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Cheney makes unannounced visit to Iraq

BAGHDAD, March 17 (UPI) -- U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney arrived Monday in Baghdad on an unannounced visit, part of his visit to the Middle East.

While in Iraq, Cheney plans to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki; U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq; and Ryan Crocker, U.S. ambassador to Iraq, CNN reported. Also on the vice president's schedule are visits with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Iraq's vice presidents and other political leaders.

Cheney's trip to Baghdad coincides with the five-year anniversary of the start of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Cheney began his trip to the Middle East Sunday. His official itinerary includes stops in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel and the West Bank. Among discussion topics are high energy prices and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

State budgets hurt by slow economy

WASHINGTON, March 17 (UPI) -- Twenty-five states are reporting budget gaps for 2008 and responding with cuts in education, health and other critical programs.

Eight states are trimming outlays for higher education,and nine states are cutting into budgets for primary and secondary education said Iris Lav, the deputy director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

States budgets that rely on oil or agriculture are faring well, but many states, especially those where the housing boom has turned around, are facing budget difficulties, The New York Times reported.

Kansas, for example, is looking at a 2.7 percent revenue increase in 2008 and expects to add to school budgets. North Dakota, is "13 percent ahead of forecast," director of the Office of Management and Budget Pam Sharp said.

"We haven't experienced the prime mortgage turnover," she said.

But, Florida, where housing foreclosures are rampant and there is no state income tax, has run into two straight years of declines in their sales tax revenues.

In California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting $4.4 billion from in public education.

Most states with budget problems are looking to cut programs, rather than raise taxes, the report said.

Merkel lays wreath at Holocaust museum

JERUSALEM, March 17 (UPI) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel laid a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum Monday in Jerusalem, during her visit to Israel.

Merkel said the "awareness and responsibility" for preserving the memory of the Holocaust falls to both governments, Ynetnews.com reported.

"By holding a first joint meeting with the Israeli government, the German government stresses its commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and its determination to shape a joint future," she said.

Merkel was accompanied to the commemoration ceremony by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other Israeli dignitaries, and seven German government ministers.

Avner Shaley, chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate, said the chancellor's visit to the memorial was significant.

"Merkel insisted that some of her ministers join her for the ceremony. One of the issues she has emphasized was the demand for an increased activity to train teachers and educate teenagers on the Holocaust," Shaley said.

The two countries' leaders were to discuss ways to promote relations between the two governments and announce establishment of special ties between Germany and Israel to recognize Israel's 60th anniversary.

GOP voting for Clinton now; McCain in fall

WASHINGTON, March 17 (UPI) -- Republican voters have been crossing party lines to cast many a ballot for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., for strategic reasons, exit polls indicate.

Where possible, Republicans voted for Clinton for reasons such as prolonging the Democratic nomination battle between Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., or because of the belief by some that Clinton would be easier to beat in the November general election.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona effectively wrapped to the GOP presidential nomination while Clinton and Obama are duking it out still in the primary season.

"It's as simple as, I don't think McCain can beat Obama if Obama is the Democratic choice," said Kyle Britt, 49, a Republican-leaning independent from Huntsville, Texas, who voted for Clinton in the March 4 primary. "I do believe Hillary can mobilize enough (anti-Clinton) people to keep her out of office."

White men critical constituency for Obama

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 17 (UPI) -- White men may be the swing constituency in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, recent exit polls indicate.

The competition for the support of this demographic segment, particularly men defined as working class, will shape the showdown between Clinton of New York and Obama of Illinois, The Washington Post said, after analyzing exit polls.

In the Wisconsin and Virginia primaries, Obama seemed to have cracked into this constituency, but he fared poorly among working-class white men in Texas and Ohio. How Obama finishes in Ohio with this group could raise questions about whether he can attract support from this demographic and whether his race would be a barrier in some of the industrial battlegrounds in the general election if he becomes the Democratic presidential nominee, the Post said.

David Axelrod, a senior adviser to Obama, said he is uncertain how concerned the campaign should be about the influence of race on working-class white voters.

"It bears some closer examination," he said. "I think for older voters, it's more of a leap than for younger voters. But I don't think it's an insuperable barrier."