James Garner should sue John McCain

for this ad.

Following McCain's negative barrage last week, Obama hit back with an ad tying McCain to Bush and his policies.

Whether it successfully counters the GOP blitz is uncertain, but Obama does have McCain on defense, at least for now.

Obama kicks off week focusing on energy

By unveiling his plan.

UPI lists some of his proposals:

-- Providing short-term relief to American families facing pain at the pump

-- Helping create 5 million new jobs by investing $150 billion in the private sector during the next 10 years to build a clean energy future.

-- Putting 1 million plug-in hybrid cars in the road by 2015.

-- Ensuring 10 percent of the nation's electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, increasing to 25 percent by 2025.

Photo: AP

Quickies

- Gloria Steinem, one of Hillary Clinton's biggest supporters gets on record supporting the Democratic candidate:

Steinem is supporting Obama in the general race. “Women are more than smart enough to see that McCain’s policies are a disaster ... He is anti every reproductive issue we’ve ever fought for.”

She believes women will vote for Obama even if Clinton doesn’t get the much-mooted consolation prize of the vice-president’s spot on the Democratic ticket – a job Steinem doesn’t think is good enough for her anyway. Why? “It’s not an independent position, to put it mildly. I would rather see her as the president of the Senate.”

- John McCain is vetting Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor as a possible V-P.

- At WVaBlue: Anne Barth goes mud bogging.

Citizen Kaine

I know, not clever and too lazy of a headline, but I couldn't resist referencing my favorite movie.

Politico reports that Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is "very, very high" on the short list for Obama's V-P.

As Senator Barack Obama turns to the choice of his running mate, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has emerged as one of the campaign’s potential finalists, sources familiar with conversations in Richmond and in Chicago said.

Make of that what you will.

One obvious electoral benefit is that he's enormously popular in Virginia, a swing state.

Health care and education are his big issues. He tends to be a bit more culturally conservative than most Dems.

But bear in mind that Obama's campaign said to ignore all speculation and that leaks would not occur. The campaign said no information would be forthcoming until a choice is made.

So who knows?

Democratic Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine talks with reporters during a break at the National Governors' Association centennial meeting, Saturday, July, 12, 2008, in Philadelphia.

Obama addresses 200,000 in Germany

AP:

"People of Berlin, people of the world, this is our moment. This is our time," he declared.

"The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand," Obama said, speaking not far from where the Berlin Wall once divided the city.

"The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes, natives and immigrants, Christians and Muslims and Jews cannot stand," he said.

---

Laughably, the GOP is trying to tell us that if people in Europe like him, then he must be bad for America (That was Hannity's sad line today).

Yeah, that whole Europe-bashing, Freedom Fries approach to foreign policy worked out so well these last eight years, didn't it?

----

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves as he arrives at the Victory Column in Berlin, Thursday, July 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Quickies

- Public health hazard number one: Bob Novak.

- Bush on the economic crisis:

"There's no question about it. Wall Street got drunk ... it got drunk and now it's got a hangover. The question is how long will it sober up and not try to do all these fancy financial instruments."

Write your own joke here.

- Rasmussen has Obama leading in Florida. 49-47%.

- Lina Newhouser, co-founder of Commondreams.org has died at age 56.

- Rasmussen also has McCain up by 10 in Ohio, which is the opposite of PPP's latest poll, which has Obama up by 8.

Al-Maliki says Obama's plan is "more realistic"

Your buried lead this weekend in the mainstream media.

From Spiegel Online:

SPIEGEL: Would you hazard a prediction as to when most of the US troops will finally leave Iraq?

Maliki: As soon as possible, as far as we're concerned. U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.

SPIEGEL: Is this an endorsement for the US presidential election in November? Does Obama, who has no military background, ultimately have a better understanding of Iraq than war hero John McCain?

Maliki: Those who operate on the premise of short time periods in Iraq today are being more realistic. Artificially prolonging the tenure of US troops in Iraq would cause problems. Of course, this is by no means an election endorsement. Who they choose as their president is the Americans' business. But it's the business of Iraqis to say what they want. And that's where the people and the government are in general agreement: The tenure of the coalition troops in Iraq should be limited.

In this photo released by the Iraqi Government, the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gestures as he speaks at a meeting with several Arab ambassadors to the United Arab Emirates in that country's capital, Abu Dhabi, Monday, July 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Iraqi Government, HO)


----
UPDATE: Al-Maliki appeared to back off this statement a bit yesterday, but today the Iraqi government spokesman issued a statement that looks like it favors the Obama plan.

