Each Wednesday, DiversityInc will give you a roundup of what top Democratic and Republican presidential nominees are doing and saying about issues of concern to you.

Headlines this week: John Edwards: 'Can't Build Enough Jails' for Black Youths? Hillary Clinton Solidifies Position as Democratic Frontrunner With Strong Third Quarter; Barack Obama: Obama Camp, Wife, Disagree on Iowa Importance; John McCain in Flap With Jewish, Muslim Organizations Over Christian-President Remark; Fred Thompson Defends Stance on Gay Marriage; Rudy Giuliani Takes in Philly Cuisine at 'English-Only' Cheesesteak Stand; Mitt Romney Tackles His Faith

(See also: It's Customer Service, Stupid in the October 2007 issue of DiversityInc magazine)

John Edwards: 'Can't Build Enough Jails' for Black Youths?

Did he really say that? When asked what he would do to "eliminate inner-city kids partaking in violence," Edwards said: "We cannot build enough prisons to solve this problem. And the idea that we can keep incarcerating and keep incarcerating--pretty soon we're not going to have a young African-American male population in America. They're all going to be in prison or dead. One of the two."

Taken out of context, it would appear that Edwards had a full-fledged Howard Dean meltdown. But when listening to his entire remarks, Edwards comes off as actually saying incarcerating black youths isn't the answer, but rather focusing on strengthening educational opportunities that would keep those young black males off a track that would lead to prison.

Watch the full video.

Read Edwards' blog.

Hillary Clinton Solidifies Position as Democratic Frontrunner With Strong Third Quarter

Sen. Clinton reports she raised $22 million for her primary campaign from July through September, outpacing Sen. Barack Obama by $3 million. Read the full story from The Washington Post.

She recently addressed the Charleston City NAACP at the 91st annual Freedom Fund Banquet, discussing her plans to advocate as president for civil rights, and commented on the Jena 6 case.

Clinton agrees to speak to black Alabama Democrats on endorsement day. See the full story from The Associated Press.

Read Clinton's blog.

Barack Obama: Obama Camp, Wife, Disagree on Iowa Importance

There are mixed opinions from the Obama camp this past week over the significance of the upcoming Iowa caucus. Michelle Obama reportedly said Iowa was do or die for her husband, saying: "Iowa will make the difference. If Barack doesn't win Iowa, then it's just a dream. If we win Iowa, then we can move to the world as it should be. And we need your help in making that happen."

But Obama's camp quickly retreated from that stance. Obama spokesperson Bill Burton told CNN, "Let's not make too much of this. She was just firing up the troops in Iowa, which she is excellent at doing. Everybody wants to do well in Iowa," Burton continued, "but the fact is we have a large and growing grassroots organization in all of the early primary states and are beginning to build strong organizations in the February 5th states," says The Washington Post.

Obama raised more than $20 million for the presidential primary elections from July through September, bringing his total for the year to nearly $80 million, his campaign said Money. But the third-quarter contributions were less than Obama raised in each of the first two quarters, according to MSNBC. Obama is the first sitting member of the Congressional Black Caucus to run for president in more than 30 years, yet rival Clinton has the edge in endorsements among the group, according to The Associated Press.

At an address Friday at Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., Obama was introduced as the first African-American presidential candidate "who has a realistic chance of becoming president of the United States," says CQPolitics.

Read Obama's blog.

John McCain in Flap With Jewish, Muslim Organizations Over Christian-President Remark

Several Jewish and Muslim organizations criticized McCain on Monday after the Republican candidate said he would prefer a Christian president over someone of a different faith. In an interview with Beliefnet, a multi-denominational web site that covers religion and spirituality, McCain was asked if a Muslim candidate could be a good president. "I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles ... personally, I prefer someone who I know who has a solid grounding in my faith," McCain said.

Read the full story from The Associated Press and DiversityInc's story here. Also, see McCain's blog.

Fred Thompson Defends Stance on Gay Marriage

Thompson is defending his views against gay marriage, favoring a constitutional amendment banning judges from legalizing gay marriage. But, CBS News reports, he would leave the door open for states to decide.

Thompson angered Republican Latinos in Florida with a call to review the practice of granting citizenship to every child born on American soil, says the Orlando Sentinel.

Rudy Giuliani Takes in Philly Cuisine at 'English-Only' Cheesesteak Stand

Giuliani began this week's campaign trail at a now-infamous cheesesteak stand in Philadelphia. The stand garnered nationwide press coverage in June 2006 after posting signs asking that customers speak English. The two small signs at Geno's Steaks read: "This is America: When ordering please speak English.'

Giuliani, who has toughened his stance on immigration policy since his time as mayor of New York City, said recently that all immigrants who want to become U.S. citizens should learn English. Giuliani also opposed the bipartisan immigration overhaul backed by President Bush, reports FOX News.  

Mitt Romney Tackles His Faith

Newsweek cover boy Romney speaks on whether he believes his religion will be an issue in the primaries.

Read Romney's blog.

Other Blog News

·         GOP frontrunners skip out on debate at HCBU.

·         Do Republicans really hate black people? Some might think they do. See the full story on Black Press USA.

·         Conservative Pat Buchanan rationalizes GOP snubbing voters of color on "Meet the Press."

·         Why won't Clinton choose Obama as a running mate? Read The Politco.

More Election '08 >>