The Democrats

Democrats in Delicate Dance

A pair of carefully worded early-morning statements released by the national Democratic political leadership demonstrates the delicate dance underway as the protracted battle for the Democratic nomination draws to a close. --Paul Kane

Posted on June 4, 2008 at 08:27 AM ET | Comments (24)

Bayh: Wright Controversy Is Ammo for GOP

Dan Balz sat down with Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Indiana) yesterday to talk about the Democratic...

Posted on May 1, 2008 at 09:21 AM ET | Comments (46)

An Eco-friendly Convention Contest

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Democratic National Convention organizers have launched the "Green Delegate Challenge," which offers incentives to the delegation that does the most to offset its carbon footprint. --Juliet Eilperin

Posted on April 8, 2008 at 11:26 AM ET | Comments (5)

Obama Pivots Back to the Pocketbook

CHARLESTON, W.V. -- Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama, visiting the potentially critical state of West Virginia today, pivoted his campaign from the difficult issues of race and war back to pocketbook issues, making an economic case for ending the conflict in Iraq. --Jonathan Weisman

Posted on March 20, 2008 at 12:10 PM ET | Comments (43)

Florida Revote Plan Scuttled, Michigan Plan Stalls

Florida Democrats reversed course Monday and declared dead their plans to hold a do-over presidential primary to settle the dispute over whether their delegation to the national convention in Denver will be seated. --Dan Balz

Posted on March 17, 2008 at 06:48 PM ET | Comments (170)

Obama Wins More Delegates in Iowa, Calif.

Updated 11:33 p.m. By Peter Slevin CHICAGO - Sen. Barack Obama picked up nine more...

Posted on March 15, 2008 at 08:24 PM ET | Comments (316)

Primary Positioning

Eager to be able to claim victory in Michigan and Ohio, Hillary Clinton's campaign is aggressively pushing Barack Obama to reach an agreement for a re-vote in those states. --Perry Bacon Jr.

Posted on March 12, 2008 at 01:51 PM ET | Comments (24)

Fla. House Members Oppose Mail-In Vote

By Jonathan Weisman Just when a solution seemed within reach for the thorny issue of...

Posted on March 11, 2008 at 11:33 PM ET | Comments (33)

Clinton Woos Voters in Obama Territory

At a state dinner in the Mississippi Delta, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton acknowledges rival Barack Obama's popularity, then gently urgers voters to consider supporting her anyway.

Posted on March 7, 2008 at 06:41 AM ET | Comments (72)

Pennsylvanians Get Set for 'Iowa on Steroids'

PHILADELPHIA -- Pennsylvania State Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney sipped a cocktail in the Vesper Club off Walnut Street, ready for the political tsunami about to overtake his state. "I don't think most people know what we're in for," Rooney said, smiling. "And I mean that as a good thing." --Krissah Williams

Posted on March 5, 2008 at 06:03 PM ET | Comments (55)

Beyond Math to a Tougher Message for Obama

Barack Obama awoke Wednesday to a new race for the Democratic nomination. To hear him explain Hillary Clinton's stunning victories in Ohio and Texas, Tuesday's results did little to change the basic trajectory of the race. --Dan Balz

Posted on March 5, 2008 at 01:40 PM ET | Comments (203)

Onward to Guam!

Circle your calendar, book your flight. On May 3, Guam -- which increasingly looks like the New Hampshire of the Mariana Islands -- will hold its presidential primary, with nine Democratic delegates at stake. --Joel Achenbach

Posted on March 5, 2008 at 11:29 AM ET | Comments (5)

Obama Still Firmly in the Lead, Strategist Says

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- As Sen. Barack Obama wrapped up a brief speech to his supporters here, who had huddled outside for two hours on a chilly night, chief strategist David Axelrod sought to set the record straight about what appeared to be a good night for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. --Shailagh Murray

Posted on March 5, 2008 at 12:25 AM ET | Comments (187)

Clinton: Millions More Want Their Turn

Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content. var thisObj =...

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 11:47 PM ET | Comments (67)

Networks Call Ohio for Clinton

A volunteer makes phone calls in front of a mirror with the writing "I am...

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 11:06 PM ET | Comments (6)

Chaos Rules at Laredo Caucus

LAREDO, Tex. -- In an attempt to lure voters into this city's biggest caucus, the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns have brought an all-out carnival to the main entrance of United High School on the north side of town tonight. --Eli Saslow

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 10:33 PM ET | Comments (13)

Obama Calls McCain With Congratulations

By Shailagh Murray SAN ANTONIO -- Sen. Barack Obama called Sen. John McCain from his...

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 10:29 PM ET | Comments (8)

Counting Delegates and Hoping for a Win

By Shailagh Murray SAN ANTONIO -- Sen. Barack Obama's campaign aides are breathing a sigh...

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 10:01 PM ET | Comments (7)

Obama Lawyer Crashes Clinton Call

In an extraordinarily aggressive bit of pushback, Bob Bauer, general counsel to the Barack Obama campaign, jumped onto a Hillary Clinton campaign phone call with reporters on Tuesday night to dispute the premise of the call. --Anne E. Kornblut and Matthew Mosk

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 09:17 PM ET | Comments (46)

Notes From the Mahoning Valley

Some observations and hunches from visiting the economically depressed Mahoning Valley region in Ohio. --Alec MacGillis

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 08:07 PM ET | Comments (9)

Obama Campaign Requests Poll Hour Extension

By Shailagh Murray SAN ANTONIO -- Sen. Barack Obama's campaign is requesting a two-hour extension...

