, Barack Obama, John McCain
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Obama Jumps on McCain House Comment

"If you don't know how many houses you have, then it's not surprising that you might think the economy is fundamentally strong," says Obama.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 11:37 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (655)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, John McCain
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Obama and Kaine Hold a Brief Meeting

No word on what it might mean for Kaine's vice presidential prospects.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 11:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Battlegrounds
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Dems Pounce on McCain Admission He Doesn't Know How Many Houses He Owns

Democrats immediately seized on his comments as evidence that the Republican nominee is out of touch with the economic plight of most Americans.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 10:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (339)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, John McCain
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Fall Debate Schedule Announced

The Obama and McCain campaigns announced this morning that they will participate in the standard number of general election debates.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 9:36 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: The Debates
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Clinton's Virginia HQ a Costly Burden

The Clinton campaign lease on its former Ballston headquarters won't expire until March 2009.

By Web Politics Editor | August 21, 2008; 7:42 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Obama Speaks on Economy in Va.

Obama says the country cannot afford four more years of George W. Bush's policies.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 7:13 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (27)
Categories: Barack Obama, Video Report
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RNC Victory Fund Donors Stay Cloaked

The public will have to wait until two weeks before Election Day to learn the identities of the large donors who are ponying up as much as $70,000 to support McCain's presidential bid.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 6:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (20)
Categories: B_Blog, John McCain, The Green Zone
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Biden's Son Off to Iraq

By Shailagh Murray As Sen. Barack Obama closes in on his running mate pick, one...

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 5:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)
Categories: Barack Obama, Joe Biden
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EMILY's List Argues Obama's Case

Group says that Obama is doing just fine with women voters, thank you very much, despite earlier critiques.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 5:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Ingraham Implores McCain to Skip Pro-Choice VP Pick

John McCain remains on the defensive about rumors he will pick a running mate who supports abortion rights, only days after a strong performance at a forum on values issues had reassured social conservative voters.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 3:06 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: John McCain
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In N.M., McCain Again Slams "Testy" Obama on the War

McCain continued to blast the senator from Illinois's judgment on the war.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 2:54 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (79)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, John McCain, National Security
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Tea Leaf Reading on the Way to the Vice Presidency

Contrary to one published report, Obama has no plans to go to Indiana on Saturday.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 2:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Barack Obama
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RNC Announces Convention Speaker Lineup

Former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani will deliver the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, the party announced today.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 2:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (53)
Categories: Republican Party
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Obama Looking to Diminish Superdelegates

Barack Obama's campaign will call next week for the creation of a new commission to revise the rules for selecting a presidential nominee in 2012 with a goal of reducing the power of superdelegates.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 1:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (112)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Taxes and Spending at Issue in Clash of Negative Ads

Obama and McCain trade accusations over who would increase the deficit more and be better on tax relief.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 12:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (46)
Categories: Ad Watch, B_Blog, Barack Obama, John McCain
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Lieberman to Speak at GOP Convention

The speech will cap Lieberman's political transformation over the past eight years.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 12:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (146)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, John McCain
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DNC Pushes FEC on McCain Loans

Updated 1:29 p.m. By Matthew Mosk The Democratic National Committee is preparing a vigorous legal...

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 10:14 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)
Categories: John McCain, The Green Zone
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Conservative Group Finds Networks Positive on Obama

The Media Research Center says more than six times as many positive as negative stories about Obama ran during the primaries on network evening newscasts.

By Web Politics Editor | August 20, 2008; 10:07 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (61)
Categories: Barack Obama, Media Notes
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VP Madness Begets "Ridiculous" Questions

With vice presidential speculation reaching the level of insanity, senior Obama adviser Robert Gibbs answered a few urgent questions here on Monday night.

By Web Politics Editor | August 19, 2008; 9:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Barack Obama
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Obama Touts Party Unity, but Details Escape

By Anne E. Kornblut RALEIGH, N.C. -- As he works to win over Sen. Hillary...

By Web Politics Editor | August 19, 2008; 8:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Ohio Bans Home Storage of Voting Machines

The longstanding practice did not "ensure the security of all voting equipment" and must end, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner told elections directors Tuesday.

By Web Politics Editor | August 19, 2008; 6:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (25)
Categories: Battlegrounds
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Maddow Gets Her Own MSNBC Show

Rachel Maddow will take over the 9 p.m. slot on MSNBC.

By Web Politics Editor | August 19, 2008; 6:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (80)
Categories: B_Blog, Media Notes
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"Swingers" Producer Helped Get Hunter Contract with Edwards PAC

Two former Edwards staffers said this week that the brain behind Hunter's "webisodes" was Hollywood producer Cary Woods.

