Rising Star

by David J. Garrow

  17. Jeff Zeleny, “Sen. Obama Gets Grammy Nomination in Narration Category,” CT, 9 December 2005; Obama, The Al Franken Show, Air America, 9 December 2005; Wes Allison, “State Party Hitched to Rising Star,” SPT, 10 December 2005, p. A1; Steve Bousquet, “Obama Rocks the House at Florida’s Convention,” SPT, 11 December 2005, p. B4; Obama, CRec, 14 December 2005, pp. S13528–29; Obama and Mel Martinez, “Coming to America,” WSJ, 15 December 2005; transcript of Obama and Martinez press conference, 15 December 2005; Obama, CRec, 15 December 2005, pp. S13629–30; Obama, CRec, 16 December 2005, pp. S13773, 13788 (introducing S. 2125, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security and Democracy Promotion Act); Obama Podcast #12, “The Reauthorization of the Patriot Act,” 16 December 2005, Obama.Senate.gov; Deirdre Shesgreen, “Democrats’ Rising Star Takes First Year Carefully,” SLPD, 16 December 2005; Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Eric Lichtblau, “Senators Thwart Bush Bid to Renew Law on Terrorism,” NYT, 17 December 2005; Kurt Erickson, “Durbin Helps Kill Patriot Act Renewal,” BP, 17 December 2005, p. A1; Dori Meinert, “Democrats Assail Wiretaps,” PJS, 20 December 2005; Obama, CRec, 20 December 2005, pp. 14149–50 and S14187–88 (introducing S. 2149, the Summer Term Education Programs for Upward Performance [STEP UP] Act); Obama, CRec, 21 December 2005, p. 14248; Zeleny, “The First Time Around: Sen. Obama’s Freshman Year,” and “Q&A with Sen. Barack Obama,” CT, 25 December 2005; Obama and Sam Brownback, “Policy Adrift on Darfur,” WP, 27 December 2005; Heilemann and Halperin, Game Change, pp. 29–30.

  18. Jeff Zeleny, “Obama Making 1st Trip to Iraq,” CT, 5 January 2006; Jason Straziuso, “Obama: Involve More Minorities in Iraq Government,” AP, 7 January 2006; Borzou Daragahi, “Congressmen Warn Iraqis to Shape Up,” CT, 8 January 2006; Lynn Sweet, “Obama Sees No Military Solution in Iraq,” CST, 8 January 2006, p. A8; Eric Krol, “Obama: ‘Everything’s Up for Grabs’ in Iraq,” CDH, 8 January 2006, p. 7; Dori Meinert, “Obama: Obstacles Still in Iraq,” SJR, 8 January 2006; “U.S. Helicopter Crash Kills 12 in Iraq,” CNN.com, 9 January 2006; Obama Podcast #13, “From the Road: Speaking with American Troops in Iraq,” 9 January 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Herb Keinon, “Rising Star Illinois Senator Obama on First Visit Here,” JP, 10 January 2006, p. 5; Chuck Goudie, “Obama Visits Remote Israeli Town with Chicago Ties,” ABC7 Chicago, 11 January 2006; “JUF Leaders Join Obama on Israel Visit,” JUF News, [11 January 2006]; Goudie, “Obama Meets with Arafat’s Successor,” ABC7 Chicago, 12 January 2006; Goudie, “Obama Wraps Up Middle East Trip,” ABC7 Chicago, 13 January 2006; Obama Podcast #14, “From the Road: Israel and the Palestinian Territories,” 14 January 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Flynn Murphy, “Obama Townhall,” NS, 18 January 2006; USS, CFR, “New Initiatives in Cooperative Threat Reduction,” S. Hrg. 109-880, 9 February 2006, pp. 5–6, 23–29, 44–46; Ray Gibson and David Jackson, “Rezko Owns Vacant Lot Next to Obama’s Home,” CT, 1 November 2006; Dave McKinney and Chris Fusco, “Obama Spells Out ‘Regret’ After Land Deal with Rezko,” CST, 5 November 2006, p. A4; “How Obama Won Over a Tiny Arab Village,” JP, 22 February 2008; Obama’s CT and CST interviews, 14 March 2008; Goudie, “Obama’s Foreign Mission #2,” ABC7 Chicago, 17 July 2008; Goudie, “Obama World Trip Leaves Personal Controversies Behind,” CDH, 28 July 2008.

