Archive - Feb 15, 2008

• Pakistan General Elections Preview
• A Look at the "Superdelegates"
• Democrats Take Off, Leave Surveillance Information to Expire Tomorrow
• Senate Still Lagging on Bill to Modernize Native American Healthcare
• Demonstration Against ICE Raids in Los Angeles

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After this week's Potomac Primaries in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, Senator Barack Obama gained a slight lead over Hillary Clinton by about 40 delegates in most estimates. With such a narrow primary race, many are closely watching the so-called superdelegates – elected officials and party insiders who could play a tie-breaking role in the nomination. Who are these pivotal people and what do they think of their position? Catherine Komp takes a look at Virginia's superdelegates.

Congressional Democrats snub President Bush and leave town for the 10 days – letting electronic surveillance legislation expire tomorrow. The House and the Senate engaged in intense debate over the legislation this week and were unable to reach an agreement. FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Fallout from an I.C.E. raid last Thursday in Los Angeles continued this week with civil rights attorneys filing a federal lawsuit on behalf of those they say were questioned without representation. Supporters of the detained workers held a vigil last night in front of the federal building downtown to demand an immediate end to the ICE raids.

Campaigning for Monday's general election in Pakistan has officially closed. The People's Party of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has gained massive sympathy after her murder late last year. And the Muslim League-N of another former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also expects to do well. The poll has come after a year of political crisis, which has drastically reduced the popularity of President Pervez Musharraf, and his allies the Muslim League Q, which led the outgoing government. Tony Cross reports.

After more than a decade's delay, the US Senate is debating a bill to modernize the healthcare system for Native Americans. Yet loads of amendments, some unrelated to Indian healthcare, are stalling the bill's final passage. Yanmei Xie reports from Capitol Hill.