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 …

And the next GOP primary begins  —  A group of social conservatives have launched an effort to keep Mitt Romney off John McCain's ticket.  —  Under the rubric of an obscure PAC called “Government Is Not God,” a coalition of longtime Romney opponents and past supporters of Mike Huckabee …

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.

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” …

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 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 …

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.