Hell Has Officially Frozen Over  —  It caught my eye as a flash on Brit Hume a few moments ago, but here is a photo from Hillary Clinton's visit today to the editorial board of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.  In this picture, she is seen talking to none other than Richard Mellon Scaife …

The Maverick and the Media  —  Amagansett, N.Y.  —  IT is certainly no secret that Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is a darling of the news media.  Reporters routinely attach “maverick,” “straight talker” and “patriot” to him like Homeric epithets.

If McCain vs. Obama, 28% of Clinton Backers Go for McCain  —  If McCain vs. Clinton, 19% of Obama backers go for McCain  —  PRINCETON, NJ — A sizable proportion of Democrats would vote for John McCain next November if he is matched against the candidate they do not support for the Democratic nomination.

McCain Asks When Hillary Clinton Will Apologize to Gen. Petraeus - Video  —  Here is Sen. John McCain on March 24, 2008 asking when Sen. Hillary Clinton will apologize to Gen. David Petraeus for her remarks last year ridiculing the idea that “The Surge” strategy in Iraq was working.

Jarheads  —  In light of Tuzla-gate (catchy, no?), reporters are going over past statements by Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, (and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois) to see if others don't stand more rigorous examination.  —  One that may get renewed scrutiny is a story she told “Women in Military Service” …

Southern Dem warns party to avert disaster  —  Democrats are increasingly nervous about their party's protracted nomination fight, and some prominent figures are publicly warning that the party needs to act fast to avoid disaster.  —  Chief among these voices is Phil Bredesen …

Iraqi Crackdown on Shiite Forces Sets Off Fighting  —  BAGHDAD — Heavy fighting broke out Tuesday in two of Iraq's largest cities, as Iraqi ground forces and helicopters mounted a huge operation to break the grip of the Shiite militias controlling Basra, and Iraqi forces clashed with militias in Baghdad.

Is Sex Ed Working?  —  Lawmakers Renew Call to Eliminate Funding for Abstinence-Only Education  —  Concern over sex education is alive and well in the nation's capital.  —  The political and ethical debate over what to teach teenagers about sex is being reinvigorated after a recent study …

Obama advisor: US Jews hinder peace  —  More trouble for presidential hopeful: Inquiry by conservative US media outlets reveals that Obama advisor Merrill ‘Tony’ McPeak is a longtime anti-Israel critic who slammed American Jews for acting against US interests

Half-Baked  —  The latest in global-warming denialism.  —  Republicans are no longer denying the scientific basis for global warming.  That's good news for those of us who have grown accustomed to the continued existence of things like polar sea ice, various forms of life, and Miami.

Hillary or Nobody?  —  While the cool cat's away, the Hillary mice will play.  —  As Barack Obama was floating in the pool with his daughters the last few days in St. Thomas, some Clinton disciples were floating the idea of St. Hillary as his vice president.

Look and feel 15 years younger!  —  The latest report of the Social Security Trustees is out.  I think the key message is what has happened to the estimate of actuarial balance — the difference between projected outlays and projected revenues over the next 75 years.

Wherefore, Gore?  Inconvenient Al Makes Party Wait  —  If He Gets in at All, His Part May Be Mr. Unity, After Last Primaries Done  —  Al Gore.  —  History may record that there were three distinct windows of opportunity for Al Gore to play a decisive role in this year's Democratic primary contest.