Candidates' Mates Have Us Running

Heilemann and Halperin drop plenty of 'spicy' bombshells

(NEWSER) - From Bill Clinton’s rumored affair to Harry Reid’s “negro voice” quote, John Heilemann and Mark Halperin’s Game Change is already making headlines. The book delivers a “spicy smorgasbord of observations, revelations, and allegations,” writes Michiko Kakutani of the New York Times . Some parts of it reveal “impressive legwork and access,” while others are essentially gossip or spin from particularly cooperative sources, many of whom are unnamed. More»

Her 'war room' feared disclosure at any time

(NEWSER) - Harry Reid's comment about candidate Obama not having a "Negro dialect" is grabbing the headlines today, but an upcoming book on the 2008 election has other salacious tidbits. Marc Ambinder got an advance copy of Game Change and has highlights at the Atlantic :

• Bill Clinton was involved in a long-term affair, and Hillary's campaign set up a "war room within a war room" to deal with the feared disclosure and all problems related to Bill's "libido." The book doesn't identify the woman.

Candidates offer differing views on 'fair tax,' extending Bush cuts

(NEWSER) - With President Bush’s tax cuts set to expire in 2010, tax reform could become a key issue in this year’s presidential race, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Most Republican candidates favor extending the cuts, though Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul support eliminating income tax altogether. The Democratic candidates almost universally favor repealing Bush’s cuts but differ slightly in their proposals. More»

Barack's kids, Fred's grandkids trotted out, but Judith is MIA

(NEWSER) - Bill Clinton yesterday gave up a precious New Year's Day on the couch watching football games to stump for his wife in Iowa, where he joked to the crowd that his football sacrifice prompted Hillary to say, "Finally, after all these years I know you do love me," AP reports. He was hardly alone: Iowa has been a family affair, with most of the candidates bringing out the extended clan. The exception: Rudy Giuliiani. More»

Clinton clings to slim lead, but poll finds 'lots of potential for change'

(NEWSER) - With just four days left before Iowans gather to caucus, a Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll released today found Hillary Clinton leads Barack Obama 31% to 27%, while GOP heavyweights Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are in a dead heat. Third-place Democratic contender John Edwards was running a strong 24%. Republican John McCain, who is focusing on New Hampshire, was the only other candidate in double digits with 11%. More»