Presidential candidate Obama to sponsor Cup car at Pocono race … SI.com has learned that for the first time in history, a major presidential candidate may sponsor a race car in NASCAR's premier series.  According to sources, Barack Obama's campaign is in talks to become the primary sponsor …

Attack of the Photoshopped Missiles (Updated)  —  Iran's propagandists aren't only ones who can photoshop a missile launch.  We know how to do that on the intertubes, too.  Here's an updated sample...  Are We Lumberjacks?:

Hagel to Join Obama on Iraq Trip  —  Susan Davis reports on the presidential race.  —  The buzz this week that Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is planning to join Sen. Barack Obama on an up-coming visit to Iraq is correct, two sources with knowledge of the trip confirmed Friday.

U.S. Shuts Big Bank As Crisis Intensifies  —  IndyMac Bank, a prolific mortgage specialist that helped fuel the housing boom, was seized Friday by federal regulators in one of the largest bank failures in U.S. history.  —  The Pasadena, Calif., thrift was one of the largest savings and loans …

Phil Gramm  —  From a reader: … Me: Fair enough.  My own excuse is that this is one of these stories that I somehow missed until late in the day, not sure why that is.  Anyway, this is just another example of why I've always wanted Phil Gramm to be president of the United States and why that can never, ever, happen.

Como Se Dice?  Obama Clarifies Comments Over Foreign Languages  —  ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama reiterated his belief Friday that America's children to learn a foreign language, firing back against criticism he received from some conservative groups who suggested …

Obama's Iraq Withdrawal Plan May Prove Difficult  —  U.S. Commanders in Iraq Warn of Security Dangers, See Logistical Nightmare  —  Whatever nuance Barack Obama is now adding to his Iraq withdrawal strategy, the core plan on his Web site is as plain as day: Obama would “immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq.

Glow Fading?  —  The latest NEWSWEEK Poll shows Barack Obama leading John McCain by only 3 points.  What a difference a few weeks can make.  —  Jae C. Hong / AP  —  Poll Drop: Obama is down is the latest poll, but still shows signs of strength  —  A month after emerging victorious …

Democratic Strategy: Strength Through Weakness  —  According to Glenn, and anyone who follows American politics, this is the Democrats' grand strategy: Give Bush everyone he wants so that the Republicans can't attack them as weak and spineless.  How's that working out so far?  —  Salon:

After Voting Against Equal Pay Legislation, McCain Claims He's ‘Committed To Equal Pay For Equal Work’  —  Today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) participated in a town hall meeting in Wisconsin.  During the discussion, he claimed that he is a strong supporter of equal pay for women and other workers:

By Request: Does This Blog Suck?  Do All Blogs Suck?  —  DeliciousPundit asks “What'd you think about David Appell's smackdown of you?”  —  The only thing I have to say to defend myself from those charges is that I don't think the post was really about why I suck, it was about why the punditsphere …