Heilemann: Robert Reich to Endorse Obama  —  Secretary of Labor Robert Reich with Hillary Clinton at an education event in Washington, 1994.Photo: Corbis  —  If the Democratic presidential race were a poker game, by now you'd have to suspect that Barack Obama's campaign is dealing from the bottom …

Barack Obama makes a one-fingered gesture while speaking of Hillary Clinton  —  This is one of those political moments that really needs few words.  —  We'll no doubt hear much more about this incident in coming days.  —  Right now, we'll just leave this video for Ticket readers to view and judge for themselves.

FIRST THOUGHTS: OBAMANATION'S POWER  —  From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro  —  *** ObamaNation's power: Curious of what the bitterness and anger could look like if Obama is somehow denied the Democratic nomination?  Check out the reaction from the ObamaNation over Wednesday's debate.

How Obama Fell to Earth  —  Back in Iowa, Barack Obama promised to be something new — an unconventional leader who would confront unpleasant truths, embrace novel policies and unify the country.  If he had knocked Hillary Clinton out in New Hampshire and entered general-election mode early …

Newsmax/Zogby Poll: Clinton Edges Ahead in Pennsylvania  —  UTICA, New York - New York Democrat Hillary Clinton had a good day in the Newsmax/Zogby daily tracking poll ahead of Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary, following a strong debate performance in Philadelphia Wednesday night …

The art that was obviously a hoax was a hoax.  —  WaPo reports: … I wish the WaPo would report that in addition to the “outcry on the Internet,” there were plenty of people, including myself, who immediately spotted a hoax. … Ambiguity surrounding form and function of a woman's body …

HMMMM  —  Remember that woman from the debate last night who the moderators showed videotape of asking whether Barack Obama “believes in the flag”?  Her name is Nash McCabe.  —  I remember thinking it was sort of odd to have a couple one-off uses of ordinary voter questions when it didn't really seem like it was part of the format.

Pentagon institute calls Iraq war ‘a major debacle’ with outcome ‘in doubt’  —  WASHINGTON — The war in Iraq has become “a major debacle” and the outcome “is in doubt” despite improvements in security from the buildup in U.S. forces, according to a highly critical study published Thursday …

Nunn, Boren back Obama  —  Two former Democratic senators endorsed Barack Obama today, adding their foreign policy and national security gravitas to his candidacy.  —  Sam Nunn of Georgia and David Boren of Oklahoma, both from the Democratic Party's conservative wing, will serve as advisers …

Joe Scarborough Walks Off MSNBC's “Race To The White House” After Exchange With Rachel Maddow  —  “Joe didn't walk off.  He chose not to participate in the final couple of minutes of the discussion because he felt the conversation didn't fit his role as a political analyst.”  —  Previously:

So, Mr Putin, what do you see in this nubile 24-year-old rhythmic gymnast?  —  This is the kind of question Mrs Merton might ask:  —  'So, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, what do you see in a 24-year-old, sensationally beautiful gymnast with a penchant for posing semi-naked …

Iwo Jima Veterans Blast Time's ‘Special Environmental Issue’ Cover  —  Time editor tells MSNBC ‘there needs to be a real effort along the lines of World War II to combat global warming and climate change.’  —  Business & Media Institute  —  For only the second time in 85 years …