Ghosts in the GOP attack machine  —  In a web video emailed to supporters Thursday, Barack Obama explained that he was opting out of the public financing system because John McCain is “not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups who will spend millions …

OBAMA ON FISA  —  Obama on the FISA ‘Compromise’ ...

What Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Fred Hiatt mean by “bipartisanship”  —  Update VI — first ad against Steny Hoyer -  —  Update VII — Obama announces support for “compromise” FISA/amnesty bill -  —  Update VIII - Update IX)  —  It's bad enough watching the likes of Steny Hoyer …

The Two Obamas  —  God, Republicans are saps.  They think that they're running against some academic liberal who wouldn't wear flag pins on his lapel, whose wife isn't proud of America and who went to some liberationist church where the pastor damned his own country.

The Great Seal of Obamaland?  —  At a discussion with a dozen Democratic governors in Chicago on Friday morning, each of the governors was identified with a small name plate but Senator Barack Obama sat behind a low rostrum to which was attached an official-looking seal no one had seen before.

Back Story AP and Drudge Retort Come to Terms  —  In what may close one chapter and signal the beginning of another, the AP and Rogers Cadenhead of Drudge Retort have come to resolution on their dispute while leaving unresolved the central source of conflict in the case …

Barack's Bounce  —  The latest NEWSWEEK Poll shows the Democrat with a 15-point lead over McCain.  —  Barack finally has his bounce.  For weeks many political experts and pollsters have been wondering why the race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain had stayed so tight …

McClellan: Cheney should testify about CIA leak  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Vice President Dick Cheney should testify before Congress about his role in the leaking of a CIA agent's identity, former White House spokesman Scott McClellan told members of the House Judiciary Committee on Friday.

Bloomberg Criticizes ‘Whisper Campaign’ Around Obama  —  BOCA RATON, Fla. — Injecting himself directly into the presidential campaign and speaking before one of its most crucial constituencies, Jewish voters, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on Friday morning forcefully rejected what he called a …

The Power of the Jump: L.A. Times Buries and Waters Down Evidence That Obama Actually Broke a Public Financing Pledge  —  Last night, I was shocked to see that the L.A. Times had clearly and prominently told readers that Obama had made (and has now violated) a pledge to use public financing.

Mars Phoenix Tweets: “We Have ICE!”  —  There is water ice on Mars within reach of the Mars Phoenix Lander, NASA scientists announced Thursday.  —  Photographic evidence settles the debate over the nature of the white material seen in photographs sent back by the craft.

Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 44%  —  Obama's margin over McCain slightly smaller than in previous days  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Gallup Poll Daily tracking shows Barack Obama with 46% of the support of registered voters and John McCain at 44%.  This is a slightly smaller margin …

Coming on Sunday from ‘NYT’: Charlie Crist's Personal Life  —  With Florida Governor Charlie Crist now being seriously floated as a VP candidate for John McCain, all those old rumors that the longtime bachelor may be gay have gained new currency — along with reports about Crist dating several women.

Meet The New Boss  —  Jim Henley on Barack Obama's lack of leadership on FISA: “If the House and Senate leadership really did sneak the bill past him last week, which I'm not inclined to believe, still nothing stopped him from shutting them down this week.  Except if he either doesn't consider …