top news - "obama"

The presidential candidates are in the middle of an escalating battle for Catholic voters - most immediately between Senators Barack obama and Hillary Rodham clinton, but also between the two parties as they look ahead to the general election.

AP - After days on the campaign defensive, Democrat Barack obama accused rival Hillary Rodham clinton on Monday of leveling criticism straight from the republican playbook and said even so, he will win the White House over john mccain and an 'out of touch' GOP.

Sen. john mccain joined in the criticism of Sen. Barack obama yesterday for obama's comments about 'bitter' victims of small-town economic distress, while obama's rival for the Democratic presidential nomination weighed in with a tough new ad on the controversy.

Clinton and obama are more comfortable talking about religion than many from their party's past. But that doesn't make it any easier

WASHINGTON, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - presidential hopeful Barack obama, accused of being elitist for remarks he made about small-town american voters, said on Tuesday the slap at his background is amusing and signals a nation in the midst of 'political silly season.'

It's a time-honored tradition for candidates and campaigns to hand out cash in large amounts on election day in Philadelphia, as pay for poll workers or other campaign work. Barack obama's campaign announced it would not have such 'walking around money' available for the Pennsylvania primary on April 22, angering some in Philadelphia's black community who are asking why there's plenty of money for TV ads but not for streetworkers.

A long-forgotten essay written 43 years ago by Barack obama's father has surfaced, and its contents offers insight into the mind and the political trajectory of obama Sr., writes The Politico.

For a candidate sometimes mocked for being too soft to win a political fistfight, Barack obama has shown an uncanny ability to take a punch, and then rear back and deliver one in return, the Politico reports.

DEMOCRATIC candidates and political celebrities Barack obama and Hillary clinton greeted the foot soldiers of Philadelphia's Democratic Party last night with praise and inspiration - but no money.

The New York Times on Monday examined how Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham clinton (N.Y.) and Barack obama (Ill.) during their campaigns have said that funds spent on the war in Iraq are 'crowding out urgent national needs,' such as an expansion of health insurance to more U.S. residents.