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U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama (AP) Last update - 13:23 11/02/2008 Obama rides momentum before 'Potomac Primaries' on Tuesday By Reuters Tags: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton  Democrat Barack Obama is riding a burst of momentum into Tuesday's U.S. presidential nominating contests with a string of weekend wins, while Republican John McCain received praise from onetime rival President George W. Bush as he tries to woo conservatives. Locked in a deadlocked state-by-state battle with Obama for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton replaced her campaign manager after Saturday's losses to the Illinois senator. Obama, who would be the first black president, scored a win in Maine on Sunday after sweeping caucuses in Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington a day earlier. Advertisement "We have now won on the Atlantic coast, we've won on the North Coast, we've won on the Pacific Coast, and we've won in between those coasts," Obama said at a rally in Virginia Beach, Virginia after the Maine results were announced. The Clinton staff shake-up came before the "Potomac Primary" on Tuesday when both parties hold contests in the U.S. capital and in neighboring Maryland and Virginia. At a rally at a university in Bowie, Maryland, Clinton told the audience their choice "matters this year more than ever" and they should "pick a Democratic nominee who has been tested and vetted and can go the distance against John McCain." Clinton, a New York senator who would be the first woman president, did not mention Obama's Maine victory nor did she discuss the staff shake-up. Clinton named Maggie Williams, a top aide when she was first lady, to take over as campaign manager from Patti Solis Doyle, who was moved into the role of senior adviser. Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia, said the shuffle indicated Clinton and her aides are concerned about the direction of her campaign. If you're the ocean liner of the Hillary Clinton campaign and you're trying to change course, this is how you would do it," he said. "All of the pieces are changing." While Clinton may be in a bit of trouble, "It's not over," Sabato said, adding that if she does well in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania, she could win the nomination. Clinton and Obama have been about even in pledged delegates but well short of the 2,025 needed to win the Democratic nomination for November's presidential election. Obama was leading in opinion polls and was expected to do well in Tuesday's balloting. Both Democrats and McCain, an Arizona senator, planned appearances across the region on Monday. McCain took a short break from campaigning but received a vote of confidence as well as some advice from Bush as he tried to ease fears among conservative Republicans that McCain was too liberal. "If John's the nominee, he has got some convincing to do to convince people that he is a solid conservative," Bush said on Fox News Sunday. "And I'll be glad to help him if he's the nominee, because he is a conservative." Bush and McCain have been bitter rivals in past election battles and have had many disagreements over issues like prisoner interrogation and taxes. McCain became the likely Republican nominee last week with the withdrawal of his chief rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Conservative Republicans are unhappy with the prospect of McCain as the nominee because of his voting record on such issues as taxes, immigration, stem cell research and campaign law reform. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee remains in the Republican race. He beat McCain in Louisiana and Kansas on Saturday and ran a very close second in Washington State. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, far behind in the Republican race, was a close third in Washington. Related articles: Obama backs Israel as Jewish state Barack Obama for Prime Minister of Israel Obama: Opponents trying to weaken my support in Jewish community Bookmark to del.icio.us   All in the family Tel Aviv municipality moves to retain contract with Gaza City as 'twin city.' Pining for a leader A documentary examines Ariel Sharon's motive for the Gaza disengagement.   1.   OBAMA IS THE MAN 12:43  |  indrajaya 11/02/08   2.   Obama is travelling light, Hillary overweight.!! 13:08  |  Stephen. 11/02/08   3.   Obama-a Republican creation 15:47  |  Brod 11/02/08   4.   momentum 16:55  |  Shmuelshachor 11/02/08   5.   Shmuelshachor - This is about OUR country 17:23  |  NYC American 11/02/08   6.   Don`t underestimate McCain and 17:25  |  Realist 11/02/08   7.   Realist #6 20:57  |  Brod 11/02/08

Today Online Hamas leaders go underground as Israel plans targeted killings Responses: 231 U.S. Jew says kicked out of Belgian cafe for wearing kippah Responses: 142 Harel and Issacharoff: New Hamas tactic: Bomb Israel into truce Responses: 114 Hebron settlers, Arab clans said holding 'reconciliation talks' Responses: 63 Rosner's Domain Rosner's Guest: Former Israeli ambassador to U.S. Danny Ayalon Think Clinton won the Jewish vote in California? Think again Maryland Jewish legislators for Obama (WTR) Factor: How's McCain better than Obama Poll: Is it legitimate to cut electricity to Gaza? More Headlines 18:59 Shas vows to quit gov't if talks, terror continue in tandem 20:36 Palestinians: Two civilians wounded in IAF strike in southern Gaza 19:15 U.S. Congressman, Holocaust survivor Tom Lantos dies at 80 20:33 Kiryat Yam sues Google over claim it was built on Arab village 21:00 Sderot residents protest in J'lem, demand PM quit over Qassams 17:35 Think Clinton won the Jewish vote in California? Think again 19:22 Prosecutor: AG was right not to indict police for Oct. 2000 deaths 20:33 U.S. Defense Department seeks death penalty for six Sept. 11 suspects 16:48 German Jewish leader: No need for aliyah agency like Nativ here 17:30 Barak: Israel won't be deterred from taking any action against Qassams 14:14 U.S. Jew says kicked out of Belgian cafe for wearing kippah 15:34 Ramon: Agreement of principles, not full peace deal, likely in 2008 Previous Editions Select Day 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan

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