The Democratic Debate in Cleveland  —  The following is a transcript of the Democratic presidential debate on MSNBC in Cleveland, Ohio, as provided by the Federal News Service and CQ Transcriptions via The Associated Press.  —  PARTICIPANTS:  —  SENATOR BARACK OBAMA (D-IL)  —  MODERATORS:

McCain has edge over Democrats  —  The GOP candidate is rated ‘strongest leader.’ The survey also shows Obama has a six-point lead over Clinton.  —  WASHINGTON — As he emerges from a sometimes- bitter primary campaign, presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain poses …

Now on the Campaign Trail, a Reined-In Bill Clinton  —  LANCASTER, Ohio — The long campaign has taken some of the fight out of the Big Dog.  —  Bill Clinton is dutifully traveling from state to state and small town to small town on behalf of his wife's presidential candidacy.

How Do We Defeat Tim Russert?  —  The country wants change.  They want Washington to stop all the partisan bickering and they want a different tone.  They want their government to be serious and deal with real problems.  —  Can someone please explain to me how that can possibly happen until something …

Comcast Blocking: First the Internet — Now the Public  —  There was huge turnout at today's public hearing in Boston on the future of the Internet.  Hundreds of concerned citizens arrived to speak out on the importance of an open Internet.  Many took the day off from work …

GOP Halts Effort to Retrieve White House E-Mails  —  After promising last year to search its computers for tens of thousands of e-mails sent by White House officials, the Republican National Committee has informed a House committee that it no longer plans to retrieve the communications …

Oink!  Oink!  Murtha's porkfest  —  WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Rep. John Murtha is hosting a gala dinner tonight at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Pentagon City for defense industry lobbyists who have received and who hope to receive millions of tax dollars via earmarks sponsored by the Pennsylvania Democrat.

Hillary's Winning Ways Have Turned Into Whining Ways  —  Last week, Hillary Clinton waited until well into her debate with Barack Obama to utter the line of the night that cost her the debate.  She had a scripted line to use about Barack Obama's change as being something you can Xerox, which fell flat and drew boos from the audience.

How to Beat Obama (Maybe)  —  Republicans owe Hillary our gratitude.  She has road-tested several versions of attacks on Obama that don't work.  Obviously, and first, don't come out against change and hope — the perennial themes of successful election campaigns.

Clinton aide: She and Obama could be running mates  —  MADISON, Wis. — The national chairman of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign says she could end up on the same ticket with rival Barack Obama.  —  Terry McAuliffe told a business group in Madison on Tuesday it “sure is” …

Upset Sends Democrat to Albany  —  ALBANY — In a major victory for Gov. Eliot Spitzer and his party, a Democratic assemblyman won a stunning upset in a State Senate election on Tuesday in a district that has been in Republican hands for a century.  —  The win reduces the Republicans' majority …

Boehner tells GOP to get off ‘dead asses’  —  House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) challenged Republicans on Tuesday to get off their “dead asses” and start raising money for the National Republican Congressional Committee.  —  And the Republican leader wasn't the only lawmaker berating …

Loans Could Paint McCain Into Corner  —  Sen. John McCain's campaign and a Bethesda bank strongly defended $4 million in loans yesterday, as Democrats questioned their legality and said that the way they were secured requires the Arizona Republican to abide by federal spending restrictions.

Begrudging His Bedazzling  —  A huge Ellen suddenly materialized behind Hillary on a giant screen, interrupting her speech Monday night at a fund-raiser at George Washington University in Washington.  —  What better way for a desperate Hillary to try and stop her rival from running off …

Okay, enough with the shoe shopping.  Let's live-blog the big debate.  —  7:58 ET: I am so ready for this.  It's do or die time for Hillary.  And I'm watching the debate with a big Hillary supporter.  I want to see some major action in the first 20 minutes.  MSNBC is banging drums and hyping the debate (which starts in an hour).