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The White House, pushing forward on its hard sell for a quick confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, rounded up law enforcement officials today to vouch for her.... Representatives from eight national law enforcement organizations endorsed Sotomayor, and the White House touted the support as proof that she'll be tough, but fair, on crime. "These groups know her record on crime: as a prosecutor and then on the federal bench, Judge Sotomayor has always been both fair and tough, and has followed the rule of law at every turn," the White House said in a statement. "The judge has...

TALLAHASSEE-- U.S. Sen. John McCain is endorsing Gov. Charlie Crist in his campaign for U.S. Senate. The Charlie Crist for Senate Campaign made the announcement Wednesday morning. "Today I am pleased to endorse Charlie Crist for the United States Senate," said Senator McCain. "Now more than ever, we need leaders who are committed to lower taxes, limiting government spending, and fighting for the people are needed in Washington."

(CNN) — She's become decidedly more outspoken since her father lost his bid for the presidency last November, but there's one question Meghan McCain refuses to answer: whether she sees herself supporting Sarah Palin should the Alaska governor run for president. In an interview on CNN's "No Bias, No Bull" Wednesday night, the daughter of Arizona Sen. John McCain said she couldn't "possibly make a prediction about 2012 right now."

Today the Track would like to implore all our loyal fans (especially you up there in New Hampshire!) to vote early and vote often: for John McCain. Do it - not for the children - but for the Hollywood Obamaphiles who we would dearly love to see just shut the hell up. Alec Baldwin, we love you. But you didn’t move to France - as promised - when John Kerry failed to unseat George W. Bush in 2004. In fact, since we keep Track of these things, it hasn’t escaped our notice that you are much better off than you...

Virginia’s U.S. Senate race between two former governors presents marked contrasts between the men in style and substance. Even those who prefer Republican Jim Gilmore’s platform say they like Democrat Mark Warner’s persona. We agree. How, then, to choose? Here’s one way: This year’s top voter concern, no surprise, is the economy. And on that measure, Mr. Gilmore’s principles and, yes, even his well-known stubbornness will better serve Virginia in the U.S. Senate. Mr. Gilmore’s principles are strongly aligned with foundational American freedoms — free enterprise, free markets, freedom to work and the right to vote freely in labor elections...

Yated Neeman is departing from its usual practice and endorsing Republican candidate Senator John McCain for President of the United States in the November 4 national elections. Senator McCain is an American war hero and a recognized expert on military and foreign affairs. He is a longtime friend of Israel. He is a dedicated reformer who has demonstrated great political courage and independence. He is also a man of great decency and honesty, with a deep sense of personal honor and patriotism. While the polls and the mainstream media are predicting a victory by Senator Barack Obama, his support appears...

It’s endorsement season and I can only imagine how many undecided voters have been waiting to see who I will endorse before making their minds up. In many respects, I have been doing a disservice to the country by keeping my endorsement secret for so long. And, unfortunately, I will not be able to fulfill this civic service in today's column. Instead, I will announce the list of candidates for president who I will not be endorsing this election cycle. Chuck Baldwin Ron Paul has endorsed this Constitution Party nominee. If you are of the persuasion that the reason radical...

A collection of The Times's endorsements for the presidency, from Abraham Lincoln in 1860 through the editorial board's choice of Senator Barack Obama this year.

One of the best ways to find out why you should vote against Sen. Barack Obama and the other Democrats on the ticket is to read endorsements for them, read their own campaign literature and, of course, listen to some of their wild, wacky, off-the-wall ideas that come forth in speeches and interviews. Take endorsements for Sen. Obama, where you would expect to find closely reasoned, well-documented conclusions. But you'll find the same hot air, the same glittering but meaningless generalities, the same oratorical gobbledygook that makes up Sen. Obama's speeches. Take the recent endorsement of Sen. Obama coming from...

HIGH PROFILE Feminists (yes, feminists!!) Endorse Palin by Greta Van Susteren October 21st, 2008 6:57 PM Eastern Check out who is endorsing McCain / Palin (yes, the REPUBLICAN ticket!! This is a surprise to many Democrats.) HENDERSON, NV At a rally in front of thousands of cheering supporters, Palin spent most of her speech talking about women. She started by mentioned some female endorsements: "First, Prameela Bartholomeusz a small business owner and a member of the Democratic National Platform Committee…Linda Klinge the former Oregon president and now Vice-President of the National Organization of WomenShelly Mandell President of the Los Angeles...

