Both Parties Look to November

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Obama won big in Oregon. In Kentucky, Clinton won a lot bigger. But Obama's still the likely Democratic nominee. We look forward to the November election. Are the states as evenly divided as they were in 2000 and 2004? Which Red or Blue states look Purple—and why? What about race and gender? Is the vice-presidential nominee likely to matter? Also, as oil set records, lawmakers try to look tough, and Lebanon's government gives Hezbollah a political foothold while Israel and Syria talk peace.

Making News

As Oil Prices Set Records, Lawmakers Try to Look Tough ()

The price of crude oil went past $132 a barrel today and $3.83 gasoline at the pump set a record. The House passed a law allowing suits against OPEC and the Senate Judiciary Committee grilled oil company executives. Kevin Hall is national economics correspondent for the McClatchy newspapers.

Guests:

Kevin Hall: National Economics Correspondent, McClatchy Newspapers

Main Topic

Presidential Primaries Make Way for Fall Campaign ()

In Kentucky and Oregon yesterday, white voters dominated, but with very different results. Hillary Clinton's Kentucky victory was overwhelming, and nearly half the state's Democrats said they would not support Barack Obama against John McCain. Obama now claims a majority of elected convention delegates. Today, they're both in Florida, as McCain was yesterday. It's one of the crucial "swing states" that could be decisive in November, just as it's been in the past. It will take 270 electoral votes to get to the White House, but each candidate is looking at separate contests in 50 different states. Has the calculus changed since 2000 and 2004, two of the closest elections in history? We look at red states, blue states and swing states around the country.

Guests:

Paul Maslin: Democratic pollster
Scott Reed: Republican strategist
Larry Sabato: Professor of Government, University of Virginia
Stephen Keating: Politics West Editor, Denver Post

Reporter's Notebook

Hezbollah Gains in Lebanon, Syria Talks Peace with Israel ()

Lebanon's fractious leaders are so unpopular that when they left Friday for negotiations in Qatar, a song called The Leaders Left Lebanon became an instant hit on music TV. But the country's 18-month old political crisis may be over after its beleaguered leaders came home with an agreement to politically legitimize Hezbollah. Meantime, Israel and Syria have confirmed they're trying to resolve their differences in talks moderated by Turkey. Andrews Lee Butters is in Beirut for Time magazine.

Guests:

Andrew Lee Butters: Middle East Correspondent, Time magazine

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