By Albert R. Hunt Bloomberg News Over the past 50 years, 17 men and 1 woman have been chosen to run for the vice presidency of the United States.

By Matthew Moskand Perry Bacon Jr. ROSEBURG, Ore. - As the votes are being counted Tuesday night in Oregon and Kentucky, Sen. Barack Obama plans to hold a triumphant rally in Iowa, returning to the state that propelled him to the top of the Democratic field and sending a clear signal that he has shifted his focus to the general election.
Obama advisers said Iowa is one of several states, along with Missouri, Michigan and Florida, that they have targeted for wins in November and where they plan to campaign even before his primary battle against Sen. Hillary Clinton ends. Obama made campaign stops in Missouri and Michigan last week and plans a three-day swing through Florida starting Wednesday.

IN THE HEADLINES Obama heading back to where Democratic nomination race began to close circle ... Delegate pickups move Obama closer to clinching the

WASHINGTON - When Democratic superdelegate Jim Cooper, a Tennessee congressman, pondered the choice between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, his thoughts