One of the lasting effects of Ronald Reagan’s administration was ending the so-called “Fairness Doctrine.” This was an insidious government intrusion into the news gathering process of every American. The doctrine required what was euphemistically called “equal time” which forced us in turn to listen to liberal propaganda in an “equal time” answer to conservative commentary. The Liberals hated Ronald Reagan for ending their scam. They can’t compete with conservative ideas in a free marketplace and they know it. For 20 years Liberals have waited for their chance to force us back to a Soviet style government controlled media. They...

From our friends over at the Hillary Clinton Forum: Bristol Herald Courier (Johnson City, TN) Chambersburg Public Opinion (Chambersburg, PA) Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX) El Campo Leader-News (El Campo, TX) Harrisburg Daily News Record (Harrisburg, VA) Jackson Sun (Jackson, TN) Las Vegas Review Journal (Las Vegas, NV) Savannah Morning News (Savannah, GA) Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, OH) Tampa Tribune (Tampa, FL) San Diego Union-Tribune (San Diego, CA)

In this time of great uncertainty, America needs an experienced, decisive leader with clear vision and a steady hand to guide us through. That man is Sen. John McCain. The troubles that will face the next President of the United States are numerous and perilous. They will test the character, the resolve and the mettle of the man we choose to deal with them. Of the two men who stand on the precipice of that great office, only John McCain has proved that he has what it takes to make the tough decisions in a time of crisis. Weeks ago,...

About 100 Napa County-based Barack Obama supporters showed up Monday afternoon on the front steps of the Napa Valley Register building in downtown Napa to protest the newspaper's Sunday endorsement of John McCain for President

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Calling him the true reformer in the presidential contest, members of Reform Party USA endorsed Sen. John McCain for president on Saturday. Party Chairman Frank MacKay said representatives from 27 states voted to endorse McCain, the Republican nominee and Arizona senator. None voted for Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. "It's a good day for reform," MacKay told The Associated Press. "Whether (McCain) wins or loses, I believe we did the right thing and it gives independents the best chance out there to elect one of our own to the White House." MacKay said the...

HERE IS a recap of our recommendations for this year’s election. We have analyzed candidates and ballot issues to reach our opinions. President: John McCain is the clear choice over Barack Obama. Sen. Obama promises the moon and the stars to various constituencies, while Sen. McCain stands foursquare on national security and cleaning up Washington, both of which he has a proven track record. U.S. Senator: We are withholding our endorsement until after the Chieftain-sponsored debate here in Pueblo on Monday. Congress - 3rd District: Democrat John Salazar is the clear choice over Republican Wayne Wolf. Rep. Salazar has proven...

This week the McCain-Palin team raked in a bonanza of endorsements. According to conventional wisdom endorsements don't matter that much in politics, but at least one of the multiple nods announced over the past two days for the GOP's ticket could make a big difference. NRA-PVF, the National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund, put the gun rights organization's stamp of approval on the Republican Party's presidential and vice presidential candidates, and that endorsement carries a load of clout. NRA doesn't always made a presidential endorsement in an election year, and it has not been overly enthusiastic about McCain. Jim Geraghty...

The Boston Herald is one of the first newspapers out of the gate with an endorsement in the presidential race -- and their money's on John McCain. The newspaper's endorsement Tuesday described the Republican presidential nominee as an experienced leader "who is steady in the face of crisis, mature in judgment and able to reach across the aisle to break the gridlock that has for too long gripped Washington." As the economy takes center stage in the presidential campaign, McCain has lost ground in recent national and battleground polls. But the Herald said McCain has the "courage" to make necessary...

Another sobering start to an exceedingly sobering week - but one which points to the need for a political leader who is steady in the face of crisis, mature in judgment and able to reach across the aisle to break the gridlock that has for too long gripped Washington. That man is Sen. John McCain and at this critical moment in history, this paper is pleased to endorse his candidacy for president of the United States. McCain won a lot of hearts and minds around here in 2000, and we can’t help but wonder how history might have been different...

Former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul said Wednesday that former Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, called him on Tuesday urging him to endorse John McCain, sparking charges from Democrats that the former McCain adviser is still active on behalf of the Republican presidential nominee. "I got a phone call yesterday and it was a bit of a surprise to me because their request was that I endorse John McCain. The argument was, 'he would do a little less harm than the other candidate,'" said Paul.

Barack Obama has a page on the photo sharing site called Flickr. On his profile, there are words of praise for him from fans far and wide. Here's a few (these are comments that have to be approved by the user, i.e. Obama's campaign, by the way): zanalee says: "Everywhere I go in NYC where I live, I feel this amazing spirit of support for you. I have never been so excited about a presidential candidate in my life! I wear my Obama button proudly. A woman on the train today told me I reminded her she should be wearing...

