Why'd Obama Join Trinity in the First Place?  —  The question is worth revisiting now that his ex-pastor is threatening his entire campaign.  —  I've heard two basic theories since the Wright tapes first surfaced in March.  The first is cynical: Obama was a black politician in Chicago …

All aboard the Jive Talk Express  —  My syndicated column today deconstructs Barack Obama's pitiful performance yesterday.  Try as he might, he simply cannot disown the un-disownable preacher of hate.  That press conference yesterday renders the Philadelphia speech from March null and void.

Federal Money in Health Care Plan From McCain  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Senator John McCain detailed his plan to solve the nation's health care crisis in a speech here Tuesday, calling for the federal government to give some money to states to help them cover people with illnesses who have been denied health insurance.

Foreign Law and the First Amendment  —  Late in 1941, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion which, for the first time in our history, starkly distinguished American protection of speech from that of England.  —  Two union members had been convicted of assaulting nonunion truck drivers.

Obama may win Hill superdelegate fight  —  Capitol Hill insiders say the battle for congressional superdelegates is over, and one Senate supporter of Barack Obama is hinting strongly that he has prevailed over Hillary Rodham Clinton.  —  While more than 80 Democrats in the House and Senate …

DNC vs. McCain  —  Two Democratic Party TV ads hit McCain on Iraq and the economy.  We supply context and corrections.  —  The Democratic National Committee has produced two TV ads against McCain, hoping to soften him up while the party figures out who its own presidential nominee will be.

Hillary's Interview With the Indianapolis Star  —  Bump and Update: From Hillary's interview with the Indianapolis Star today (video below):' … More...  Hillary Clinton sat down with the Indianapolis Star today for a long interview.  I haven't watched yet, but the reader who sent it to me says …

Rush Calls Operation Chaos Pause  —  BEGIN TRANSCRIPT  —  RUSH: Ladies and gentlemen, I am calling an operational pause in Operation Chaos.  We have a week to figure out now what's best to do.  If your state still allows voter registration, keep that up, continue to register as a Democrat in upcoming Operation Chaos primaries.

Dumb as We Wanna Be  —  It is great to see that we finally have some national unity on energy policy.  Unfortunately, the unifying idea is so ridiculous, so unworthy of the people aspiring to lead our nation, it takes your breath away.  Hillary Clinton has decided to line up with John McCain …

Franken owes $70,000 in back taxes in 17 states  —  DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken, frontrunner in the race to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, owes $70,000 in back taxes in 17 states, where he earned income going back to 2003.  —  Franken on Tuesday told the Associated Press …

US troop deaths hit 7-month high in Iraq  —  BAGHDAD - The killings of three U.S. soldiers in separate attacks in Baghdad pushed the American death toll for April up to 47, making it the deadliest month since September.  —  One soldier died when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb.

Why the Wright Problem Won't Go Away  —  I've got a new piece up on the Jeremiah Wright problem that remains for Barack Obama: … By the way, I've gotten a few emails from people who think that perhaps I've been too hard on the New York Times news pages for failing, in all this time …

Advice for the Lovelorn  —  Dear Barry:  —  I've been married to the same wonderful man — Let's call him “Jeremiah” — for 20 years.  He's a great provider and we live in a beautiful home.  He dotes on me and treats me like a queen; even after twenty years he still brings me little gifts and opens doors for me.

Lurita Doan finally forced out at GSA  —  Lurita Doan, head of the General Services Administration, was forced to offer her resignation tonight, according to an e-mail she sent out this evening.  —  Doan was appointed in late May, 2006, becoming the first woman to serve as GSA Administrator.

GOP gives Clinton the silent treatment  —  Hillary Clinton's decisive Pennsylvania primary win last week may have reinvigorated her campaign, but you wouldn't know it from listening to the Republican party.  —  The National Republican Congressional Committee has purchased $500,000 in anti-Barack …