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.

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 …

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.

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 …

McCain reports $405,409 in earnings for 2007  —  WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate John McCain earned a total of $405,409 last year and donated a quarter of it to charity, according to tax returns that provide only a partial picture of his family's enormous wealth.

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 …