AP tally: Obama effectively clinches nomination … WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates, becoming the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the White House.

Cardinal removes Pfleger from St. Sabina parish  —  The firebrand pastor of St. Sabina parish was removed from his duties there Tuesday, according to a statement released by the Archdiocese of Chicago.  —  In the statement, Cardinal Francis George says he asked the Rev. Michael Pfleger …

My Old Party  —  This is an astounding moment in American politics.  You cannot credibly say the Clintons are a political dynasty the way, say, the Kennedys or Bushs are.  But I think one has to say the Clinton rule of the Democratic party has been dynastic.

Bush: We'll Be in Iraq for 40 Years, Hamas Election Was “Good Thing”  —  When NBC News correspondent Richard Engel sat down with President Bush last year for an interview, he had little idea how much Bush would reveal about his true intentions and his real sentiments about the war on terror and America's allies and enemies.

Obama's comfort level at the non-existent Applebee's salad bar  —  For over eight years now, we've been hearing that Democrats have been losing presidential elections because people don't want to have a beer with the party's nominees.  This always struck me as an odd formulation …

Former screen siren Bardot convicted in race case  —  PARIS - Brigitte Bardot was convicted Tuesday of provoking discrimination and racial hatred for writing that Muslims are destroying France.  —  A Paris court also handed down a $23,325 fine against the former screen siren and animal rights campaigner.

HALPERIN'S TAKE: What Obama And Clinton Underestimate  —  Obama underestimates:  —  1. The intensely loyal feelings many of Clinton's supporters have about her - and the intensely negative feelings they have about him.  —  2. That any delay in choosing a running mate will only bring rampant speculation …

EXCLUSIVE: MCCAIN SPEECH TONIGHT: THE GENERAL ELECTION BEGINS  —  John McCain will launch his general election campaign against Barack Obama tonight at 9:00 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  In a speech that will praise Senator Clinton for her “tenacity and courage,” McCain will recognize Obama as the Democratic party's presumptive nominee.

Another Congressional Wave Election  —  In the latest Democracy Corps battleground survey of 1,600 likely voters conducted May 19-26, 2008, we modified our sample design to include more hard-to-reach Republican-held districts.  And even in this totally Republican battleground that Bush won …