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.”

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.

President Bush Visits the Economic Club of New York  —  Fact Sheet: Taking Responsible Action to Help Homeowners and the Economy  —  THE PRESIDENT: Glenn, thanks for the kind introduction.  Thanks for giving me a chance to speak to the Economic Club of New York.

JPMorgan and Fed Move to Bail Out Bear Stearns  —  Bear Stearns, facing a grave liquidity crisis, reached out to JPMorgan on Friday for a short-term financial lifeline and now faces the prospect of the end of its 85-year run as an independent investment bank.

Obama Cuts Into Clinton's Delegate Lead Among Elected Officials  —  Barack Obama has pulled almost even with Hillary Clinton in endorsements from top elected officials and has cut into her lead among the other superdelegates she's relying on to win the Democratic presidential nomination.

The Romance of Empire  —  George W. Bush laments that his advanced age doesn't let him participate in his own screw-ups: … Need we note that when Bush had an actual opportunity to put his life on the line in a war, he chose to avoid doing so?  The guy who sent me the link observed …

McCain says al Qaeda might try to tip U.S. election  —  SPRINGFIELD, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain said on Friday he fears that al Qaeda or another extremist group might attempt spectacular attacks in Iraq to try to tilt the U.S. election against him.

Betting the Bank  —  Four years ago, an academic economist named Ben Bernanke co-authored a technical paper that could have been titled “Things the Federal Reserve Might Try if It's Desperate” — although that may not have been obvious from its actual title, “Monetary Policy Alternatives at the Zero Bound: An Empirical Investigation.”

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)

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.

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.”

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 …

Democratic rivals agree to play nicer  —  WASHINGTON - On this presidential rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton can agree: They sometimes disagree with their trash-talking supporters and will try to cool it.  —  Advisers to the Democratic candidates shed some light Friday …