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 07:42 PM ET | Comments (27)

Obama Wins the Green Mountains

Of all the predictions ventured on what will happen as the votes are tallied today, perhaps the easiest call to make was the triumph of Barack Obama in the Green Mountain State.--Rachel Dry

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 07:36 PM ET | Comments (11)

Texas Dems to Campaigns: Play Fair

With more than 8,000 precincts and not enough volunteers to serve as precinct captains for tonight's caucus events, the Texas Democratic Party decided that the job of chair would be handed out on what amounts to a first-come, first-served basis. --Matthew Mosk

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 06:57 PM ET | Comments (11)

Economy Tops Again in Early Exit Polls

Early exit polls showed the economy tops in Ohio and Texas, and high Hispanic turnout in Texas. --Jon Cohen and Jennifer Agiesta

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 05:43 PM ET | Comments (12)

Ohio Elections Official Questions Obama Tactics

Ohio elections officials received complaints this morning from official poll workers about efforts by supporters of Democrat Barack Obama to serve as "legal poll monitors" who would be allowed to camp inside the voting stations. --Matthew Mosk

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 03:27 PM ET | Comments (68)

No Regrets From Obama

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and wife Michelle answer reporters' questions aboard the campaign plane,...

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 03:05 PM ET | Comments (31)

A Campaign for the Ages

By Dan Balz An e-mail arrived Tuesday morning from Ohio. "Just amazin'," read the subject...

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 03:01 PM ET | Comments (10)

In Hillaryland, Few Clues to the Candidate's Plans

HOUSTON -- In Hillaryland, the question is whether the candidate has stopped thinking about tomorrow. --Perry Bacon Jr.

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 01:34 PM ET | Comments (32)

Clinton Down, but Not Out, for the Count

What running the delegate numbers shows about Clinton's chances.--Peter Baker

Posted on March 4, 2008 at 10:52 AM ET | Comments (88)

Dean Warns Against Prolonged Primary

As the Democratic presidential primary heads into its third month of voting, party officials said Monday that Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean privately warned last week about the potential fallout from a protracted battle between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.--Paul Kane

Posted on March 3, 2008 at 10:55 PM ET | Comments (49)

Blog Survey Finds Early Voting Soars in Tex.

By Shailagh Murray The liberal-leaning Burnt Orange Report, a high-profile Texas political blog, offers some...

Posted on March 1, 2008 at 04:00 PM ET | Comments (84)

Obama's Ohio Grilling

CLEVELAND -- The Clinton campaign has sent indication that Barack Obama better be ready for a tough debate here tonight ("Meet me in Ohio," the senator herself warned on Saturday). If he is in for some tough questions, then Obama got a decent tuneup in this city two days ago, when he attended a meeting with about 100 Jewish community leaders.--Alec MacGillis

Posted on February 26, 2008 at 10:25 AM ET | Comments (99)

Officer Killed Guarding Clinton Motorcade

DALLAS -- A Dallas police officer guarding the Clinton motorcade was killed on Friday morning after getting into an accident just moments before Sen. Clinton passed by.--Anne E. Kornblut

Posted on February 22, 2008 at 11:37 AM ET | Comments (9)

McCain Calls Obama 'Naive'

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by his wife Cindy, left, former Ohio Sen. Mike...

Posted on February 20, 2008 at 01:33 PM ET | Comments (16)

Obama's Strategy to Avoid a Convention Fight

By Peter Slevin CHICAGO -- Before Sen. Barack Obama added Wisconsin and Hawaii to his...

Posted on February 20, 2008 at 01:18 PM ET | Comments (65)

Another Bleak Wednesday for Clinton

It is another bleak Wednesday for Hillary Clinton's campaign, the second in as many weeks in which she has awakened to the aftermath of what President Bush would call a thumpin'. Can a different strategy turn the tide?--Dan Balz

Posted on February 20, 2008 at 12:09 PM ET | Comments (306)

Obama Team Sees 'Wide Lead' Over Clinton

He didn't come out and say it, but Sen. Barack Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, came close this morning to asking Hillary Rodham Clinton to drop out of the race.--Jonathan Weisman

Posted on February 20, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET | Comments (32)

Obama Opens Two-Front Fight

An increasingly confident Obama is beginning to battle on two fronts, holding off Hillary Clinton with one arm as he takes increasingly frequent swings at John McCain with the other. --Jonathan Weisman

Posted on February 19, 2008 at 10:33 PM ET | Comments (46)

Victorious Obama : 'We Have Liftoff'

Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content. var thisObj =...

Posted on February 19, 2008 at 10:03 PM ET | Comments (69)

Clinton Defiant After Wisconsin Loss

Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content. var thisObj =...

