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Politics

Obama visits hometown of grandfather

By Times Wires
Published January 30, 2008

EL DORADO, Kan.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama campaigned in El Dorado, his maternal grandfather's hometown, and collected the endorsement of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Tuesday. Three days after winning the South Carolina primary, forging a coalition of black and white voters, he selected the old oil town where his maternal grandfather was reared to open a weeklong tour of states holding primaries and caucuses next week. The Illinois senator returned to the story that started his campaign a year ago, spinning the narrative of a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya, who "span miles and generations, races and realities," what he called "an American story." He had never visited El Dorado before Tuesday.

Senator says no snub of Clinton

Sen. Barack Obama on Tuesday sought to quell talk that he deliberately snubbed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, his rival for the Democratic nomination for president, during Monday night's State of the Union address. "Sen. Clinton and I have had very cordial relations off the floor and on the floor," he said. Obama said he was surprised by the reports and photographs showing him turning away when Clinton approached to shake hands with Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy. Obama and Clinton came within a foot of each other just before President Bush's speech without acknowledging each other. Earlier in the day, Kennedy had endorsed Obama.

Obama campaign sheds donations

After another review of campaign contributions, an aide to Sen. Barack Obama said Tuesday evening that the campaign was giving to charity $72,650 in donations tied to an indicted Chicago businessman, Antoin Rezko, who helped raise money for Obama's Senate campaign four years ago. Spokesman Bill Burton said the campaign had returned a total of $150,000 from Rezko, his employees, associates and family. The contributions were made to Obama's state legislative races in Chicago, as well as his 2004 Senate race.

WASHINGTON

Edwards plans major address

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards postponed campaign events in Alabama and North Dakota to make a major policy address on poverty today in New Orleans, where he launched his presidential bid 13 months ago. Campaign officials said Edwards wants to highlight the fact that President Bush did not focus on New Orleans, still reeling from Hurricane Katrina, during his State of the Union address. North Dakota and Alabama are scheduled to vote Tuesday.

NEW YORK

Clinton to visit Letterman show

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton will yuk it up on CBS's Late Show With David Letterman on Monday, a day before the Super Tuesday contests. She was last on the program Jan. 2.

Delegate count:

Democrat

Hillary Rodham Clinton 249

Barack Obama 181

John Edwards 56

Needed to nominate 2,025

Republican

John McCain 93

George Romney 59

Mike Huckabee 40

Ron Paul 4

Rudy Giuliani 1

Needed to nominate 1,191

Times wires

[Last modified January 30, 2008, 01:53:15]