Quickies

- McCain is still living like it's 1993.

- Sam Seder's "A Bad Situationist" is released.

-Elizabeth Dole feels the GOP's celebrated bigot isn't celebrated enough.

Republican Senator Dole introduced an amendment to name an HIV/AIDS relief bill after the recently deceased Jesse Helms. Helms, of course, was a strident foe of HIV/AIDS prevention, research and treatment.

- Obama maintains a lead over McCain in the latest polls.

- Mike Meehan is the dumbest man alive.

- Another McFlip-flop from John McCain: This time on gay adoptions. The straight-talker changed his position on this one in just two days.

Hagel joining Obama in Iraq

The GOP's senator from Nebraska confirms it.

From TPM:

In many ways, Hagel has become the mirror image of Joe Lieberman -- he is a conservative who has infuriated his party through his opposition to the Iraq War. However, Hagel has not crossed party lines to endorse Barack Obama as of yet, opting only to refuse to endorse John McCain.

Some have put Hagel's name out there as a potential Obama V-P. At the least, an endorsement may be a possibility.

By the way, Hagel's wife is an Obama donor.

According to Federal Election Commission records, Mrs. Hagel donated twice to Obama's campaign in February for a total contribution of $500. The contributions were first reported by the Washington Post
The contribution came a month before Sen. Hagel, a sharp GOP critic of the war in Iraq, appeared on ABC's "This Week" and declared that he and McCain have "pretty fundamental disagreements on the future of foreign policy."

Very disappointing

Obama says he supports the horrid FISA legislation. (Though he has given some signs that he'll work to remove the amnesty provision.)

This is his first real strike with the left.

Greg Sargent at TPM sums up exactly why it's so disillusioning to his supporters:

Here's what's so dispiriting about it. One of the riveting things about Barack Obama's candidacy is that since the outset of the campaign he's seemed absolutely dead serious about changing the way foreign policy is discussed and argued about in this country.

Amy Goodman has Ralph Nader on her show this week. If Obama gives us more decisions like this, people on the left might start being more receptive to a third party candidate who says something like this:

RALPH NADER: Barack Obama really now has to be examined very carefully. He has worn out the word “change.” We now want to know what change is involved. And it’s quite clear that he is a corporate candidate from A to Z.

But I thought he wuz a socialist, lib'rul muslim who hated the flag!

Rush and Sean can't be wrong, can they?

I got the link for this video from the Obama campaign's new Web site www.Fightthesmears.com, which has been put up to debunk all the insane rightwing rumors floating around the Internet.

Obama says we'll have a nominee by Tuesday

That's the date of the last primaries and when a large group of the remaining superdelgates are expected to finally begin endorsing and put him over the top.

But, wait!

The HILLARY 2012 campaign has announced its post-primary schedule, in their ongoing effort to wreck things for the Democrats in 2008 and elect John McCain.

ABC News:

ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: The press traveling with Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign received an email Thursday afternoon informing reporters they could sign up for travel through June 6 on the campaign website.

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, holds a discussion on protecting home ownership at the College of Southern Nevada in North Las Vegas, Nev., Tuesday, May 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Obama doing well in Ohio poll

Despite losing the state to Clinton in the primary.

A new poll by Survey USA shows the matchups between possible McCain and Obama tickets.

Obama beats McCain in 14 out of 17 cases. McCain wins 2. One is tied.

His best showing is if he puts John Edwards in the V-P slot. Under such a ticket, he opens up a double digit lead over all McCain tickets.

In a generic match-up with no V-Ps named, Obama beats McCain by 9.

Tuesday

Primaries in Kentucky and Oregon.

Clinton's expected to win Ky. along the same lines as her W.Va. victory. Along with her wins in Ohio and Pennsylvania, it will put her well on her way in her quest to become President of Appalachia.

Obama has a big lead in Oregon and, if he maintains it, will pass the majority mark in delegates, meaning that there is no way under any scenario (even winning 100% of all remaining votes that Clinton can win).

He'll be less than 100 away from the 2,025 needed for nomination.

Byrd backs Obama

Via Yahoo News:

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Democrat Barack Obama's White House bid Monday won support from the Senate's oldest and longest-serving member, Robert Byrd, who acclaimed his freshman colleague as a "shining young statesman."

Byrd, 90, was one of five Democratic "superdelegates" to endorse the Illinois senator Monday and add new momentum to his drive to capture the party's presidential nomination from Hillary Clinton.

