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Both candidates were in Washington on Wednesday, first to each address the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and later when they are both expected in the Senate for a budget vote.
Obama and Clinton ran into each other at the AIPAC conference and had a brief chat, Obama spokeswoman Linda Douglass said.
"She’s an extraordinary leader of the Democratic Party, and has made history alongside me over the last 16 months. I’m very proud to have competed against her," Obama told the Israel lobbying group.
Some say putting Clinton on the ticket might fit the bill for uniting Democrats, but the former first lady promised Tuesday that she wouldn’t make an immediate decision on her future.
"Now, the question is: Where do we go from here?" she asked supporters Tuesday at New York’s Baruch College. "And given how far we’ve come and where we need to go as a party, it’s a question I don’t take lightly. This has been a long campaign, and I will be making no decisions tonight."
Clinton lavished her opponent with praise, saying he ran an "extraordinary race" and made politics more palatable for many.
"Sen. Obama has inspired so many Americans to care about politics and empowered so many more to get involved," she said. "Our party and our democracy is stronger and more vibrant as a result. So we are grateful."
But with some Democrats clamoring for her to join Obama on the ticket, and with the Democratic National Convention — and thus, the official anointment — still more than two months out, the senator from New York gave no hint as to her plan.
Even the White House seemed convinced of Obama’s victory. White House press secretary Dana Perino said Wednesday that President Bush congratulated Obama on becoming the first black White House nominee from a major party. She said his win shows the United States "has come a long way."

cnn.com

** FILE * In this Feb. 22, 2008, file photo Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., campaigns in Austin, Texas. Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, June 3, 2008, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates, ahead of the results from the day's final primaries in Montana and South Dakota. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
By TOM RAUM – 4 hours ago
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Barack Obama claimed the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday night in a long-time-coming victory speech that minced no words about his opponent in the fall campaign, Republican John McCain.
In prepared remarks, Obama challenged McCain’s claims of independence, noting he voted with President Bush 95 percent of the time last year.
“There are many words to describe John McCain’s attempt to pass off his embrace of George Bush’s policies as bipartisan and new,” Obama said. “But change is not one of them.”
The Illinois senator also reached out to Hillary Rodham Clinton, his defeated rival, calling her “a leader who inspires millions of Americans.”
“Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton,” Obama was to say on the night of the final Democratic contests in South Dakota and Montana and after he earned enough delegates to win the nomination.
Reuniting a party divided by the marathon, 17-month battle between the two historic candidates — a woman and a black man — will be a top challenge for the Illinois senator moving into a general election race against Arizona Sen. McCain.
“After fifty-four, hard-fought contests, our primary season has finally come to an end,” Obama said, recalling the day in February 2007 when he announced his candidacy at the Illinois Capitol and the millions who have voted since then.

ap.google.com

My Dad lives in a tiny town (2,500) in SD and he’s been assigned 1/4 of the Democrats in the town by the Obama campaign. That’s probably a whopping 200 people at most. He said Obama’s campaign had good, updated lists, a paid coordinator in a nearby town who was proactive at contacting him.
In Sioux Falls, Hillary has outdone Obama for visibility, but considering [Obama aide Steve] Hildebrand is from SD and never too big on visibility it is not surprising. Save the yard signs for the general. The Clinton family has out-campaigned Obama personally speaking, but the Obama field team has been much larger and much stronger in SD (13 field offices or so?). ARG is way off but I suspect it will be close.
I live in Sioux Falls, SD and I voted this morning. I live in a predominantly Republican part of the town, and as of 8:00 CST only 25 Dems had voted in my precinct. I agree with Scott Erb’s comment below that Obama must do very well in Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties to balance out any gains by Clinton in the rural areas. It will be a close race.
I’m in Billings where there seems to have been more Hillary activity over the last few days. I cannot vote, since I am a Wyoming resident, but my wife will vote for Obama during the lunch hour.
Yard signs for Obama outnumbered Clinton about 4 to 1 on the drive in to vote. At polling place it was busy but not slammed. Again, Obama buttons and T-Shirts outnumbered anyone wearing Clinton stuff by about 2 to 1.
That’s what I call retail politics. Maybe Obama can learn how to do it. Meet with real people instead of leaning on party insiders or just spending your loads of $$ on ads.

