Barack Obama wants to be president of these 57 United States  —  Ah, Oregon.  The beautiful Northwest.  Rain.  Trees.  Clouds.  Rain.  Friendly territory for Sen. Barack Obama, the leading contender for the Democratic Party's long-disputed presidential nomination.

Obama: time to engage in diplomacy  —  Guess what time it is?  It's time for Obama's “diplomatic efforts” to come save the day. … Oh the time we wasted by fighting Hizbullah all those years with rockets, invasions of their homes and shutting down their media outlets.

West Virginia could spell trouble for Obama  —  Scant support among white working-class Democrats, especially men, could dog him into November.  —  MOOREFIELD, W.VA. — In Hardy County, Democrats outnumber Republicans more than 2 to 1.  But there is little enthusiasm for Barack …

In big concession, militia agrees to let Iraqi troops into Sadr City  —  BAGHDAD — Followers of rebel cleric Muqtada al Sadr agreed late Friday to allow Iraqi security forces to enter all of Baghdad's Sadr City and to arrest anyone found with heavy weapons in a surprising capitulation …

Clyburn Sees ‘Tipping Point’ to Obama  —  The “tipping point” has been reached, according to Representative James E. Clyburn, a prominent uncommitted superdelegate.  —  Mr. Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat who is the House Majority whip and the party's highest-ranking African-American leader, remains officially neutral.

Quitters Never Win  —  When I was growing up in the 1960s, I wanted to play basketball.  In those days, the rules said girls could dribble only three steps and then had to pass the ball.  To make sure we didn't overexert ourselves, we weren't allowed to cross the half-court line.

Seeds of Destruction  —  The Clintons have never understood how to exit the stage gracefully.  —  Their repertoire has always been deficient in grace and class.  So there was Hillary Clinton cold-bloodedly asserting to USA Today that she was the candidate favored by “hard-working Americans …

WaPo Manufactures McCain Scandal  —  When is a senator doing constituent work and when is he tied up in an influence-peddling scandal?  The lines seem blurred when it comes to the media's coverage of the land swap deals Republican presidential candidate John McCain has been involved in.

Gas Prices Send Surge of Riders to Mass Transit  —  DENVER — With the price of gas approaching $4 a gallon, more commuters are abandoning their cars and taking the train or bus instead.  —  Mass transit systems around the country are seeing standing-room-only crowds on bus lines where seats were once easy to come by.

War With Iran Might Be Closer Than You Think  —  Friday, May 9th in Foreign policy, War by Philip Giraldi  —  There is considerable speculation and buzz in Washington today suggesting that the National Security Council has agreed in principle to proceed with plans to attack an Iranian al-Qods-run camp …