  19. Jeff Zeleny, “Obama Is Democrats’ Point Man on Ethics,” CT, 18 January 2006; Obama on Good Morning America, ABC, and American Morning, CNN, 18 January 2006; Obama Press Release, “Honest Leadership and Open Government,” 18 January 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Obama, CRec, 18 January 2006, p. S14 (introducing S. 2179, the CLEAN UP Act); Mike Dorning and Zeleny, “Democrats Put Their Ethics Reform Package on the Table,” and Zeleny, “Obama: ‘Plantation’ Remark Warranted,” CT, 19 January 2006; Obama on On the Record, Fox News, 20 January 2006; Lynn Sweet, “Obama to Pay Full Fare on Private Jet,” CST, 21 January 2006, p. 6; John Kass, “Obama Might Be Walking on Hot Water,” CT, 22 January 2006; Sweet, “After Cautious, Bipartisan Year, Obama Opens New Chapter,” CST, 22 January 2006, p. A12; Obama on Meet the Press, NBC, 22 January 2006; Sweet, “Obama Makes It Very Clear: No White House Bid in ’08,” CST, 23 January 2006, p. 4; “Obama to Vote No on the Nomination of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court,” 24 January 2006; Obama Podcast #15, “Today’s Meeting on Iraq with President Bush,” 25 January 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Obama, CRec, 26 January 2006, pp. S190–91 and S228–29 (introducing S. 2201, the FAA Fair Labor Management Dispute Resolution Act); Obama, remarks at the Lobbying Reform Summit, 26 January 2006; Jamie Francisco, “Obama Packs ’Em In, Riffs on Iraq, Alito,” CT, 31 January 2006; Obama Podcast #16, “Supreme Court Nomination of Samuel Alito,” 31 January 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Obama on the CBS Evening News, 31 January 2006; Jodi Enda, “Great Expectations,” American Prospect, February 2006, pp. 22ff.; Obama on Good Morning America, ABC, 1 February 2006; Obama, CRec, 1 February 2006, p. S431; Sweet, “Obama in Flight,” TH, 2 February 2006, p. 15; USS, CVA, “Jobs for Veterans Act Three Years Later,” S. Hrg. 109-632, 2 February 2006, pp. 9–10; Rachelle Treiber, “Sen. Obama Hosts Town Meeting in South Holland,” DS, 4 February 2006; Chas Reilly, “Obama Visits South Suburban College,” NIT, 4 February 2006; Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson, The Battle for America 2008 (Viking, 2009), p. 26; Heilemann and Halperin, Game Change, pp. 30–31; Axelrod, Believer, pp. 173–75.

  20. Obama to John McCain, 2 February 2006; McCain to Obama, 6 February 2006; Obama to McCain, 6 February 2006; Elana Schor, “McCain Counters Obama with Sharp Rebuttal on Lobbying Reform,” TH, 7 February 2006, p. 3; Jeff Zeleny, “McCain Slams ‘Posturing’ Obama,” CT, 7 February 2006; Lynn Sweet, “McCain: Obama Is Insincere,” CST, 7 February 2006, p. 8; Eric Krol, “McCain, Obama Sparring in Exchange of Letters,” CDH, 7 February 2006, p. 13; Josh Gerstein, “McCain Harangues Obama Over Bipartisan Lobbying Reform Effort,” NYS, 7 February 2006, p. 5; Zeleny, “McCain, Obama Bury the Hatchet,” CT, 8 February 2006; Sweet, “Obama on McCain: ‘I Think His Feelings Got Bruised,’” CST, 8 February 2006, p. 3; Obama and Jay Inslee, “Salvaging the Auto Industry,” BG, 8 February 2006; Obama, CRec, 8 February 2006, pp. S864, S867–68 (introducing S. 2257, the Hurricane Katrina Working Family Tax Relief Act, S. 2259, the Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission Act, and S. 2261, the Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act); Obama, “Testimony Before the Senate Rules Committee,” 8 February 2006; Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Differences Emerge Over Efforts to Restrict Lobbying,” NYT, 9 February 2006; “McCain v. Obama,” and Sweet, “Obama and Clarity,” TH, 9 February 2006, pp. 26, 27; Tory Newmyer, “Feud Settled, but Paths Split,” RC, 9 February 2006; Zeleny, “‘Pen Pals’ McCain, Obama Talk Pork,” CT, 9 February 2006; Sweet, “‘Pen Pals’ Obama, McCain Call a Truce,” CST, 9 February 2006, p. 3; Obama Podcast #17, “Lobbying and Ethics Reform,” 9 February 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Eric Pfeiffer, “Senate’s Golden Boy Shines Not So Brightly,” WT, 10 February 2006, p. A5; Howard Fineman, “Mark Salter: McCain’s Closest Aide,” Newsweek, 18 July 2008; Pete Rouse’s July 2008 interview with Jim Gilmore; Heilemann and Halperin, Game Change, pp. 323–25.

