More Fun in Obamaconspiracyville: In Which Larry Sinclair Gets Arrested  —  I blogged a few weeks back about a convicted criminal, Larry Sinclair, who'd been begging the media to cover his wild allegations about Barack Obama.  Today Sinclair trotted into the National Press Club to air …

Obama: NAFTA not so bad after all  —  The Democratic nominee, in an interview with Fortune, says he wants free trade “to work for all people.”  —  WASHINGTON (Fortune) — The general campaign is on, independent voters are up for grabs, and Barack Obama is toning down his populist rhetoric - at least when it comes to free trade.

Muslims barred from picture at Obama event  —  Two Muslim women at Barack Obama's rally in Detroit Monday were barred from sitting behind the podium by campaign volunteers seeking to prevent the women's headscarves from appearing in photographs or on television with the candidate.

Working Group  —  Obama announces his “National Security Working Group”  — Secretary of State Madeleine Albright  — Senator David Boren, former Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence  — Secretary of State Warren Christopher  — Greg Craig, former director …

“The View” ladies dive in to rescue Michelle Obama after she calls Barack “pathetic.”  UPDATE Obama spokesman Vietor said Michelle said “empathetic.”  —  UPDATE after this was posted, Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor called to say Michelle Obama said “empathetic,” not pathetic.

Cindy McCain Presses Obama Patriotism Case  —  ABC News' Ed O'Keefe Reports: Laura Bush may be ready to give Michelle Obama the benefit of the doubt when it comes to her patriotism but Cindy McCain may not.  —  “I don't know why she said what she said,” Mrs. McCain explains in an interview …

McCain's Drilling Flip-Flop Is a Good First Step  —  Warts and all, John McCain's flip-flop on offshore drilling is a very welcome development.  When circumstances change, political leaders should change their policies.  And $4 at the pump and $140 in the open market is certainly enough …

House Dems Call to “Nationalize” Oil Industry  —  Right after McCain and Bush call to lift the ban on drilling here, the Democrats Socialists send in their counterpoint and it is blatant!  They skip right over socialism into Communism.  No talk about where they'd get the trillions to buy out stockholders …

The Obama Smear Merchants Keep On Smearin'  —  Here comes the torrent of bulls**t.  —  Yesterday morning Floyd Brown and Co. sent out a press release and e-mail announcing the Barack Obama's brother had acknowledged he was raised Muslim — something that Obama himself has denied.

Backstory on AP - Drudge Retort Issue  —  In reading a small slice of the coverage of the AP - Drudge Retort contretemps it struck me that a lot of the more breathless coverage in the blogosphere stems from the rather larger misperception that one day last week, out of the blue, Rogers Cadenhead got slapped with a lawsuit by AP.

Inaction in boy's killing called justified  —  (06-17) 19:07 PDT TURLOCK (STANISLAUS COUNTY) — The town of Turlock and much of the rest of the nation was shocked when a 27-year-old man beat and stomped his 2-year-old son to death on a rural road.  But what was nearly as stunning for many people …

Don Young's Office: An Intern Survival Guide  —  Susan Davis reports on Congress.  —  Capitol Hill internships are not always easy, particularly when you work for a gruff Alaskan with particular tastes and an uneven temper.  Fortunately, interns for Rep. Don Young have an unofficial guide …

Boeing wins tanker protest, but drama is far from over  —  The saga of the Air Force refueling tanker contract is not over by a long shot, though Boeing won a huge victory Wednesday when the Government...  The saga of the Air Force refueling tanker contract is not over by a long shot …

Blackwater wants lawsuit decided under Islamic law  —  The private military company Blackwater has cultivated a patriotic reputation, with its staff of retired military and former police officers, and the requirement that most of its workers swear an oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution.