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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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” …

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.

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 …

John McCain Wants You  —  BEHIND any successful politician lies a usable contradiction, and John McCain's is this: We love him (and occasionally hate him) for his stubborn individualism, yet his politics are best understood as a decade-long attack on the individual.

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.

Wright and Israel  —  This Trinity United Church of Christ newsletter (PDF link) from last June seems to be making the rounds in Jewish circles.  I have now had it e-mailed to me three times in the last 24 hours from friends who all more or less seem to have gotten it through their synagogues.

Route to Victory?  —  N.C. may be pivotal in race, analysts predict  —  Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's dwindling chances to be president may hinge on what happens in North Carolina.  —  As she prepares to make her first campaign trip to the state on Thursday, including a stop in Winston-Salem …