Morning Briefing (March 14, 2008)

These articles will get your day started…

1. The Rev. Wright controversy continues to make big news today. I have yet to find a really good article covering all dimensions of the issue, so I’ll probably just write one myself later today in consultation with JW. In the meantime, you can watch the video of his remarks here. (If you know of a really good article covering the issue, please notify us). While on the race issue, Kevin Drum offers some meaningful commentary on the issue and the coverage.
2. Matt Bai compares and contrasts (a phrase I haven’t used since 5th grade) the the chief strategists for the Obama and Clinton campaigns - David Axelrod and Mark Penn, respectively. For those that don’t know much about these guys, it’s worth a read since it’ll help illumine some of the meta issues of the campaign.
3. As many focus on the internecine struggle in the Democratic party, presumptive Republican nominee John McCain argues that they’ll be a real genocide if we withdraw from Iraq. This comes as support for the Iraq war quietly grows.
4. In seriously underreported news: the Treasurer of National Republican Congressional Committee reportedly embezzled $1 million dollars of Committee funds.
5. The Nation: “It’s OK to be intemperate…It’s time to stop firing campaign advisers for one or two intemperate remarks.” Hear, hear!
6. Debate On! Clinton and Obama accept debate in Pennsylvannia on April 16. Obama accepts an April 19 debate in North Carolina; Clinton yet to accept.

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