Inside Politics

PENTAGON

Sources: U.S. to sell F-15s to Saudi Arabia

U.S. officials say the Obama administration is poised to announce the sale of nearly $30 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

Officials say the deal will send 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more, for a total of $29.4 billion.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the sale has not been made public.

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About a year ago, the administration got the go-ahead from Congress for a 10-year, $60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia that included F-15s, helicopters and a broad array of missiles, bombs and delivery systems, as well as radar warning systems and night-vision goggles.

The plan raised concerns particularly from pro-Israeli lawmakers, but U.S. officials reassured Congress that Israel’s military edge would not be undercut by the sale.

IOWA

Bachmann loses state campaign chairman to Paul

INDIANOLA — Rep. Michele Bachmann’s struggling presidential campaign has been dealt another setback: One of her Iowa co-chairmen has defected to rival Rep. Ron Paul’s side.

Hours after appearing with Mrs. Bachmann at a Wednesday event, state Sen. Kent Sorenson gave his endorsement to the Texas congressman at a Des Moines rally. Mr. Sorenson said he resigned from Mrs. Bachmann’s campaign to join the most conservative of the top-tier candidates.

The Minnesota congresswoman has been unable to recover from a fall slide that followed her Iowa straw poll victory in August. Mr. Paul was a close second.

Mr. Sorenson has strong ties to Iowa’s tea party, and he joined her for an afternoon stop on her 99-county tour. He didn’t speak at that gathering, citing recent dental work.

Mrs. Bachmann criticizes Mr. Paul as “dangerous” for his hands-off foreign policy.

FUNDRAISING

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