After sitting out the Democratic primaries, refusing to endorse either Senator Hillary Clinton or Senator Obama, former Vice President Al Gore has heartily endorsed Obama before a packed crowd at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit calling him "clearly the candidate best able to solve...problems and bring change to America."

Though seemingly unwilling to commit to either candidate during the campaign, perhaps out of respect to the former First Lady, Gore allegedly encouraged Obama in his bid for the presidency and offered some "good political advice" according to the presumptive Democratic nominee.

NBC's "Meet the Press" anchor Tim Russert has died of a heart attack in his Washington office on Friday aged 57.

Described as a "gentleman and a giant" by Senator Ted Kennedy, Russert was one of the most respected political voices in the U.S. media. He was NBC's Washington Bureau Chief and also hosted the self-titled CNBC/MSNBC weekend interview program Tim Russert.

He had also co-hosted the network's election night coverage.

He is survived by his wife Maureen and son Luke.


The New York Times lists tributes as does Fox News

Image: Tim Russert at the PRSA International Conference, Philadelphia in 2007. Credit: hyku/flickr

Barack Obama today made history as he garnered enough delegates to ensure he wrapped up the marathon Democratic nomination for the presidency.

Image: Sen. Obama campaigning in Des Moines,Iowa. Credit: Joe Crimmings Photography/flickr

The Illinois senator picked up enough delegates from the final two primaries in Montana and South Dakota and gains in superdelegates to give him the win, making him the first African-American to lead his party.

There was no immediate sign of concession from Sen. Hillary Clinton though, who told supporters at a rally that she would be making no decisions on her future tonight.

However she has pledged to "to do what it takes" to get the Democratic nominee in the White House in November, a sign she may be interested in the job as Obama's running mate.

Sen. Obama has described the event as a "defining moment for our nation".

Sen. Barack Obama looks to be nearing his goal of gaining enough delegates to claim the Democratic nomination as the two camps prepare for Tuesday's final two primaries in Montana and South Dakota.

Obama wont gain the pledged delegates from tomorrow's last two contests -- there aren't enough delegates on offer, however he is expected to be able to claim enough superdelegates to fall over the line, according to press reports.

With Obama needing just 41.5 delegates to win the nomination according to AP predictions, CNN has reported that most of the seventeen uncommitted Senate delegates will throw their support behind Obama following the end of the nomination process.

Image: Sen. Obama addresses a rally at the University of Maryland, Feb 2008. Credit: Thirty30 Photography/flickr

The soon-to-be-released memoirs by former White House press secretary Scott McClellan have caused a stir amongst Bush administration insiders and the Washington press corps.

Some, like former presidential adviser and feared political operative Karl Rove, have scrambled to limit the fallout from the apparent defection of one of the President's Texas inner circle. The political operative has accused him of grandstanding in order to sell a book.

Other Washington insiders have described McClellan's book as a desperate attempt to restore some credibility after allegedly being forced to deliver the administration's spin to the nation on a variety of important issues during his three year tenure from July 17, 2003 to April 26, 2006.