The most diverse crowd of presidential hopefuls ever hit the campaign trail for 2008. On the left, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton geared up for a close race; John Edwards rounded out the top three on the Democratic side, with Al Gore playing the role of potential spoiler. Months later, the charismatic-but-inexperienced junior senator emerged as the delegate winner. Meanwhile, on the right, the Reaganites held out hope for a definitive Fred Thompson run. Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani became early favorites, only to bow out, with the others, in favor of John McCain.http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorWed, 03 Dec 2008 21:28:01 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44300/ala-county-declares-obama-day.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA small, mostly black county in Alabama that delivered Barack Obama 70% of the vote has declared the second Monday of November “Barack Obama Day,” the AP reports. The state itself went convincingly for John McCain, but Perry County wanted to make a point about opportunity and the possibility of change. County offices will close, and workers will receive a paid holiday.http://www.newser.com/story/44300/ala-county-declares-obama-day.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 03 Dec 2008 11:31:02 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44238/franken-gets-boost-in-minnesota-recount.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe momentum went Al Franken's way in the Minnesota recount yesterday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The Democrat—trailing incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman by 303 votes with 93% of the ballots counted—picked up 37 more votes than his rival out of a pile of 171 uncounted ballots found in one county. Also yesterday, Minnesota's secretary of state ordered officials to re-examine 12,000 rejected absentee ballots, a move Franken supporters believe will help their guy.http://www.newser.com/story/44238/franken-gets-boost-in-minnesota-recount.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 02 Dec 2008 23:11:50 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44221/chambliss-wins-in-ga-dems-wont-get-60-seats.html?refid=rss_all_defaultRepublican Saxby Chambliss has held onto his Senate seat in Georgia, a crucial win that prevents Democrats from reaching a filibuster-proof 60 seats, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Chambliss handily defeated Democratic challenger Jim Martin in today's runoff. He led 57% to 43% with 99% of returns in. Although Minnesota's Senate race remains undecided, the best Democrats can hope for now is 59 seats.http://www.newser.com/story/44221/chambliss-wins-in-ga-dems-wont-get-60-seats.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 02 Dec 2008 19:10:19 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44204/kmiec-as-vatican-ambassador-is-no-insult.html?refid=rss_all_defaultDouglas Kmiec’s possible appointment by Barack Obama as ambassador to the Vatican shouldn’t raise any hackles and—pro-lifers' views to the contrary—would not be an insult to the church, Henry Farrell writes on Crooked Timber. “Kmiec continues to state his opposition to abortion,” Farrell writes. He supported pro-choice Obama for the express purpose of curbing abortions, because he considered the president-elect a better choice than McCain.http://www.newser.com/story/44204/kmiec-as-vatican-ambassador-is-no-insult.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 02 Dec 2008 16:34:21 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44156/a-movement-or-a-moment.html?refid=rss_all_defaultToday’s runoff election in Georgia between incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss and challenger Jim Martin is a test of whether Barack Obama’s election heralds a new political movement, or just a moment, writes Sasha Issenberg in the Boston Globe . Democrat Martin is campaigning as an Obama ally, using the president-elect’s lines in his speeches. If he wins, chalk it up to the Obama magic.http://www.newser.com/story/44156/a-movement-or-a-moment.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 02 Dec 2008 10:15:57 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44191/5-predictors-in-georgia-runoff.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIf Saxby Chambliss defeats Jim Martin in the Georgia Senate runoff today, Democratic hopes of a 60-seat majority will be dashed, Politico reports. Here are five things to look for as voters go again to the polls. Turnout: Martin's hopes ride on higher than average black participation, which happened Nov. 4 but is doubtful today.http://www.newser.com/story/44191/5-predictors-in-georgia-runoff.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 02 Dec 2008 12:39:23 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44121/parties-bring-out-big-guns-for-georgia-run-off-vote.html?refid=rss_all_defaultGeorgia decides its Senate race today and both sides are going all-out to secure a victory that could help determine the direction of the next Congress, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The GOP has sent in Sarah Palin to stump for incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss, while Democratic challenger Jim Martin held a final rally in Atlanta joined by hip-hop stars and a civil rights leader.http://www.newser.com/story/44121/parties-bring-out-big-guns-for-georgia-run-off-vote.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 01 Dec 2008 21:58:43 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44132/by-accepting-new-role-hillary-finally-concedes.html?refid=rss_all_defaultHillary Clinton's formal acceptance of her upcoming role as secretary of state yesterday looked to many like the moment she conceded the election for real, Alessandra Stanley writes in the New York Times . She told the audience that she would find it hard to leave the Senate, but it was apparent she was "also forswearing her independent campaign identity," Stanley writes.http://www.newser.com/story/44132/by-accepting-new-role-hillary-finally-concedes.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 02 Dec 2008 0:25:34 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44043/theyve-begged-off-obama-list-but-so-did-hillary.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThere is a sizable list of qualified candidates who have expressed no interest in Obama cabinet positions—for now. Noting in the Washington Post that Hillary Clinton once demurred, too, Al Kamen takes a look at a few pols who’ve said no, or haven’t been “approached.” John Brennan: A top aide to Obama on intelligence during the campaign, he came under fire from liberals for being close to Bush policies, which he denies, and removed his name from consideration.http://www.newser.com/story/44043/theyve-begged-off-obama-list-but-so-did-hillary.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 01 Dec 2008 15:23:51 CST