UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.05.08

Voters go to the polls for Super Tuesday.

Voters from coast to coast are heading to the polls on this Super Tuesday... a pivotal day for the Democratic and Republican presidential hopefuls. Twenty-four states are voting in what is nearly a national polling day. Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are in a virtual dead heat nationally for the Democratic presidential nomination.

On the Republican side, Arizona senator John McCain is heading into today as the front-runner. But former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is stepping up his attacks on McCain, declaring he's the true conservative. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who's still in the race, is aiming for a strong showing in the South.

Meanwhile, John McCain has won a key endorsement from former New York Governor George Pataki. That backing, coupled with the support of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, could play an important role in today's vote.

Former New York Yankees Pitcher Roger Clemens is on Capitol Hill today to testify about whether he used performance-enhancing drugs. His appearance comes one day after his Yankees teammate and workout partner, Andy Pettitte, gave a deposition there yesterday. Both players are part of a hearing next week that will reportedly focus on allegations made by the Mitchell Report that Clemens was injected more than a dozen times with human growth hormone and steroids. The 45-year-old pitcher has denied ever taking any drugs.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 01.31.08

Schwarzenegger to endorse McCain.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to announce today that he'll endorse Republican White House hopeful John McCain. The governor's backing could be key to the Arizona senator winning California in next week's Super Tuesday nominating contest. McCain is also set to receive endorsements from Georgia's two Republican senators in the next few days. Georgia will also participate in Super Tuesday.

Meanwhile, John McCain and his rival Mitt Romney traded fire in last night's debate in California as they fought for their party's top spot. Romney accused McCain of using dirty tricks and misrepresenting his position on the Iraq war. McCain said the former Massachusetts governor lacked the experience and judgment to be commander in chief. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee complained about the time given to McCain and Romney, saying he didn't come to umpire a ballgame between the two.

Voters for former Senator John Edwards are up for grabs. Yesterday, Edwards dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. At the time, he didn't endorse either of his rivals, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. But one of his aides says he may back one of them in the future. Political analysts say an endorsement from Edwards would have a significant impact on the race.

The Senate could debate an economic stimulus package passed by the Senate Finance Committee as early as today. The package would inject nearly $200 billion into the economy over two years to help ward off a recession. It's reportedly similar to a bill passed earlier this week by the House. But there are some differences. The Senate's eligibility caps are double those in the House version. President Bush backs the House version of the bill and has urged the Senate to abandon its efforts to pass a different measure.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 12.21.07

Schwarzenegger suing federal government.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is planning to sue the federal government. That's after it decided not to allow a California plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project would have allowed the state to cut emissions faster than a new federal plan the president signed into law earlier this week. President Bush says the decision to nix the project is based on the fact that the new legislation allows for a national strategy. Schwarzenegger says he would like to set a higher standard for California.

Republican Tom Tancredo is bowing out of the presidential race. Instead, he says he'll endorse Mitt Romney's candidacy. Tancredo is a fierce opponent of illegal immigration and kept the issue active in many GOP debates he participated in. However, his campaign struggled to gain popularity. A poll released earlier this week showed the Colorado congressman registered less than one percent support nationally.

Belgium is tightening its security today amid fears of a possible terrorist attack in that country. Fourteen suspected Islamic militants have been arrested in connection with an armed plot to free an Al Qaeda suspect from jail. Authorities believe the weapons and explosives could also be used for other means. There are now increased police patrols at Brussels' international airport, on trains and in shopping centers.

At least 50 people are dead after an attack in a mosque in northern Pakistan. Dozens of others are injured. The bomb targeted a former Pakistani interior minister reportedly over his supervision of militants in the country's tribal areas. The blast left bloody clothes, shoes and pieces of flesh scattered across the mosque.