<p>There seems to be a kumbaya moment occurring on the conservative front, and it’s one that would apply a salve to Senator John McCain’s uneven, unsettled relationship with the religious right.</p> <p>Enter James Dobson, who has at times been blistering in his criticisms of Mr. McCain. The religious right’s more favored candidates — from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to even former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson — are no longer options.</p>

In a cozy Coconut Grove shop redolent of incense, Sandra Richardson hovers over six colorful tarot cards laid before her on a silk-covered table. She ponders the question: Obama or McCain? The middle-age self-described psychic consultant sweeps her ash blond hair from her shoulders. A crystal dangles around her neck. She points to the ace of cups — one of the three cards she drew for McCain. On it, a royal blue vessel emanates red, white, and gold squiggles. "This is a card with new emotional beginnings," she says. Her hazel eyes examine it before she laughs. "It's hard to...

President Daniel Ortega, who led the 1979 revolution in Nicaragua, says Barack Obama’s presidential bid is a “revolutionary” phenomenon in the United States. “It’s not to say that there is already a revolution under way in the U.S. … but yes, they are laying the foundations for a revolutionary change,” the Sandinista leader said Wednesday night as he accepted an honorary doctorate from an engineering university. Ortega led a Soviet-backed government that battled U.S.-supported Contra rebels before he lost power in a 1990 election. He returned to office last year via the ballot box. In statements broadcast on Sandinista Radio...

At least 14 Republican members of Congress have refused to endorse or publicly support Sen. John McCain for president, and more than a dozen others declined to answer whether they back the Arizona senator. Many of the recalcitrant GOP members declined to detail their reasons for withholding support, but Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.) expressed major concerns about McCain’s energy policies and Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) cited the Iraq war. A handful of other Republicans on Capitol Hill made the distinction between “endorsing” and “supporting,” adding that while they have not endorsed, they do support McCain. In recent weeks, much of...

Rep. Dan Boren, the lone Democrat in Oklahoma's congressional delegation, has declined to endorse Barack Obama, describing the Illinois senator as "the most liberal senator in the U.S. Senate." "Our nominee is not my first choice," Mr. Boren said in an Associated Press interview. Mr. Boren, who is seeking a third term in a conservative district, argued problems such as a stalling economy and high gas prices require a bipartisan spirit and "unfortunately, [Mr. Obama's] record does not reflect working in a bipartisan fashion." Also at source: Obama Establishes Internet War Room Plagued by e-mail rumors that he is a...

Fidel Castro has a fascinating op-ed in the state-run Cuban paper Granma, attacking Obama's recent Cuba speech with a slight note of regret that such a "progressive" candidate has taken such a hard-line stance. Castro charged that "Presidential candidate Obama’s speech may be formulated as follows: hunger for the nation, remittances as charitable hand-outs and visits to Cuba as propaganda for consumerism and the unsustainable way of life behind it." But he also made clear that Obama is his preferred candidate: He's "doubtless, from the social and human points of view, the most progressive candidate to the U.S. presidency."

The endorsement of Senator Barack Obama by former Senator John Edwards is a signal, though not an absolutely decisive one, of a shift in the commitment of the Democratic Party's unpledged centre. It is partly a result of sheer momentum - Edwards said as much when he said that the voters had evidently made their choice "and so have I" - but partly also a feeling of alarm at the way in which Mrs Clinton has polarised the campaign, and gone so far as to polarise it along ethnic and racial lines. Edwards himself ran a campaign very much along...

The Log Cabin Republicans of California, a gay GOP organization, has endorsed a number of Inland candidates in the June primary. The group said it didn't focus on "gay issues" in making its decisions because gays and lesbians already have many rights in California. Instead, the group looked at candidates' positions on issues such as lower taxes and public safety, said James Vaughn, the Log Cabin Republicans' state director. "The gay wars are over. We've moved on," Vaughn said. "We want to support Republicans who want to win elections, not fight losing battles." The group took neutral positions on some...

WASHINGTON — Nancy Larson's most difficult conversation was, by far, the one with Chelsea Clinton. "It was just heartbreaking," said Larson, a Democratic National Committee member from Minnesota and more to the point, a superdelegate who initially had pledged herself to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. This was April 12, after the former first daughter learned Larson would be shifting her allegiance to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. "She is a delightful young woman who loves her mother very much," Larson said. "She was really pushing me. She kept asking me why I was doing this. She just kept asking, 'Why? Why?'...

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, a superdelegate, is among those to receive campaign contributions from at least one of the current presidential candidates. Records show that Edwards, whose District 17 stretches from suburbs south of Fort Worth to east of College Station, received $7,500 from Barack Obama in the 2006 or 2008 election cycles or both, according to an analysis by the Capital Eye Web site. Edwards, who could not be reached for comment Friday, has endorsed Obama.

