Clinton losing traction over Obama in Pennsylvania, Indiana  —  Her formerly double-digit lead is now just a five-point margin in Pennsylvania, survey finds.  The reduced margin makes a win for her there less significant.  She trails Obama among Hoosiers.  —  WASHINGTON — With three …

What Obama Really Got Wrong  —  Timothy Noah, surveying the literature on the white working class and its voting behavior in the wake of Obama's San Francisco fiasco, tiptoes close to an important point about the roots of culture-war politics but doesn't quite get there.

LOYALTIES IN PLAY....Compare and contrast.  In the LA Times, Jerome Karabel reminds us that lifelong political loyalties tend to be cemented during your 20s, which means that Democrats are playing with fire if they don't nominate Barack Obama: … Next up is Amanda Fortini …

McCain Proposes Special Summer Tax Break for Exxon  —  That is what the headlines on Senator McCain's proposal to remove the gas tax for the summer driving season should have read, since that would be the predicted effect of his plan.  —  According to the oil industry …

On Cable, Obama Deluges Pa. with Ads  —  As the Democratic candidates for president close in on Pennsylvania primary day, Sen. Barack Obama continues to vastly outspend Sen. Hillary Clinton on television advertising in the state, an imbalance that is allowing him to pursue voters on specialty channels …

Return of the pin  —  As a reader noticed, Obama was sporting the much-debated flag pin for his speech to veterans today.  —  UPDATE: The pin was given to Obama by a disabled vet at the event.

Senate Democrats Can't Count, And They Think You Smell Funny  —  Thanks to the amazing skill Barack Obama has shown this week of how easily he can stick his foot in his mouth while trying to speak off the cuff, the country continues to focus on who is or is not bitter, and whether guns …

Remarks By John McCain On The Economy  —  ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Senator John McCain will deliver the following remarks as prepared for delivery at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, today at 9:45 a.m. EDT:  —  Thank you.  I appreciate the hospitality of the Allegheny Business Conference …

GOV IS PLAIN CHEAP  —  270G COUPLE DONATES JUST $150 - IN OLD CLOTHES  —  ALBANY - Gov. Paterson and his wife last year gave a shockingly low $150 to charity, despite a combined income of nearly $270,000, the couple's income-tax filings show.  —  The $150 went to the Salvation Army in the form of used clothing, a Paterson aide said.

At McLean School, Playing Tag Turns Into Hot Potato  —  A playground pastime is getting a timeout this spring at a McLean elementary school.  —  Robyn Hooker, principal of Kent Gardens Elementary School, has told students they may no longer play tag during recess after determining that the game of chasing …

Montana Pol: Clinton Endorsement Preceded Obama ‘Cling’ Flap  —  Just when did Montana politico Bill Kennedy decide to endorse Hillary Clinton?  —  The Clinton campaign has suggested the Yellowstone County commissioner picked Clinton only after he heard Barack Obama's now famous “bitter” comments.