explicit (clear or direct)
"Obama was explicit from the beginning: there was to be 'no drama,' he told his aides." (page 22)
rent (torn apart)
"It worked against Hillary Clinton, whose own campaign has been rent by squabbling aides and turf battles." (page 22)
Norma Rae (character from a 1979 film of the same name who becomes involved in labor union activities at the textile factory where she works)
"While Clinton veered between playing Queen Elizabeth I and Norma Rae, Obama and his team chugged along with a superior 50-state campaign strategy, racking up the delegates." (page 22)
haughty (showing arrogant superiority to others)
"It is a sure bet that the GOP will try to paint Obama as 'the other'—as a haughty black intellectual who has Muslim roots (Obama is a Christian) and hangs around with America-haters." (page 22)
concede (surrender to)
"Refusing to concede defeat last week, she cited an Associated Press poll 'that found how Senator Obama's support among working, hardworking Americans, white Americans, is weakening again.'" (page 22)
scruples (ethical or moral principles)
"The Republicans 'won't suffer from such scruples,' this adviser says." (page 22)
recriminations (countercharges)
"For Obama, the challenge will be to respond quickly and surely—but without overreacting or inviting an endless cycle of recriminations." (page 22)