Byrd's statement:

As people all across this great nation know, I have been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Bush Administration’s misguided war in Iraq and its saber rattling around the globe."

With the Bush Administration's latest request to fund this on-going war in Iraq without any attempt to start bringing our troops home, the issue of the upcoming presidential contest has been weighing heavily on my heart. The loss of life continues and the sons and daughters of tens of thousands of American families remain in harm’s way every day.

This Democratic primary campaign has been tough and competitive. I had no intention of involving myself in the Democratic campaign for President in the midst of West Virginia's primary election. But the stakes this November could not be higher."

After a great deal of thought, consideration and prayer over the situation in Iraq, I have decided that, as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, I will cast my vote for Senator Barack Obama for President. Both Senators Clinton and Obama are extraordinary individuals, whose integrity, honor, love for this country and strong belief in our Constitution I deeply respect."

I believe that Barack Obama is a shining young statesman, who possesses the personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq, and to lead our nation at this challenging time in history. Barack Obama is a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian, and he has my full faith and support.

That's one more superdelegate for Obama.

Bringing the totals to:

Obama - 1,913
Clinton - 1,719
Needed to win: 2,025

Photo: AP

Edwards finally making an endorsement

AP has reported tonight it will be Obama.

Obama in Charleston Monday

More info here.

MONDAY, MAY 12
Charleston Civic Center
Doors Open: 10:30 AM
Program Begins: 12:15 PM

The event open to the public, however, seating is limited and tickets are required.

Obama pulls ahead in superdelegates

Yet another sign that it's over.

Politico:

Obama once was behind by more than 100 superdelegates. But according to at least two counts, more superdelegates are now in his camp. Politico’s tally now shows him ahead of her by 270 superdelegates to 268.5, with 208.5 uncommitted. (Superdelegates from U.S. territories count as one-half.) ABC News shows him ahead by two.

It's over

Clinton needed big wins to make the case for a superdelegate coup and didn't get them.

She hasn't had a real chance to get a delegate lead since late February. The best she could hope for was that two decisive victories would have been enough to convince superdelegates that Obama had been damaged by the Rev. Wright story to the point of not being electable.

But, as the results showed (and exit polls also proved) voters didn't think the Wright flap was an issue.

The media's finally caught on to the math that the rest of us figured out way back.

NBC's Tim Russert:

"We now know who the Democratic nominee's going to be, and no one's going to dispute it."

ABC's George Snuffleupagus:

"This nomination fight is over."

CBS's Bob Schieffer:

"Basically, Maggie, this race is over."

Now it's just a matter of when Clinton gets out and how.

Lawrence O'Donnell, who's worked in Democratic politics for years and is pretty well acquainted with the Clintons lays out her exit strategy from talks with her campaign:

Everything about our conversation implied that he had already had this reality-based discussion with Hillary. He said the Clinton campaign plan is to collect as many votes and delegates as they can right through June 3, then take no more than a week or so to make their case to the superdelegates. Nothing he said indicated that he actually expected the superdelegates to move to Hillary in the week after the final election. The Clinton campaign has not lost its grip on reality. Yes, Clinton spokespersons publicly seem to be lost on gravity-free planet Clinton, but privately they know the end is near.

Further proof that they're winding things down is the fact that she canceled all of her morning show appearances today.

So expect her to keep in until primary season is over, but mellow the tone of the campaign (think Huckabee's last few weeks vs. McCain). She'll likely get a victory or two to go out on a high note (W.Va. being one of them), but there are few delegates left, superdelegates are moving to Obama (four today). The polls in most of the remaining states aren't close and he probably has more wins ahead. If things play out as expected, many expect he'll clinch the nomination two weeks from now in Oregon.

Photos: AP

As Guam goes, so goes the nation

OK, not necessarily.

But Obama won there.

It was close, so each candidate gets two votes in an even split. (Guam has eight delegates, but since it isn't a state, they only get a half vote each.)

Photo: Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, greets supporters after speaking at a park in Noblesville, Ind., on Saturday.

Ken Hechler endorses Obama

as reported in the H-D:

Hechler, also a former professor at Marshall University, discussed Obama's ability to inspire Americans and bring lasting change to this country.

“I’ve taught courses on the presidency and great presidents are able to inspire and communicate. The last four great ones were Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy and Ronald Regan. Obama has that same tremendous inspirational ability and he, among all the candidates, will be able to lead this country.

