Biden Punks Crocker: ‘I Would Therefore Pick Al Qaeda on The Afghanistan-Pakistan Border’  —  There was once a blog called Joe Biden Is Thugged Out.  (I swear this is true.)  Biden just proved why.  He asked Ryan Crocker, who used to be ambassador to Pakistan, whether it would be better …

They Need More White People  —  The Tartan, Carnegie Mellon's student newspaper, reports on a campaign event featuring Michelle Obama: … The Obama campaign discriminates against people of color, and their own supporters no less, in what is presumably a misguided pander to white voters.

Jay defends endorsement of Sen. Obama  —  Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., defended his decision to make an endorsement in the race for president during an interview with Gazette editors on Monday.  —  Rockefeller said some have criticized him for endorsing Sen. Barack Obama before the West Virginia primary in May.

Report: Jimmy Carter to Meet With Hamas Leader in Syria  —  NEW YORK CITY — Former President Jimmy Carter is reportedly preparing an unprecedented meeting with the leader of Hamas, an organization that the U.S. government considers one of the leading terrorist threats in the world.

Obama supporter Oprah takes a big dive  —  Much hay was made nearly a year ago when Oprah Winfrey announced that she would support — and campaign for — Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.  Her effect in boosting support for Obama in early primary and caucus states like Iowa …

Obama at the Helm  —  Deep into a primary campaign that was supposed be over by now, Barack Obama must still answer one fundamental question.  Jeremiah Wright notwithstanding, it's not whether he's too black.  It's whether he's too green.  Hillary Clinton has made Obama's inexperience …

Joe Klein from Time Magazine on Barack Obama's positions.  —  HH: Joined now by Joe Klein of Time Magazine, knows all, sees all, comments on all from Time Magazine, sometimes at their blog, the Swamp[land], often in his column.  Joe, welcome back, good to have you on the Hugh Hewitt Show.

Grover Norquist Endorses Condi Rice for Veep  —  No speaker goes to conservative activist Grover Norquist's Wednesday breakfast meeting without a purpose.  And so it was with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice two weeks ago when she convinced a rapt audience — without even raising the possibility …

The Coming Tax Bomb  —  As the presidential campaign enters its final stages, there will be increased debate over budget priorities and how they will be paid for.  Many commentators and political leaders, including Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, believe that tax increases are needed …

NYT Mag On Matthews: The Excerpts  —  Earlier: Forthcoming?  NYT Mag Piece on Matthews.  —  Earlier: Leibovich Dishes On Matthews  —  Earlier: NYT Mag On Matthews: NBC Forced Chris To Apologize.  —  We've got an advanced copy of Mark Leibovich's piece on Chris Matthews, entitled “Chris Matthews, Seriously.

Obama's unprecedented Pennsylvania ad buy  —  PHILADELPHIA — If, as has been widely predicted, Barack Obama loses Pennsylvania, it will not be for lack of effort.  —  Obama is currently spending $2.2 million per week on television here, over twice what Hillary Clinton is spending …

Absolut vodka pulls ad showing California in Mexico  —  MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The distillers of Sweden's Absolut vodka have withdrawn an advertisement run in Mexico that angered many U.S. citizens by idealizing an early 19th century map showing chunks of the United States as Mexican.

In Justice Shift, Corporate Deals Replace Trials  —  WASHINGTON — In 2005, federal authorities concluded that a Monsanto consultant had visited the home of an Indonesian official and, with the approval of a senior company executive, handed over an envelope stuffed with hundred-dollar bills.

Republican Iraq Vets Seek 17 House Seats  —  Seventeen Iraq combat veterans are running for House seats as Republicans, pledging to continue the war once in Congress and linking themselves to Sen. John McCain's candidacy for president.  —  As Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq …