Politics 2008: DNC bans lobbyist money; Dean remains as chair

WASHINGTON D.C. (AP)—Acting swiftly as his party’s presumed presidential nominee, Barack Obama is keeping Howard Dean at the helm of the Democratic National Committee, while bringing in one of his top strategists to oversee the party’s operations.

The campaign also announced Thursday that the DNC will no longer accept donations from lobbyists and political action committees, to comply with Obama’s campaign policy. Party officials say they expect the DNC’s staff to quickly expand to run an aggressive general election campaign. Campaign adviser Paul Tewes was dispatched to help lead the changes Thursday.

Although Obama campaign officials have expressed concern in the past that the party did not have enough money, Obama shares Dean’s goal of building the party from the ground up, even in states where Republicans dominate.

Obama is pressing his case that Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is under the influence of special interests because of his advisers’ lobbying ties. His ban is not ironclad. He does accept money from lobbyists who do not do business with the federal government and he also accepts money from spouses and family members of lobbyists. He has had unpaid advisers with federal lobbying clients, and some campaign officials also previously had lobbying jobs.

McCain ad targets Hispanics

LAS VEGAS—John McCain’s presidential campaign says it’s airing ads targeting Hispanic voters in Nevada and New Mexico.

The ads are the first general election commercials to air in Nevada, and among the first in New Mexico. The states are expected to be a battlegrounds in November.