Posted on February 19, 2008 at 09:49 PM ET | Comments (156)

Ben & Jerry & Obama

Obama wins a key Vermont endorsement: Ben & Jerry.--Rachel Dry

Posted on February 19, 2008 at 01:01 PM ET | Comments (21)

Any Given Tuesday

We like to think of the presidential campaign as a chain of events, a more or less linear process in which, if all goes as planned, chaos will inexorably give way to order. Pundits attempt to impose some narrative coherence upon the tangle of data points from the contested turf. Momentum is discerned. Opinions are polled and duly calibrated. Balloting results are contextualized. Over time, a narrative takes shape, one that ideally makes some kind of logical sense. But go talk to voters, and things get a little more convoluted. --Joel Achenbach

Posted on February 19, 2008 at 11:46 AM ET | Comments (8)

Obama Fires Back at Clinton Debate Ad

Hillary Clinton fired the first shot -- with an ad attacking Barack Obama in Wisconsin, and now Obama has answered back.--Matthew Mosk

Posted on February 14, 2008 at 03:59 PM ET | Comments (46)

Silver Lining for Clinton: Evangelical Support

Hillary Clinton lost to Barack Obama by sizable margins in all three contests yesterday, but one number out this week does break in her favor. According to a new poll, the quarter of white evangelicals who identify as Democrats overwhelmingly support Clinton..--Michelle Boorstein and Jacqueline L. Salmon

Posted on February 13, 2008 at 02:08 PM ET | Comments (5)

GOP House Leaders Flock to McCain

Republican presidential nominee-to-be John McCain received a far warmer welcome this morning from House Republicans than he had been led to expect -- he accepted the endorsements of the entire top House GOP leadership. --Jonathan Weisman

Posted on February 13, 2008 at 01:18 PM ET | Comments (6)

Clinton Sees No Cause for Alarm

MCALLEN, Tex. -- In the wake of her larger-than-expected losses on Tuesday, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton made a case that goes something like this: We always knew Sen. Barack Obama would win there. So it doesn't count. --Anne E. Kornblut

Posted on February 13, 2008 at 01:09 PM ET | Comments (20)

Clinton Frames Race as Solutions vs. Promises

Clinton officials are signaling a sharpened approach is on the way, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton gave a taste of it here at her first rally one day after losing by wide margins in the three-state Potomac primaries.--Anne E. Kornblut

Posted on February 13, 2008 at 11:48 AM ET | Comments (76)

Obama Team Touts Delegate Lead

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe asserted this morning that the Illinois senator had opened up a pledged delegate lead that appears all but insurmountable.--Shailagh Murray

Posted on February 13, 2008 at 11:10 AM ET | Comments (2)

Clinton Makes a Play for Wisconsin

Hillary Clinton's strategists have staked their bets on Texas and Ohio, but she is also now making a play for Wisconsin in hopes of scoring at least one more victory this month. Wisconsin has its contest on Feb. 19, the same day as Hawaii. --Anne E. Kornblut

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 11:01 PM ET | Comments (120)

Clinton Reshuffles Online Team

By Garance Franke-Ruta Along with the departures of campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle and deputy...

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 10:52 PM ET | Comments (64)

Ebullient Obama Rallies in Madison

Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content. var thisObj =...

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 10:37 PM ET | Comments (33)

Dems Swamp GOP in Va. Turnout

By Garance Franke-Ruta Barack Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton notices the trend and writes reporters,...

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 10:15 PM ET | Comments (8)

Clinton Looks Past Losses, to Texas

EL PASO -- As news of a triple loss in the Potomac primary became official, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton did what has become a new specialty of hers: She fled someplace else. --Anne E. Kornblut

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 10:02 PM ET | Comments (29)

Obama Sweeps Potomac Primary

The "Obama Mommas" -- from left to right, Kim O'Neale, Jasmine Beard, Nadirah Moreland, Christine...

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 09:52 PM ET | Comments (2)

More Shakeups in Hillaryland

By Anne E. Kornblut EL PASO -- On the heels of another trouncing, deputy campaign...

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 08:31 PM ET | Comments (24)

Obama Defeats Clinton in Virginia Primary

Sen. Barack Obama (Illinois) waves to voters as his car pulls away from Eastern Market...

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 07:25 PM ET | Comments (19)

Clintons Boast $12 Million Online Haul

The fundraising hauls just keep piling higher. Bill Clinton let the latest number slip while speaking in front of about 4,000 people at George Mason University last night -- his wife has taken in $12 million in Internet contributions since Super Tuesday, he said. --Matthew Mosk

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 07:22 PM ET | Comments (32)

Economy Tops in Exit Polls

By Jon Cohen and Jennifer Agiesta In both Maryland and Virginia, the economy is again...