And from an Obama campaign press release, some more W.Va. endorsements were announced (via W.Va. Blue):

Obama received the endorsement of the following leaders from the Northern Panhandle

State Sen. Larry Edgell (D- Wetzel County)
Former State Senator John Chernenko, decorated World War II veteran and former Prisoner of War, former U.S. Marshall Northern District West Virginia (D- Brooke County)
Del. Tal Hutchins (D- Ohio County)
Sheriff Tom Burgoyne (D -Ohio County)
Commissioner David Sims (D- Ohio County)
John Saunders (Ohio County Democratic Party Co-Chair, leader steelworker community)
Frank Slider (Tyler County Democratic Party Co-Chair)

Obama campaign opening headquarters in Huntington Saturday

On the corner of 8th Street and 4th Avenue at 2:30p.m.

Congressman Nick Rahall will be on hand.

Photo: Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., laughs while being introduced at a town hall-style meeting in Kokomo, Ind., Friday, April 25, 2008 / The Associated Press

Good stuff

Via HuffPo:

Barack Obama taped an interview on The Daily Show on Monday.

At one point, Jon Stewart said to Obama, "The Rev. Wright controversy, the flag pin controversy... Will you pull a bait-and-switch, sir, and enslave the white race. Is that your plan?"

Obama responded, laughing, "That is not our plan, Jon, but I think your paranoia might make you suitable as a debate moderator."

TV news is still dead

ABC is bragging that the debate was the most watched of the campaign season.

Which means that they blew an even bigger opportunity.

A few more:

The Atlantic's Andrew Sullivan:

The loser was ABC News: one of the worst media performances I can remember - petty, shallow, process-obsessed, trivial where substantive, and utterly divorced from the actual issues that Americans want to talk about.

The Washington Post's Tom Shales:

It was another step downward for network news -- in particular ABC News, which hosted the debate from Philadelphia and whose usually dependable anchors, Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos, turned in shoddy, despicable performances.

"For the first 52 minutes of the two-hour, commercial-crammed show, Gibson and Stephanopoulos dwelled entirely on specious and gossipy trivia that already has been hashed and rehashed, in the hope of getting the candidates to claw at one another over disputes that are no longer news. Some were barely news to begin with.

Talk show host Randi Rhodes:

"We don't have the luxury of spending 1994 covering the O.J trial or spending 1998 talking about a stained dress."

Commondreams.org's Jerry Lanson:

Granted. Reporters get paid to ask tough questions. No complaint there. But they should be tough questions of substance, not rehashed spam. Surely, if ABC’s producers had done some hard reporting, they could have found something fresh — inconsistencies of policy statements over the campaign’s long march, perhaps; contradictions between the candidate’s current stands and past votes; or subtle differences between them on issues that really matter to the American public. Relooping an already weary newsreel, trotting out the tired and really terribly limited fudges and guilt-by-association embarrassments of this campaign, make for neither good debates nor good journalism.

And finally, Obama's reaction from today, which is great:

Obama reponds

Obama in Beckley

Went to see Obama in Beckley yesterday.

My estimate of the crowd was about 3,000. A good mix of ages, gender and ethnicities. Lots of young people. Obama was introduced by Jay and Sharon Rockefeller.

Sen. Rockefeller said to expect more Obama visits to southern WV and the state in the month leading up to the WV primary.

Obama's effectiveness as a speaker is something that has to be seen in person. Quick on his feet and informal, he holds the crowd in the palm of his hand. The comparison to a rock concert is pretty accurate.

Some highlights:
- Asked about mountaintop removal during the Q&A by environmental activist, Larry Gibson, he said that the clean water act needs to be enforced, called for a balance between economic gain and preserving the environment and stressed the importance of being stewarts of the land and leaving it for future generations.
When I talked to them afterwards, MTR opponents seemed cautiously optimistic about his answer.

AP's take:

Beckley gave Obama a taste of the complexities of West Virginia politics when Chad Foreman of Fayetteville asked the candidate a question about mountaintop removal mining.
Obama’s answer didn’t give much red meat to either environmentalists or coal supporters, both of which had loud contingents in the audience.

He stressed the need for a balanced approach between environmental concern and preserving jobs.

“I’m not just going to take a bunch of contributions from the coal industry and do their bidding, any more than I would only listen to the environmentalists,” Obama said. “I want to listen to everybody.”

He did, though, come out in favor of clean coal technology, something many environmental activists find to be a misleading name.

