Gaffe-Prone Obama: 'Thank you everybody.  It's good to be in Sunshine!'  —  How many gaffes can a politician get away with?  —  Obviously none if you're a Republican.  —  But Barack Obama can pretty much say anything and the media brushes it off.  —  Aren't double standards wonderful?

Lack of Progress in McCain's Bid Is G.O.P. Concern  —  WASHINGTON — Senator John McCain's presidential campaign is in a troubled stretch, hindered by resignations of staff members, a lagging effort to build a national campaign organization and questions over whether he has taken full advantage …

HILL'S ‘ASSASSIN’ TALK A SHOCKER  —  EXCUSE FOR NOT QUITTING: HEY, RFK GOT SHOT IN JUNE! … WASHINGTON - Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday brought up the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy while defending her decision to stay in the race against Barack Obama - drawing a furious reaction from the front-runner's camp.

GOP strategists mull McCain ‘blowout’  —  It sounds crazy at first.  Amid dire reports about the toxic political environment for Republican candidates and the challenges facing John McCain, many top GOP strategists believe he can defeat Barack Obama — and by a margin exceeding President Bush's Electoral College victory in 2004.

McCain/Bush Fundraiser Moved To Smaller Quarters Due To Poor Ticket Sales/Fears Of Protest  —  A Tuesday fundraiser headlined by President Bush for U.S. Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign is being moved out of the Phoenix Convention Center.  —  Sources familiar with the situation …

How telecoms are attempting to buy amnesty from Congress  —  (updated below)  —  One of the benefits from the protracted battle over telecom amnesty is that it is a perfect microcosm for how our government institutions work.  And a casual review of the available evidence regarding …

‘Nothing but Misogynists’  —  Hillary Clinton is now complaining that her candidacy has been harmed by sexism.  Interviewed earlier this week by the Washington Post, Sen. Clinton said the polls show that “more people would be reluctant to vote for a woman [than] to vote for an African American.”

US residents in military brigs?  Govt says it's war  —  WASHINGTON - If his cell were at Guantanamo Bay, the prisoner would be just one of hundreds of suspected terrorists detained offshore, where the U.S. says the Constitution does not apply.  —  But Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri is a U.S. resident …

Obama criticizes McCain on vet benefits  —  Ariz. senator rebukes scholarship plan, introduces bill to give vets help  —  BAYAMON, Puerto Rico - Barack Obama told veterans Saturday that he can't understand why Republican John McCain opposes legislation that would provide college scholarships …

Housing woes mount for Rep. Laura Richardson  —  FORECLOSURE: South Bay politician has three homes that have gone into default.  —  Rep. Laura Richardson, who lost her Sacramento home in a recent foreclosure auction, has also defaulted on properties in Long Beach and San Pedro, records show.

In the Driver's Seat  —  Condoleezza Rice and the jettisoning of the Bush Doctrine.  —  Shortly before 10 A.M. on October 9, 2006, George W. Bush read a statement from the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House.  He fixed his face to look resolute.  The previous day …

OBAMA COLLECTS ANOTHER $500,000, SLAMS LIMBAUGH  —  More than 800 donors packed into a Westin Diplomat Hotel ballroom Thursday night to pad Barack Obama's war chest by another $500,000, according to this pool report of the evening.  —  In a speech to the crowd, Obama sharpened his rhetoric …