Headlines from April 5th, 2008

At the annual Mansfield-Metcalf Dinner Clinton, Obama focused on local Montana issues including the environment, renewable energy, agriculture, health care. State's primary is June 3. Clinton tells crowd “One thing I hope you know about me is that I don’t quit." Read Obama's speech here. Earlier Saturday, Obama admires Montana, his 48th state of the campaign: "This is some pretty country. I think I need to learn fly fishing. Get some waders, go out there, clear my head. We may have to come back to Missoula." Pool report here. Permalink

McCain Calls for Obama to Rebuke "Warmonger" Comment

Candidate wants the Democratic contender to personally denounce radio talk show host Ed Schultz's comment that McCain is a "warmonger." Obama team denied Schultz's claim earlier, but McCain spokesman said Obama should intervene personally. Schultz made the comment Friday at an Obama fundraiser before Obama arrived. Permalink

Army Leaders Concerned About Troop Mental Health

NY Times: Joint Chiefs of Staff have expressed "deep concern" to President Bush about rising stress among soldiers returning to Iraq. More than one in four of combat soldiers repeatedly sent to Iraq show signs of anxiety, depression or acute stress. Plus: Candidates prepare to question Gen. Petraeus next week in the Senate. Permalink

Colombia Sacks Penn

Latin American government majorly annoyed that top Clinton adviser described meeting with their ambassador over trade agreement as an "error in judgment." "The Colombian government considers this a lack of respect to Colombians, and finds this response unacceptable." So: contract with Penn's Burson-Marsteller PR/communications firm terminated. Read full Colombian statement here. Permalink

Obama and Pennsylvania's "Lunch-Pail Democrats"

NY Times magazine examines the challenges for the candidate in places like blue-collar Levittown, Pennsylvania. Permalink

Ted Sorensen: Maybe Obama Should Tap Clinton as Veep Partner

Legendary JFK aide and Obama supporter cites party unity imperative and looks to JFK-LBJ model in must-read column by David Shribman. Quote from interview with Sorensen last week: "...Kennedy thought for reasons of unifying the party, Lyndon was the best man. This sort of thing can happen again. It wouldn't be the dumbest thing for Obama to think of this." Permalink

McCain Speech Stresses Unity

GOP candidate criticizes excessive partisanship in Saturday speech in Prescott, Arizona. "Mo Udall and Barry Goldwater taught me to believe that we are Americans first and partisans second, and I want to be a president that honors their faith in us." Full remarks here. Address comes on final day of his "Service to America" tour. Permalink