Obama Zeros in on McCain (sortof)

From the Los Angeles Times/AP

"The idea that the situation in Iraq is improving because it takes a security detail of 100 soldiers, three Black Hawk helicopters and a couple of Apache gunships to walk through a market in the middle of Baghdad is simply not credible and not reflective of the facts on the ground," Obama said in a taped interview broadcast as part of the forum sponsored by MoveOn.org.

While not mentioning McCain by name, Obama criticized comments made by the Arizona senator last week after touring Baghdad's Bab al-Shariq market. He and other members of a congressional delegation traveled in armored military vehicles and wore body armor during the hourlong excursion."

Obama Best at Juggling Duties

...which include running for president (o.k., o.k. exploring a run for president) and keeping his day job.
According to the Associated Press (via the San Ho Mercury News) Barack Obama has not missed a single vote in the Senate this year. On the other hand -

"Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., have missed two votes each. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., has missed nine votes, and Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., has skipped six."

And the dubious award for most votes missed? (drumroll please...)
Kansas Senator Sam Browback, who has -

"missed more than half the votes taken in the Senate last month as he ramped up his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

Brownback skipped 20 of the 39 roll call votes in January, or 51 percent, according to Senate voting records. That's a higher absence rate than any other member of the Senate except Democrat Tim Johnson of South Dakota, who is recovering from a brain hemorrhage he suffered before the new session of Congress began."

McCain Yes, Obama No on Troop Surge

WATCH the two senators square off over Iraq on CBS' Face the Nation.

• Bush plan for Iraq swells '08 intrigue (New York Times)
• Obama, McCain: 2 War Views (Chicago Tribune)

Some Actual Work Gets Done in Senate

"WASHINGTON Jan 11, 2007 (AP)— Potential presidential rivals John McCain and Barack Obama are joining with newly independent Sen. Joe Lieberman on a plan they say would reduce annual global-warming gases by two-thirds by mid-century."

Climate Bill Sets Stage for Debate in Congress (ABC News)

Fuel to the Fire

• If Even George Will Says Run, You Should Run (Washington Post)
• Only McCain raised more than Obama's $1 mil in small donations (AP/FOX)
• Hawaii wants homie to run (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)