  21. Christina Chapman, “Morris Greets Obama,” JHN, 13 February 2006; Obama, CRec, 13 February 2006, pp. S1107–8; Obama, CRec, 14 February 2006, pp. S1177–78, 1179 (introducing S. 2280, the Stopping Transactions Which Operate to Promote Fraud, Risk and Under-Development [STOP FRAUD] Act and S. 2286, the Equality for Two-Parent Families Act); David Jackson, “Obama, Durbin Propose Federal Mortgage Reform,” CT, 15 February 2006; Dennis Conrad, “Obama: The Senator with the Midas Touch,” AP, 15 February 2006; USS, CFR, “The President’s Budget for Foreign Affairs,” S. Hrg. 109-769, 15 February 2006, pp. 44–46; USS, EPW, “Environmental Protection Agency’s Fiscal Year 2007 Budget,” S. Hrg. 109-1022, 15 February 2006, p. 1; Obama Podcast #18, “Darfur: Current Policy Not Enough,” 15 February 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; USS, CVA, “Hearing on Proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Budget for Department of Veterans Affairs Programs,” S. Hrg. 109-627, 16 February 2006, pp. 6–7; Obama, CRec, 16 February 2006, pp. S1401 and S1426–27; Obama, remarks at Ethics
Commission press conference, 16 February 2006; Obama on PBS NewsHour, 16 February 2006; Perry Bacon Jr., “The Exquisite Dilemma of Being Obama,” Time, 20 February 2006, pp. 24–28; Jeff Zeleny, “Stepping Off the Sidelines, into the Spotlight,” CT, 26 February 2006; Alexander Bolton, “Dems Cool on Obama Bill,” TH, 28 February 2006, p. 1; Obama Press Release, “Energy Security Is National Security,” Governors’ Ethanol Coalition, 28 February 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; David Bernstein, “Battle Lines,” CM, March 2006; Seth Borenstein, “Obama’s Fuel-Efficiency Swap,” KRDC, 1 March 2006; Obama, CRec, 1 March 2006, pp. S1581–82 (introducing S. 2348, the Nuclear Release Notice Act); Obama Podcast #19, “Energy Security Is National Security,” 1 March 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Obama, CRec, 2 March 2006, p. S1651 (introducing S. 2358, the VA Hospital Quality Report Act, and S. 2359, the Hospital Quality Report Card Act); USS, CFR, “A Nuclear Iran: Challenges and Responses,” S. Hrg. 109-679, 2 March 2006, pp. 39–43 (“We have generally, across the board, said that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable. I happen to share that view”); Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Senate Passes Legislation to Renew Patriot Act,” NYT, 3 March 2006; Obama, CRec, 3 March 2006, p. S1678; Kathy Kiely, “Democrats See Obama as Face of ‘Reform and Change,’” USAT, 6 March 2006; Obama, CRec, 7 March 2006, pp. S1822–23; Stolberg, “Fight Looms on Lawmakers’ Use of Corporate Jets,” NYT, 8 March 2006; Obama, CRec, 8 March 2006, p. S1868; Deirdre Shesgreen, “Obama Moves into Leadership Role on Ethics Legislation,” SLPD, 9 March 2006, p. A5; USS, EPW, “Oversight on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” S. Hrg. 109-1027, 9 March 2006, pp. 9–10, 26–30; Obama, CRec, 9 March 2006, p. S1953; Dori Meinert, “Obama Carries a Tune,” SJR, 12 March 2006, p. 11; Obama on Face the Nation, CBS, 12 March 2006; Jeff Zeleny, “A Tuneful Obama Leads Gridiron Potshots at Cheney,” CT, 13 March 2006; Lynn Sweet, “Obama in Prime Form at Gridiron Club Roast,” CST, 13 March 2006, p. 28; Leonard Pitts Jr., “Don’t Assume Obama Will Be a Modern Savior,” MH, 13 March 2006; Obama Press Release, “21st Century Schools for a 21st Century Economy,” 13 March 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Obama, CRec, 14 March 2006, pp. S2082–83, S2110–11, and S2128; Maureen Dowd, “What’s Better? His Empty Suit or Her Baggage?,” NYT, 15 March 2006; Harold W. Anderson, “Obama, Others Served Up Laughs at Annual Gridiron Club Dinner,” OWH, 19 March 2006, p. B9; “An Evening of Laughs with Obama at Gridiron Dinner,” BSB, 13 April 2006, p. 7.

