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.

Poll Predicts 36-Point Clinton Landslide in W. Virginia  —  Voters Say Clinton's Persistence Will Not Hurt the Democratic Party  —  Although Barack Obama is the likely Democratic nominee, West Virginia Democratic voters are marching to a different drummer, as Hillary Clinton leads …

President Apostate?  —  BARACK OBAMA has emerged as a classic example of charismatic leadership — a figure upon whom others project their own hopes and desires.  The resulting emotional intensity adds greatly to the more conventional strengths of the well-organized Obama campaign …

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.

OVER NOT OUT … When the polls closed in Indiana and North Carolina last Tuesday evening, a lot of Barack Obama supporters braced themselves for bad news.  Their candidate had just gone through a harrowing month, divided neatly in two by his thumping in the Pennsylvania primary.

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 …

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?”

McCain Woos Democrats on Environment  —  WASHINGTON — After spending several weeks staking out positions on taxes, Iraq and judges designed to appeal to conservatives, John McCain is shifting his attention to independents and Democrats, with proposals on climate change.

McCain's Christian Problem  —  John McCain, who as the Republican candidate for president has spent the past two months trying to consolidate right-wing support, has a problem of disputed dimensions with a vital component of the conservative coalition: evangelicals.

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 …