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Barack Obama is in Germany, where he will meet German leader Angela Merkel. The likely Democratic presidential nominee will also give the only public speech of his weeklong foreign tour, at a Berlin park. On Friday, he'll visit France. Journalists Stefan Kornelius in Germany and Jean Lesieur in France talk about Obama's expected reception in Europe.
Parsing the presidential candidates' tax plans is necessary to understanding their general takes on the economy. Economist Len Burman has been doing just that. He is a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, which has just released a report comparing the candidates' proposed tax policies.
Jason Furman has been given the task of formulating Barack Obama's economic policy. He's the presidential hopeful's top economic adviser, and he will talk about where Obama stands on the most pressing economic issues.
Jul 24, 2008 9:30 AM
NPR Topics: Election 2008
Douglas Holtz-Eakin: The Man Behind McCain's Economic Plan
To win this coming election, presidential candidate John McCain must prove that he is as strong on the economy as he is on military and foreign affairs. His senior economic adviser, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, discusses McCain's approach to economic policy.
There's a chance Sen. Barack Obama would still be on the road to being the Democratic presidential nominee if it weren't for the acceptance of black athletes and coaches in American sports. But Frank Deford thinks it's a slim chance.
Jul 23, 2008 5:37 PM
Vote 2008 | NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | PBS
Obama Stands by Israel, Calls Iranian Nuclear Threat 'Grave'
As his Mideast tour continues, Sen. Barack Obama reiterated his support for Israel as an ally of the United States Wednesday and focused on his commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Barack Obama has met with top Israeli and Palestinian officials. His basic message has been that he is a friend of Israel who is committed to the special relationship between the two countries. He also said he would use "big sticks and big carrots" with Iran.
Republican John McCain held a town hall meeting in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and had a news conference scheduled for later in the day. Even so, he finds himself struggling to keep up with the attention paid to Barack Obama's foreign travel.
In this week's edition of The Political Junkie, guests discuss Barack Obama's visit to Iraq and John McCain's insistence that he was right to support the troop surge. Also: charges of pro-Obama media bias, and the latest word on top candidates for VP.
This year's presidential election will create at least one Senate vacancy. In Illinois, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is one of the possible choices to fill Barack Obama's seat, while Arizona's Democratic governor must name a Republican to the Senate if John McCain is elected president.
As Barack Obama makes headlines overseas, his presidential rival, John McCain, returned to New Hampshire on Tuesday. It's the site of his primary victory, and he used the visit to criticize the Illinois senator on foreign policy.
Barack Obama is expected to be received with the kind of religious fervor usually reserved for the Pope when he arrives in Germany on Thursday. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is seen by most Germans as a potential savior of Germany's close relationship with America.
Barack Obama is in Israel and the Palestinian territories Wednesday. The Democratic presidential candidate meets with senior officials of the Israeli government and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Obama is greeted warmly but with some skepticism by Israelis and Palestinians.
If elected, John McCain has said he would appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade. Barack Obama supports abortion rights but has said he's open to restrictions on late abortions.
Jul 22, 2008 6:59 PM
Vote 2008 | NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | PBS
Obama Outlines Mideast Policy Views as Overseas Tour Continues
After his first visit to Iraq as the likely Democratic nominee for president, Sen. Barack Obama said Tuesday in Amman, Jordan, that security in Iraq has improved and the U.S. should focus attention on aiding its political progress while turning more military attention to the worsening situation in Afghanistan.
Jul 22, 2008 6:37 PM
Vote 2008 | NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | PBS
Speculation Stirs Over Possible Unveiling of McCain VP Pick
Republican presidential hopeful John McCain could reveal his choice for a running mate as early as this week, sources close to the Arizona senator have said, according to CNN and Robert Novak's Evans-Novak Political Report.
Jul 22, 2008 6:07 PM
Vote 2008 | NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | PBS
McCain, Obama Trade More Jabs Over Foreign Policy
Sen. Barack Obama, on tour in the Middle East, and Sen. John McCain, on the campaign trail in New England, continue to spar over each other's Iraq policies and understanding of the situation in Afghanistan.
After a whirlwind tour of Afghanistan and Iraq, Barack Obama has met with U.S. reporters in Amman, Jordan, before meeting the king and then flying on to Israel. The Democratic candidate is making the most of his photo opportunities in his week abroad.
New Mexico has a higher percentage of Hispanics in its voting electorate than any other state, which is one reason Democrats hope to dominate there in November. The Obama campaign is targeting the state as a must-win in the West.
Jul 21, 2008 6:09 PM
Vote 2008 | NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | PBS
Obama's Trip Puts Focus on Candidates' Iraq, Afghan Plans
Sen. Barack Obama is working on his foreign policy credentials by meeting with leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan this week. Policy advisers discuss how Obama and GOP Sen. John McCain are approaching the conflicts.
Jul 21, 2008 6:08 PM
Vote 2008 | NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | PBS
Obama Meets with al-Maliki in Baghdad
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Monday on the latest stop of his high-profile overseas tour as the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Jul 21, 2008 5:36 PM
Vote 2008 | NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | PBS
McCain Hits Morning Shows as Networks Follow Obama Abroad
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain appeared on all three network morning shows Monday arguing that his Democratic rival Sen. Barack Obama was wrong on the surge strategy in Iraq. He also reiterated his criticism that Obama did not hold meetings about Afghanistan while chairman of a relevant Senate subcommittee.
