Howard Dean 2004: The Medals Matter  —  Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., launches a biography tour next week, which looks to tell the American people about his days as a POW in Vietnam, at least based on his new TV ad (watch HERE) introduced today in New Mexico.  —  In response, Democratic National …

The Chickens of Identity Politics Come Home to Roost?  —  Watching the parade of apologists for Rev. Wright's hatred—"garlic noses"; “KKK of A;” “God Damn America;” “Condamnesia;” the U.S. deserved 9/11; America is no different from al-Qaeda; we caused the AIDs virus; Israel is a “dirty word” …

Asking a Judge to Save the World, and Maybe a Whole Lot More  —  More fighting in Iraq.  Somalia in chaos.  People in this country can't afford their mortgages and in some places now they can't even afford rice.  —  None of this nor the rest of the grimness on the front page today will matter a bit …

Who'll Stop the Pain?  —  Gore and Edwards may have the most party clout.  But there's only one person Hillary will finally listen to.  Her name isn't Bill.  —  In the days after John Edwards's withdrawal from the Democratic race, the political world expected his endorsement of Barack Obama would be forthcoming tout de suite.

Hillary's Consolation Prize?  —  Some Dems float the New York Statehouse as an option.  —  Some Democrats terrified that their bloody primary campaign will doom them in November are floating a consolation prize for Hillary Clinton: governor of New York.  —  The travails of New York …

Police Mutiny, Refuse to attack Sadrists; Clashes continue in Basra; Sadrists open New fronts throughout Shiite South  —  Police Mutiny, Refuse to attack Sadrists;  —  Clashes continue in Basra;  —  Sadrists open New fronts throughout Shiite South  —  Mahdi Army Militiamen, courtesy Al-Zaman of Baghdad.

Fox on the Run  —  On super Tuesday, Bush's former brain, Karl Rove, debuted on Fox News Channel as a political analyst.  Genteel, wry and armed with terabytes of political minutiae, he won critical raves.  ("One of the best things in television news right now," said the New York Times …

Buyers' Revenge: Trash the House After Foreclosure  —  Banks Pay People Off To Deter Home Rage; Loose Pets, Paint Spills  —  LAS VEGAS — Eddy Buompensiero noticed eight pairs of shoes outside the door of the modest house on Mother of Pearl Street, evidence that the former owners were still living …

Treasury Dept. Plan Would Give Fed Wide New Power  —  WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department will propose on Monday that Congress give the Federal Reserve broad new authority to oversee financial market stability, in effect allowing it to send SWAT teams into any corner of the industry …

Hillary's team crosses the line  —  From left, Sen. Barack Obama, retired Gen. Merrill “Tony” McPeak and Sen. Hillary Clinton  —  Over the past few months, the emotional trajectory of the Democratic presidential primary has dropped precipitously, from inspiring to enervating …

McCain guru linked to subprime crisis  —  The general co-chairman of John McCain's presidential campaign, former Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas), led the charge in 1999 to repeal a Depression-era banking regulation law that Democrat Barack Obama claimed on Thursday contributed significantly to today's economic turmoil.

Freed Alabama Ex-Governor Sees Politics in His Case  —  MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Former Governor Don Siegelman of Alabama, released from prison today on bond in a bribery case, said he was as convinced as ever that politics played a leading role in his prosecution.

Wash. Post claimed McCain “most aggressive” of the three major candidates in “identifying ways to reduce spending,” ignoring cost of Iraq policy  —  A March 28 Washington Post article, headlined “As Candidates Warm to Bush Tax Cuts, Economists Warn of Long-Term Effects,” claimed that “[o] …