MEMORIAL DAY: A CONTRAST  —  Barack Obama must be the most gaffe-prone politician in memory.  Today, he delivered a Memorial Day speech in New Mexico.  After greeting the local Democratic Party dignitaries, he began: … Memorial Day honors those who have died in our nation's military service.

Election 2008: Kentucky Senate  —  Kentucky Senate: Lunsford (D) 49% McConnell (R) 44%  —  The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the Kentucky Senate race shows Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford with a five percentage point lead over long-time Republican Senator Mitch McConnell.

The Running Mate Choice  —  My first thought on the running mate question is that to balance his ticket, Barack Obama should pick a really old white general.  Therefore, he should pick Dwight Eisenhower.  John McCain, on the other hand, needs to pick someone younger than himself.

Democrats ‘very close’ to end  —  Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton Tuesday begin the final sprint in their epic battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, with the windup contests one week away and the Illinois senator inching closer and closer to victory.

No Clear Map For Clinton's Political Future  —  In August 1980, with no hope left of winning the nomination, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy conceded defeat to incumbent Jimmy Carter in the Democratic presidential race.  —  “For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end,” Kennedy said at the Democratic National Convention in New York.

Nuclear Agency Accuses Iran of Willful Lack of Cooperation  —  PARIS — The International Atomic Energy Agency, in an unusually blunt and detailed report, said Monday that Iran's suspected research into the development of nuclear weapons remained “a matter of serious concern” …

AMERICA'S CONCERN TROLL  —  It is a very difficult battle to figure out who is the worst editorial columnist in the country.  I mean, any fair battle excludes anyone published at “Townhall.com” because you cannot ask the remedial reading class to compare their SAT scores with the rest of the students.

Joseph Lieberman To Headline Upcoming Pastor Hagee Summit  —  Senator Joseph Lieberman is scheduled to headline Pastor John Hagee's 2008 Christians United For Israel Washington-Israel Summit this July 22.  In accepting Hagee's invitation, Lieberman became the most senior elected representative confirmed to appear at the annual gala.

The era of big Clintons is soon over  —  WASHINGTON - There's been a Clinton running for the White House or living in it for approximately forever.  —  Bill, it could be said, was born to run.  Running became Hillary's destiny, too.  —  One quarter of Americans have never known life without …

McCain Trumpets Independence From Bush, Except for Fundraising  —  John McCain's challenge in winning the presidency isn't unique.  George H.W. Bush in 1988 and Al Gore in 2000 also struggled to chisel an identity separate from a two- term incumbent president of their party.

Obama Wins ‘Rock The Vote’ TouchTone Survey  —  Among other constituencies, Barack Obama appears to have won over the nation's bar crowd—the majority of which said they'd rather toast a win with Obama as opposed to Hillary Clinton or John McCain, according to the latest Rock the Vote survey.

Obama Talks of Family's Military Service  —  From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:  —  LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Despite not having served in the military himself, Barack Obama used his Memorial Day remarks to speak about his family's service.  “My grandfather marched in Patton's army …

Republicans Are in Denial  —  As congressional Republicans contemplate the prospect of an electoral disaster this November, much is being written about the supposed soul-searching in the Republican Party.  A more accurate description of our state is paralysis and denial.

US home prices drop at sharpest rate in 20 years  —  NEW YORK - U.S. home prices dropped at the sharpest rate in two decades during the first quarter, a closely watched index showed Tuesday, a somber indication that the housing slump continues to deepen.  —  Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller …

Caesaropapism Rampant  —  Americans are not cynical about politics.  They are presidential romantics.  Hence they suffer serial disappointments.  —  Barack Obama recently said, “I believe in our ability to perfect this nation.”  Clearly there is something the candidate of “change” …

Post Buyouts Come With an Emotional Cost  —  Let's not bury the lead: This is a rough time for the newspaper business, a rough time for The Washington Post and a rough time for me.  —  No one need shed any tears for the people leaving this building.  The more than 100 journalists …