Is ‘success’ of U.S. surge in Iraq about to unravel?  —  BAGHDAD — A cease-fire critical to the improved security situation in Iraq appeared to unravel Monday when a militia loyal to radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al Sadr began shutting down neighborhoods in west Baghdad and issuing demands of the central government.

The Long Defeat  —  Hillary Clinton may not realize it yet, but she's just endured one of the worst weeks of her campaign.  —  First, Barack Obama weathered the Rev. Jeremiah Wright affair without serious damage to his nomination prospects.  Obama still holds a tiny lead among Democrats nationally …

Clinton Says She ‘Misspoke’ About Dodging Sniper Fire  —  BLUE BELL, Pa. — As part of her argument that she has the best experience and instincts to deal with a sudden crisis as president, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton recently offered a vivid description of having to run across a tarmac …

Obama's Test: Can a Liberal Be a Unifier?  —  WASHINGTON — At the core of Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign is a promise that he can transcend the starkly red-and-blue politics of the last 15 years, end the partisan and ideological wars and build a new governing majority.

Worried Dems wish for ‘dream team’  —  WASHINGTON — What are the odds Democrats will field a “dream team ticket” with Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton combining forces?  —  London bookmaker Ladbrokes is taking bets at 8-1, but leading Democratic insiders aren't ready to put down their money — yet.

Paterson Admits To Illegal Drug Use In The Past, Including Cocaine  —  In an exclusive interview on NY1's “Inside City Hall” Monday night, the state's new governor elaborated on recent revelations from his personal life and offered up some new ones, this time regarding illegal drug use.

One Bruising Scenario for Clinton  —  WASHINGTON — To listen to some of the discussion about the Democratic presidential contest these days, one would think that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton should have spent Easter weekend in Chappaqua, writing her withdrawal speech and preparing for her return to the Senate.

Don't discount Gore-led ticket  —  U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, whose district includes much of Martin and St. Lucie counties, is hoping he won't have to attend the Democratic Party national convention in Denver in August.  —  If he does go, that will mean the Democrats still haven't decided a nominee for the presidential election.

Behind the Deal, the Hand of the Fed  —  Adam Smith's invisible hand has a puppeteer: the Federal Reserve.  —  In case there is any confusion about who was pulling the strings behind the scenes of JPMorgan Chase's acquisition of Bear Stearns, the curtain was lifted Monday.

Forest Lake event canceled; too political  —  Forest Lake High's principal said the decision was spurred by concerns that the presentation was more political than educational.  —  A national tour featuring decorated veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan won't be stopping …

Cheney on 4000 American Dead: “They Volunteered.”  —  How's that for “supporting the troops”?  —  Download |  Play Download |  Play  —  This part absolutely kills me.  Who bears the burden of this war?  The soldiers and their families who lose sleep every night praying their loved ones don't get blown up?

Intelligently Misleading  —  There is no right answer.  —  THERE IS PERHAPS NO clearer example of why the U.S. intelligence community has such a serious credibility problem than the recently released report on the relationship between Saddam Hussein's Iraq and terrorist groups.

McCAIN'S CRED....Via Steve Benen, MSNBC analyst Chuck Todd tells us why John McCain can get away with routine demonstrations of abject ignorance, like his recent proclamation that Iran is supporting al-Qaeda in Iraq: … Italics mine.  Let's recap.  Foreign policy cred lets him get away with wild howlers on foreign policy.