One-time presidential contender John Edwards endorsed Sen. Barack Obama at a rally in Grand Rapids last night, proclaiming that the party must unify to defeat John McCain. "We are here tonight because the Democratic voters have made their choice," he said, "and so have I." The New York Times suggests that Edwards could help Obama woo working class white voters in the general election.
Edwards' endorsement came just hours after the national abortion-rights organization NARAL threw their support to the Illinois Senator, catching the Clinton camp -- a long-time ally of NARAL -- off-guard. When asked for a response, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson said he was "surprised" considering that his candidate's leadership on abortion rights had been "second to none."
Following their party's third consecutive loss in a special election, several GOP members of the Illinois congressional delegation believe the Republican Party needs to be "rebranded." Rep. Mark Kirk said several Republicans have inquired about his "suburban agenda," a bipartisan package of health care, environmental, education and other measures.
After what the State Journal-Register called "a confusing debate that mixed religious differences and personal criticism," a state Senate committee killed efforts to change the state law requiring students to take a moment of silence to reflect or pray at the beginning of the school day.
Despite threats from state Senate leaders to rewrite the bill, sources tell the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the body is poised to pass an ethics law today that would outlaw campaign contributions from state contractors to politicians. "I can't imagine there will be a single vote against it," said Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), the bill's sponsor.
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The Chicago City Council repealed its ban on foie gras by a 37-6 vote yesterday, legislation Mayor Daley has called "the silliest law the City Council has ever passed." The measure had been slipped into a routine part of the agenda that aldermen approved 48-1 in 2006. Daley also got the Council to drop a resolution advocating against attacking Iran, asking alderman to "let Obama answer all of those questions."
After weeks of public debate, critics and backers predict the controversial Chicago Children's Museum relocation plan will be endorsed today by the city's Plan Commission. Mayor Daley selects the 20-member panel and it's stacked with his allies, including six aldermen who typically back the mayor's initiatives and two Daley cabinet members.
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