Morning Buzz: Jan. 24, 2008

Congressional leaders say they are close to reaching a deal with the White House regarding an emergency stimulus package designed to help stabilize the economy. On Wednesday, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was reportedly able to secure the administration's agreement on a provision to provide rebates of at least $300 to most paycheck-earning workers.

A new analysis finds that the upcoming Super Tuesday primaries, despite their importance, cannot definitively crown any presidential candidate as the nomination winner of his or her party. The Associated Press reports the tightness of this year's race thus far makes it "mathematically impossible" for a candidate to lock up a majority of the delegates at stake this year on February 5. That means the nominating race will continue at least through mid-February.

While both Hillary Clinton's and Barack Obama's campaigns promised more than a week ago to drop the issue of race from their campaign rhetoric — seeing it as potentially damaging to their bids for the White House — former President Bill Clinton brought it up again yesterday to South Carolina voters. The former commander in chief predicted that many voters will be mainly guided by their race or gender loyalties when choosing between the two Democratic front-runners. In anticipation of a possible loss in Saturday's primary, he also portrayed his wife as the underdog in the state.