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.

FIRST THOUGHTS: OBAMA'S BIG SPEECH  —  From Chuck Todd and Mark Murray  —  *** Obama's big speech: The last time a top presidential candidate gave an important speech on a sensitive topic was last December, when Mitt Romney talked about American faith.  His speech drew favorable reviews …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Clinton widens leads over Obama in Pa., poll finds  —  Sen. Hillary Clinton has widened her lead over Sen. Barack Obama in the Pennsylvania Democratic presidential primary battle, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.  —  Sen. Clinton now leads Sen. Obama …

About Obama's Speech  —  ...it was in many respects excellent.  I thought the first third of the speech was not so good in that that he offered up too much stark racial context before he got to the part about addressing Wright.  But once he got wound up, he spoke about as candidly and eloquently …

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.