John Edwards

Similar responses by two national political figures to very different but apparently tough questions were in the news Thursday. Elizabeth Edwards’ response (”that’s … complicated“) to Oprah Winfrey’s question about whether she still loves her philandering husband John seems to have inspired Gov. Tim Pawlenty. He took a similar tack with his answer (”it’s … involved“) [...]

John Edwards and Norm Coleman. Former U.S. senators? Check, and check. Current federal investigations? Check, and check (and check). Questionable billings of $100,000 or so? Check, and check. Issue of whether campaign funds went for personal expenses? Check, and check. Wife in headlines too? Check, and check.

“Cancer sells.” It’s not a maxim in general use among the Mad Men (and women) in advertising today. But where political TV spots are made — at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue — it’s been a regular if somewhat surprising touchstone in campaign ads this election cycle. Why? Health care is a top election issue, political ads aim to impact emotions, and — as Brian Rank, a Twin Cities oncologist, puts it — “cancer is an emotional microcosm of health care in the United States.” The ads range from hard-hitting to soft focus, some citing specific, individual cases while others take a broad-brush approach. Seven videos and more, after the jump.

Two parts. Our sister pub Michigan Messenger has a photoblog from the event as well.

CNN reports: “John Edwards will endorse Sen. Barack Obama Wednesday at a campaign event in Grand Rapids, Mich., according to Obama’s campaign.”

More from Chris Cilizza at the WashPost blog The Fix. And for live coverage please visit our sister site Michigan Messenger, where reporters are live at the event.

In an excellent letter to the editor of the New York Times, Sen. John Edwards calls the paper to task for failing to report on the real human impact of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He takes issue with writer Lawrence Downes for not detailing the real number of casualties. And he rebukes the media [...]

With a rout in South Carolina and John Edwards’ withdrawal from the race stealing headlines from Hillary Clinton’s sort-of-a-win in Florida, Barack Obama has surged in the polls, both nationally and state by state. The latest polls in California indicate a statistical tie, and Massachusetts has tightened as well, with Obama endorsements from both senators, [...]

Update: MSNBC is reporting that Edwards is quitting the race, with a formal announcement scheduled for noon CST today.

Before a crowd of more than a thousand supporters who braved plummeting temperatures to hear him speak, former Sen. John Edwards made clear his intention to stay in the presidential race as long as it took to [...]

With the early primaries over, the attention of the remaining presidential candidates now turns to Super-Duper-Tsunami Tuesday, just eight days away. This includes Minnesota, and for the first time in a very long time, the North Star State will play a significant role in deciding the nominees of both major parties.

It’s a political junkie’s dream.

Democratic [...]

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney easily won Nevada’s Republican caucuses, while New York Sen. Hillary Clinton narrowly defeated Illinois Sen. Barack Obama to win the Democratic caucuses in that state.

With approximately 80 percent of precincts reporting, Romney had won 53 percent of a Republican straw ballot.  Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, was in second place with [...]