By Web Politics Editor | August 19, 2008; 6:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: B_Blog, John Edwards
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McCain Has His Oil Rig Moment

Touts support for offshore drilling in Gulf of Mexico appearance.

By Post Editor | August 19, 2008; 4:06 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (69)
Categories: A_Blog, B_Blog, John McCain
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Gore to Speak at Invesco Thursday Night

Former Vice President to appear with Obama.

By Post Editor | August 19, 2008; 4:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)
Categories: A_Blog, B_Blog, Barack Obama
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Virginia GOPers Hit Kaine Ahead of Appearance with Obama

Virginia Republicans say Kaine could cost Obama nationally.

By Post Editor | August 19, 2008; 3:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (57)
Categories: A_Blog, B_Blog, Barack Obama
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Report: Obama to Campaign with Running Mate Saturday in Springfield

By Shailagh Murray RALEIGH, N.C. -- Sen. Barack Obama's campaign has confirmed that the presumptive...

By Web Politics Editor | August 19, 2008; 2:29 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (48)
Categories: Barack Obama
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A Clash of Seismic Proportions

Obama and McCain clash over the war in Iraq at VFW forum highlights conflict to come.

By Web Politics Editor | August 19, 2008; 1:57 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (232)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Dan Balz's Take, Issues, John McCain, National Security
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ActBlue Collects $42 Million for Democrats

Republicans have tinkered with a counterpart to ActBlue, but have yet to find much success.

By Web Politics Editor | August 19, 2008; 12:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: B_Blog, Democratic Party, The Green Zone
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At VFW Event, Obama Hits Back at McCain

Tells convention, "The times are too serious for this kind of politics."

By Web Politics Editor | August 19, 2008; 10:22 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (165)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama
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McCain Drills His Message Home

McCain to demonstrate his support for offshore drilling at a Gulf Coast campaign stop.

By Web Politics Editor | August 18, 2008; 11:07 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (35)
Categories: John McCain
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Reed Doesn't Show at McCain Benefit He'd Help Publicize

Reed had sent an e-mail last week encouraging allies to join him at fundraiser for John McCain here, but tonight he did not attend himself.

By Web Politics Editor | August 18, 2008; 10:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: John McCain
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Biden, Back from Georgia, Speaks Out Against Russian Invasion

By Jonathan Weisman With his name still buzzing among the vice presidential prognosticators, Sen. Joseph...

By Web Politics Editor | August 18, 2008; 10:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: Barack Obama
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McCain Will Share "Tonight Show" Stage with Torres

NBC announced today that McCain would be a guest on Jay Leno's show on Monday night, the first night of Obama's big show.

By Web Politics Editor | August 18, 2008; 4:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, John McCain
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Candidates React to Musharraf Resignation

Obama, McCain react to change in Pakistan's leadership.

By Web Politics Editor | August 18, 2008; 2:11 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Barack Obama, John McCain, Primary Source
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Veep Week Speculation Hits Fever Pitch

All that anyone knows for certain is that sometime over the next seven days, Barack Obama will announce his choice of a running mate.

By Web Politics Editor | August 18, 2008; 1:36 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (209)
Categories: Barack Obama, Dan Balz's Take
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Obama's Vice Presidential Pick Is Already Staffed

A handful of Democratic political aides from Washington have packed their bags and moved to Obama's campaign headquarters in Chicago to work for... well, they don't know yet.

By Web Politics Editor | August 18, 2008; 12:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: The Sleuth
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A Kerfuffle Over the "Cone of Silence"

Campaign manager Rick Davis sends a blistering letter to NBC News objecting to an Andrea Mitchell report on the Saddleback forum.

By Web Politics Editor | August 18, 2008; 12:13 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (199)
Categories: B_Blog, John McCain
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McCain VFW Speech Hits Obama's Iraq War Judgment

"The surge has succeeded and yet Senator Obama still cannot quite bring himself to admit his own failure in judgment," McCain a crowd of several thousand attending the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

By Web Politics Editor | August 18, 2008; 11:24 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (42)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, John McCain, National Security
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Lindsey Graham, Olive Garden Fan

Along with his wife and some top aides, John McCain and his campaign road pals, Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham, ate dinner at the Olive Garden here last night, a day before McCain was to speak to at the conference of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

By Web Politics Editor | August 18, 2008; 10:48 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: John McCain
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Obama to Donors: Stay Cool

Sen. Barack Obama raised $7.8 million at a fundraiser here Sunday night, his largest-ever haul at a single event. He repaid the 1,300-plus donors with fighting words about the campaign he intends to wage against his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain, and told them not to get nervous as Election Day approaches.

By Washington Post Editor | August 18, 2008; 6:38 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (96)
Categories: Barack Obama
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Network News

44: August 17, 2008 - August 23, 2008