Republicans, Democrats, and Now Ralph Nader: The Race Stays Interesting

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• Susan Page points out that McCain, Obama, and Clinton lack executive experience, so they probably won’t be “ready on day one.” [USAT]
• Which is why, as Robert Pear writes, so many governors are being examined as potential running mates. [Caucus/NYT]
• Matthew Yglesias writes that if Clinton’s experience edge over Obama is so important, as she claims, then she may have a hard time facing McCain, who can use the same argument against her. [Atlantic]
• David Paul Kuhn reports that the Republican National Committee is testing how nasty it can be to Obama or Clinton without seeming racist or sexist. [Stump/New Republic]
• Kevin Drum looks at the surprising national-security dynamic shaping up between Obama and McCain — Obama has supported unilateral strikes against terrorists in Pakistan while McCain has opposed them. [Political Animal/Washington Monthly]
• Kathryn Jean Lopez thinks McCain can easily exploit his national-security credentials over Obama, but he has to put some effort into it. [National Review]
• Mark Halperin looks at ways John McCain can take on Barack Obama, and it’s not all pretty. Think Obama’s past drug use, scary name. [Page/Time]
• Clive Crook looks forward to a substantive policy debate between McCain and Obama, who have some fundamental disagreements on major issues like trade, Iraq, and health care. [Washington Blog/Financial Times] —Dan Amira
For a complete guide to presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain — from First Love to Most Embarrassing Gaffe — read the 2008 Electopedia.

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