Wright Says His Words Were Twisted  —  In his first wide-ranging interview since video clips of his inflammatory sermons were aired, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. defended himself over the controversy, saying that his words were twisted.  —  Mr. Wright, Senator Barack Obama's former pastor …

THE McCAIN MYTH....David Broder says John McCain “is the rare exception who is not assumed to be willing to sacrifice personal credibility to prevail in any contest.”  Bob Somerby is pissed: … I'll give Broder credit for one thing: he's right about McCain's straight-talkiness being generally “assumed.”

Is Obama Ready for Prime Time?  —  After being pummeled 55% to 45% in the Pennsylvania primary, Barack Obama was at a loss for explanations.  The best he could do was to compliment his supporters in an email saying, “you helped close the gap to a slimmer margin than most thought possible.”

Election 2008: Minnesota Presidential Election  —  Minnesota: Obama 52% McCain 38%  —  While Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton still struggle for the nomination, both Democrats have gained ground on John McCain in Minnesota.  The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state shows …

Ambinder The Dupe?  —  Moments after I posted a brief about Sen. Clinton's $10M fundraising day, I received about a dozen e-mails from readers (and a few folks from Chicago) suggesting that, amiable as I am, I was duped.  A healthy skepticism is in order, virtually all of these e-mails say …

Jenna Bush: I may not support McCain  —  In Republican circles, this could constitute a form of sacrilege.  —  Speaking on Larry King Live last night, first daughter Jenna Bush, who appeared alongside first lady Laura Bush, confessed that she's not sure if she'll vote for the presumptive Republican nominee …

Biblical Scholars Challenge Pelosi's ‘Scripture’ Quote  —  (CNSNews.com) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is fond of quoting a particular passage of Scripture.  The quote, however, does not appear in the Bible and is “fictional,” according to biblical scholars.

Reid, Pelosi, Dean may intervene in nomination  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday that he may have to push undecided superdelegates to make their decisions in the Democratic presidential race, if the contest stretches into June.  —  Reid said he would consider writing …

The Incredibly Shrinking Democrats  —  “This election,” Bill Clinton said in the hours before the Pennsylvania primary, “is too big to be small.”  It was a noble sentiment, succinctly stated, and the core of what Democrats believe — that George W. Bush has been a historic screwup as President …

Dems hedge on healthcare  —  Congressional Democrats are backing away from healthcare reform promises made by their two presidential candidates, saying that even if their party controls the White House and Congress, sweeping change will be difficult.  —  It is still seven months before Election Day …

Disneyland-Style Theme Park Set for Baghdad.  Honest to God  —  Satire becomes reality.  In the preview for “War, Inc.” that Bruce posted below, private contractor John Cusack executes a war for the American government and then watches bewilderedly as a hip-hop star and her entourage invade the country right behind him.

What the Family Would Let You See, the Pentagon Obstructs  —  Lt. Col. Billy Hall, one of the most senior officers to be killed in the Iraq war, was laid to rest yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery.  It's hard to escape the conclusion that the Pentagon doesn't want you to know that.

IRAN: Hillary's threat to “obliterate” in war reverberates  —  Better be careful what you say in the heat of a political campaign.  It could have global repercussions.  —  Presidential contender Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's vow to “obliterate” Iran, presumably with nuclear weapons …

BENJAMIN NIOLET, Staff Writer  —  In the race for governor, a fictional sheriff could be a political heavyweight.  —  Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Wednesday introduced a television ad featuring Andy Griffith endorsing Perdue's bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Sunnis Agree to End Boycott, Rejoin Iraq Government  —  BAGHDAD — Iraq's largest Sunni bloc has agreed to return to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki's cabinet after a nine-month boycott, several Sunni leaders said on Thursday, citing a recently passed amnesty law and the Maliki government's crackdown …