Obama's gains  —  A pretty stunning gain out of Iowa for Obama, where an Iowa Democratic official confirmed to me just now that the county convention results will translate into a 25-14-6 edge for Obama over Clinton and Edwards.  —  That's a gain of nine for the Illinois Senator …

Obama's Remarks at Plainfield, Indiana Town Hall  —  Town Hall Meeting at Plainfield High School, (Plainfield, Indiana)  —  Let me just close my initial remarks by talking about bringing this country together.  You know, Bobby Kennedy gave one of his most — gave one of his most famous speeches on a dark night in Indianapolis.

Writers Strike at DailyKos  —  This is an open letter to the progressive blogosphere...  I've been posting at DailyKos for nearly 4 years now and started writing diaries in support of Hillary Clinton back in June of last year.  Over the past few months I've noticed that things …

The story behind the story: Obama's pastor  —  Politicians know a troublesome story has “broken through” the Eastern media echo chamber when Jay Leno is laughing at them.  —  In the case of the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., retiring pastor and outgoing spiritual adviser to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), it took less than 48 hours.

For Democrats, Increased Fears of a Long Fight  —  WASHINGTON — Lacking a clear route to the selection of a Democratic presidential nominee, the party's uncommitted superdelegates say they are growing increasingly concerned about the risks of a prolonged fight between Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton …

Republicans See Storm Clouds Gathering  —  Week of Bad News Highlights Difficult Challenges for GOP in Fall Elections  —  While all eyes were on the presidential campaign and the demise of New York Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer (D) last week, Republicans on Capitol Hill were suffering a run of bad news …

Iraq Insurgency Runs on Stolen Oil Profits  —  BAIJI, Iraq — The Baiji refinery, with its distillation towers rising against the Hamrin Mountains, may be the most important industrial site in the Sunni Arab-dominated regions of Iraq.  On a good day, 500 tanker trucks will leave the refinery filled …

Zogby Poll: McCain Bests Both Obama, Clinton in 3-Way General Election Tests  —  Independent candidate Ralph Nader wins 5%, taking more support from Democrats  —  UTICA, New York - Riding high after locking up his party's presidential nomination, Republican John McCain of Arizona has moved ahead …

Supreme Court Inc.  —  I.  —  The headquarters of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, located across from Lafayette Park in Washington, is a limestone structure that looks almost as majestic as the Supreme Court.  The similarity is no coincidence: both buildings were designed by the same architect, Cass Gilbert.

Obama opens up on Rezko, and it's almost believable  —  Barack Obama looked me straight in the eye.  I heard him speak.  Yet unlike some other pundits, I felt no thrill going up my leg.  —  I did feel a twinge of Rezko, though, and figured Obama could feel it, too, like when the bottom …

Gallup Daily: Obama Maintains Slight Edge Over Clinton  —  Democrats, McCain tie in general election matchups  —  PRINCETON, NJ — The race for the Democratic nomination remains close, with Gallup Poll Daily tracking showing that 49% of Democratic voters nationwide prefer Barack Obama and 46% Hillary Clinton.

The Bear Facts  —  What happened to Bear Stearns?  —  It ran out of money.  —  That can't be good if you're a bank.  —  No. The stock is down more than 40 percent today, and off more than 50 percent this week.  —  But surely the last thing this market needs right now is a bank failure?