Free Republic

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The administration of US President Barack Obama is reaching out to former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the chief rival of President Asif Ali Zardari, in hopes to find a way to strengthen the country's government, The New York Times reported. Sharif, who served as Pakistan's prime minister twice during the 1990s, represents the Pakistan Muslim League-N. Citing unnamed administration officials, the newspaper said on its website that because of his ties to Islamists, the US government has long held Sharif at arm?s length. But now some Obama administration officials say those ties could be useful in...

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) – The US administration signalled a new spirit of international cooperation this weekend but called for its allies to do more and painted a bleak picture of the war in Afghanistan. Vice President Joe Biden used the Munich Security Conference in the southern Germany city to say that Barack Obama's White House sought a "new tone" in foreign relations, particularly with regard to Russia and even Iran. "I come to Europe on behalf of a new administration determined to set a new tone not only in Washington, but in America's relations around the world," he said on...

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who last week gave a high-stakes speech reaffirming his support for President Bush’s surge policy in Iraq, will begin to take steps this week to court independent and moderate voters who were a crucial part of his 2000 coalition but who have been turned off by his steadfastness on the war. McCain is reaching beyond the traditional pool of Republican primary voters with a pair of speeches – including one in Memphis Monday - that include plans to help displaced workers find new jobs and an outline of proposals on energy security that mirror the free-enterprise...

MANAGUA, Nicaragua - A beaming Daniel Ortega, who spent the 1980s fighting a U.S.-backed insurgency, said in his presidential victory speech Wednesday night that he would work closely with other leftist leaders in Latin American, while rejecting U.S. Republicans and the Iraq war. After spending the day in meetings aimed at calming critics shaken by his return to power, Ortega gave a rousing speech before a sea of supporters calling for increased trade with all countries, including the United States. He blasted naysayers who warned his victory would scare away investors, saying "days have passed, and the country is calm."...

SACRAMENTO – Three years after bashing Indian gaming tribes on the way to the governor's office, Arnold Schwarzenegger is quietly reaching out to California's most powerful tribal leaders as he prepares for what could be a difficult re-election campaign. The overtures, similar to those the Republican governor has made in recent months to other special interests he has battled, could lead to another round of gambling expansion while chilling possible tribal opposition to his bid for a second term. “Schwarzenegger may never convince these tribes to be his biggest backers, but if he can talk them down to neutral, that...

<p>SACRAMENTO – Passing out cigars with "Arnold Schwarzenegger" emblazoned on the band, sipping beer with a rookie lawmaker, buttonholing opponents one on one - the new governor is on a crusade to win friends in a Legislature that is ruled by his enemies.</p>