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Politics up to the Minute

Superdelegates Flocking to Obama

Land of Lincolner has picked up 25 supers in the last two weeks-- while Clinton has lost two. The former first lady still leads-- 241 to 181, the AP says-- but gap is closing. Former Clinton superdelegate: "I think it's very important for us to play a role around bringing the party together around the candidate that people have chosen...." Two more announce for Obama Friday, from Ohio and from Pennsylvania. Permalink

Rangel: Clinton's "Xerox" Comment a "Lead Balloon"

The Harlem congressman and Clinton supporter tells NY1 her debate gibe about Obama's speech "didn't get off the ground." Permalink

Democrats Getting Outside Help in Texas, Ohio

Independent groups spending heavily before March 4 primaries. For Obama-- $150,000 Ohio mailing from Powerpac.Org For Clinton-- $150,000 Ohio and Texas mailing from Emily's List; $50,000 Ohio mailing from AFSCME. Permalink

PIRG-ish Professor Obama Plays Financial Adviser to Students

"Be careful about those credit cards," he tells University of Texas students in Edinburg. "Don't eat out as much, eat in." The former law prof also says college instructors have "a racket" of assigning their own textbooks to students. Permalink

McCain Adviser: "A Lot of Outrage" Over NY Times Story

Steve Schmidt tells TIME's Michael Scherer the story's led to "a lot of money" in new donations. Politico: Fundraising e-mail following the story prompted biggest haul of his campaign. Permalink

Indicted Rep. Renzi to Resign From McCain Campaign

McCain's Arizona co-chair will step down after being hit with 35-count corruption indictment. Permalink

No Veep Aspirations for Condoleezza Rice

Secretary of State again says she plans to return to Stanford. Running for office is "sort of not in my genes." Permalink

McCain Goes After Obama on Cuba

Releases harsh statement on rival's debate remark, saying it would be "dangerously naive in international diplomacy" to meet with Cuba's new leader. Read statement here. Says of resigning leader: "I hope he has the opportunity to meet Karl Marx very soon." Response from Obama campaign: "John McCain would give us four more years of the same Bush-McCain policies that have failed U.S. interests and the Cuban people for the last 50 years...." Read full statement. Plus: Fidel Castro responds to Thursday's debate. Permalink

Clinton: We Will Fight for Michigan, Florida Delegates

In some of her strongest language on the topic, Clinton says she'll press the issue and denies agreeing with the decision to not seat the states' delegations at the Denver convention. Tells Texas Monthly's Evan Smith that she agreed only to not campaign there, and doesn't want "to be disenfranchising Michigan and Florida."Read key exchange. Party officials are penalizing the states for holding their primaries before the sanctioned Feb. 5 starting date. Permalink

NY Times Boss "Surprised" By Story Response

Bill Keller says reaction was "lopsided" against Thursday's McCain bombshell. Surprised few people saw "the larger point." Read more reax from Times editors. More: McCain says at morning presser he won't go after the NY Times anymore, he's "moving on." Watch video here. Plus: White House spokesman says the Gray Lady has history of attacks against GOP politicians. Permalink

MARK HALPERIN IS AWAY

You can continue to get all your political news 24/7 from the time.com team on The Page.

The Political Schedule

*all times Eastern

Friday, January 9

- 10:45 am
- Barack Obama makes an announcement from his transition offices in Washington, D.C.
- 12:15 pm
- Colin Powell and Obama's Inaugural Committee hold a presser at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.