WASHINGTON _ The new Republican fundraising plan isn’t all that surprising once you understand that a campaign contribution, like water, always finds the cracks.

What’s a tad ironic is the beneficiary of this campaign cash: John McCain,  who has spent…

WASHINGTON _ This is one of those stories that cuts both ways for a candidate.

On one hand, John McCain has the reputation as a fellow with a short fuse, something not altogether desirable for the commander of the world’s biggest nuclear arsenal.…

WASHINGTON _ John McCain’s POW years and deep military roots are a key selling point for his presidential candidacy. At the Republican National Convention this summer, expect the GOP to frame McCain as an American hero, and rightly so.

So when somebody…

WASHINGTON _ On the flip-flop meter, John McCain’s recent embrace of off-shore oil exploration after opposing it over the years didn’t register quite as strong as Barack Obama renouncing public financing of his campaign.

But some folks noticed.  A fellow Republican, California…

WASHINGTON _ Maybe not, since John McCain has said similar things himself.

If you tuned into talking heads today, you’re probably hearing lots of teeth-gnashing over the remarks of Charlie Black, McCain’s veteran political strategist.

In an interview with Fortune Magazine, Black noted…

WASHINGTON _ Is Barack Obama breaking a promise to the American people?

Is the would-be Democratic reformer dooming hopes of those who want a publicly financed election unsullied by fat cats and influence-peddlers?

He’ll be deflecting such criticisms now that he…

WASHINGTON _ Yea, but until that happens they’ll be irritating us with their offers, counter-offers and silly clocks.

Barack Obama’s campaign said this afternoon that their candidate had offered to meet with John McCain at five joint appearances between now and Election Day, three…

WASHINGTON _ Expect a load of reaction from John McCain’s remark on the NBC Today show this morning about the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

In a statement that has Democratic ad-makers salivating, McCain seemingly played down the significance or American troops…

WASHINGTON _ Rep. Dan Boren, a Democrat in a state where there aren’t many, comes from the part of Oklahoma where Merle Haggard sang that song, Okie from Muskogee.

His father, David Boren, a former governor, U.S. senator and now president of the…

WASHINGTON _ A few minutes ago, John McCain’s “ecampaign” sent out a message that began thusly: “It has been 873 days since Sen. Obama’s one and only visit to Iraq.”

Tonight, Barack Obama planned to recall to an audience these words uttered…