Backs turn on Clinton  —  The tide turned against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) on Capitol Hill Wednesday, as even some of her supporters said she should consider ending her White House bid.  —  Some uncommitted Democratic superdelegates refused to meet with the beleaguered candidate …

The Five Mistakes Clinton Made  —  For all her talk about “full speed on to the White House,” there was an unmistakably elegiac tone to Hillary Clinton's primary-night speech in Indianapolis.  And if one needed further confirmation that the undaunted, never-say-die Clintons realize their bid might …

Obama plans to declare victory May 20  —  Not long after the polls close in the May 20 Kentucky and Oregon primaries, Barack Obama plans to declare victory in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.  —  And, until at least May 31 and perhaps longer, Hillary Clinton's campaign plans to dispute it.

‘Deafening’ silence on analyst story  —  Even with countless media outlets available these days, a Sunday New York Times cover story could always be counted on to send a jolt through the television news cycle.  —  But apparently that's no longer the case.  Indeed, reporter David Barstow's …

Defending HRC  —  I think the waves of outrage washing throughout the Obamasphere over this remark from Hillary Clinton reflect an echo chamber mentality more than anyone else.  Here's what Clinton's quoted as saying: … As quoted, that's a dumb thing to say which seems to imply …

Obama talks to superdelegates on House floor  —  The fight for Democratic superdelegates moved to the House floor on Thursday as Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) spoke to dozens of Democrats in the House chamber.  —  Obama, increasingly looking like the Democratic presidential nominee …

McCain's Pastor Problem: The Video  —  WASHINGTON DISPATCH: In a taped sermon, the preacher McCain calls a “spiritual guide” calls on America to see the “false religion” of Islam “destroyed.”  Still, the candidate won't reject Rod Parsley's endorsement.  —  During a 2005 sermon …

It's Obama, Warts and All  —  Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama each took a state Tuesday.  But the result was a damaging loss for the woman who was once the overwhelming front-runner for the Democratic nomination.  Here are some observations on the race:  — Mr. Obama is now the prohibitive favorite.

TERMS, I  —  Does Hillary Clinton really want the vice presidential nomination?  Let's set aside whether she's owed it or deserves it or whether her place on the ticket might provide the Democrats with a crucial edge in November.  Does she really want it?  —  Let me start by saying this is speculation.

First Look: ‘W,’ Oliver Stone's Bush Biopic  —  Entertainment Weekly goes inside the director's dark, comic, and already controversial movie about George W. Bush's rise to power, starring Josh Brolin  —  “Where is George Bush's bedroom?”  —  Oliver Stone is flinging open French doors inside …

Staten Island's Fossella admits he's the father of 'old friend's' child  —  Rep. Vito Fossella (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) has acknowledged that he is the father of a 3-year-old daughter with divorcee Laura Fay, the retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who picked him up from an Alexandria, Va., jail last week after he was busted for DWI.

Political Office In Alec Baldwin's Future?  —  Now That He's 50, Actor Tells 60 Minutes Political Office Is Looking More Appealing  —  (CBS) Now that actor Alec Baldwin is 50 years old, he might run for political office.  Baldwin talks to 60 Minutes correspondent Morley Safer …

Ahmadinejad: Israel a ‘stinking corpse’  —  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that the state of Israel is a “stinking corpse” that is destined to disappear, the French news agency AFP reported.  —  “Those who think they can revive the stinking corpse of the usurping …

Alan Wolfe on the Unity Ticket  —  The idea of a Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton “unity ticket” has been floated quite a bit the last few days.  But, seriously, is the idea any good?  We asked a few friends of the magazine to weigh in.  Here's Alan Wolfe, a TNR contributing editor and professor of political science at Boston College.

McCain's Mommy  —  This is one of the most unusual ads I've seen from a presidential candidate.  It is endearing and serious at the same time.  Take one look at the woman to the right of John McCain — his mother — and questions about McCain's age — relevant and appropriate questions to be sure — seem less urgent.