Some 50 delegates were reportedly poised to unite behind Barack Obama if he had won by even 1 point in Texas. He lost the popular vote by 100,000 ballots, and now we learn that 100,000 Republicans voted for Hillary Clinton, probably not because of some change in party allegiance but because they thought she would be the easier candidate to beat. This kind of strategic voting often backfires (think Ralph Nader). The Texas crossovers are winners. By helping to prolong the Democratic race, they can claim credit for weakening the eventual nominee, whoever it turns out to be. Obama has...

Former President Bush to endorse McCain By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer 11 minutes ago Republican officials say Former President George H.W. Bush will endorse John McCain in Texas on Monday. The endorsement is seen as another sign of McCain's tightening grip on the Republican presidential nomination. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the formal announcement is next week. The Arizona senator has been working to solidify his support from the Republican base. The nod from the former president and patriarch of the Bush family will certainly help.

Sen. Thad Cochran has shifted his support to Sen. John McCain for president. Cochran made the announcement in a statement Thursday after his first choice, former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, dropped out of the Republican race. Mississippi's other senator, Roger Wicker, a Republican, had endorsed former Tennessee senator, Fred Thompson, who has also withdrawn from the race. Wicker has not announced his support for another candidate. GOP Cong. Chip Pickering endorsed McCain last year. Cong. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat, has endorsed fellow Democrat, Barack Obama for president.

I suppose I could be accused of over-dramatizing, but I truly worry about the direction this nation is headed when contemplating a presidential race where the choices are liberal and liberal-light. If John McCain is the GOP nominee, that's what we'll be faced with, despite the Herculean efforts of some to spin it otherwise. In that case, the presidential candidates of both parties would be willing to use the bully pulpit and governing power of the presidency to suppress political speech, punish producers, oil companies and drug companies, open wider our borders, cater to the whacko environmental movement and its...

Facing an uphill battle in the November elections, Republicans need to nominate a presidential candidate who represents the best traditions of the Grand Old Party: fiscal responsibility, devotion to national security and honest conduct of the nation's business. Republican voters should consider themselves lucky. They have two candidates highly qualified to occupy the Oval Office: John McCain and Mitt Romney, two principled political figures who could chart a new course for our country and lead it forward with honor. In a close call, our endorsement goes to McCain, a war hero, experienced player in the U.S. Senate and Washington politics,...

Mitt Romney's record while governor of Massachusetts was much better than he's given credit for. It's the record of an achiever. The Republican governor led the fight to control sprawl and bring more affordable housing to the Bay State with groundbreaking laws and a dramatic reorganization of state agencies. In 2003, he combined transportation, housing, environmental and energy agencies into a super-agency, charged it with stopping runaway suburban growth, then appointed a Democrat environmentalist to run it. By comparison, Connecticut is still nibbling around the edges of smart growth. The former venture-capital company CEO and rescuer of the 2002 Winter...

Today Barack Obama earned the endorsement of MoveOn, one of the largest grassroots membership organizations in the United States, after clobbering Hillary Clinton by 40 percent in Internet balloting. Obama led the final tally 70.4% to 29.6%, clearing the supermajority required for the endorsement. MoveOn, which has never endorsed a presidential candidate before, boasts that it has 1.7 million members in Super Tuesday states. The group has over half a million members in California alone – roughly one out of ten primary voters in Tuesday's largest state. "We've learned that the key to achieving change in Washington without compromising core...

Make no mistake about it: If Hillary Clinton is elected president, her husband will be her rogue co-president, causing constant chaos, crises and conflicts for her new administration. And sometimes, that will be exactly what Hillary wants. Chaos is Bill Clinton’s signature style and he’s not about to suddenly change. No way. Nor does Hillary necessarily want him to be a new Bill. In many ways, his divisive role in her campaign has been carefully crafted by Hillary and her team. It might come in useful in the White House, too. Throughout Hillary’s campaign, Bill has given us an unfortunate...

by Dr. Patrick Briney, ARRA President: Mitt Romney received the endorsement by the conservative ARRA board of directors yesterday. The board was polled to determine whether to endorse a candidate, how to conduct such an endorsement, and then which candidate to endorse. The Florida primary results, the delegate count, candidate attrition, and national polls show that the Republican primary has come down to a two man contest between Mitt Romney and John McCain. As of January 29, 2008, the delegate count for the remaining Republican candidates is: John McCain 98, Mitt Romney 61, Mike Huckabee 26, and Ron Paul 8....