- Pledged to sit down with West Virginia's Congressional delegation and work out a mine safety plan.

- Said that he would pay for his programs by ending the war, making the top 1% pay their fair share in taxes. Said he would use a pay-as-you-go approach, rather than the current administration's tactic borrowing from "The bank of China."

- Said that he would use force to strike enemies if necessary for defense, but would advocate more diplomacy in foreign affairs, with both friends and foes. As to the claim by Bush, McCain and Clinton that he can't meet with hostile nations, "Just watch me.," he said.

- On gas prices, said instability in the Mideast is a cause, but the "hard truth" is that the country hasn't developed an efficient energy policy since the 70s. Would invest more in renewable energy, raise fuel efficiency standards.

WVaBlue has a slideshow here.

Video of his answer to one of the energy questions here:


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., waits behind the curtain to speak at a town hall meeting at Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center Arena in Beckley, W.V., Thursday, March 20, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Candidates on mountaintop removal

Faithfull at DailyKos has Hillary Clinton's answer on mountaintop removal.

Clinton on West Virginia Public Radio:

I am concerned about it for all the reasons people state, but I think its a
difficult question because of the conflict between the economic and
environmental trade-off that you have here.

I'm not an expert. I don't know enough to have an independent opinion, but I sure would like people who could be objective, understanding both the economic necessities and environmental damage to come up with some approach that would enable us to retrieve the coal but would enable us to do it in a way that wouldn't damage the living standards and the other important qualities associated with people living both under the mountaintop and people who are along the streams.

You know, maybe there is a way to recover those mountaintops once they have been stripped of the coal. You know, I think we've got to look at this from a practical perspective.

---

Obama spoke on the issue in an August 2007 stop in Kentucky:

He said the country also needs a forward-thinking energy policy, and he
alluded to his disapproval of the coal mining process of mountaintop
removal.

"We're tearing up the Appalachian Mountains because of our
dependence on fossil fuels," he said, sparking loud applause.

The speech

The best way to do this is just to let it speak for itself

Obama responds

To the statements of Rev. Wright in a column for Huffington Post.

Some excerpts:

Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.

[...]

As I have written about in my books, I first joined Trinity United Church of Christ nearly twenty years ago. I knew Rev. Wright as someone who served this nation with honor as a United States Marine, as a respected biblical scholar, and as someone who taught or lectured at seminaries across the country, from Union Theological Seminary to the University of Chicago. He also led a diverse congregation that was and still is a pillar of the South Side and the entire city of Chicago. It's a congregation that does not merely preach social justice but acts it out each day, through ministries ranging from housing the homeless to reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS.

[...]

The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign. I made it clear at the time that I strongly condemned his comments. But because Rev. Wright was on the verge of retirement, and because of my strong links to the Trinity faith community, where I married my wife and where my daughters were baptized, I did not think it appropriate to leave the church.

Let me repeat what I've said earlier. All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country.

Definitely worth a read.

Photo: Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks to press on the plane as he headed from Chicago to Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Also of note: Obama'a West Virginia campaign has launched.

Nader weighs in on the Democratic race

:

Because I was away when he announced.

From CNN:

(On Obama)

"Above all, explain why you don't come down hard on the economic crimes against minorities in city ghettos: payday loans, predatory lending, rent-to-own rackets, landlord abuses, lead contamination, asbestos," Nader said.

"There's an unseemly silence by you, Barack -- a community organizer in poor areas in Chicago many years ago -- on this issue," he said.

(On Hillary)

Nader called Sen. Hillary Clinton the Democrat "most loved by big business," referencing a Fortune magazine article from last year.

The June article said Clinton had "probably the broadest CEO support among the candidates" at that point.

Photo: Ralph Nader speaks at a news conference in Reading, Pa., in this July 14, 2007 file photo. The consumer advocate will appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday Feb. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

Poll: Heavy Clinton lead in W.Va.

From the Daily Mail:

By nearly a two to one margin, West Virginia Democrats and Independents are more likely to vote for Hillary Clinton than Barrack Obama, according to a new poll.

Forty-three percent of those surveyed said they'd vote for Clinton in the upcoming West Virginia primary election compared to 22 percent who selected Obama, based on a public opinion poll conducted by Charleston-based Mark Blankenship Enterprises.

Thirty-five percent said they were undecided

Not surprising. the western counties of Virginia heavily favored her and she's still doing all right in Ohio. So demographically, it makes sense that W.Va would go the same way as the rest of the reason.

