ANALYSIS
Obama has played it cool throughout his career
New York Times Jun 4, 08 4:22 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Barack Obama is not merely the first black presumptive presidential nominee of a major party—he's also only 46, having entered the Illinois state Senate just 11 years ago. He's also a brilliant, imperfect, unstoppably ambitious man with an astounding ability to remain calm throughout a manic campaign, writes the New York Times .
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Does David Axelrod qualify for the title?
Newsweek May 27, 08 11:47 AM CDT
(Newser)
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As John McCain struggles to purge his campaign staff of lobbyists, Barack Obama’s campaign manager is denying he fits the bill, too. "I've never lobbied anybody in my life," says David Axelrod, who is the senior partner at a consulting firm that has done what Newsweek calls "creative lobbying," in the form of ad campaigns for companies seeking to influence legislative decisions.
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10 tons carpet Illinois freeway in early-morning crash
Chicago Tribune May 19, 08 4:38 PM CDT
(Newser)
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An Illinois freeway got an unscheduled repaving this morning when a truck crash dumped 20,000 pounds of Oreos onto I-80, the Chicago Tribune reports. Police are still investigating what caused the big rig to hit a median, so no word on whether the driver (who was unhurt) had eaten more than his share of the treats—or if he'd been ambushed by Girl Scouts.
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Others could join '$4 club' after Memorial Day
Reuters May 15, 08 11:03 AM CDT
(Newser)
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It's here. Alaska has the painful distinction of becoming the first state where gas is selling for an average of $4 a gallon, Reuters reports. The average for the rest of the US is hovering at $3.76, but Connecticut, California, New York, and Illinois could all join Alaska in the $4-a-gallon club after Memorial Day weekend.
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Dem learned to pay his due on Chicago's South Side
New York Times May 11, 08 7:16 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Barack Obama was once a no-name politico on Chicago’s South Side with an Ivy League degree and few supporters, the New York Times reports. But he found allies by courting opposing groups, a balancing act that has proven effective on a national scale. “He’s looking for ways to make the tent as large as possible,” said one Obama mentor, dismissing claims that he’s “wishy-washy.”
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ANALYSIS
Repeat in Indiana
could wrap things up
Salon May 1, 08 7:52 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Given Barack Obama’s much-ballyhooed problems with white, working-class voters, it's instructive to remember that he clobbered Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin by 17 points in February, notes Mike Madden in Salon. If he can reconnect with those voters in Indiana—another state close to his Illinois home—he could wrap up the nomination. That is, of course, much easier said than done.
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Murder suspect should collect it himself,
says family
Chicago Tribune May 1, 08 3:33 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Suspected wife killer Drew Peterson is offering a $25,000 reward for information about his wife's disappearance, the Chicago Tribune reports. The Illinois ex-cop said he believes his fourth wife, Stacy, left with another man when she vanished six months ago. Stacy's relatives slammed the offer as a publicity stunt and suggested that Peterson, who's also being investigated in the death of his third wife, collect the reward himself.
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They deny allegations about Patrick Fitzgerald
Chicago Tribune Apr 23, 08 7:34 PM CDT
(Newser)
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One of Tony Rezko's associates conspired with Karl Rove to try to get US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald fired to quash a federal investigation of Rezko, the Chicago Tribune reports. Prosecutors hope a judge will allow testimony to that effect in Rezko's corruption trial. Rove denies the allegations, as does the man with whom he allegedly discussed the matter in 2004, a GOP heavyweight named Robert Kjellander.
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No damage reported in 4.5-magnitude rattling
CNN Apr 21, 08 4:55 AM CDT
(Newser)
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A magnitude 4.5 earthquake rattled southern Illinois early this morning in the strongest aftershock since the area was shaken by Friday’s 5.2 tremor, CNN reports. The rumble was centered in the same spot as last week's quake near the town of Mount Carmel, and began after midnight. No damage has been reported. Some 18 shakers followed Friday's quake, the strongest in the area in 40 years.
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Today's 5.2 temblor is 'not unusual' for region, expert says
ABC News Apr 18, 08 6:54 PM CDT
(Newser)
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A geologist has sent a ripple of curiosity through the media by calling today's Illinois earthquake “not unusual," ABC News reports. The 5.2 temblor, which caused no injuries or major damage, is one of many the state has experienced since 1795. One rocked 500,000 square miles in 1909. "Is this an earthquake zone?" researcher Nano Seeber asked. "Yes."
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No major damage reported in 20-second tremor
Chicago Tribune Apr 18, 08 7:45 AM CDT
(Newser)
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A moderate earthquake in southern Illinois was enough to wake far-off Chicago-area residents this morning, but no major damage was reported, the Chicago Tribune notes. The shake-up reached 5.2 on the Richter scale, shy of an area record of 5.4, but enough to move furniture. “For people in central Illinois, this is a big deal. It's not like California,” said a local man. Residents of Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Des Moines also felt the tremor.
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Family to file wrongful death action as judge cites murder findings
Chicago Tribune Apr 18, 08 3:20 AM CDT
(Newser)
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A judge yesterday replaced the executors for the estate of murder suspect Drew Peterson's third wife, paving the way for a wrongful death suit against the ex-cop. The judge cited recent autopsy findings saying Kathleen Savio was murdered. Her family now plans to file a wrongful death suit within weeks, their attorney told the Chicago Tribune .
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Flood crests expected over weekend; snow blasts Minnesota, Chicago
Associated Press Mar 21, 08 4:20 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Storms that caused flooding across the country's midsection have killed 16 people, and bad weather remains a threat, the AP reports. A snowstorm battering Minnesota and Illinois grounded hundreds of flights, and forecasters predicted a 9-inch total. Thousands were forced into shelters as rivers continued to swell; in many states, floodwaters might not crest until the weekend.
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