McCain Gathers Support and Donations in Aftermath of Article in The Times  —  INDIANAPOLIS — Senator John McCain declared the battle over on Friday morning, but by then his lieutenants believed he had already won the war.  —  Conservative radio talk show hosts who had long reviled Mr. McCain …

BUSH PENTAGON  —  It would appear that we have another case where the Bush Pentagon, particularly the Office of Public Affairs is forcefully inserting itself into the civilian election process.  Earlier today I referenced Barack Obama's anecdote from Thursday night's Democratic debate …

Obama leading Clinton in Texas, according to Feb. 20 and 21 statewide survey by Decision Analyst  —  Arlington, Texas (Feb 21, 2008)— Barack Obama has a double digit lead over Hillary Clinton in Texas, according to a statewide survey of 678 registered voters planning to vote in the March 4 Democratic Primary.

No Longer in Race, Richardson Is a Man Pursued  —  SANTA FE, N.M. — Lots of people are calling Gov. Bill Richardson these days, “just to check in.”  —  Barack Obama calls every three days or so.  He called on Friday of last week, but Mr. Richardson was tied up with the Legislature …

FEINGOLD: “I VOTED FOR BARACK OBAMA”...  Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold, a progressive icon who briefly considered seeking the Democratic presidential nomination himself, said he voted in Tuesday's Wisconsin primary for Barack Obama.  —  Asked directly about his choice, Feingold answered directly.

Rice says no interest in veep spot  —  WASHINGTON - Condoleezza Rice's name on the Republican ticket is a dream to some, but not a reality she can see happening.  —  The secretary of State told reporters Friday she will not be a vice presidential candidate in the upcoming election.

Obama takes heat for skipping State of the Black Union  —  NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) — The annual State of the Black Union forum boasts a number of famous names as it gets under way in New Orleans, but this year's event is getting much more attention for who won't be there.

Homeowners Losing Equity Lines  —  As House Values Fall, Some Banks Withdraw Credit  —  In one brief phone call, Nancy Corazzi's lender yanked away what was left of the $95,000 home equity line of credit that she and her husband took out five months ago.  —  The lender informed …

Demon ethanol  —  I'm almost never censored at the Times.  However, I was told that I couldn't use the lede I originally wrote for my column following the 2007 State of the Union address, in which Bush made ethanol the centerpiece of his energy strategy: “Before the State of the Union address …

Official apology after CIA ‘torture’ jets used UK base  —  David Miliband told MPs that two CIA flights landed at the RAF air base on Diego Garcia (above)  —  A British territory in the Indian Ocean was used for American “torture” flights, despite categorical denials of Britain's involvement …

Earthquakes are caused by gays - MP  —  AN Israeli politician has blamed a spate of recent earthquakes in the Middle East on gays  —  Shlomo Benizri of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Shas Party said the only way to prevent the earthquakes was for parliament to stop liberalising laws concerning homosexuals, AP reported.

Michelle Obama thesis was on racial divide  —  Michelle Obama's senior year thesis at Princeton University, obtained exclusively from the campaign by Politico, shows a document written by a young woman grappling with a society in which a black Princeton alumnus might only be allowed to remain “on the periphery.”

Arizona's Rep. Renzi Is Indicted In Land Deal  —  Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) used his position in Congress to influence a federal land-exchange deal, collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in payoffs, according to an indictment released yesterday.  —  The 35-count indictment handed …