the political wires . . .

Compiled by Jonathan Helman and Mary Grace Lucas, CNN Washington Bureau

Washington Post: Clinton Quiet About Own Radical Ties
When Hillary Rodham Clinton questioned rival Barack Obama’s ties to 1960s radicals, her comments baffled two retired Bay Area lawyers who knew Clinton in the summer of 1971 when she worked as an intern at a left-wing law firm in Oakland, Calif., that defended communists and Black Panthers.

USA Today: GOP departures to cost party millions
The number of Republicans leaving Congress will cost the GOP millions of dollars in party-building funds for the fall congressional elections, campaign-finance records show.

Washington Post: Iran Remains Key Concern as Bush Returns
As he toured the Middle East over the past five days, President Bush tried to shore up support for his strategy of isolating Iran in meetings with the leaders of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian territories. But the one session that did not take place laid bare the problems his administration faces as it tries to persuade its allies to keep the faith.

LA Times: John McCain and Barack Obama Offer Two Visions of the Supreme Court
John McCain and Barack Obama, the two leading presidential candidates, have set out sharply contrasting views on the role of the Supreme Court and the kind of justices they would appoint.

AP: Obama warns seniors on Social Security threats
Democrat Barack Obama told seniors Sunday that Republican John McCain would threaten the Social Security that they and millions like them depend on because he supports privatizing the program.

NY Times: McCain to Rely on Party Money
Pivoting toward the general election, Senator Barack Obama is turning again to his history-making fund-raising machine, which helped to anoint him as a contender against Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and then became a potent weapon in their battle for the Democratic nomination. To confront the Obama juggernaut, Senator John McCain, whose fund-raising has badly trailed that of his Democratic counterparts, is leaning on the Republican National Committee.

WSJ: Obama May Find It Hard To Govern as Free Trader
Since at least John F. Kennedy, presidential candidates have campaigned as tough on trade and then governed as free traders. Some business leaders are expecting the same if Barack Obama makes it to the White House. Don’t count on it.

Washington Post: Clinton Looks for a Kentucky Triumph
Can Hillary Clinton notch a second colossal blowout in eight days against Barack Obama? Introducing the New York senator recently in Kentucky, Clinton’s state chairman Jerry Lundergan – also the former Kentucky Democratic Party chairman – called for a victory that was “bigger than West Virginia.”

NY Times: A Shift in Voters, but Oregon Still Embraces the Unconventional
Oregon is well known for the sharp divide between its more liberal and populated west and its rural east. That tension has often made statewide races close. Yet while the farmers who once dominated this part of Oregon still own much of the land, they no longer own most of the vote. Urbanites arrived long ago, promoting preservation of all this beauty, but bringing change, too. Michael Dukakis won Hood River County in 1988 by 18 votes out of 6,968 ballots cast, and Democrats have been gaining ground ever since.

Washington Post: Clinton-Obama Grudges Linger For Some Voters
Lifelong Democrat Kathleen Cowley watches with disdain as huge crowds hang on Sen. Barack Obama’s every word. She dismisses Obama’s “intolerable logic.” She turns the channel on pundits who chalk up Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s primary victories to little more than racism. And she doesn’t much care for the notion that while Obama is fresh and inspiring, Clinton is, by implication, old and mean.

WSJ: Obama Looks to Oregon to Seal Win
With the finish line of this historic Democratic primary race clearly in view, Barack Obama is hoping a strong showing in Oregon’s Tuesday primary will finally slam the door on Hillary Clinton’s bid for the presidential nomination.

NY Times: Gender Issue Lives On as Clinton’s Hopes Dim
With each passing day, it seems a little less likely that the next president of the United States will wear a skirt — or a cheerful, no-nonsense pantsuit.

Washington Post: Obama’s Tuesday Iowa Return
Sen. Barack Obama explained today why he will spend election night on Tuesday in Iowa, a state whose caucuses took place in January, and in doing so continued to flirt with a declaration of victory in the presidential nominating process. “We thought it was a terrific way to bring things full circle,” he told reporters.

LA Times: Barack Obama Steps Up Attacks On John McCain
Taking aim at his presumed Republican opponent in November even as he faces two more Democratic presidential primaries this week, Barack Obama attacked John McCain on Sunday on Social Security, lobbyists and foreign policy. He said that the Arizona senator would continue what Obama contended were the failed policies of President Bush.

Washington Post: Without Funds, Verb Program Became Past Tense
Its message and look were clever, hyper, even edgy — the perfect appeal to the tweeners who were its target. Yes, tweeners, the 9- to 13-year-olds stuck between young children and true teenagers. A group whose rate of overweight and obesity has almost quadrupled since 1974, not just because of too many french fries but because of too many couch potatoes.

Washington Post: What the Candidates Had to Say About Teen Obesity
The Post asked each presidential candidate — Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama and Republican John McCain — to address the childhood obesity epidemic.

