FIRST THOUGHTS: TWO DIFFERENT MAPS  —  From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro  —  *** Two different maps: On TODAY and Morning Joe, NBC's Tim Russert took at a stab at November's electoral map.  And this morning, we do the same, to show how different Clinton's and Obama's paths to 270 are.

Obama breaks $40 million for March  —  Yet another success of lowered expectations, and well-concealed numbers, as Obama announces his fundraising numbers for March.  —  The campaign says he raised more than $40 million from more than 442,000, more than 218,000 of whom were giving for the first time.

Barr bid could hurt McCain  —  Can a conservative former congressman who helped impeach President Clinton, is a board member of the National Rifle Association and has done contract work with the ACLU dent Sen. John McCain's presidential bid?  —  That's exactly what Mr. McCain would face if Bob Barr …

Did the Dems Muzzle Casey?  —  Over at the Daily Howler, they've got a thorough examination of the old claim (repeated in Michael Gerson's column yesterday) that the Democrats refused to let former Pennsylvania Governor Robert Casey, Sr. speak at the 1992 Democratic convention because of his pro-life views.

GOP under fire from everywhere after 9/11 comments  —  WASHINGTON - The California congressman who called the Sept. 11 attacks “simply” a plane crash ran for cover Wednesday under a barrage of ridicule from fellow Republicans, first responders and victims' families.

For McCain, son's duty in Iraq is not a talking point  —  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) regularly talks about his military experience on the presidential campaign trail, but he draws the line when asked about his sons' service in the armed forces.  —  Jimmy McCain, 19, who returned from Iraq in mid-February …

Student Sues ‘Anti-Christian’ Teacher Over Remarks in Class  —  A student and his family have filed a federal lawsuit demanding that a popular European history teacher at California's Capistrano Valley High School be fired for what they say were anti-Christian remarks he made in the classroom.

Jane Fonda endorses Barack Obama; there goes his crossover vote  —  Jane Fonda, the actress and ardent anti-Vietnam War advocate who visited North Vietnam during those hostilities, has endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president.  —  There were no formal ceremonies for the endorsement.

Carter hints at Obama backing  —  The Nigerian paper This Day reports that the former president all but came out for Obama, speaking to reporters in that country: … He was in Abuja, the paper reports, for the Carter Center awards for guinea worm eradication.

Tax returns coming  —  Clinton aide Howard Wolfson suggested that Hillary's tax returns will be out today or tomorrow:  —  “She said late last week that they would be out within a week and so you can count on that,” he said.  —  Wolfson also said Clinton's fundraising totals would be out when the filings are due, around April 20.

Muslims Leaving Islam in Droves  —  Pope Benedict's choice to publicly baptize the most prominent Muslim in Italy, Egyptian-born Magdi Allam, highlights a quiet worldwide exodus from Islam.  In recent years, millions have moved on.  With this high-profile action, Pope Benedict demonstratively blesses …

Obama's Dimestore ‘Mein Kampf’  —  If characters from “The Hills” were to emote about race, I imagine it would sound like B. Hussein Obama's autobiography, “Dreams From My Father.”  —  Has anybody read this book?  Inasmuch as the book reveals Obama to be a flabbergasting lunatic …

DNC convention stance surprises campaigns  —  The Democratic National Committee said Tuesday that Florida and Michigan members will be seated on the three standing committees — including the critical Credentials Committee—at the party's 2008 national convention, a position that could affect the selection of the Democratic nominee.

Mom lets 9-year-old take subway home alone  —  Columnist stirs controversy with experiment in childhood independence  —  Once upon a time in New York City, it wasn't a big deal if pre-teen kids rode the subways and buses alone.  Today, as Lenore Skenazy has discovered, a kid who goes out without a nanny …