News politics 2008-07-09 Andanh.com

Jackson apologizes for comment about Obama Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:28 EDT
The Rev. Jesse Jackson apologized Wednesday to Barack Obama for making a "regretfully crude" comment about the Democratic presidential hopeful during what he thought was a private conversation three days ago.

Jackson said the "hurtful and wrong" comments Sunday came in response to a question from a fellow guest during a break from taping "Fox & Friends." The guest asked about speeches on morality Obama has given at black churches.

Jackson said at a news conference that he had replied that Obama's speeches can come off as speaking down to black people and that there were other important issues to be addressed in the community, such as unemployment, the mortgage crisis and the number of blacks in prison.

He said he was not aware the microphone was still on.

Jackson declined to repeat the comments, but said he decided to apologize publicly after hearing from Fox that it would air them.

McCain: Social Security funding now `a disgrace' Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:33 EDT
The system for funding Social Security is "a disgrace" because it forces young workers to pay into a program that is unlikely to benefit them in its current form, Republican presidential candidate John McCain said this week, wading into politically touchy territory.

Like many other politicians, McCain often questions the long-term viability of the government retirement program. But he raised eyebrows with an unusually harsh assessment Monday at a town-hall forum in Denver.

Asked by a young woman if she is likely to receive Social Security benefits someday, McCain said it was unlikely "unless we fix it."

"Americans have got to understand that we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers in America today," he said. "And that's a disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace, and it's got to be fixed."

Some Democrats criticized the remarks because McCain basically was describing how Social Security has always worked. Current retiree benefits are supplied by payroll taxes from current workers.

Today on the presidential campaign trail Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:03 EDT
IN THE HEADLINES

McCain and Obama agree Iran must be pressured anew yet split over role of diplomacy ... Obama, Clinton head to New York with vice presidential vetter ... McCain says Social Security funding is a disgrace that must be fixed, but offers no remedies ... Union ad says McCain stance on war in Iraq keeps money away from jobs at home ... Germany chancellor uneasy over possible Brandenburg Gate address by Obama ... Obama expresses regret over TV interview of his children

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McCain and Obama call for new pressure on Iran

SOUTH PARK, Pa. (AP) - The two main presidential candidates agreed Wednesday that Iran's missile tests call for renewed pressure on that country, but Democrat Barack Obama stressed direct diplomacy while Republican John McCain focused on tougher sanctions against Tehran.

NJ GOP Club takes Obama-O.J. slogan off Web site Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:43 EDT
A local Republican Club in New Jersey has removed a slogan from its Web site that read, "Obama loves America like O.J. loved Nicole."

The Pemberton Republican Club had posted the slogan that referenced NFL Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson, who was acquitted in the 1994 murders of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman.

Bill Layton, the Burlington County Republican chairman, said the posting was not authorized by the party. "I think it's despicable, and I completely denounce it," he said.

Todd Riffle, spokesman for the New Jersey Republican State Committee, said the state party isn't tied to local Republican clubs.

The Pemberton Republican Club removed the slogan after Democrats alleged racist campaign tactics.

AFL-CIO ad criticizes McCain on war, veterans Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:58 EDT
The AFL-CIO plans to begin airing an ad in six presidential battleground states on Thursday that features a Vietnam combat veteran criticizing John McCain's stance on the war in Iraq and on veterans issues.

The ad is part of a new union political effort to reach the 2.1 million military veterans or active-duty personnel who are members of the AFL-CIO.

"Every vet respects John McCain's war record," Navy veteran Jim Wasser says in the ad. "It's his record in the Senate that I have a problem with."

Wasser, an electrician from Illinois, served with John Kerry aboard Navy Swift Boats in Vietnam and helped the Massachusetts senator rebut attacks on his war record during the 2004 presidential campaign.

In the ad, Wasser says McCain "wants us to keep spending $10 billion a month in Iraq. Just like Bush."

Merkel uneasy over Obama Brandenburg Gate address Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:58 EDT
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has signaled unease over the prospect of a possible speech by Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama at Berlin's historic Brandenburg Gate, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Merkel has "only limited understanding for using the Brandenburg Gate as an election campaign backdrop, as it were, and has expressed skepticism about pursuing such plans," Thomas Steg, a spokesman for the chancellor, told reporters.

However, Steg stressed that the chancellor is "very happy" for Obama to visit Germany and meet her and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Berlin city officials said this week that members of the Democratic candidate's campaign had contacted them about what permission and security issues would need to be resolved before Obama could speak in front of the monument.

The Obama campaign has refused to provide specifics on his plans during an upcoming visit to Europe and the Middle East, including the candidate's interest in a possible event at the Brandenburg Gate.

Obama: Iranian missile tests call for more talks Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:58 EDT
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says that Iran's missile tests highlight the need for tougher threats of economic sanctions as well as strong incentives to persuade Tehran to change its behavior.

Iran's state-run television reported Wednesday that the government had tested nine long- and medium-range missiles.

Appearing on NBC's "Today" show, Obama said the U.S. needed to pursue the kind of aggressive diplomacy that he said has been absent under the Bush administration.

Obama added that, in his words, "If we don't, then we're going to continue to see rising tensions that could lead into real problems."

Obama said he continued to favor an incentive package that is aimed at getting Iran to drop its nuclear ambitions.

McCain dodges question on Viagra, contraceptives Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:08 EDT
Republican John McCain prides himself on being a straight talker. But he resisted being dragged into a discussion Wednesday about insurance companies that cover Viagra but not birth control products.

"I certainly do not want to discuss that issue," the presidential candidate said when a reporter asked him about it on his campaign bus, the "Straight Talk Express."

A few seats away was Carly Fiorina, a top McCain supporter who stirred talk about the topic at a recent Washington breakfast with reporters. The former Hewlett-Packard chief executive, discussing consumer-driven health insurance, mentioned something "I've been hearing a lot about from women: There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice."

Fiorina is among McCain's most prominent female advisers, and seen by some as a possible choice to be his running mate.

When asked Wednesday if he had voted in the Senate against a proposal to require insurance companies to cover contraceptive products, McCain replied, "I don't know enough about it to give you an informed answer because I don't recall the vote... I don't usually duck an issue, but I'll try to get back to you."

Beshear seeks input, goodwill from tour Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:06 EDT

FRANKFORT . In an effort to regroup from a rocky start to his term, Gov. Steve Beshear will embark later this month on a 12-city town hall tour that will take him from Pikeville to Paducah.

The circuit will be key, Beshear's top aide said, as the administration retools its agenda in the wake of uncertain economic times and a rough first go-around with the General Assembly this spring.

.The governor is going to talk about where we are, how we got to where we are and the challenges that exist before us,. said Adam Edelen, who took over as Beshear's chief of staff last week. .And we'll be talking about some of his ideas for going forward. But broadly this also is a listening tour..

Beshear will seek Kentuckians' input about steps the state should take to improve in areas of education, health care, economic development and infrastructure, Edelen said.

Chinese Dir