memeorandum: ‘Super delegate’ win would be unfair, voters say (USA Today)

12:45 PM ET, March 18, 2008

Top Items:

OBAMA SPEECH IN FULL: A MORE PERFECT UNION — “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union.” — Two hundred and twenty one years ago, in a hall that still stands across the street, a group of men gathered and, with these simple words, launched America's improbable experiment in democracy.

Shelby Steele / Wall Street Journal:

The Obama Bargain — Geraldine Ferraro may have had sinister motives when she said that Barack Obama would not be “in his position” as a frontrunner but for his race. Possibly she was acting as Hillary Clinton's surrogate. Or maybe she was simply befuddled by this new reality …

Discussion: JustOneMinute, No More Mister Nice Blog, Debbie Schlussel, Too Sense, American Thinker, Dr. Sanity and Betsy's Page

Andrew Sullivan / The Daily Dish:

The Testing Of Obama — Today will be a crucial day. It will be a day when we will discover if America's racial environment - and the emotions and feelings and anger and fears that it entails - can allow for a black man - with all that entails - to become president.

Discussion: JustOneMinute, The Corner, Outside The Beltway and The Garlic

CNN:

Obama: We can move beyond some of our racial wounds — PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama said Tuesday he chose to run for president because he believes “we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together.” — Speaking to supporters …

Discussion: The Moderate Voice and Donklephant

Michelle Malkin:

Newsflash: Obama says “God bless America;” Plus: The Philly speech-Can Obama get his glow back? Update: Obama on Wright, “I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community;” Hate-filled sermons were just “snippets;” Hey, let's point the finger at “talk show hosts and conservative commentators”

Discussion: TownHall Blog, ABCNEWS, Hot Air and Spin Cycle

Ben Smith / The Politico:

The speech — He hasn't started speaking yet here in Philly, but Drudge just busted the embargo, so I've posted the text after the jump. — It's quite a speech: autobiographical, embracing complexity, and answering questions about Wright — whose most offensive words, he says …

Discussion: Reason Magazine and The Confluence

The Politico:
Race uproar offers test for Obama

Ross Douthat:
Obama's Speech — Barack Obama's long association …

Discussion: Eunomia

Karl / protein wisdom:
Andrew Sullivan launches a preemptive attack on Obama's critics

Discussion: Snarky Bastards

Associated Press:
Obama condemns his pastor's comments

Discussion: Connecting.the.Dots and FREEDOM EDEN

Byron York / The Corner: All The News That's Fit...

Press Association:
On Defensive, Obama Plans Talk on Race

Discussion: JustOneMinute, Fox News, Associated Press, NYCweboy, Corrente, The Democratic Daily, The Caucus, Connecting.the.Dots, Suburban Guerrilla, TPM Election Central, MSNBC, TalkLeft and American Thinker

NY Daily News:

Gov. Paterson admits to sex with other woman for years — The thunderous applause was still ringing in his ears when the state's new governor, David Paterson, told the Daily News that he and his wife had extramarital affairs. — In a stunning revelation, both Paterson, 53, and his wife …

New York Post: STATE OF AFFAIRS — NEW GOV DAVE & WIFE CHEATED ON EACH OTHER

E. J. Dionne Jr / Washington Post:

The Street on Welfare — Never do I want to hear again from my conservative friends about how brilliant capitalists are, how much they deserve their seven-figure salaries and how government should keep its hands off the private economy. — The Wall Street titans have turned into a bunch of welfare clients.

Discussion: Firedoglake, New York Times, Buck Naked Politics, Middle Earth Journal, The Glittering Eye and Balloon Juice

Alan S. Blinder / Washington Post:
The Fed Can't Do It Alone — Psychology has now overwhelmed economics.

Discussion: Financial Times, Economics Blog and Economist's View

Landon Thomas Jr / New York Times:
Aftershocks of a Collapse, With a Bank at the Epicenter

Discussion: Eschaton, Think Progress and Los Angeles Times

Washington Post:

A McCain Gaffe in Jordan — AMMAN, Jordan — Sen. John McCain, traveling in the Middle East to promote his foreign policy expertise, misidentified in remarks Tuesday which broad category of Iraqi extremists are allegedly receiving support from Iran. — He said several times that Iran …

Discussion: Washington Monthly

Matthew Yglesias:
Doesn't Understand Economics, Either

Discussion: Eschaton, Early Warning and Swampland

Frank Newport / Gallup:

McCain's 67% Favorable Rating His Highest in Eight Years — Obama has a 62% favorable rating, while Clinton's is 53% — PRINCETON, NJ — John McCain's 67% favorable rating is the highest of any of the three major candidates running for president, and ties for his highest in Gallup polling history.

Discussion: Wake up America, Hotline On Call, Hot Air, PoliGazette and Real Clear Politics

Andrew Sullivan / The Daily Dish:

The Speech — Alas, I cannot give a more considered response right now as I have to get on the road. But I do want to say that this searing, nuanced, gut-wrenching, loyal, and deeply, deeply Christian speech is the most honest speech on race in America in my adult lifetime.

Discussion: Taegan Goddard's …, MSNBC and TPMCafe

Roger Simon / The Politico:

Obama camp: HRC is taking the low road — Is it possible to win the Democratic nomination in such a way as to make winning not worth it? — The Barack Obama campaign thinks so. It thinks Hillary Clinton's campaign is willing to take any road to the White House, including the low road.