Obama vaults into political limelight
A freshman senator with an atypical political background, Barack Obama became one of the leading candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination when he joined the race in February. He has been behind Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in most national polls and is in a tight race with her in Iowa, home to the nation's first presidential caucuses.
The first-term senator from Illinois has tried to distinguish himself from his more experienced rivals by asserting that it's time for new ideas and leadership. In an effort to appeal to voters who oppose the Iraq war, he notes frequently that he opposed the Iraq war in 2002 when Sen. Clinton, former senator John Edwards and other Democrats voted to authorize the use of military force against Iraq. Obama says he wants to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq as soon as possible.
Obama is the son of a Kenyan father and a white woman from Kansas. As a child, he lived for several years in Indonesia, a Muslim country. If elected, he would be the first African-American president. Obama has had success in attracting more individual donors than rival Clinton and he's been able to surpass or keep pace with her in receipts throughout much of 2007.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/barack-obama.htm
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Recent stories about Barack Obama Clinton, Obama spar over Obama mailings
By Beth Fouhy, Associated Press Writer
Hillary Rodham Clinton angrily accused her Democratic rival Saturday of deliberately misrepresenting her positions on NAFTA and health care in mass mailings to voters, adding, "Shame on you, Barack Obama."
2/23/2008 09:47:55 PM
Clinton defends husband on racial issues
By Beth Fouhy, Associated Press Writer
Hillary Rodham Clinton strongly defended her husband’s record on civil rights Saturday at a forum in which she acknowledged "painful moments" in a presidential contest pitting the first woman candidate against a pioneering black contender.
2/23/2008 09:20:28 PM
Clinton, Obama spar over Obama mailings
By Beth Fouhy, Associated Press Writer
Hillary Rodham Clinton angrily accused her Democratic rival Saturday of deliberately misrepresenting her positions on NAFTA and health care in mass mailings to voters, adding, "Shame on you, Barack Obama."
2/23/2008 08:02:25 PM
Clinton rips Obama as primary campaign intensifies
Hillary Rodham Clinton angrily accused her Democratic rival Saturday of deliberately misrepresenting her positions on NAFTA and health care in mass mailings to voters, adding, "Shame on you, Barack Obama."
2/23/2008 1:55:45 PM
Precinct hiccups blamed on poor training
By Deborah Hastings, AP National Writer
When things go awry at the voting booth, as they have several times in this hectic primary season, much of the blame often falls on ill-trained poll workers who are paid a pittance.
2/23/2008 12:37:06 PM
McCain trains sights on November, Obama
By Liz Sidoti, Associated Press Writer
His nomination assured, John McCain got an early jump on the general election this week with a swing through Midwestern states likely to be pivotal in the fall and a fresh line of criticism against Barack Obama.
2/23/2008 11:50:45 AM
Democrat rivals look to keep delegates in line
The party’s arcane system of caucuses and conventions has the campaigns working to keep delegates they had already claimed.
2/23/2008 9:35:27 AM
McCain trains sights on November, Obama
By Liz Sidoti, Associated Press Writer
His nomination assured, John McCain got an early jump on the general election this week with a swing through Midwestern states likely to be pivotal in the fall and a fresh line of criticism against Barack Obama.
2/23/2008 06:32:39 AM
Superdelegates are flocking to Obama
By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press Writer
The Democratic superdelegates are starting to follow the voters -- straight to Barack Obama.
2/23/2008 06:28:01 AM
Youth vs. old guard in Italian campaign
By Alessandra Rizzo, Associated Press Writer
In a packed square, the candidate from the Democratic Party delivers his message: "Vote for Change." Supporters hold up banners reading: "We can!"
2/22/2008 06:49:26 PM
Read more stories about Barack Obama
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