...And 5 in Oregon

Economic worries overcome key group's reservations about Obama

(NEWSER) - America's "Jane Sixpacks" are leaning toward the Democratic ticket in growing numbers, the Wall Street Journal reports. White, working-class women voters make up nearly a quarter of the electorate, and polls are finding that the economic crisis is convincing more voters in this vital group to back Barack Obama, especially in swing states like Michigan and Ohio. More»

Can Obama reach blue collars? Can Clinton get past them?

(NEWSER) - Oregon’s primary tomorrow finds the Democratic race at its most typical, with Barack Obama hoping to get a bigger slice of the blue-collar vote and Hillary Clinton trying to break further into the white-collar one. The progressive, urban, western part of the state and the rural east have little in common, the Boston Globe reports, and are at odds over the most suitable candidate. More»

Where Barack's missing out and what Hillary needs to do

(NEWSER) - John Edwards’ endorsement may have helped Obama turn the page on recent troubles, but pundits say he should face up to them—or he leaves an opening for Hillary to climb back in:

• Sure, it was a “rational, prudent decision” to skip West Virginia, David Broder allows, but it will keep Obama’s blue-collar question alive into the fall. He could have staged a JFK-style coup in the Mountain State—he certainly had the money and foot soldiers.

Move was inevitable, says Newsweek analyst

(NEWSER) - John Edwards’ endorsement of Barack Obama may “hammer another nail into Clinton’s subterranean coffin,” but it won’t do much to sway primary voters, Andrew Romano writes in Newsweek. Had Edwards taken a pro-Obama stand a few months ago, it might have helped the senator with blue-collar voters. But at this point, the endorsement was inevitable: “Edwards is a Democrat. Obama's the Democratic nominee. It had to happen eventually.” More»

McCain's GOP support grows even as Clinton, Obama numbers split

(NEWSER) - The continuing squabbling between the Democratic presidential candidates is taking a toll within the party and dividing groups considered crucial to a victory in November, polls show—even as more Republicans are lining up behind John McCain, the Wall Street Journal reports. "It is alarming and sickening," one Democratic observer said of emerging fault lines. More»