politico.com

WASHINGTON - Fresh beat familiar. Change beat experience. And not-Hillary beat Hillary.
Maybe it took someone new like Barack Obama — age 46, a relative newcomer to Washington — to toss aside the old political calculus and take on Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In any other year, it might have been political suicide. This year was different.
Tired of war and the ways of Washington, voters wanted change. Change? Obama offered nothing less than a chance to embrace history — a candidate who could become the nation’s first black president, pledging a different way of doing business in the nation’s capital.
“He ran a race that few people thought was possible a couple of years ago and was able to catch Hillary Clinton unprepared. She just didn’t see it coming until it was too late,” said Jack Pitney of Claremont McKenna College in California.
But the bitter primary fight exposed problems for Obama as well. He consistently lost key Democratic voters. Republicans already are trying to paint him as political naif. He’s limping to the finish line, even losing South Dakota last night.
Here are five things that helped Obama win the nomination and five pitfalls as he prepares to face John McCain.
1. Being Barack Obama When Obama stepped before the crowd on that freezing-cold day in Springfield, Ill., in February 2007, it was a day rich in political symbolism — a black man standing at the podium in the land of Lincoln, putting forth the seemingly unlikely notion that he could be elected president. After all, he had served just eight years in the Illinois state Senate and two in the U.S. Senate.
But his advisers believed their candidate didn’t merely talk of “change” and “hope”: He practically embodied it. “Two years ago it was apparent that this country was hungry for change … [a] new kind of leadership that would bring us together. This was one of those elections in which the candidate and the time sort of matched,” said Obama strategist David Axelrod.

newsday.com

(NECN: Louisville, Kentucky) - John McCain may get the headlines for his strong stance on continuing the war in Iraq, but it might be Mike Huckabee who gets the most soundbite plays.
Huckabee was speaking at the NRA convention Friday when there was a noise backstage. Huckabee turned, then ad libbed, “That was Barack Obama, he just tripped off a chair. He’s getting ready to speak - someone aimed a gun at him and he dove for the floor.”
The comment drew a few laughs from the crowd, but nothing from the Obama campaign. It declined to comment.

necn.com

UNIVERSITY PARK — Six familiar players were not present when Penn State started spring football practice this week. Those six players might not be present when the Nittany Lions start their season in September. Either way, the Nittany Lion seniors have no intention
of letting the rest of the team suffer.
“The guys who want to be here are going to be here, and the guys who aren’t, aren’t,” senior linebacker Sean Lee said Saturday. “We’re going to be concerned with the guys who are here playing football and wanting to be part of the team.”
Defensive tackle Chris Baker, wide receiver Chris Bell, linebacker Navorro Bowman, tight end Andrew Quarless, defensive tackle Phil Taylor and defensive back Knowledge Timmons, all of whom were in Penn State’s two-deep last season, were all indefinitely suspended during the winter by Penn State coach Joe Paterno for various disciplinary reasons.
“I want everything settled down,” Paterno said Saturday. “As I told all of them and their families, let’s wait and see what their grades are, whether there’s (anything) hanging over their heads. They can do the things they’ve got to do, and when the time comes. … I don’t know. I would hope all of them would be out in the fall. But right now, none of them are out.”
Paterno, who joked that there were only one or two players on the remaining squad “that I’d like to hit over the head with a bat,” has liked the leadership and approach he has seen through the first week of drills.
“I’ve been really pleased with the whole attitude of the squad,” Paterno said. “I’m not trying to be a Pollyanna, but I really feel very good about where we are.”
Penn State has at least one senior and two-year starter on each unit but quarterback and tailback. Those seniors have set the early tone for the rest of the team.