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 06:46 PM ET | Comments (1)

MoveOn's Regional Move

When the antiwar group MoveOn.org endorsed Barack Obama recently, that brought the insurgent-turned-front-runner more than just money or the imprimatur of one of the most powerful institutions on the American left. It also brought forth a serious peer-to-peer get out the vote operation designed to bring MoveOn's activist members -- many of whom are intensely civically engaged already -- to the polls. --Garance Franke-Ruta

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 04:36 PM ET | Comments (1)

Obama TXTing His Way Forward

Early this morning, Sen. Barack Obama sent the first of three text messages to supporters who've signed up to his messaging program and live in the D.C. area. It's a jam-packed message, starting out with an Obama quote, then asking supporters to forward the text to their friends. Most importantly, the text provides an 866 number to call to find your polling location. All you'd have to do is click on the number on your cellphone to make the free call. --Jose Antonio Vargas

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 04:02 PM ET | Comments (7)

McCain, Obama Hug it Out

Sen. John McCain crossed the aisle in the Senate this morning to shake hands with Sen. Barack Obama. --Shailagh Murray

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 02:52 PM ET | Comments (9)

Labor Money Swings Clinton's Way

Outside players, especially labor unions looking to help Sen. Hillary Clinton, poured more money into the presidential contest this past week. --Matthew Mosk

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 02:44 PM ET | Comments (16)

Why a Clinton Losing Streak Won't Mean it's Over

Unless she manages to win one of the Potomac primaries Tuesday, Hillary Clinton will wake up Wednesday having lost eight consecutive contests to Barack Obama in just five days.--Dan Balz

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 01:50 PM ET | Comments (76)

Voting Pace Brisk in Maryland Suburbs

By Megan Greenwell and Steve Hendrix As voting in the "Potomac Primary" began this morning...

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 12:16 PM ET | Email a Comment

Dem Voters Speak Out in NoVa

Voters go tothe polls in Virginia. (Reuters.) By Nick Anderson Post reporters are finding some...

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 12:12 PM ET | Comments (4)

Who's the Underdog?

Is Hillary now the underdog? So says her husband. --Joel Achenbach

Posted on February 12, 2008 at 11:38 AM ET | Comments (55)

At Seattle Caucus, Strong Obama Support

In Seattle, sometimes, the cliché "latte liberal" really does apply.--Juliet Eilperin

Posted on February 9, 2008 at 06:05 PM ET | Comments (78)

Low Turnout in Louisiana Worries Obama Camp

Reports of low turnout in Louisiana caused a wave of concern in the Obama campaign on an otherwise smooth primary and caucus day in four states on Saturday.--Anne E. Kornblut

Posted on February 9, 2008 at 05:09 PM ET | Comments (105)

Internet Donors Fuel Obama

Word of Democrat Hillary Clinton's apparent financial problems struck many as a surprise yesterday. So what explains why her chief rival, Barack Obama, was able to vastly out-raise her in January?--Matthew A. Mosk

Posted on February 7, 2008 at 09:34 AM ET | Comments (90)

Obama Gears Up for Next Round

Barack Obama portrays himself as the challenger who did better than anyone expected in the Feb. 5 contests.--Shailagh Murray

Posted on February 6, 2008 at 12:30 PM ET | Comments (49)

Missouri Lead Flips After Clinton Claimed It

After the Clinton campaign sent out a press release this evening claiming a win in Missouri, under the heading "Hillary's Big Night," the lead in the Show-Me State flipped -- with Obama moving ahead by a few thousand votes to claim victory. --Shailagh Murray

Posted on February 6, 2008 at 01:09 AM ET | Comments (153)

AK: Obama Freezes Out Clinton

Barack Obama claimed a commanding lead in Alaska, outpolling Hillary Clinton by more than 2-to-1, with 60 percent of precincts reporting.--Christopher Lee

Posted on February 6, 2008 at 12:59 AM ET | Comments (16)

ID: Obama Sweeps With 80 Percent

Barack Obama swept the Idaho Democratic caucuses like a sudden blizzard, getting 80 percent of the vote to Hillary Clinton's 15 percent. --David Brown

Posted on February 6, 2008 at 12:53 AM ET | Comments (20)

MA: How Clinton Won It

Hillary Clinton was propelled to victory in Massachusetts by women around the state, blue collar workers in old mill towns and a formidable political organization that delivered voters precinct by precinct. --Lyndsey Layton

Posted on February 6, 2008 at 12:10 AM ET | Comments (20)

AK: Obama Claims Early Lead

Barack Obama claimed an early lead in Alaska, pulling in 68 percent of the vote to Hillary Clinton's 32 percent with 20 percent of precincts reporting. --Christopher Lee

Posted on February 6, 2008 at 12:09 AM ET | Comments (2)

NY: Clinton Wins 46 Delegate Advantage

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) scooped up a 44-delegate advantage in her home turf of New York state based on Tuesday's voting, winning 138 delegates to 94 delegates for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), according to a preliminary estimate by the New York State Democratic Party. --Spencer Hsu

Posted on February 6, 2008 at 12:00 AM ET | Comments (6)

Clinton Praises Supporters; Ca. Still Undecided

NEW YORK -- Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, Sen. John Kerry and Gov. Deval Patrick all went for Barack Obama after long courtships in which they were wooed by both Clintons. But the Massachusetts voters chose Hillary Clinton. --Perry Bacon Jr.

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 11:30 PM ET | Comments (28)

With No Clear Winner, Spin Wars Fierce

By Matthew Mosk As returns rolled in from around the country, Hillary Clinton's campaign staff...

