Clinton defends Obama from Bush  —  Hillary, today in Rapid City, South Dakota, defended Obama from President Bush's apparent comparison of him to Neville Chamberlain, Ken Vogel reports.  —  She told reporters: … “There is a very clear difference between Democrats and Republicans …

California Supreme Court overturns gay marriage ban  —  In a 4-3 ruling, the justices rule that state marriage laws are unconstitutional.  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court ruled today that same-sex couples should be permitted to marry, rejecting state marriage laws as discriminatory.

McCain adviser ousted in conflict uproar  —  John McCain's campaign asked a prominent Republican consultant, Craig Shirley, to leave his official campaign role Thursday after a Politico inquiry about Shirley's dual role consulting for the campaign and for an independent “527” group opposing the Democratic presidential candidates.

TOO HARD A BALL  —  Right-Wing Radio yakker crashes and burns like the Hindenburg while trying to talk about appeasement ...

House Republicans Collapse on Iraq  —  Today, about 100 House Republicans refused to vote for more war funding, voting ‘present’.  They are trying to hand off the war to the Democrats, but even Democrats were able to increase their ‘no’ vote number on funding from 141 to 149; the bill failed.

Conyers: 'We're closing in on Rove'  —  Just off the House floor today, the Crypt overheard House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers tell two other people: “We're closing in on Rove.  Someone's got to kick his ass.”  —  Asked a few minutes later for a more official explanation …

Women Threaten Obama Boycott  —  FROM GUEST-BLOGGER RICK KLEIN, OF ABC'S THE NOTE  —  I've posted a few times in the last two days about female supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton who are angry — at the Democratic Party, at the Obama campaign, or at the general situation that sees …

Eight Edwards delegates now moving to Obama  —  From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby, CNN Senior Political Producer Sasha Johnson, CNN's Beth Rotatori  —  (CNN) - At least six of John Edwards' pledged delegates in South Carolina will throw their support to Barack Obama following Edwards' endorsement …

McCain Vision Has Most G.I.'s Out of Iraq by 2013  —  COLUMBUS, Ohio — Senator John McCain declared on Thursday that most American troops would be home from Iraq by 2013 and that the nation would be a functioning democracy with only “spasmodic” episodes of violence.