centredaily.com

French, a lifelong liberal Democrat whose mother campaigned for John F. Kennedy, says Obama has energized an entire new generation of voters who previously felt left out of politics.
“He has excited so many people,” said French, who founded Twisted Sister in 1973. “He has given sincere hope to people who have been out of the arena for years.”
French plays guitar on the track, which features Paulie Z., the singer for the band Z02, on vocals and lead guitar. They call the band “Jay Jay French and Friends” and stress that it is not a Twisted Sister project; that band’s members are split on who to support in the election.
The Obama camp had no immediate comment on the song.
It’s not the first ode to Obama from the rock world. Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has recorded and released two music videos extolling the virtues of Obama, “Yes We Can,” a viral sensation that has garnered more than 5 million hits on YouTube.com, and the more recent “We Are The Ones.”
French said an accompanying video will soon be released on YouTube, and hopes the song will someday be played at Obama rallies, where Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed And Delivered” currently reigns.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

newsday.com

A photo of Barack Obama donning traditional Muslim attire as a goodwill gesture during an overseas trip has sparked controversy.
The picture, which mysteriously surfaced yesterday, was attributed by The Drudge Report to sources within the campaign of Hillary Clinton.
The site did not reveal who might have released the photo, but it reeks of political fear-mongering. Here’s the picture in question…
Barack Obama donned the traditional Muslim garments during a trip to Kenya in 2006. Like many high-ranking U.S. visitors, he received such clothing as a gift.
Obama’s father is Kenyan, his mother from Kansas. The senator is Christian and has been a member of Chicago’s United Church of Christ for 20 years.
These facts did not stop some Clinton volunteers from circulating e-mails that falsely claimed Barack Obama is a Muslim late last year.
That bogus rumor (which he has worked hard to dispel) and the release of this picture are pathetic ploys to stoke the fears of ignorant Americans.
Hillary Clinton aides also suggested that his drug use as a young man might make him vulnerable to GOP attacks if he were the Democratic nominee.
She makes a point there. Thank goodness Bill Clinton didn’t inhale, otherwise he might have left himself vulnerable to GOP attacks. Phew!
How much more shameless and desperate can the former First Lady get? Stay tuned - the proverbial bar just keeps finding a way to go lower.
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fashion.ie

Obama selling false hope and false dreams
By Felicia Benamon
web posted February 25, 2008
It used to be that the average American voter had a pretty good head on their shoulders. Not so much anymore. Too many Americans are allowing the likes of Barack Obama to sway them into thinking that they will be rescued from their current situation should he win the presidency. They cannot see through the hype.
Has anyone bothered to take a look at what Obama stands for? What are his real views and plans for America?
It has been disclosed that Barack Obama is sponsoring a bill in the Senate called the Global Poverty Act, (S. 2433) that would cost the US billions. Think more and more taxes, courtesy of the US taxpayers to help the world! The UN would have a say in how US tax dollars are spent. Cliff Kincaid of AIM.org writes:
The US has been and is involved with helping nations around the world. We give the most aid and manpower (troops and civilian aid) to causes than any other country in the world. I’ve said it before; anything with the word "global" attached to it, beware! This bill will overextend the US and the UN will have greater control over what the US does. Sickening thought! The US is sovereign!
There are people right here in our own nation who are struggling in the downturn of the economy and people have lost jobs. Mr. Obama, why don’t you try telling taxpayers that you plan on using their money to care for the rest of the world when the taxpayers are struggling themselves?!
I have to question where Obama is really willing to take the US. Does he realize we must start right here in America to fix the many problems on our table? America should not strain and stretch itself to make sure the world has what it needs. With the value of the dollar below the Euro, and even Canada’s Dollar, the US is in need of a strong leader who will place the US first and foremost above all other worldly concerns. The welfare of other nations comes last at this point and time.
Where is Barack Obama’s loyalty to this country, a wonderful American nation? Is his loyalty more towards Africa? That seems to be the case as the church Obama attends claims loyalty to the "mother continent," Africa. The congregation of Trinity United Church of Christ claims to be "an African people" who are "true to their native land." At the church, heavy emphasis is placed on African studies.
Will Africa take precedence over America should Barack Obama become president? Barack Obama has been shown standing with his hands resting in front of him instead of over his heart as the National Anthem played. Now surfaces the questionable statement by his wife stating how proud she is of this nation for the first time:
Michelle Obama’s attitude of being proud of America in terms of her husband having "done well" and that folks want "change" is disturbing. She didn’t mention the greatness of America in the context of all the US has done for the world and for mankind. To me, it was a selfish remark. Barack and Michelle Obama do not represent me, nor any other American who wants to make sure that his/her country, stays intact. Perhaps Barack and Michelle Obama would like to indulge a bit more in American studies…to really get a sense of how great this nation has become despite our current challenges. The two of them want change alright, but change not necessarily for the better.
Yet still, crowds fall apart, people reduced to tears at Obama’s rallies. No doubt there are some who profess to be Christians who are part of those crowds. They are getting sucked into Obama’s talk of "hope". No politician can heal your wounds; no politician can offer you "hope." WAKE UP!! Only Jesus Christ can offer hope in this dismal world!
How has this nation gotten so far off the beaten path? We used to employ common sense and good sound judgment. Now we are running headstrong over someone who is full of fancy talk, but offers nothing containing substance.
And yes, scrutinizing politicians and combing over their record is something a voter should consider doing. The candidates running for president are within a hair of leading this nation, and as one can see from Barack Obama’s stealth plans for another tax on Americans, we’d better make sure that we send the right people to do the job.
Felicia Benamon is conservative writer, blogger, and activist. She writes for various conservative sites including TheRant.us, Michnews.com, Capitolhillcoffeehouse.com, and TheConservativeVoice.com.