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 11:30 PM ET | Email a Comment

MO: AP Calls for Clinton

Sen. Hillary Clinton has won the heavily-contested, closely-watched state of Missouri, according to the Associated Press. --Rob Stein

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 11:29 PM ET | Comments (31)

AZ: NBC Projects Clinton as Winner

In Arizona, with nearly half of poll results in, NBC has declared Sen. Hillary Clinton the winner. --Ann Scott Tyson

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 11:20 PM ET | Comments (1)

ND: Obama Wins Handily; Romney Ahead

Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton handily in North Dakota tonight, taking 61 percent of the vote in the Democratic caucus to Clinton's 37 percent. Mitt Romney was ahead for the Republicans with 37 percent of the vote. --Josh White

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 11:11 PM ET | Comments (1)

TN: Clinton Staffers Celebrate Win

A dozen Hillary Clinton staffers celebrated in Clinton's Nashville headquarters tonight after watching returns. --Krissah Williams

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 10:55 PM ET | Email a Comment

KS: Obama Wins Caucuses With 3-1 Margin

Barack Obama was declared the winner of the Kansas caucuses, thumping Hillary Clinton almost 3-to-1. --Marc Kaufman

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 10:54 PM ET | Email a Comment

NY: Historic Turnout

New York Democrats turned out in record numbers, surpassing the state presidential primary record set in 1988 in sending home state Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) to a 59 percent to 40 percent victory over Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).--Spencer S. Hsu

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 10:48 PM ET | Comments (2)

MN: Obama Takes State

The Washington Post and several other news outlets are projecting Barack Obama as the winner over Hillary Clinton in the Minnesota Democratic caucuses.--Christopher Lee

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 10:42 PM ET | Email a Comment

AL: AP Gives Win to Huckabee, Obama

Weekend campaigning helps push Mike Huckabee ahead of John McCain, but doesn't help Hillary Clinton defeat Barack Obama. --Darryl Fears

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 10:41 PM ET | Email a Comment

MO: Clinton Takes Lead

Hillary Clinton is opening a 57 percent to 38 percent lead over Barack Obama with a quarter of the vote tallied. --Rob Stein

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 10:31 PM ET | Comments (4)

Obama an 'Underdog' Again

CHICAGO -- When CNN called Delaware for Barack Obama moments ago, supporters gathering now in a basement ballroom here let out a robust cheer. But they really let it rip when CNN switched to a live shot of the room. --Shailagh Murray

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 10:13 PM ET | Comments (3)

MN: Obama Sprints to Early Lead

Sen. Barack Obama jumped out to a more than two-to-one lead over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton with 11 percent of the vote counted in Minnesota, which saw historic turnout at the party's caucuses.--Christopher Lee

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 10:08 PM ET | Comments (1)

Primary Season: When Will It End?

What if it's not over? What if it's not even close to over? This is turning into a scary night. --Joel Achenbach

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 10:07 PM ET | Comments (4)

DE: McCain, Obama Win

Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain won solid victories on a day of unusually heavy voter turnout in the First State. --Rick Weiss

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 09:44 PM ET | Comments (2)

NJ: Clinton Wins in Garden State

The Washington Post is projecting that Sen. Hillary Clinton (NY) has won the New Jersey Democratic primary.--Joby Warrick

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 09:43 PM ET | Comments (7)

KS: Obama Ahead

Barack Obama is leading in the Kansas caucus, pulling ahead of Clinton in the race for the 32 delegates to be selected.--Marc Kaufman

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 09:29 PM ET | Email a Comment

MN: Historic Turnout

Voting in Minnesota's Democratic caucuses closed at 9 p.m. EST, and initial indications pointed toward a record turnout.--Christopher Lee

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 09:22 PM ET | Email a Comment

TN: Tornadoes Hurt Obama's Chances

The tornadoes that touched down in western Tennessee tonight hurt Sen. Barack Obama in the state, said the state's Democratic Party spokesman Wade Munday.--Krissah Williams

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 09:21 PM ET | Comments (28)

NY: Clinton's Homework Pays Off

Clinton maintained her strong pre-election day lead over Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) across most demographic lines in the state that twice elected her to the U.S. Senate. Exit polls showed Clinton held onto a greater share of African American voters in N.Y. than elsewhere, while also carrying men and triggering a high turnout among women. --Spencer Hsu

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 09:11 PM ET | Comments (1)

AR: Former Gov., First Lady Projected Winners

Former governor Mike Huckabee and Hillary Clinton, the state's former first lady, have won the Arkansas primary, according to several news organizations. --Rob Stein

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 08:47 PM ET | Email a Comment

IL: Obama's Home Run

Sen. Barack Obama won his home state in a rout, according to Washington Post projections. Exit polls showed Obama trouncing Sen. Hillary Clinton by more than 30 points -- a margin he maintained among women, who have boosted Clinton's prospects in past contests.--Elizabeth Williamson

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 08:40 PM ET | Email a Comment

OK: Networks Call for Clinton

Hillary Clinton has won the Oklahoma primary, according to news outlets including The Post, AP, CNN and CBS. --Marc S. Kaufman

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 08:31 PM ET | Email a Comment

CA: Some Ballot Trouble for Independents

The crush of new independent voters in California is causing problems at the polls, with widespread complaints that those voters aren't be offered ballots that allow them to vote for the presidential candidates.--Robert Barnes

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 08:28 PM ET | Comments (26)

TN: Fox News Gives It to Clinton

Fox News called Tennessee for Sen. Hillary Clinton as polls closed in the state.--Krissah Williams

