Mrs. McCain reverses course, issues tax summary

WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain's wife, Cindy, abruptly released a two-page summary of her 2006 income-tax return Friday after weeks of vowing not to do so. According to the form, she took in more than $6 million in taxable income.

The campaign said she filed for an extension for 2007.

By far, the largest part of her 2006 income, $4,551,901, was listed under a category that included rental real estate, royalties, partnerships and trusts, almost certainly coming from her stake in Phoenix-based Hensley & Co., one of the country's largest beer distributorships for Anheuser-Busch, founded by her father and her uncle. She also listed $299,418 in salary and $743,476 in capital gains.

She claimed $569,737 in deductions and paid $1,746,445 in taxes, including $24,162 that she paid for household employees.

John McCain released his 2006 and 2007 returns last month. He had been the only presidential candidate not to release a spousal return, prompting criticism from campaign-finance watchdogs and Democratic officials.

By virtue of a prenuptial agreement, the McCains always have filed separate tax returns.

Obama embraces talks with Cuba

MIAMI — Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., on Friday called for greater engagement with Cuba and Latin America, saying long-standing policies of isolation have failed to advance U.S. interests or help oppressed people.

In a speech before an influential Cuban-American group, Obama said he would meet with Cuban leader Raul Castro "at a time and place of my choosing." Obama derided Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and other Republican critics as embracing what he called hard-line, failed approaches.

"John McCain's been going around the country talking about how much I want to meet with Raul Castro, as if I'm looking for a social gathering or I'm going to invite him over and have some tea," Obama said. "That's not what I said, and John McCain knows it. After eight years of the disastrous policies of George Bush, it is time to pursue direct diplomacy, with friend and foe alike, without preconditions."

McCain earlier this week in Miami said Obama was naive to think he could hold direct talks with Castro and other foreign leaders who are considered enemies.

Magic number 56 for Obama

CONCORD, N.H. — Barack Obama inched closer to securing the Democratic presidential nomination Friday, picking up five delegates, including a congressman who switched his allegiance from Hillary Rodham Clinton.

In doing so, California Rep. Dennis Cardoza became the 14th superdelegate to switch from Clinton to Obama.

Two of John Edwards' New Hampshire delegates, state Sen. Peter Burling and high-school teacher Deborah Nelson, announced they were backing Obama. Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., and Jenny Greenleaf, a superdelegate from Oregon, also swung behind Obama.

Obama has 1,970 total delegates, 56 shy of the number needed to clinch the nomination. Clinton has 1,779.

Seattle Times news services