The CNN Political Ticker PM, Tuesday, June 19, 2007 For the latest, breaking political news, check for updates throughout the day on the CNN Political Ticker http://www.cnn.com/ticker All politics, all the time.

Today on the Ticker 
Bloomberg drops Republican affiliation

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg changed his party affiliation from Republican to unaffiliated Tuesday, a move that will surely increase speculation he is considering an independent White House bid.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/bloomberg-drops-republican-affiliation/

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Giuliani South Carolina chairman indicted on cocaine charges

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) ï¿½ South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, a former real estate developer who became a rising political star after his election last year, was indicted Tuesday on federal cocaine charges.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/giuliani-south-carolina-chairman-indicted-on-cocaine-charges/

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Bush budget director Portman resigning

WASHINGTON (AP) -- White House budget director Rob Portman announced his resignation on Tuesday, and President Bush named former Iowa Rep. Jim Nussle as his successor.

Full story: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/19/portman.resigns.ap/index.html

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Clinton family takes on Sopranos in announcing campaign song

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ Itï¿½s not everyday the Clintons would want to be compared to the Sopranos.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/clinton-family-takes-on-sopranos-in-announcing-campaign-song/

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Clintons to travel to Granite State

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ Former President Bill Clinton will visit New Hampshire with his wife Sen. Hillary Clinton on July 13, a Clinton campaign spokesman tells CNN.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/clintons-to-travel-to-granite-state/

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Bloomberg, Schwarzenegger ponder presidential ticket

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger grace this weekï¿½s Time magazine cover, and on Tuesday the two joked about forming a presidential ticket.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/bloomberg-schwarzenegger-ponder-presidential-ticket/

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McCain slams accelerated primary schedule

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is no fan of the accelerated primary schedule, which now has as many as two dozen states voting on or before February 5, 2008.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/mccain-slams-accelerated-primary-schedule/

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Romney launches new ad on fiscal discipline

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will hit television airwaves in Iowa and New Hampshire Wednesday with a new ad touting his fiscal discipline. Itï¿½s the latest effort in the former Massachusetts governorï¿½s aggressive advertising push in the early-voting states.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/romney-launches-new-ad-on-fiscal-discipline/

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Giuliani: The more the merrier

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said at a press conference Tuesday in Houston that he would welcome former Sen. Fred Thompson and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to the GOP presidential race.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/giuliani-the-more-the-merrier/

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Thompson open to military action against Iran

(CNN) ï¿½ Likely Republican Presidential candidate Fred Thompson told a London audience Tuesday ï¿½you cannot take the military option off the tableï¿½ on dealing with Iran.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/thompson-open-to-military-action-against-iran/

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Thompson heroes: Reagan, Lincoln, the other George W.

(CNN ) ï¿½ A meeting with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is attracting attention on likely Republican presidential contender Fred Thompsonï¿½s visit to London, but some people across the pond wanted to know who the former Tennessee senator admires among American politicians.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/thompson-heroes-reagan-lincoln-the-other-george-w/

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Giuliani hails Nussle appointment to OMB

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani hailed President Bushï¿½s choice of his top Iowa advisor, Jim Nussle, to head the Office of Management and Budget Tuesday, calling it a ï¿½great choice.ï¿½ï¿½

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/giuliani-hails-nussle-appointment-to-omb/

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NRCC steps up online presence

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ The National Republican Congressional Committee re-launched its Web site Tuesday, hoping to increase its impact online ahead of the 2008 congressional elections.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/nrcc-steps-up-online-presence/

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Richardson criticizes rivalsï¿½ Iraq votes

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ Even as he praised the 2008 Democratic field to a gathering of progressive activists, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson offered a polite but tough point-by-point critique of his fellow competitorsï¿½ approach to ending the Iraq war.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/richardson-criticizes-rivals-iraq-votes/

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Obama jabs rivals for not opposing Iraq war earlier

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ Illinois Sen. Barack Obama touted his early opposition to the Iraq war at a progressive forum Tuesday, and took a jab at some of his Democratic rivals for not opposing the conflict earlier.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/obama-jabs-rivals-for-not-opposing-iraq-war-earlier/

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Clinton mum on Libby pardon

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, took a pass Tuesday morning when asked if she would object to a pardon for former Cheney Chief of Staff I. Lewis ï¿½Scooterï¿½ Libby.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/clinton-mum-on-libby-pardon/

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Gravel calls for stronger leadership at progressive conference

WASHINGTON (CNN) ï¿½ Entering the stage to a chorus of ï¿½power to the people,ï¿½ former Sen. Mike Gravel told a gathering of progressive activists he wanted to see stronger leadership on the war from Democrats in Congress.

Full story: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/19/gravel-calls-for-stronger-leadership-at-progressive-conference/

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