memeorandum: Skirting Appalachia — As Hillary Clinton's rout in West … (Charles M. Blow/New York Times)

10:55 AM ET, May 17, 2008

Top Items:

Obama Response To Bush McCain “Appeasement” Charge Shows Big Changes — When Senator Barack Obama responded to President George Bush and presumptive GOP Presidential nominee Senator John McCain's suggestion that he would indulge in the “appeasement” of terrorists, it underscored several lessons …

Discussion: Jules Crittenden and Oliver Willis

Jonathan Martin / Jonathan Martin's Blogs:

McCain, Bush to appear together in Phoenix for fundraiser — President George W. Bush will join John McCain for a fundraiser in the Arizona senator's hometown later this month, McCain's campaign confirms. — The reception, to be held in Phoenix on May 27th, will mark the first time the …

Discussion: Washington Wire, New York Times, AMERICAblog and The Page

Chris Cillizza / The Fix:
Knesset Kerfuffle Shows Obama Not Afraid to Engage

Discussion: Right Wing Nut House, Hot Air, Power Line and New York Times

New York Times:
See How They Run

Discussion: Connecting.the.Dots and Wonk Room

Jonathan Martin / Jonathan Martin's Blogs: Bush to raise money for McCain

Mark Steyn / Orange County Register:

Obama an appeaser? How dare you — “That's enough. That - that's a show of disrespect to me.” — That was Barack Obama, a couple of weeks back, explaining why he was casting the Rev. Jeremiah Wright into outer darkness. It's one thing to wallow in “adolescent grandiosity” …

Discussion: No More Mister Nice Blog, Macsmind, Power Line and Betsy's Page

Karl Rove / CNN:

Rove slams Obama over ‘bitter’ comments, flag pin — (CNN) — Karl Rove launched a wide-ranging attack on Barack Obama during a speech at the National Rifle Association Convention Friday, blasting him for his recent comments calling some small town American's “bitter,” and suggesting …

Discussion: The Impolitic, The Page and Marc Ambinder

Lindsey Ellerson / Political Radar:
Huckabee Jokes About Gun Aimed at Obama

Discussion: The Huffington Post and The Caucus

Marc Ambinder:
Rove Belittles Obama At NRA Convo

Discussion: Salon and The Page

Allahpundit / Hot Air:
Huckabee jokes at NRA conference about someone trying to shoot Obama …

Discussion: The Swamp, New York Times, The Washington Note, Corrente, MyDD, Crooks and Liars, Firedoglake, Pandagon, The Other McCain, Degree of Madness, TownHall Blog and The Hill's Blog Briefing Room

Kenneth P. Vogel / The Politico:

Hillary turns fire on media — PORTLAND, Ore. - Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign is increasingly aiming its punches not at her front-running opponent Barack Obama, but at the media. — On the campaign trail, in a new ad and in her meetings with donors and superdelegates …

Discussion: New York Times and Booman Tribune

Charles M. Blow / New York Times:

Skirting Appalachia — As Hillary Clinton's rout in West Virginia underscores, Appalachia is not Obama country. Of 410 counties in the region, which stretches from New York to Mississippi, Barack Obama has won only 48 (12 percent) so far. Of the counties he has lost, nearly 80 percent have been by a margin of more than 2 to 1.

Discussion: TalkLeft and The Confluence

Scot Lehigh / Boston Globe:

Clinton's ‘sexism’ dodge — LET'S SAY Hillary Clinton's remaining primary rival were not Barack Obama but a white male. Suppose she were ahead in pledged delegates, led in the popular vote in DNC-approved contests, had raised the most money, and had attracted the most contributors.

Discussion: Taylor Marsh, The Democratic Daily and Shakesville

John H. Hinderaker / Weekly Standard:

A Conspiracy So Lunatic... Only 60 Minutes could fall for it. — Jill Simpson is an unusual woman. A lawyer, she has scratched out an uncertain living in DeKalb County, Alabama. Fellow DeKalb County lawyers describe her as “a very strange person” who “lives in her own world.”

Discussion: Power Line and NewsBusters.org

Kavita Kumar / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Hundreds turn back on Schlafly at ceremony — ST. LOUIS — Some felt the silent protest with white armbands and the dramatic turning of backs was disrespectful. — But those who took part said it was a fitting way to show their disapproval that Washington University was honoring …

Discussion: Gateway Pundit, TBogg, The Corner and Feministing

Andrew Malcolm / Top of the Ticket:

A week after his 57-state remark, Obama puts himself in the wrong city — The nightmare comes in different versions. You show up for the first day of class, but it's really the final exam. You're introduced to speak to a large audience and totally forget what you're supposed to say.

Discussion: michellemalkin.com and Right Wing News

Dan Morain / Los Angeles Times:

Obama's wealth has skyrocketed — His assets were worth as much as $7.35 million at the end of 2007, an FEC filing shows. Even so, he is the least wealthy of the three major presidential candidates. — Barack Obama's wealth has more than doubled during his presidential campaign …

Discussion: The Caucus and The Page

Beth Frerking / The Politico:

NARAL reeling from Obama endorsement — With the clock running down on a long-fought primary, NARAL Pro-Choice America leaders sent state affiliates reeling this week by endorsing Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. It was seen as a gratuitous slap in the face to a longtime ally …

Discussion: Hot Air, Wizbang and Corrente

Lynn Bartels / Rocky Mountain News:

Spirited Dems swamp Springs for Day 1 of state convention — COLORADO SPRINGS — Hundreds of rowdy Democrats holding Clinton and Obama signs tried to out chant each other Friday afternoon at the kickoff of the Colorado Democratic Convention. — “Fired up! Ready to go!” Barack Obama supporters cheered.

Discussion: TalkLeft

Rasmussen Reports:

Election 2008: Maine Senate — Maine Senate: Collins (R) 52% Allen (D) 42% — The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Maine voters shows that the state's U.S. Senate race has gotten a little bit tighter this month. In her bid for re-election, Republican Senator Susan Collins …

Discussion: The Sideshow, MyDD, Cliff Schecter, Daily Kos, Eschaton and Swing State Project