January 30, 2008 -- Democrats in 22 states across America go to the polls next Tuesday to pick between two presidential prospects: Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. We urge them to choose Obama - an untried candidate, to be sure, but preferable to the junior senator from New York. Obama represents a fresh start. His opponent, and her husband, stand for déjà vu all over again - a return to the opportunistic, scandal-scarred, morally muddled years of the almost infinitely self-indulgent Clinton co-presidency. Does America really want to go through all that once again? It will - if Sen....

Now that the Sunshine has set, two old friends come to an understanding. McCain topper Rick Davis quietly negotiated the agreement. HALPERIN’S TAKE: 10 things Giuliani could have done differently. Giuliani, in Florida concession speech, talked about his effort in the past tense, but said nothing explicit about dropping out — or The Deal.

It is often said that the best way to find out how a candidate would act in office if elected, is to see who he/she surrounds himself with. Money is another factor, what people and industries are backing the candidate. These answers should be an indicator of what to expect. Who is behind the man should gauge what kind of man he is. The great Richard Viguerie tells the story of how he and other conservatives had a “seat at the table” of the presidential campaigns of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan for. His thinking was if Conservatives aren’t at...

John McCain is earning more establishment endorsements these days, but prominent Republican lawyers -- a big part of that Capital "E" Establishment --, for the most part, are briefing someone else: Eugene Scalia, son of Justice Antonin Scalia and a former chief lawyer for the labor department, has been neutral in the presidential race until today. He's now aboard Lawyers for Romney, and joining him are about a dozen prominent Republican lawyers who, until Monday, had been supporters of Fred Thompson.

If any recent day typifies life in this crazy modern world, it was probably this past Tuesday. World financial markets were in a meltdown and the Federal Reserve held an emergency meeting to cut the interest rate a massive three quarters of a point in an attempt to stave off a precipitous stock market drop. President Bush was working with congressional leaders on an economic stimulus package to reduce the likelihood of a recession. Meanwhile the U.S. presidential campaign was in full swing with Hillary and Obama having just ripped each other to shreds at a debate, and Fred Thompson...

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) secured more than $1 million in federal funding last year for a Harlem-based non-profit whose leader gave her presidential campaign a major endorsement last weekend. Clinton -- who is aggressively competing for the black vote with her chief rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) -- touted the endorsement of Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, a prominent black leader and pastor of one of the oldest black churches in America, the Abyssinian Baptist Church of Harlem. The $555-billion FY 2008 omnibus spending bill approved last month by Congress included 11 appropriations bills with...

That's the name of a new anti-Huckabee web site started by former Thompson staffer Darrel Ng. Jonathan Martin has more on the site: Now that his candidate is out of the race, one Thompson staffer has gone the next stop and is actively working against Huck. Sorta. Darrel Ng, perhaps the heartiest and most dogged of Thompson's aides and somebody who logged many a mile on the Fred bus, has launched a website called "Boycott Chuck Norris." Yup, Ng now wants people to show their disregard for Huck by not patronizing any companies that use Norris as a pitchman. The...

Thursday, January 24, 2008, 05:40 PM The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign on Thursday rolled out a list of 11 Republican state lawmakers it had gathered up in the wake of the collapse of the Fred Thompson campaign. Top among them was House Rules Chairman Earl Ehrhart of Powder Springs. Senate President pro tem Eric Johnson of Savannah switched from Thompson to Romney on Monday — a day ahead of Thompson’s exit. In a press conference at the state Capitol, Speaker pro tem Mark Burkhalter of Alpharetta declared that Romney had now supplanted Thompson as the Republican campaign with...

We have strong disagreements with all the Republicans running for president. The leading candidates have no plan for getting American troops out of Iraq. They are too wedded to discredited economic theories and unwilling even now to break with the legacy of President Bush. We disagree with them strongly on what makes a good Supreme Court justice. Still, there is a choice to be made, and it is an easy one. Senator John McCain of Arizona is the only Republican who promises to end the George Bush style of governing from and on behalf of a small, angry fringe. With...

A far as legal-brained firepower goes, the chief beneficiary of Fred Thompson’s decision to pull out of the presidential race is Mitt Romney. The Romney campaign Thursday announced that a host of conservative lawyers_and_scholars who were backing Thompson have joined the Romney camp. Among them is Victoria Toensing, who made her mark as an anti-terrorism_policy-maker at the Justice Department during the Reagan administration. Toensing is joined by her husband (and fellow regular on the cable news circuit) Joseph diGenova, the former U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. To date, Romney’s conservative legal cabal has been notable for the presence of Catholic_scholars...