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 08:09 PM ET | Email a Comment

MO: Heavy Turnout Despite Wintry Mix

Polls closed in the hotly-contested state of Missouri, where election officials reported a heavy turnout despite heavy rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow. --Rob Stein

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 08:06 PM ET | Email a Comment

T.V. Talk Turns to Exit Polls

On CBS, they're making it sound like it's going to be a bad night for Hillary, apparently based on exit polls. There is talk of an Obama "surge." The only catch with these exit polls is that many people have not yet exited the polls, since the polls are still open all across the country, except in West Virginia, where there never were any polls, just a secret convention of men in trench coats. --Joel Achenbach

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 07:56 PM ET | Comments (1)

Talking Points From Clinton for Everyone

No need to wait for Clinton surrogates to start talking on television after the polls close. The Clinton campaign is helpfully e-mailing out its talking points.--Anne E. Kornblut

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 07:45 PM ET | Comments (1)

IL: Does Mother Know Best?

As wealthier Chicago suburbanites shift from blue to red, this massive bloc of reliable voters are a constant source of worry to Chicago's Democratic machine. They are enigmatic folks, these people -- people such as, well, my mother.--Elizabeth Williamson

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 07:17 PM ET | Comments (2)

Obama Camp Needles Clinton

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Obama campaign manager David Plouffe gave the brush off to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's challenge to four new debates. --Shailagh Murray

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 07:09 PM ET | Comments (38)

GA: Obama Sweeps the State

The Washington Post is projecting that Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) has won the Georgia Democratic primary. --Darryl Fears

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 07:06 PM ET | Comments (1)

DE: Turnout No Longer 'Abysmal'

Voter turnout appeared good -- "not overwhelming," but also "not abysmal," as it was four years ago, a state elections official said. --Rick Weiss

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 06:50 PM ET | Comments (2)

Delegates in Limbo Await Their Fates

Howard Dean was just on CNN, getting all tangled up in questions about those Florida and Michigan delegates. Officially, they don't count. They're dead. They're ghostly essences screaming in the torment of primary-season damnation. But wait: Maybe they really just exist in a kind of Purgatory, and, if Sen. Clinton has her way, they will still manage to ascend to the Democratic National Convention. --Joel Achenbach

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 06:08 PM ET | Comments (2)

IL: The Obama Clock

What does it say about Illinois's favorite son when nobody is tending the Obama Clock?Elizabeth Williamson

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 05:56 PM ET | Email a Comment

MA: University Polls Give Edge to Clinton

An NBC-Suffolk University poll of three Boston suburbs that have historically proved good predictors of election day outcomes, gives Hillary Rodham Clinton the win. --Lyndsey Layton

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 05:52 PM ET | Comments (2)

NY to Bloomberg: No Vote for You

New York has a closed primary for those registered with a political party. In June, Michael Bloomberg -- a onetime Democrat who ran for mayor as a Republican -- quit the GOP to become a political independent. --Keith Richburg

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 04:35 PM ET | Email a Comment

CA: Democrats, Get Your Calculators Ready

California Democrats: Calculators ready? Deciding who wins how many delegates tonight will not be for the faint of heart. --Robert Barnes

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 04:30 PM ET | Comments (1)

Upbeat Obama Casts His Vote

CHICAGO -- Barack Obama came home today to cast his first vote for himself since 2004, and to prepare for what he predicted would be a "good night" for his campaign. --Alec MacGillis

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 04:26 PM ET | Email a Comment

NY: Heavy Turnout, Few Problems

Voting in New York was reportedly heavy statewide, with isolated accounts of machine malfunctions in Brooklyn, a major battleground between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. --Spencer Hsu

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 04:06 PM ET | Comments (2)

TN: Keep an Eye on Shelby County

The tug-of-war between Obama and Clinton could come down to black voters, UT prof. Mike Fitzgerald said. He will be looking closely at exit polls in heavily African American Shelby County, near Memphis. If Obama makes a strong showing there, it is a sign he could do better than expected in Tennessee, Fitzgerald said. --Krissah Williams

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 03:47 PM ET | Comments (1)

Clinton Challenges Obama to a Debate a Week

If further evidence were needed that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton does not expect to sweep up tonight, she is now challenging Sen. Barack Obama to a debate a week going forward, her advisers said as voters were at the polls on Super Tuesday. --Anne E. Kornblut

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 02:45 PM ET | Comments (93)

Obama's Message Evolving

Barack Obama is throwing out more partisan red meat than he used to. --Alec MacGillis

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 02:27 PM ET | Comments (23)

MO: Weather May Affect Voting

State election officials are expecting a large turnout, but the weather may hinder some voters. --Rob Stein

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 02:22 PM ET | Email a Comment

AL: Late Rain Could Affect Voting

Late voters could be hampered by more than just confusion and the occassional machine malfunction. There is a 70 percent chance of rain this afternoon, and showers could last past the 7 p.m. CST close of voting. --Darryl Fears

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 01:40 PM ET | Email a Comment

GA: 200 Complaints Before Noon

Long lines greeted Georgia voters at the polls this morning in one of the tightest state primaries in recent memory. --Darryl Fears

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 01:20 PM ET | Email a Comment

CT: Steady Turnout

Turnout in Connecticut has been steady through the morning and could set a primary record, elections officials said. --Lyndsey Layton

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 12:51 PM ET | Email a Comment

AK: Worth Staying Up To See

Alaska won't report the results of its Super Tuesday party caucuses until close to midnight EST, but the vote offers something for political junkies that might be worth staying up late to see. --Christopher Lee

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 12:43 PM ET | Comments (2)

CA: SF Mayor for Clinton Because of Obama Snub?

