Mr. Obama had said he quit smoking at the beginning of his campaign for president, in early 2007. But he later admitted to having “bummed” cigarettes from others, and last week he told Barbara Walters that he had “fallen off the wagon.” On Sunday, Mr. Brokaw pressed Mr. Obama as to whether he had actually quit. “What I would say is, is that — that I have done a terrific job, under the [...]

John McCain’s campaign is sticking with its argument that Barack Obama is an aloof celebrity, as aides privately acknowledge that previous efforts to label Obama as a flip-flopper have been nowhere near as effective. The campaign’s ad this week comparing Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, though attracting criticism from Democrats, got heavy play on the Internet and in print and TV media. The [...]

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama on Monday questioned rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton‘s opposition to free trade agreements that some voters contend has eliminated thousands of U.S. jobs and mocked her weekend visit to an Indiana bar as pandering to the working class.”Around election time, the candidates can’t do enough for you. They’ll promise you anything, give you a long list [...]

In the midst of an assault from his rivals, a defensive Barack Obama said Friday that many working-class Americans are angry and bitter over economic inequalities and have lost faith in Washington — and, as a result, vote on the basis of other issues such as gun protections or gay marriageThe Illinois senator’s analysis of what motivates working-class voters came after chief rival Hillary Rodham [...]

Barack Obama is gaining steadily on Hillary Clinton among Democratic superdelegates, nearly erasing her last advantage in a presidential race where those party insiders could be the ultimate kingmakers.In a danger sign for Clinton, Obama over the past few months has sharply cut her lead among superdelegates — nearly 800 elected officials and party leaders free to back any candidate. “Obama [...]