Poll: Clinton and Obama nearly even in Texas

Take it for what it's worth. Some groups still have her with a healthy lead.

From CNN:
Clinton 50
Obama 48

Texas race tightens up?

Via Talking Points Memo:

Two have Hillary ahead:
Rasmussen - 54 Clinton, 38 Obama
Public Opinion Strategies/Hamilton Campaigns - Clinton 49, Obama 41

One has Obama up
ARG - Clinton 42, Obama 48

Another sweep for Obama

On to Wisconsin.

From AP:

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama powered past Hillary Rodham Clinton in the race for Democratic convention delegates Tuesday on a night of triumph sweetened with outsized primary victories in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
"Tonight we're on our way," Obama told cheering supporters in Madison, Wis. "But we know how much further we have to go," he added, celebrating eight straight victories over Clinton, the former first lady now struggling in a race she once commanded.

Clinton has ditched her deputy campaign manager. She and Penn are staking everything on Ohio and Texas. Though with 8 wins in a row, Obama may now have the momentum to hold his own.

CNN and AP now give Obama the delegate lead, with and without superdelegates.

On the GOP side, assumed nominee McCain has finally won again for the first time since Super Tuesday.

(Photo: Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves to supporters after speaking at a campaign rally Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Obama 4, Clinton 0

With a clean sweep of today's 4 contests (Louisiana, Washington, Nebraska and the Virgin Islands) and heavily favored in next week's primaries, Obama could have a very strong showing for February.

Clinton's team has been counting on holding him back with the early March primaries in Ohio and Texas.

She's currently favored in both, but if Obama generates momentum from his victories, both states could become very competitive. Clinton ads are expected to go on the air in Ohio in the coming week.

In such a scenario, it makes the few remaining primaries, which include Kentucky and West Virginia, of even greater importance.

So it's a very real possibility that the Tri-State may play a major role in determining a party's nomination for the first time in a generation.

(Photo: Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves to the crowd along with Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine prior to a speech before the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. The Associated Press)

Obama up in Virginia

Faithfull at WVaBlue points out that Obama, an anti-mountaintop removal candidate, is leading in the coal state of Virginia.

Virginia is showing that not only can a candidate who opposes mountaintop removal be competitive...but two seperate polls are showing that Senator Barack Obama is up by 15+% in a mountaintop removal state.
Two polls have confirmed Obama over 50%, and Clinton under 40%.

Time: McCain ties Clinton, loses to Obama

Obama captured 48% of the vote in the theoretical match-up against McCain's 41%, the TIME poll reported, while Clinton and McCain would deadlock at 46% of the vote each. Put another way, McCain looks at the moment to have a narrowly better chance of beating the New York Senator than he does the relative newcomer from Illinois.

Obama wins W.Va.

Well, sort of.

According to the online straw poll be CAG and WV Patriots for Peace

Democrats Votes % Dem
Hillary Rodham Clinton 284 35.90
John Edwards 157 19.85
Mike Gravel 6 0.76
Barack Obama 344 43.49

Super Duper Tuesday

On the Democratic side, Obama wins the state-by-state count (including a last minute flip of Missouri) and exceeds expectations, but Clinton takes the big prizes of New York and California.

The race is basically right where it stood before today: a dead heat.

Rough estimates give Obama a slight delegate advantage, but as DHinMI at Kos points out, it's best to ignore these estimates, as delegates are alloted according to vote counts in individual congressional ditricts and it's too soon to tell.

"Democrat, on the other hand, award delegates on a proportional basis. Until the votes are completely tallied, we won't know the proportion of the votes won in a given state by Hillary Clinton and the proportion won in that state by Barack Obama. Furthermore, about 75% of the pledged delegates awarded based on tonight's results will be parceled out by Congressional District, with the other 25% awarded proportionally based on the statewide totals.

Are any states completely done tallying the statewide totals and the congressional district by congressional district breakdowns? No. Therefore, it's impossible to know what the delegate count is."

On the GOP side, it looks like McCain has it nearly locked up, with Huckabee showing a few surprise wins. With the GOP's winner take-all delegate allotment, McCain is miles ahead of his competition.

The most interesting news from this contest is the weakening link between the GOP media establishment and the Republican base. With nearly every high-profile conservative commentator (Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, Levin, etc) advocating for Romney and denouncing McCain and Huckabee, the trouncing of Romney shows these voices to be increasingly out-of-touch with their party. Limbaugh was trying preemptive damage control on Tuesday afternoon.

(Photos from AP)