Hillary Clinton's got a number of California's big-city mayors on her side, but perhaps she has Barack Obama to thank for the support of one of them, Gavin Newsom of San Francisco. --Robert Barnes

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 12:42 PM ET | Comments (17)

TN: Heavy Rain, Heavy Turnout

Voting is steady, but heavy rain is falling and tornadoes may touch down in West Tennessee. --Krissah Williams

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 12:30 PM ET | Email a Comment

NJ: Gov. Corzine Waits to Vote

Gov. Jon Corzine's is delayed in casting his vote when two voting machines malfunction. --Joby Warrick

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 12:06 PM ET | Email a Comment

NY: Clinton, McCain Start Early

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) voted near her home in Chappaqua, N.Y. and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) rallied at Rockefeller Center with former mayor Rudy Giuliani. --Spencer S. Hsu

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 11:20 AM ET | Comments (2)

NY: Lowey Recovering from 'Coronary Incident'

Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) is feeling better and hopes to leave the hospital tomorrow after suffering a minor coronary incident during a campaign rally Saturday. --Spencer Hsu

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 10:30 AM ET | Comments (3)

On the Road with the Obama 'Road Show'

BOSTON, Mass -- Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and his new best friend Barack Obama finished off a long day on the campaign trail here in the capital state of Camelot, one of the most hotly contested battlegrounds on tomorrow's election calendar. --Shailagh Murray

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 11:16 PM ET | Comments (4)

Clinton On Message, and On Television

NEW YORK -- Appearing on the "Late Show with David Letterman," Sen. Hillary Clinton, asked by Letterman about what role her husband would play her administration, said, "in my White House, we will know who wears the pantsuits." --Perry Bacon Jr.

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 10:59 PM ET | Comments (23)

KS: Excitement Over Caucuses High

The Kansas Democratic caucuses will be settled at least in part by how Kansans answer this question: What exactly makes someone a native son? --Marc S. Kaufman

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 10:34 PM ET | Comments (1)

NM: Scrapping for Delegates

New Mexico's vote on Tuesday will be only for Democrats, who are fighting for every last vote in this heavily Hispanic state. The Republican primary will be held in June. --Ann Scott Tyson

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 10:27 PM ET | Comments (1)

AR: Clinton and Huckabee Ties Go Deep

The race in Arkansas features a popular former governor, Mike Huckabee, and the wife of a former governor, Hillary Clinton, but neither appears to be taking the state for granted. --Rob Stein

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 10:20 PM ET | Comments (1)

UT: Mitt Romney's Sure Thing

Republicans who aren't named Mitt Romney have largely thrown in the towel in Utah, while advertising has exploded on the Democratic side in recent weeks as the race heated up, drawing Chelsea Clinton and Michelle Obama for visits. --Josh White

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 09:24 PM ET | Email a Comment

AL: Tight Races on Both Sides of the Aisle

Hillary Clinton has a flimsy lead going into Alabama's Democratic primary, so she sent her husband Bill Clinton to Huntsville on Saturday hold the line against Barack Obama. --Darryl Fears

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 09:13 PM ET | Email a Comment

MA: Obama on the Move in Bay State

Obama is quickly eating away at large leads enjoyed by Clinton in heavily Democratic Massachusetts. --Lyndsey Layton

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 07:21 PM ET | Comments (7)

Clinton Makes January Haul Public

Clinton's campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe told NBC's Tim Russert this evening that her campaign raised "about 13 million, $13.5 million" last month.--Matthew Mosk

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 07:14 PM ET | Comments (29)

AZ: McCain Ahead at Home; Dem. Race Tight

It is no surprise that Sen. John McCain has a strong lead in his home turf of Arizona, winning more than 40 percent of the Republican vote in recent polls. This despite strong criticism from some Arizona Republicans for his moderate position on immigration.--Ann Scott Tyson

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 07:08 PM ET | Email a Comment

IL: Obama, McCain Out Front in Land of Lincoln

There's a chance of light rain on primary day in Illinois, but little chance of advertising. The near-blackout reflects the clear leads Barack Obama and John McCain hold in the state. --Elizabeth Williamson

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 07:06 PM ET | Comments (29)

GA: A GOP Tie; Obama Leads with Dems

While the three Republican contenders are in a virtual dead heat, Sen. Barack Obama is leading Sen. Hillary Clinton by a margin that appears hard to overcome. --Daryl Fears

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 06:44 PM ET | Comments (4)

MO: Bellwether State Hopes for High Turnout

"We do not usually play a big role in the primaries," said Jack Cardetti of the Missouri Democratic Party. "But besides the number of delegates, there's a lot symbolism in winning Missouri....We've voted for the winner every year except for 1956."--Rob Stein

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 06:09 PM ET | Comments (7)

ID: Democrats Caucus Tomorrow

For decades, Idaho was delegate-poor, Republican-dense, and caucuses were held in March when the race for the nomination was usually over. This year, however, the party moved its caucuses to a date when Idaho's voice, however faint, might have a chance of being heard. --David Brown

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 05:49 PM ET | Email a Comment

In Patriot Country, Clinton Hopes For a Win

In a speech at Clark University here, Sen. Hillary Clinton appealed for a détente, but not with her rival, Barack Obama.--Perry Bacon Jr.