  22. USS, CFR, “Post-Palestinian Election Challenges in the Middle East,” S. Hrg. 109-903, 15 March 2006, p. 1; USS, CVA, “Looking at Our Homeless Veterans Programs,” S. Hrg. 109-533, 16 March 2006, pp. 36–38; Obama, CRec, 16 March 2006, pp. S2227, 2237–38, 2289–90, and S2335 (introducing S. 2441, the Innovation Districts for School Improvement Act); Obama Podcast #20, “21st Century Schools for a 21st Century Economy,” 16 March 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Kirk Victor, “Reason to Smile,” and “In His Own Words: Barack Obama,” NJ, 18 March 2006, pp. 18–27; Anne E. Kornblut, “But Will They Love Him Tomorrow?,” NYT, 19 March 2006; Obama, remarks at Fellowship Baptist Church, Chicago, 20 March 2006; Demetrius Patterson, “Englewood Community Rallies Against Violence,” CD, 22 March 2006, p. 3; Bacon, “Obama Reaches Out with Tough Love,” WP, 3 May 2007.

  23. Rosalind Rossi, “4 Indicted in S. Suburb Gambling,” CST, 18 June 1992, p. 74; Michael Perlstein, “Brothel Case Expands into Miami,” NOTP, 7 August 2002, p. 1; Larry Lebowitz, “Multicity Brothel Network Smashed,” MH, 7 August 2002; “Federal Jury Convicts Defendant in ‘Circuit’ Prostitution Case,” States News Service, 9 January 2004; John T. Slania, “On Broadway: City’s Most Profitable Bank,” CCB, 25 October 2004; Rick Pearson, “Parties Get Set for Busy Primary,” CT, 5 December 2005; Greg Hinz, “Halo Tarnish,” CCB, 10 December 2005, Hinz, “Sen. Obama, Elevated to Saintly Status, Pulls an Earthly Political Deal,” CCB, 12 December 2005; Eric Zorn, “For His Sake, Stroger’s Talk Better Be Phony,” CT, 2 February 2006; Mickey Ciokajlo, “Ex-Aide to Daley Forges Own Path,” CT, 10 March 2006; Hinz, “Gun Shop Owner, Felon Got Loans from State Treasurer Hopeful,” CCB, 13 March 2006; Ciokajlo, “Stroger Holding Off Claypool,” CT, 14 March 2006; Ciokajlo, “Stroger Suffers Stroke,” Courtney Flynn and David Jackson, “Loans to Crime Figure Haunt State Treasurer Hopeful,” and “For the Democrats: Mangieri,” CT, 15 March 2006; Janet Rausa Fuller, “Giannoulias Secures Dem Treasurer’s Nod,” CST, 22 March 2006; Jeff Berkowitz, “Another ‘Just Another Pol’ Day for Senator Obama,” Blogspot.com, 22 March 2006; Ciokajlo and Robert Becker, “Stroger Wins. Can He Serve?,” and Eric Zorn, “Obama on the Fence Is a Fat Target,” CT, 23 March 2006; Sunil Garg, “A Profile in Discouragement—Why Was Obama MIA in the Cook County Board Race?,” CT, 24 March 2006; “. . . And Obama Is Confounding,” CT, 28 April 2006; Bob Secter and John McCormick, “Sweet—and Sour—Home Chicago,” CT, 23 June 2008; Mick Dumke, “Alexi’s Albatross,” CR, 3 December 2009; Axelrod, Believer, p. 180; DJG interviews with Dan Shomon, Forrest Claypool, Leslie Hairston, Freddrenna Lyle, and John Rogers Jr.

