Obama and the Minister  —  In a sermon delivered at Howard University, Barack Obama's longtime minister, friend and adviser blamed America for starting the AIDS virus, training professional killers, importing drugs and creating a racist society that would never elect a black candidate president.

A Free-Spirited Wanderer Who Set Obama's Path  —  In the capsule version of the Barack Obama story, his mother is simply the white woman from Kansas.  The phrase comes coupled alliteratively to its counterpart, the black father from Kenya.  On the campaign trail, he has called her his “single mom.”

Our Uncertain Economy  —  In recent times, most economists have pretended that the economy is essentially predictable and understandable.  Economic decision- and policy-making in the private and public sectors, the thinking goes, can be reduced to a science.

Petraeus: Iraqi Leaders Not Making ‘Sufficient Progress’  —  Iraqi leaders have failed to take advantage of a reduction in violence to make adequate progress toward resolving their political differences, Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said Thursday.

Obama's True Beliefs  —  Derb: I am coming to believe that Barack Obama is one of the greatest con artists we've seen.  His entire campaign has been about “coming together,” a post-racial consensus, etc.  Any mention of his middle name was immediately condemned as ignorant fear-mongering.

Obama Lists His Earmarks, Asking Clinton for Hers  —  Senator Barack Obama on Thursday released a list of $740 million in earmarked spending requests that he had made over the last three years, and his campaign challenged Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to do the same.

Saddam supported at least two al-Qaeda groups: Pentagon Update: What it means  —  Earlier this week, the Pentagon announced that an investigation into over 600,000 documents captured at the end of the invasion of Iraq showed no operational links to al-Qaeda — or at least, that's how the media reported it.

Getting the Politics of the Press Right: Walter Pincus Rips into Newsroom Neutrality  —  “The important thing is to show integrity— not to be a neuter, politically.  Having good facts that hold up is a bigger advantage than claiming to reflect all sides equally well.”

Obama's Michigan Co-Chair Suggests Agreement On Redo Of Primary Is Likely  —  The Obama campaign's Michigan co-chair says that all the momentum right now in private negotiations between Michigan Dems is behind the option of having a redo primary in the state, suggesting that an agreement on a redo is likely.

Rare closed session changes few minds on FISA  —  A rare closed session of the House to discuss electronic surveillance legislation failed to change many minds Thursday night, as many lawmakers emerged from the closed-door meeting entrenched in their positions on the controversial measure.

OMG!  I JUST DID THE GOVERNOR!  —  SPITZ HOOKER'S DC DISCOVERY  —  The high-priced hooker at the center of Gov. Spitzer's sex scandal trysted with him several times before he was caught on a wiretap - but it was only during their last encounter that she realized the real identity of her john, sources said yesterday.

President weakens espionage oversight  —  Board created by Ford loses most of its power  —  President Ford with Vice President Dick Cheney (left), then Ford's chief of staff, and Jim Baker.  Cheney said in 2005 that postWatergate reforms went too far.  (New york times/file 1976)

Schools fear that forced marriages poster campaign will upset parents  —  Schools in areas feared to have high rates of forced marriage are refusing to display posters on the issue because they are too hard-hitting, according to a government report.  —  Headteachers are unwilling to put …

Obama works to convert in Pennsylvania  —  FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa. — Nearly a month before voters go to the polls, Sen. Barack Obama will get an early clue about his chances against Pennsylvania's prohibitive favorite, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.  —  In the days after the March 24 voter registration deadline …

Sen. Ensign paints a grim picture for GOP in November  —  The Senate Republican campaign committee's motto from early on in the 2008 cycle has been “Two Seats” — the net gain it needs in November to retake the majority.  —  But a resigned National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) …

Ventura: Will he or won't he?  —  To hear Jesse Ventura tell it, he's either out to become president or an expatriate.  —  In the opening to his fourth book, due out April 1, the former wrestler and governor of Minnesota writes: “As I begin to write this book, I'm facing probably …