Bush suggests Obama wants ‘appeasement’ of terrorists  —  JERUSALEM (CNN) - In a particularly sharp blast from halfway around the world, President Bush suggested Thursday that Sen. Barack Obama and other Democrats are in favor of “appeasement” of terrorists in the same way U.S. leaders appeased Nazis in the run-up to World War II.

State Supreme Court says same-sex couples have right to marry  —  (05-15) 10:24 PDT SAN FRANCISCO — Gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry in California, the state Supreme Court said today in a historic ruling that could be repudiated by the voters in November.

The GOP Must Stand for Something  —  Tuesday's election results highlighted challenges for both Democrats and Republicans.  —  Republicans received a hard shot in Mississippi.  Greg Davis (for whom I campaigned and who was a well-qualified candidate) narrowly lost a special congressional election …

McDermott endorses Obama  —  Rep. Jim McDermott on Thursday became the fourth U.S. House member from Washington to endorse Barack Obama for president.  —  The Seattle Congressman told the P-I's Joel Connelly that Obama is his pick because “I am confident as president he will end the war in Iraq and bring our sons and daughters home.”

Six ways the GOP can save itself  —  Things are so ugly for the members of the GOP right now, it's worth pondering their political mortality: Put bluntly, can this party be saved?  —  We talked to some of the smartest minds in Republican politics, and their prognosis is pretty grim.

McCain Lays Out “Hope” Timetable For Iraq  —  Later today, John McCain will deliver a notable speech in the Greater Columbus Convention Center.  Here is his conceit: “It is important that the candidates who seek to lead the country after the Bush Administration define their objectives …

If Clinton Wants VP, Obama Can't Stop Her  —  Does Hillary Clinton want to be the Democrats vice presidential candidate?  Probably.  Could she get on the ticket by dropping out before the last states vote on June 3rd?  Definitely not.  Does Barack Obama want her on the ticket?  Absolutely not.

The problem with McCain's Big Vision Thing speech; Update: “I will ask Democrats to serve in my administration;” “Illegal immigration has been finally brought under control” (hahaha)  —  You'll have to forgive me for not getting all worked up about John McCain's BVT (Big Vision Thing) speech this morning in Columbus, Ohio.

FEDERAL JUDGE RULES THAT STUDENTS CAN'T BE BARRED FROM EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR GAY PEOPLE  —  Principal Said Rainbows Are “Sexually Suggestive”  —  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  —  Chris Hampton, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, (212) 549-2673  —  Alexandra Bassil, ACLU of Florida, (786) 363-2723 or media@aclufl.org

A Column's 45 Years  —  On May 15, 1963, Rowland Evans and I published our first column.  That makes today the 45th anniversary (the first 30 years under the Evans & Novak byline) of the nation's current longest-running syndicated political column.  —  Until his death Feb. 27 …