NPR 2008-06-05

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama tried to woo Jewish voters today, saying he will do everything in his power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and he will be a strong ally of Israel. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

Obama used his speech to the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC to try to reassure 2 Jewish voters he won't negotiate with Hamas unless it recognizes Israel, and he won’t go unlikely to diplomatic negotiations 3 with Iran. "As president of the United States, I would be willing to lead tough and principled diplomacy 5 with the appropriate Iranian leaders at a time and place of my choosing, if and only if, it can advance the interests of the United States. That is my position. I want it to be absolutely clear. " He said the danger from Iran is grave and real, and he will do everything to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He stressed the word "everything". He was trying to counter criticism from Republican candidate John McCain who spoke 6 to AIPAC earlier this week. Michele Kelemen, NPR News, Washington.

A day after Barack Obama obtained the necessary delegates to obtain the Democratic nomination 7 for president, the federal jury in Chicago has convicted one of Obama's earliest supporters and contributors on political corruption 8 charges. From Chicago, NPR's David Schaper reports.

The federal jury found Chicago real estate developer and Democratic political fund-raiser Tony Rezko guilty on most of the charges against him, including fraud, attempted bribery 9 and money laundrying. Federal prosecutors 10 alleged 11 that Rezko had used his position on two state financial boards to shake down contractors 12 wanting to do business with those boards for campaign contributions and cash kickbacks 13. The jury reached guilty verdicts on 16 of the 24 counts against Rezko, but acquitted 14 him of some of the most serious charges including attempted extortion. While Rezko's long relationship with Obama has been national news, his corruption trial was related to his close relationship with Illinois Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich. Several others connected to the Blagojevich administration and indicted 15 on corruption charges pleaded guilty and testified against Rezko, but the governor has not been charged with any wrongdoing. David Schaper, NPR News, Chicago.

California's highest court has refused to stay until the November election its ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. Conservative religious groups and others opposed to the court ruling had sought to have it put on hold, pending 16 the outcome of an initiative that will go on the ballot 17 in November that would essentially 18 override 19 the court's decision. California Supreme 20 Court, in a recent ruling, upheld the right of gays and lesbians to marry.

Despite escalating 21 food and energy prices, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said today he doesn't see a return to 1970s-style inflation. Bernanke made his remarks in a speech to graduates at Harvard where he earned his bachelor's degree. The Fed chairman noted 22 during that decade, the US economy was suffering from a combination of slow growth and inflation.

On Wall Street today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 12 points, closing at 12, 390.

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Internet portal company Yahoo is the latest online site to reach a deal with network giant CBS to stream its television shows. CBS says under terms of the agreement reached with the Yahoo! TV, it will run ads before streaming CBS shows at no cost to viewers. With the announcement, Sunnyvale, California-based Yahoo becomes the largest member of CBS's online distribution partnership 23.

Every incumbent 24 member of Congress in New Mexico quit to run for retiring Republican Senator Pete Domenici’s seat yesterday. Now, voters will choose between two very different candidates in November: a conservative Republican or a liberal Democrat 1. NPR's Ted 4 Robbins has more.

New Mexico is already expected to be a battleground state in the presidential election. It could also affect the balance of power in the Senate. After 36 years in office, Republican Senator Pete Domenici is retiring after being diagnosed with a brain disease. He will be replaced by either Congressman 25 Tom Udall, considered a progressive Democrat who opposes the war in Iraq, he won his party's primary uncontested; or by conservative Republican Congressman Steve Pearce who supports the war. In a nasty campaign, Pearce narrowly beat Congresswoman Heather Wilson, 51 to 49 percent. Early polls showed the Democrat Udall with a lead in the general election. Ted Robbins, NPR News.

The Mars Phoenix 26 Lander has begun its long-awaited exploration of the planet's north pole with scientists watching as the long-arm spacecraft dug up soil samples. Over the next several days, the Lander is scheduled to dump small samples of Martian soil into a tiny oven where they will be baked and studied. Phoenix touched down ten days ago as part of a three-month mission.