enterstageright.com

By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News
LORIAN, Ohio – Hoping to strike a chord with blue collar Ohio voters worried about the sagging economy, Barack Obama on Sunday continued to criticize Hillary Rodham Clinton for her past support of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
"Sen. Clinton has been going to great lengths on the campaign trail to distance herself from NAFTA," Mr. Obama told a group gathered at a wallboard manufacturing plant. "Yesterday, she said NAFTA was ‘negotiated’ by the first President Bush, not by her husband. But let’s be clear: it was her husband who got NAFTA passed. In her own book, Senator Clinton called NAFTA one of ‘Bill’s successes’ and ‘legislative victories.’"
Mr. Obama said he has always been against the trade agreement.
"I don’t think NAFTA has been good for America," he said. "I never have."
Mr. Obama’s remarks come a day after he clashed with Mrs. Clinton over campaign mailers he circulated through Ohio that criticized the former first lady about NAFTA and her health care plan.
Mrs. Clinton reacted strongly to the mailers, telling Mr. Obama "shame on you" at a news conference in Ohio.
"It is time you ran a campaign consistent with your messages in public," Mrs. Clinton said. She also told Mr. Obama to "meet me in Ohio," which foreshadows Tuesday’s debate in Cleveland.
Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said Sunday Mr. Obama was misleading voters.
“Senator Obama’s insistence on repeating attacks that have been demonstrated to be false by independent entities proves once and for all that his speeches about the new politics are just words. That’s not change you can believe in,”Mr. Singer also noted that Pennsylvania’s FactCheck.org said Mr. Obama was wrong for using words Mr. Clinton never uttered in his mailer.
The Clinton campaign also said Mr. Obama once praised NAFTA in 2004 by saying the country benefited enormously from exports.
The latest acrimony reflected the campaign’s growing intensity, as Mrs. Clinton hopes to slow her rival’s momentum with big wins in Ohio and Texas.
If Mr. Obama wins one of those two states in the March 4 primary, it could pave a way for him to win the Democratic nomination for president.
The race is a dead heat in Texas, according to some polls. Mrs. Clinton has a modest lead in Ohio.
Mrs. Clinton does not favor NAFTA now, but has spoken in support of it in the past.
Mr. Obama said Sunday he thought it was fair to produce mailers about Mrs. Clinton’s prior comments about the trade agreement, even though she’s against it now.
He said she has made her experience and issue and the campaign, which makes her record on the issues fair game.
At the manufacturing plant in Lorain, Mr. Obama touted his economic proposals, trying to mollify voters worried about the loss of jobs.
He said NAFTA had cost the U.S. 1 million jobs, with 50,000 of those losses in Ohio.
But Mr. Obama told the group that he would amend the agreement, not abolish it.
"I don’t think it’s realistic for us to completely repeal NAFTA," Mr. Obama said. "To actually reverse it would result in even more job losses, not gains."
Mr. Obama said the agreement needed to protect workers, address environmental concerns and make other provisions, like the use of child labor.
"It’s still going to take some heavy lifting," he said.
He said that many of the states lost jobs were not coming back, adding that he would develop a job creation program.
"I refuse to accept that we have to stand idly by while workers lose their jobs that have shifted oversees," Mr. Obama said.

dallasnews.com