Elections

All American Patriots (press release)

McCain to hit Obama in Chicago over Obama advisor NAFTA comment. Chicago Sun-Times – 59 minutes ago WASHINGTON–Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Az.) in Chicago on Monday, will tell the National Restaurant Association he appreciates their warm welcome–despite his Democratic rivals calling Chicago “their home town. Clinton-Obama Grudges Linger For Some Voters Washington Post Big money on Barack Obama as Hillary Clinton’s donors defect New York Daily News Baltimore Sun – Bloomberg – New York Times – Journal Gazette and Times-Courier all 2,197 news articles »

The Early Word: Obama Holding Off on Declaring Win New York Times – 42 minutes ago By Ariel Alexovich Barack Obama and his family greeted a record-breaking crowd of 75000 in Portland, Ore., on Sunday, ahead of that state’s primary this Tuesday. Video: AP Campaign Minute AssociatedPressBarack Obama steps up attacks on John McCain Los Angeles Times The Associated Press – ABC News – Reuters – FOXNews all 1,574 news articles »

NECN

McCain to Rely on Party Money Against Obama New York Times – 1 hour ago By MICHAEL LUO and MIKE McINTIRE Pivoting toward the general election, Senator Barack Obama is turning again to his history-making fund-raising machine, which helped to anoint him as a contender against Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and then became a … McCain: I would honor NAFTA; veto farm bill USA Today John McCain and Barack Obama: Two visions of the Supreme Court Los Angeles Times New York Sun – Marshall News Messenger – Reuters – Arizona Republic all 115 news articles »

Washington Post

Local GOP Wants to Hear From You Washington Post – 1 hour ago The District of Columbia’s Republican Committee is looking for public input for its party platform. No jokes please about the relatively small numbers of GOP members in the District. GOP departures to cost party millions USA Today John McCain wants to overhaul unemployment insurance system The Plain Dealer – cleveland.com New York Times – CBS News – Honolulu Advertiser – The Associated Press all 904 news articles »

WBT

Obama scares the old folks Atlanta Journal Constitution – 1 hour ago By Jim Wooten | Monday, May 19, 2008, 08:01 AM Campaigning Sunday in Oregon, a state he should win handily on Tuesday, Obama did what Democrats have done for decades: Spooked the old folks on Social Security. Obama links McCain’s Social Security stance to Bush’s Los Angeles Times Obama’s Social Security Plan: Some Will Pay More CNSNews.com The Associated Press – MSNBC – Chicago Tribune – KPIC all 466 news articles »

Salem-News.Com

Obama’s swept away by sea of supporters 2 days before Oregon vote New York Daily News – 5 hours ago AP Sen. Barack Obama is dwarfed by the crowd on the banks of the Willamette River in Portland, Ore., Sunday. The Democratic presidential hopeful spoke to the biggest crowd of his campaign – an estimated 65000 people packed into a riverside park for an … Obama Draws Record Crowd in Oregon New York Times Record Obama Crowd, the Size of a City Washington Post Baltimore Sun – MSNBC – FOXNews – United Press International all 34 news articles »

China Daily

John McCain advisor Thomas Loeffler steps down over lobbying role Los Angeles Times – 6 hours ago The campaign, concerned about McCain’s reformer image, wants lobbyists working for his candidacy to cut ties to their firms or leave the team. McCain campaign advisor quits over lobbying ties Reuters Saudi Lobbyist Quits McCain Campaign New York Sun The Associated Press – Chicago Tribune – Cape Cod Today – ABC News all 577 news articles »

KOHD

Wake-Up Call: Monday, May 19, 2008 PolitickerOR – 1 hour ago Oregon’s primary election has entered its final hours after a weekend of intense campaigning that included local events by both major Democratic candidates for president, other public appearances by candidates for statewide and local offices and … Obama makes pitch in Pendleton Mid Columbia Tri City Herald Obama winds up Oregon campaign in “red” Oregon The Oregonian – OregonLive.com KNDO/KNDU – Washington Post – Northwest Cable News – KEPR 19 all 62 news articles »

NY1

State’s divided Dems stress need for unity San Francisco Chronicle – 6 hours ago In California, the nation’s most populous state, the single largest bloc of committed delegates for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton had a feisty message for the Democratic presidential hopeful this weekend: hang tough and stay in the race. Obama And Clinton’s California Kumbaya Huffington Post Democrats name delegates, party leaders for national convention Nevada Appeal TheNewsTribune.com – The Associated Press – Centre Daily Times – WCBC Radio all 399 news articles »

TopNews

War of Words with the Clintonistas Continues – How Hillary is … Houston Chronicle – 38 minutes ago In recent days, there’s been a public email battle raging in my local Harris County precinct between a particularly aggressive Clintonista and an Obama supporter. Clinton’s no quitter, and neither am I Detroit Free Press Obama Tries to Make Up With Florida TIME Indianapolis Star – Orlando Sentinel – Los Angeles Times – New York Times all 1,515 news articles »