  24. Alexander Bolton, “Sens. Obama, Coburn Make Unlikely Duo,” TH, 28 March 2006, p. 1; Obama, CRec, 28 March 2006, pp. S2434–35, S2441–43; USS, EPW, “The Impact of the Elimination of MTBE,” S. Hrg. 109-1026, 29 March 2006, pp. 35–36; Obama Podcast #21, “Improving Chemical Plant Security,” 29 March 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Senate Passes Pared-Down Lobbying Bill,” NYT, 30 March 2006; Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, “Senate Passes Lobbying Bill,” WP, 30 March 2006; USS, CVA, “Legislative Presentations of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs et al.,” S. Hrg. 109-564, 30 March 2006, p. 34; Obama, CRec, 30 March 2006, pp. S2611–12; Jeff Zeleny, “Writing Bug Bites Obama Again,” CT, 31 March 2006; Mark Pazniokas, “A Rising Star Visits Hartford,” HC, 31 March 2006, p. A1; Obama, “Fueling the Future,” American Prospect, April 2006, p. 12; William Yardley, “Support for Iraq War Strains Good Will as Lieberman Seeks Re-Election,” NYT, 2 April 2006; Obama on This Week, ABC, 2 April 2006; Obama, CRec, 3 April 2006, pp. S2722–23; Obama Press Release, “Energy Independence and the Safety of Our Planet,” 3 April 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; John Chase, “Obama Scolds Bush on Environment, Energy Proposals,” CT, 4 April 2006; Obama, CRec, 4 April 2006, p. S2805 (introducing S. 2506, the Healthy Places Act); Obama, “Restoring America’s Promise of Opportunity, Prosperity and Growth,” Brookings Institution, 5 April 2006; Obama Podcast #22, “Immigration Reform,” 5 April 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Obama, CRec, 6 April 2006, pp. S3178–79; Rob Hotakainen, “Riding High, Obama Hits the Road for His Party,” MST, 8 April 2006, p. A1; Deborah Caulfield Rybak, “Obama Gets DFLers on Their Feet,” MST, 9 April 2006, p. B3; David Jackson, “Loans Cast Pall Over Candidate,” CT, 9 April 2006; “Deposit Some Answers, Please,” CT, 12 April 2006; Rick Pearson and Jackson, “Obama Leans on Treasurer Nominee,” CT, 13 April 2006; Harvey Wineberg, Barack H. and Michelle L. Obama, 2005 Form 1040, 15 April 2006; Jackson, “Giannoulias Speaks Up on Loans,” CT, 27 April 2006; Scott Fornek, “Giannoulias: I Take It Back,” CST, 27 April 2006, p. 6; “Giannoulias Is Elusive,” CT, 28 April 2006; Eric Krol, “Treasurer Candidate Squeezed by Catch-22 Over Loans,” CDH, 5 May 2006, p. 16; Obama, U.S. Senate Financial Disclosure Report, 15 May 2006; Travis Tritten, “Execs Bet on Development,” (Myrtle Beach) Sun News, 21 May 2006; “SunCruz Sunshine,” Sun News, 23 May 2006; Patrick Danner, “Boulis Kin, 2 Felons Own Martha’s Site,” MH, 18 June 2006; Garrison Wells, “SunCruz Chief Sees Calculated Risk in Casinos,” Sun News, 25 June 2006; Tritten, “Casinos Offer Fee to County,” Sun News, 28 September 2006; Jacob Weisberg, “The Path to Power,” Men’s Vogue, September 2006, pp. 218–23; Mike Dorning, “In Big Jump, Obamas Earn $1.67 Million,” CT, 26 September 2006; Dorning, “Employer: Michelle Obama’s Raise Well-Earned,” CT, 27 September 2006; Tritten, “Casino Deal Under Attack,” Sun News, 17 October 2006; Tritten, “Panel Reviews Casino Tax Talks,” Sun News, 24 February 2007; Bob Secter, “For Obama, Charity Really Began in the U.S. Senate,” CT, 25 April 2007; Mike Dorning and Christi Parsons, “Carefully Crafting the Obama ‘Bra
nd,’” CT, 12 June 2007; Bacon, “The Outsider’s Insider,” WP, 27 August 2007; Steve Warmbir and Frank Main, “The Face of the New Mafia,” CST, 24 February 2008, p. 2; James Bone, “Boneheaded Deal Haunts House Obama Built,” TOL, 7 March 2008; Lauren Collins, “The Other Obama,” New Yorker, 10 March 2008; Michael Crowley, “Mutual Contempt,” TNR, 26 March 2008; David Jackson et al., “$20 Million in Loans to Felons,” CT, 2 April 2010; DJG interviews with Rob and Lisa Fisher and Madhuri Kommareddi.

