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.

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 …

How Bush Sold the War  —  In the fall of 2003, a few months after Saddam Hussein's overthrow, U.S. officials began to despair of finding stockpiles of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.  The resulting embarrassment caused a radical shift in administration rhetoric about the war in Iraq.

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.

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.

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” …

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.

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.

Report: U.N. wasting billions on carbon offset scam  —  The U.N. wasting money?  This is, of course, no surprise coming from the same ninnies who brought the world the oil-for-food debacle and whose idea of humanitarian aid is sending condoms to cyclone victims.  But I digress.

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.

Huckabee On The Next Republican Revolution  —  Former Arkansas governor and GOP presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee was in Seattle last Thursday promoting music education for Music Aid Northwest after speaking to a meeting of the Family Research Council.  —  Between making the rounds …

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 …

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” …

Israel: Carter Offers Details on Nuclear Arsenal  —  Former President Jimmy Carter said Israel held at least 150 nuclear weapons, the first time a current or former American president had publicly acknowledged the Jewish state's nuclear arsenal.  Asked at a news conference in Wales on Sunday …