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 05:32 PM ET | Comments (5)

Empty Seats Greet Obama at the Meadowlands

Obama has been rising in the polls in New Jersey, which had been considered solid territory for the senator from neighboring New York, Hillary Clinton. Could the poor turnout be a sign of how much ground he still has to make up here? Or is just a sign of how much people dislike coming to the Meadowlands, the unsightly sports complex marooned among interstates and swampland? --Alec MacGillis

Posted on February 4, 2008 at 12:25 PM ET | Comments (29)

On Super Bowl Sunday, a Rally By and For Women

Her husband having attended to the city's Latino east side on a visit last week, Michelle Obama on Sunday headlined a rally that captured the essence of LA's west side, where power and glitter reflect constantly on one another. At Pauley Pavillion on the UCLA campus, Caroline Kennedy introduced Oprah Winfrey, who introduced the candidate's wife, who led Stevie Wonder to the microphone, after stumbling on steep stairs. --Karl Vick

Posted on February 3, 2008 at 10:19 PM ET | Comments (21)

Maria Shriver Comes Out for Obama

In a surprise move, California first lady Maria Shriver offered her support to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) at a Los Angeles rally today. --Garance Franke-Ruta

Posted on February 3, 2008 at 08:16 PM ET | Comments (19)

Obama Ups Contrast at Wilmington Rally of 20,000

Barack Obama expanded on his customary stump speech by including a new section arguing that he would make a stronger opponent against Sen. John McCain in the general election because he had opposed the war in Iraq from the start and would thus be less conflicted than Clinton in debating that issue with McCain. --Alec MacGillis

Posted on February 3, 2008 at 05:58 PM ET | Comments (63)

Clinton Pressed on Electability

ST. LOUIS -- With the competition for states and delegates heading toward its conclusion on Tuesday, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton talked readiness and electability during a question-and-answer session at a Machinists union labor hall in St. Louis. --Dan Balz

Posted on February 3, 2008 at 05:37 PM ET | Comments (14)

Super Bowl Super Tuesday Spots

Sen. Barack Obama, who raised over $32 million last month, will put some of that money to use on ads that will air in selected media markets during tonight's big game. --Matthew Mosk

Posted on February 3, 2008 at 04:37 PM ET | Comments (4)

At Missouri Church, Clinton Talks of History

ST. LOUIS -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton started her campaign day in church Sunday morning, mixing Biblical references with talk of the history-making Democratic nomination contest and direct criticism of Republican front-runner Sen. John McCain. --Dan Balz

Posted on February 3, 2008 at 01:05 PM ET | Comments (15)

Biden to Stay Neutral

Despite aggressive courting by Obama and both Clintons, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Joe Biden has informed both Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton that he's staying neutral. --Shailagh Murray

Posted on February 3, 2008 at 10:57 AM ET | Comments (24)

A Competitive Primary, a Family Divided

The competitive Democratic primary has set husbands against wives. --Jose Antonio Vargas

Posted on February 2, 2008 at 07:29 PM ET | Comments (12)

With Female Surrogates at His Side, Obama Crisscrosses the West

As Barack Obama has made his way across the plains states and West this week, one feature has been nearly as consistent as the talk of hope and change: he almost always has a woman or two by his side. --Alec MacGillis

Posted on February 2, 2008 at 01:27 PM ET | Comments (12)

Obama's Private Idaho

More than 14,000 people turned out to pack the Boise State University Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho, to see Barack Obama speak. --Alec MacGillis

Posted on February 2, 2008 at 01:01 PM ET | Comments (25)

Obama's Grassroots New York Campaign

New York may be Sen. Hillary Clinton's home turf, but the Obama campaign is targeting four heavily African American congressional districts in New York City, says State Senator Bill Perkins of Harlem, an Obama supporter, as well as ethnically mixed and majority-white areas throughout the state. --Robin Shulman

Posted on February 2, 2008 at 11:11 AM ET | Comments (25)

California Democratic Race Tightens

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton once enjoyed a healthy lead in California, but private polls taken in the past few days show the race tightening. --Dan Balz

Posted on February 1, 2008 at 07:02 PM ET | Comments (37)

Obama Talks Economy in the Southwest

On a day when the government delivered a gloomy jobs report, Sen. Barack Obama staged an economic summit -- featuring two former members of the Clinton administration cabinet - that quickly turned into a pep rally for his presidential campaign. --Dan Balz

Posted on February 1, 2008 at 05:29 PM ET | Comments (3)

Today's Top Political Stories | All »

TOP NEWS

Archives

More Campaign '08

Politics Newsletter (M-F)

Multimedia

The Presidential Field

Calendar / Events

Interaction

Polls

Archive