Rep. McHenry calls U.S. soldier in Iraq a ‘two-bit security guard.’  —  During a public appearance on Saturday, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) belittled a U.S. soldier in Iraq who was following orders and wouldn't let McHenry go to the gym without the proper credentials.

McCain Faces ‘A Little Bit Of Heckling’ During MLK Speech  —  Today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) spoke to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Memphis to commemorate the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. As ThinkProgress has noted, as a congressman in 1983, McCain voted against legislation creating MLK Day.

The DOJ comments on the Mukasey controversy  —  (updated below)  —  In response to the growing controversy over plainly misleading comments by Attorney General Michael Mukasey last week in San Francisco, and in response to the questions I submitted, the DOJ's Peter Carr …

Obama and King  —  Martin Luther King Jr. died at age 39; today, the 40th anniversary of his death, is the first time he has been gone longer than he lived.  —  Figures such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have tried to claim his place on the American stage.  But at most they have achieved fame and wealth.

No Consensus Favorite Among Republicans for McCain VP  —  Former rivals Huckabee, Romney most often mentioned  —  PRINCETON, NJ — At this early point in the process, Republicans do not have a clear favorite as to whom they would most want to see as John McCain's vice presidential running mate.

McCain returns $3m in checks as he considers public funding  —  In another sign that John McCain is moving toward accepting public financing this fall, the Republican's campaign is returning about $3 million in checks to contributors who have given money for his general election campaign …

Clinton Donors Press Dean at Fifth Avenue Bundler Summit  —  Leading donors to the Clinton and Obama campaigns sat down together last night with DNC chairman Howard Dean at a meeting at the Fifth Avenue apartment of super-bundlers Maureen White and Steven Rattner.

Beck Rants Against Polar Bears: 'They Eat People!  For The Love Of Pete, They're Big, Angry Bears!'  —  Last night on his CNN Headline News show, right-wing pundit Glenn Beck hosted global warming skeptic Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK).  Beck allowed Inhofe to rant about how — with “all the liberals” …

Obama Adviser Calls for Troops To Stay in Iraq Through 2010  —  WASHINGTON — A key adviser to Senator Obama's campaign is recommending in a confidential paper that America keep between 60,000 and 80,000 troops in Iraq as of late 2010, a plan at odds with the public pledge of the Illinois senator …

Second poll shows Clinton's Pennsylvania lead shrinking  —  49% of those asked favor her, compared with 38% for Obama.  —  Clinton holds an 11-point lead in Pennsylvania, down three percentage points from mid-February, according to a survey by The Morning Call/Muhlenberg College of 406 likely Democratic voters.

Obama cuts into Clinton's superdelegate lead  —  She trails him in fundraising and in pledged delegates.  Now her superdelegate edge has shrunk to 30, from 87 in February.  Even some who back her say they might reconsider.  —  WASHINGTON — Nearly three weeks remain before the next Democratic primary …

Hillary Clinton Los Angeles Fundraiser  —  Hillary was here in California for a 2-day swing during which she appeared on Jay Leno, taped Ellen and held several fundraisers, which reportedly netted her a cool million.  Since last night's LA event was open to media I was lucky enough to attend.