TopNews

Clinton: Pick a winner Cincinnati Enquirer – 4 hours ago BY PAT CROWLEY | PCROWLEY@ENQUIRER.COM FORT MITCHELL – Hillary Clinton said Sunday she is counting on Kentucky’s primary voters to help keep alive her hopes of winning the Democratic nomination for president. Obama-Clinton puts Kentucky in political spotlight Louisville Courier-Journal Presidential race can help break barriers, bloc by bloc Chicago Tribune Henderson Gleaner – CQPolitics.com – Wall Street Journal – Bowling Green Daily News all 322 news articles »

The Virginian-Pilot

Webb ‘not that interested’ in No. 2 Washington Times – 9 hours ago By Christina Bellantoni THE WRITE STUFF: Sen. Jim Webb talks on “Meet the Press” about his new book, “A Time to Fight: Reclaiming a Fair and Just America. Biden, Webb, Huckabee: The veepstakes heat up on the Sunday shows Los Angeles Times Clinton pledges to stay in campaign through end of primaries Washington Post United Press International – The Virginian-Pilot all 7 news articles »

Radio Australia

US rivals get nasty on foreign policy BBC News – 2 hours ago By Paul Reynolds Foreign policy has already entered the arena in the US presidential election – and it is getting nasty. It is the shape of things to come. Obama Says Bush and McCain Are ‘Fear Mongering’ in Attacks New York Times No to Obama, questions about McCain By Nat Hentoff Washington Times The Cutting Edge – RealClearPolitics – New University Online – Huffington Post all 2,543 news articles »

KSFY

Doctors look for cause of Kennedy seizure CNN International – 23 hours ago BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) — Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital Sunday were trying to determine the cause of Sen. Edward Kennedy’s seizure. Video: Obama, Clinton Send Kennedy Well Wishes AssociatedPressCandidates Pause to Praise Kennedy ABC News MSNBC – Los Angeles Times – The Associated Press – Cape Cod Times all 312 news articles »

Columbus Dispatch

John McCain’s world: Filled with tongue in cheek ideas Marshalltown Times Republican – 9 hours ago By David Kruse John McCain says that he wants to make the US energy independent. Basing his opposition to the Renewable Fuels Standard, Biodiesel credit, Ethanol Blender’s credit and Ethanol tariff, he obviously doesn’t see biofuel playing a role in … Video: McCain: Bin Laden Will Be Dead (CBS News) CBSMcCain’s Superfuture New York Times Los Angeles Times – Huffington Post – Wall Street Journal – Kansas City Star all 944 news articles »

Turkish Press

Coal Country Lacks Consensus on a Nominee Wall Street Journal – 6 hours ago By CHRISTOPHER COOPER As the Democratic presidential race unfolds in coal country this week and with John McCain’s recent rollout of a global-warming initiative, coal industry officials and environmentalists are unsure which candidate to endorse. Courting NRA, McCain Criticizes Obama and Clinton on Gun Control New York Times McCain Shows NRA Strong Pro-Gun Side Washington Post Los Angeles Times – Boston Globe – Kentucky.com – Reuters all 282 news articles »

NECN

Known for his wit, Mike Huckabee shows none in NRA “joke” Los Angeles Times – May 17, 2008 Mike Huckabee unquestionably has a feel for the artful quip and the smart ad lib that is rare among politicians — it’s what helped fuel his surprise rise early in the Republican presidential race (recall his response to a “what would Jesus do” … Video: Huckabee: NRA Obama Remark ‘inappropriate’ AssociatedPressHuckabee Vies for No. 2 Spot on Republican Presidential Ticket FOXNews Houston Chronicle – New York Daily News – Louisville Courier-Journal – New York Sun all 573 news articles »

All American Patriots (press release)

Mrs. McCain’s Money New York Times – 8 hours ago Senator John McCain’s wife, Cindy McCain, has decided not to release her tax returns – not now and not in the future. In the interest of transparency and to support her husband’s frequent calls for clean and open government, she should rethink that … Funds Guided by Sharia First, Earnings Second Washington Post McCain’s wife sells Sudan investments USA Today Waco Tribune Herald – Los Angeles Times – ABC News – Reuters all 331 news articles »

CBS News

Obama’s Executive Sounding Board BusinessWeek – 9 hours ago Behind Barack Obama is a remarkable crew of African American business leaders in Chicago. But their helping hands extend far beyond politics by Roger O. Crockett On Feb. 10, 2007, Senator Barack Obama launched his bid for the White House in Springfield … Barack Obama needs Hillary Clinton to stay alive – literally! Redding News Review Obama’s Struggle With Typical Liberal Hypocrisy Huffington Post Washington Post – Forbes – Bay Area Indymedia – Politics In Color all 60 news articles »