Cindy McCain sells off Sudan funds

WASHINGTON — Cindy McCain, the wife of the Republican presumptive nominee for president, has sold off at least $2 million she held in funds with investments in Sudan businesses.

The mutual funds — American Funds Europacific Growth and American Funds Capital World Growth and Income — have investments in companies with business in Sudan, according to the Sudan Divestment Task Force, an organization that has been working to persuade states, universities and other organizations to divest.

"As soon as she was made aware, she sold it," said Brian Rogers, a spokesman for the McCain campaign.

Both funds were listed by her husband, Sen. John McCain, on his financial-disclosure forms.

A year ago, several presidential candidates, including Barack Obama, divested themselves of Sudan-related holdings.

Pledged delegate for Clinton switches

SUITLAND, Md. — A pledged delegate for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday he now supports Sen. Barack Obama, becoming the first pledged delegate to publicly announce he is switching sides in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Jack Johnson, county executive of Prince George's County, Md., outside Washington, D.C., said Obama has sealed the nomination and Clinton has "fallen a little short of the line" needed to be the party's candidate in the general election.

Democrats apportion delegates to their August convention based on the size of the vote candidates receive in each state primary. Clinton was awarded 28 pledged delegates, including Johnson, after Maryland's Feb. 12 primary. However, delegates are not required to uphold their pledge and can change their vote at the convention.

Puerto Rico hosts campaign surrogates

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Two prominent surrogates of Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton stumped for the candidates Wednesday in Puerto Rico, a sign of how important the U.S. island territory's primary next month has become.

Michelle Obama toured the capital of San Juan for her husband. Her first visit to the island coincided with Chelsea Clinton's second trip to pitch her mother's candidacy.

In the city's colonial district, Michelle Obama said only Puerto Ricans should decide whether the island will continue its commonwealth status, become a U.S. state or opt for independence.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy denied Chelsea Clinton permission to campaign on a former bombing range on the outlying island of Vieques.

Instead, the former first daughter held an event nearby and spoke with residents about her mother's concerns and plans for Vieques and the island of Culebra, campaign spokesman Philippe Reines said.

"Sweetie" elicits Obama apology

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — Barack Obama apologized Wednesday to Michigan TV reporter Peggy Agar after he called her "sweetie" and dodged her question about autoworkers.

Agar shouted out at Obama, who was campaigning at a Chrysler plant, asking what he was "going to do to help American autoworkers."

"Hold on one second, sweetie," Obama replied. "We'll do a press [availability], thanks." He did not reply to Agar's question.

On the air later Wednesday, the station played a voice mail of Obama apologizing for not getting back to her. He also told her he has a bad habit of calling people "sweetie."

Seattle Times news services