Ron Paul's forces quietly plot GOP convention revolt against McCain  —  Virtually all the nation's political attention in recent weeks has focused on the compelling state-by-state presidential nomination struggle between two Democrats and the potential for party-splitting strife over there.

Democratic country keeps its distance from Obama  —  Like most people in Mingo County, West Virginia, Leonard Simpson is a lifelong Democrat.  But given a choice between Barack Obama and John McCain in November, the 67-year-old retired coalminer would vote Republican.

How to end a presidential campaign  —  There are 50 ways to leave your lover, 13 ways of looking at a blackbird, and at least six ways to drop out of a presidential race.  With Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign running on empty with little hope of victory, the New York senator's allies …

Voter ID Battle Shifts to Proof of Citizenship  —  The battle over voting rights will expand this week as lawmakers in Missouri are expected to support a proposed constitutional amendment to enable election officials to require proof of citizenship from anyone registering to vote.

Democrats Face Rescue Backlash  —  Some Voters Oppose Having to Bail Out Homeowners at Risk  —  Democrats may be risking a backlash at the polls in November by pushing hard to use taxpayer money to rescue homeowners who can no longer afford their mortgages in the face of stiff resistance from President Bush and many other Republicans.

Drive in Basra by Iraqi Army Makes Gains  —  BASRA, Iraq — Three hundred miles south of Baghdad, the oil-saturated city of Basra has been transformed by its own surge, now seven weeks old.  —  In a rare success, forces loyal to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki have largely quieted the city …

The Hillary Metaphors  —  Analogies for Hillary Clinton's campaign are varied in both scope and awfulness.  —  To see more of August J. Pollak's cartoon “Some Guy With a Website,” check out the archive.

NBC's Primary Source for Election '08  —  NEW YORK — In a borrowed office at 30 Rock, Chuck Todd is on his cellphone, telling a Barack Obama strategist that his boss will probably fall just short of winning Indiana that night.  —  “Are you really going to ask for a recount over one delegate?”

Fierce Fighting Breaks Out East of Beirut  —  BEIRUT, Lebanon — Fierce clashes broke out on Sunday in the mountains east of Beirut between supporters of the Western-backed government and followers of Hezbollah, the militant group backed by Iran.  —  The fighting, in the Shouf and Aley districts …

That Pundit on Fox News?  An Upstart Named Rove  —  WASHINGTON — Late Thursday night, Karl Rove, the architect of the last two Republican presidential victories, was on his new television perch at Fox News, offering free advice to Senator Barack Obama as he closed in on the Democratic nomination.