CNN=Politics Daily

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(CNN) - A day after receiving the endorsement of a former rival, Sen. Barack Obama cemented his status as the front-runner in the Democratic nomination race by becoming the target of a very powerful Republican.

In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, White House Correspondent Ed Henry reports from Jerusalem about President Bush's controversial remarks during a visit to Israel to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Jewish state's founding.

It did not take long for Sen. Obama and his fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill to respond to Bush's comments.  Suzanne Malveaux reports on how the Obama campaign reacted and how high-ranking Democrats quickly closed ranks around Obama.

Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party's presumptive nominee, also reacted quickly to Bush's remarks - by attacking Sen. Obama.  Dana Bash was on the campaign trail with McCain and explains how McCain's reaction is part of a broader strategy that McCain's campaign intends to use against Obama should he become the Democratic nominee.

McCain also made an unusual speech Thursday.  He envisioned the state of affairs in the U.S. and globally at the end of his first term in 2013 if he is elected president. Bash also reports on McCain's unorthodox method for setting forth the broad agenda of his presidency.

Finally, Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider puts President Bush's dust-up with Obama and other Democrats into the broader context of the contest for the Jewish vote during the general election.

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