The New Republic syndrome  —  (updated below)  —  The number one problem facing the Democratic Party is that, as events of the last week demonstrate, it continues to be plagued by The New Republic Syndrome, one of the most fatal political afflictions that exist.

OBAMA vs. McCAIN ON THE ECONOMY....Fortune magazine has parallel interviews about the economy with John McCain and Barack Obama in the current issue, and the PR email they sent me highlights their answers to this question: … It's as if McCain is trying to become a parody of himself here.

Obama Camp Closely Linked With Ethanol  —  When VeraSun Energy inaugurated a new ethanol processing plant last summer in Charles City, Iowa, some of that industry's most prominent boosters showed up.  Leaders of the National Corn Growers Association and the Renewable Fuels Association …

Too Good to Check  —  I have no way of knowing if this is true, though the source is excellent...but the word in Republican circles is that John McCain is quite frustrated by the vice presidential selection process because he can't go with any of his top three choices.  They are:

First Obama attack book in the works  —  The same publisher that distributed the 2004 best-seller that took aim at John Kerry's Vietnam service is planning a summer release of what's scheduled to be the first critical book on Barack Obama.  —  Conservative journalist David Freddoso's …

Rove: Obama's the Guy at the Country Club Holding a Martini Making Snide Comments About Everyone Else  —  ABC News' Christianne Klein reports that at a breakfast with Republican insiders at the Capitol Hill Club this morning, former White House senior aide Karl Rove referred to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, as “coolly arrogant.”

George Carlin, 71, Irreverent Standup Comedian, Is Dead  —  George Carlin, the Grammy-Award winning standup comedian and actor who was hailed for his irreverent social commentary, poignant observations of the absurdities of everyday life and language, and groundbreaking routines like …

Home Not-So-Sweet Home  —  “Owning a home lies at the heart of the American dream.”  So declared President Bush in 2002, introducing his “Homeownership Challenge” — a set of policy initiatives that were supposed to sharply increase homeownership, especially for minority groups.  —  Oops.

Encounter Bids The New York York Times Farewell  —  Beginning today, June 23, 2008, Encounter Books will no longer send its books to The New York Times for review.  Of course, the editors at the Times are welcome to trot down to their local book emporium or visit Amazon.com to purchase our books …

Why Clinton voters say they won't support Obama  —  The attack of the PUMAs, or a dozen reasons why Clinton voters are still too angry to come home.  —  Hillary Clinton supporters wait for their candidate to arrive at the National Building Museum in Washington on June 7.

Poll: Obama has edge over McCain  —  WASHINGTON — Democrat Barack Obama begins the presidential campaign with some overwhelming advantages over Republican John McCain, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds, but voters also express doubts about the Illinois senator's experience and ability to handle the job of commander in chief.

Reporters Say Networks Put Wars on Back Burner  —  Getting a story on the evening news isn't easy for any correspondent.  And for reporters in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is especially hard, according to Lara Logan, the chief foreign correspondent for CBS News.  So she has devised a solution when she is talking to the network.

Someone Else's Alex  —  The people at MoveOn.org have a new Iraq ad that is, if they do say so themselves, their most effective ever.  Then again, for the group that brought us the “General Petraeus or General Betray Us?” ad last September, that might not be saying much.

Three women who might join the GOP ticket  —  While the vice presidential slot may be John McCain's best means of wooing those Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters who remain loath to embrace Barack Obama, the Republican party is a thin source of politically viable women, leaving McCain with few top-tier options.

Put oil firm chiefs on trial - scientist  —  James Hansen, one of the world's leading climate scientists, will today call for the chief executives of large fossil fuel companies to be put on trial for high crimes against humanity and nature, accusing them of actively spreading doubt …