Winter's Picks
Barack Obama has pulled in more than $2 million from overseas donors; opponent John McCain is nowhere near that, having received about $229,000.
The Associated Press has reviewed those donations and where they are coming from - literally across the globe from China to Mexico.
Based on a new poll released today, John McCain has opened up a five-point lead among likely voters over Barack Obama.
McCain has 46 percent and Obama 41 percent, according to the Reuters/Zogby poll. The survey also said McCain has a nine-point lead among likely voters who were asked which candidate would be the better manager of the economy.
Quote: The reversal follows a month of attacks by McCain, who has questioned Obama's experience, criticized his opposition to most new offshore oil drilling and mocked his overseas trip.
The poll was taken Thursday through Saturday as Obama wrapped up a weeklong vacation in Hawaii that ceded the political spotlight to McCain, who seized on Russia's invasion of Georgia to emphasize his foreign policy views.
The question is whether the rank-and-file Republican base would revolt against John McCain if he picks a pro-choice running mate. Apparently, top campaign officials are putting the feelers out to gauge opinion.
McCain is pro-choice, but two names that keep potting up are former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge and Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut. Both are pro-choice.
Quote: Rush Limbaugh used his radio program Tuesday to blast the idea of McCain, R-Ariz., selecting someone who isn’t a solid abortion opponent.
"If he picks a pro-choice running mate, it's not going to be pretty," Limbaugh said.
The question remains, however, so what if McCain does pick a pro-choice veep. Are Republicans going to revolt and vote for Barack Obama, who's also pro-choice and a lot more liberal?
At least that's the thinking of Investor's Business Daily, which thinks Barack Obama is a lot of glib, but John McCain has a lot more depth.
The publication came out with that pronouncement after last week's debate at Saddleback Church, home of pastor Rick Warren, author of the Purpose Driven Life.
Quote: To any honest observer, the differences between John McCain and Barack Obama have been evident all along. What we saw last weekend was Obama's shallowness juxtaposed with McCain's depth, the product of his extraordinary life experience.
It may not have been a debate, but it was one of the most lopsided political contests in memory. No wonder Obama wants to keep debate formats boring and predictable.
Don't think this will surprise many, but of the nation's biggest unions just announced its endorsement of Barack Obama.
Quote: UAW President Ron Gettelfinger says McCain "is content to rely on the failed policies of President Bush," which Gettelfinger says cost millions of U.S. manufacturing jobs.
