Obama, Media Spar Over Coverage

Canadian PM's chief of staff linked to leaks about Obama talks

(NEWSER) - Ian Brodie, chief of staff to Canada's prime minister and the key figure in the "NAFTA-gate" scandal, will step down by summer, the Globe and Mail reports. Brodie, the architect of the Conservative Party's victory in 2006 elections, is under investigation in leaks that clouded the Democratic primary in Ohio in March. More»

Ambassador admits speaking to reporter

(NEWSER) - The scope of the Barack Obama NAFTA memo scandal widened again yesterday, with Canadian opposition legislators calling for the resignation of Canada's ambassador to the US after he was implicated, the Globe and Mail reports. Michael Wilson admitted speaking to the reporter who broke the story that the candidate was voicing opposition to the trade agreement merely for political purposes. More»

Harper's chief of staff accused of releasing Obama memo

(NEWSER) - Amid cross-party outcry, the prime minister of Canada says he'll expand an investigation into the NAFTA leak that may have contributed to Barack Obama's loss in Ohio, reports the Globe and Mail. The opposition is calling for the head of Ian Brodie, PM Stephen Harper's chief of staff, who is reported to have leaked the memo that said Obama's campaign against the trade agreement was only "political positioning." More»

Writers try calling the race ahead of time

(NEWSER) - March 4 has been a long time coming, and now political writers can’t be bothered to wait until the polls close in Ohio and Texas. Three early takes on today’s results:

• Josh Marshall sees a late-in-the-game turn in Hillary Clinton’s favor, and expects “minor or major crowing” from her camp tonight. Barack Obama's aura has become so bright that Clinton may come out with a net delegate loss and still get “a major shot in the arm.”

Report: Aide assured Canada the candidate was only 'positioning'

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton hammered Barack Obama today over reports that his chief economic adviser privately told Canadian officials anti-Nafta talk was “more about political positioning than a clear articulation of policy.” The simmering story lurched forward today when the AP obtained the Canadian memo, reports Talking Points Memo. Obama's aide called the memo “a pretty ham-handed description of what I answered.” More»