Compiled by Jonathan Helman
CNN Washington Bureau

NY Times: Racial Issue Bubbles Up Again for Democrats
After the Democratic primary in South Carolina turned racially divisive in January, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama essentially declared a truce and put a stop to fighting between their camps. But this week, race has once again begun casting a pall over the battle between the two.

Washington Post: Florida's Mail-In Primary Plan Opens Rifts in Washington and Tallahassee
The Florida Democratic Party is pushing forward with a plan for recontesting its primary, largely with mail-in ballots, despite vigorous opposition from Democrats in the state's congressional delegation as well as concerns from the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.).

Detroit Free Press: Democrats Propose Do-Over Primary Paid For By Donors
As negotiators continued to work Wednesday on developing an acceptable plan for a possible do-over Democratic presidential primary in Michigan, the prospect of a state-run — but party-funded — primary was raised as a potential alternative to an election conducted through the mail.

WSJ: McCain, GOP May Have Cause for Hope
Rarely have the stars aligned so squarely against the party in power in elections for the White House as it has for Republicans, the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll bears out. Ultimately, voters choose a person for president, not a party, and Sen. John McCain seems to give Republicans a fighting chance.

NY Times: Ex-Military in Tow, Democrats Make Case
As the Democratic presidential race enters a prolonged period of intensity, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and her advisers have argued that Senator Barack Obama has not crossed the “threshold” to serve as commander in chief. So does he believe that Mrs. Clinton is qualified?

USA Today: Super-Delegate Tally Remains Slippery
While Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama wage an intense contest to win the support of "super delegates" who may decide the party's nomination, getting an exact count of those elected officials and party insiders depends on the day of week.

NY Times: Pro-Clinton? ‘SNL’ Says You’re Joking
Lorne Michaels has an answer to the political columns, cartoons and comments that have accused his show, “Saturday Night Live,” of favoring Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton during her primary showdown with Senator Barack Obama: Nope.

Washington Post: As Spitzer Steps Down, GOP Steps Up Attacks on His Campaign Donations
Even though New York Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer (D) resigned in disgrace yesterday, House Republicans still have him to kick around. The National Republican Congressional Committee is not backing off its efforts to bash New York Democratic lawmakers and candidates for the thousands of dollars in campaign contributions that they have received from Spitzer.

Washington Times: Mayor Still Fears For New Orleans
New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin said yesterday that the presidential candidates have not seriously addressed the remaining economic and human needs of his city, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.

NY Times: Unions Unveil McCain Attack
Even before he officially becomes the Republican nominee, Senator John McCain is facing a general election assault from organized labor.

NY Times: Democrats Are at Odds Over Plans for 2 States
After a week of shadowboxing, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama on Wednesday issued their clearest statements yet on the impasse over the disputed Florida and Michigan primaries. Naturally, they staked out opposing and irreconcilable positions.