  25. Obama, “Town Hall Meeting at Loyola University,” 10 April 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Laura Burns, “Obama Talks Politics, Future,” Loyola Phoenix, 12 April 2006; John Barrett, “York Visit Senator’s 46th Town Hall Forum,” EP, 14 April 2006; Caleb Hale, “Obama Discusses State, National Issues in Carbondale Meeting,” SI, 15 April 2006; Obama on Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, 17 April 2006; Tom Johnson, “Senator Obama Tells BHS Students Change Is Needed in Government,” BCR, 20 April 2006; Bernard Schoenburg, “Durbin: Obama Shouldn’t Rule Out National Office,” SJR, 20 April 2006, p. 5; Perry Bacon Jr. and Massimo Calabresi, “The Up-and-Comers,” Time, 24 April 2006, p. 38; Obama on Charlie Rose, PBS, with Nicholas Kristof, 25 April 2006; USS, CVA, “VA Research,” S. Hrg. 109-598, 27 April 2006, p. 1; Obama Podcast #23, “Update on Darfur,” 27 April 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Deanna Belandi, “Obama Uses Town Hall Meetings to Connect as a Regular Guy,” AP, 30 April 2006; Holli Chmela, “Rally Urges U.S. Role in Sudan,” CT, 1 May 2006; Obama, CRec, 1 May 2006, pp. S3779–80; Antonio Olivo and Oscar Avila, “United They March,” CT, 2 May 2006; Obama, CRec, 2 May 2006, pp. S3879–80; Jeff Zeleny, “Senate OKs Plan to Open Storm Bids,” CT, 3 May 2006; Obama, CRec, 4 May 2006, pp. S4014, S4029; USS, CFR, “Housing and Urbanization Issues in Africa,” S. Hrg. 109-946, 4 May 2006, pp. 4–5; Obama Podcast #24, “Immigration Rallies,” 4 May 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Obama, remarks at Chicago benefit dinner for Facing History and Ourselves, 5 May 2006; Don Walton, “Obama: Door Opens for Democrats,” Lincoln Journal Star, 7 May 2006, p. C1; Jason Kuiper, “Sen. Obama Lauds Nelson During Visit to Omaha,” OWH, 7 May 2006, p. B1; Kyle Michaels, “My Interview with Barack Obama,” Blogspot.com, 7 May 2006; Josh Noel, “Illinois Vets Can Reapply for Benefits,” CT, 9 May 2006; Hal Dardick, “Obama Still to Press Spill Bill,” CT, 10 May 2006; Obama, CRec, 10 May 2006, pp. S4324–25; Obama, CRec, 11 May 2006, p. S4425; Obama, remarks at Emily’s List annual luncheon, 11 May 2006; Dennis Conrad, “Obama Mocks Bush’s ‘Subliminal Messages’ of Iraq Victory,” AP, 11 May 2006; Obama Podcast #25, “A Real Solution for High Gas Prices,” 11 May 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; Obama on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, 12 May 2006; Megan Reichgott, “Obama Jokes About Possible Presidential Bid in ’08,” AP, 13 May 2006; Obama, CRec, 17 May 2006, pp. S4674–75; USS, EPW, “Nominations of Molly O’Neill and Dale Klein,” S. Hrg. 109-1036, 17 May 2006, pp. 10–11; Obama Podcast #26, “Honoring Our Commitment to Veterans,” 18 May 2006, Obama.Senate.gov; USS, CFR, “Iran’s Political/Nuclear Ambitions and U.S. Policy Options,” S. Hrg. 109-763, 17–18 May 2006, pp. 38–40, 117–20; Jeff Zeleny, “Obama Writes of ‘Spooky’ Good Luck,” CT, 20 May 2006; Lynn Sweet, “In New Book, Obama Muses on Politics,” CST, 20 May 2006, p. 6; Obama, prepared remarks at SIU School of Medicine commencement, Springfield, 20 May 2006; Sweet, “Obama Touts 2nd Volume,” CST, 21 May 2006, p. A9; Daniel Pike, “Obama Talks to SIU Medical Graduates,” SJR, 21 May 2006, p. 1; Obama, CRec, 23 May 2006, pp. S4941–42, S4953; Obama, CRec, 24 May 2006, pp. S5055, S5106–7; Marc Ambinder, “Teacher and Apprentice,” Atlantic Monthly, December 2007; Mundy, Michelle, p. 165; Wolffe, Renegade, p. 45; DJG interviews with Larry Suffredin, Martha Minow, and Rob Fisher.