The Shape of the Race to Come  —  I've spent a fair amount of time the last couple of weeks with conservatives of all ages and leanings.  Call it my very own listening tour.  —  It began with a series of conversations with a group of Weekly Standard subscribers.

Dialogue on race could begin on hallowed ground  —  The wounds inflicted on Barack Obama by the hateful speech of his pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, are serious and profound.  —  Why else would ministers gather at Obama's church in Chicago—Trinity United Church of Christ …

Neocons Preparing The Ground For Petraeus Testimony By Hyping Threat Of Iran  —  A story yesterday in Britain's Sunday Times suggested that General David Petraeus “is expected to tell Congress [that] Iranian forces were involved in the recent battle for Basra” when he testifies before Congress this week.

CLINTON MAN'S OBAMA MOMENT  —  Was Terry McAuliffe, chairman of Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, engaging in his own sort of hedging strategy at a recent meeting of Washington State Democrats?  Or was the former Democratic National Committee chair engaging in a kumbayah, all-us-Democrats-are-in-this- together moment?