Some of the least popular Democrats support Barack Obama: A former President for whom I’ve lost any respect I had, Jimmy Carter: Politico: Carter hints at Obama backing The Nigerian paper This Day reports that the former president all but came out for Obama, speaking to reporters in that country: We are very interested in the primaries. Don’t forget that Obama won in my state of Georgia. My town, which is home to 625 people, is for Obama, my children and their spouses are pro-Obama. My...

Don’t take politics TOO seriously, enjoy it with the Capitol Steps! TUNE IN your radio to these fine public radio stations for the April Fool’s Day edition of “Politics Takes a Holiday” Promo Clip Here!

Jacques Berlinerblau has an interesting suggestion at the Washington Post’s “On Faith” that gave me a good laugh: Time for the 28th Amendment Although I had initially conjured up the idea only to reject it as undemocratic, perhaps it is high time that we as a nation, believers and nonbelievers alike, consider the establishment of the 28th Amendment. Its majestic words would read as follows: Section 1. The right of presidential aspirants to discuss religion, invoke sacred texts,...

…AND THE LIGHT OF A REVEALING ROLE MODEL: John F. Kennedy was correct about life and politics when he famously said, “Life isn’t fair.” Not only is politics unfair, it may be the least fair part of life. In many election years, if we had blue-ribbon selection panels charged with considering only the qualifications and likely performance of potential presidents, governors, and senators, the list of winners would likely be quite different from the ones actually elected by the...

Washington Post: Japan’s Starry Gems of the Diamond Because of the Big Three, 550 American baseball games a year are broadcast on television here. About 300 of them are carried without commercial interruption, allowing Japanese viewers to gaze between innings at their beloved stars as they sit quietly in the dugout or stand around on the field. These players, unlike their American counterparts, are rarely caught on camera spitting, picking their noses or scratching themselves in manly places.

As of this morning, it appears that it’s not only Barack Obama’s passport file that has been poked through but also those of Hillary Clinton and John McCain. So much for privacy rights etc….

Sabato’s Crystal Ball put up two articles yesterday: Rhodes Cook on A VIRTUAL TIE: Clinton, Obama divide the Democratic primary vote AND Larry J. Sabato on THE DEMOCRATIC DOGFIGHT: Nomination resolution may be a long time coming

The New York Times: Spitzer Resigns, Citing Personal Failings – Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson Set to Succeed Him Gov. Eliot Spitzer, reeling from revelations that he had been a client of a prostitution ring, announced his resignation today at his headquarters in Manhattan.

msnbc.com BREAKING NEWS: Dow Jones Industrial average closes up more than 400 points Well, they credit it to other things.

This just in from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: Spitzer Resigns From Emperors VIP Club Client Number Ten to Succeed New York Guv Amid calls for him to resign, embattled New York Governor Eliot Spitzer held a hastily-scheduled press conference in Albany today. “After much deliberation, I have decided to resign my membership in the Emperors VIP Club, effective immediately,” Mr. Spitzer said. “I hope that in doing so, I will allow the healing to begin.” Mr. Spitzer expressed his regret...

According to the New York Times, it is likely that Gov. Spitzer will resign: Top aides to Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Tuesday morning that they expect the governor to resign his office, although the timing of the resignation remains uncertain. Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson and his staff have begun laying the groundwork for him to take over as governor and are reaching out to members of the Legislature, the aides said. MSNBC: As Gov. Eliot Spitzer faced mounting calls to resign, Republican legislators indicated...

Since a blizzard has dropped a foot of snow on SW Ohio and I’m not going anywhere, I’ll treat you to a photo of my cat being cute. Here is Samuel on my bed:

Haaretz: In his eulogy to the eight students gunned down Thursday in a shooting attack at the Mercaz Harav yeshiva in Jerusalem, the religious school’s head rabbi Ya’akov Shapira declared the attack “a continuation of the 1929 massacre” of the Jewish community in Hebron. He said the gunman had targeted “everyone living in the holy city of Jerusalem.” The eight victims were buried Friday afternoon, each with Torah scrolls stained with their blood, in accordance...

Ynet: Terrorists kill 8 in Jerusalem Two terrorists infiltrate rabbinical seminary in Kiryat Moshe quarter, open fire at dozens of students. At least eight people reported killed. Police still in pursuit of second gunman. Celebrations already underway in Gaza This is why Egypt should take over Gaza and Jordan should take over most Arab portions of the West Bank. Neither country needs encouragement to rule with an iron hand. This is why Israeli Arabs (who are Israeli citizens) should swear a loyalty...

Guest columnist Alan Abramowitz of Emory University steps up to the Crystal Ball to say that “Disgruntled GOP moderates could impact party unity“ Both Virginia and Wisconsin are likely to be battleground states in the November election. The fact that one seventh of Republican voters in Virginia and one fourth of Republican voters in Wisconsin chose to participate in the Democratic primary should be a clear warning signal to the McCain campaign, especially if Barack Obama is the Democratic...

MSNBC BREAKING NEWS: Hillary Clinton wins Ohio Democratic primary, NBC projects CNN: We project Sen. Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic race in Ohio as well as Rhode Island. Texas still too close. Why? Ohio News Network/WBNS 10TV: With 52 percent (5,809 OF 11,238 PRECINCTS) in, Sen. Hillary Clinton has 57% (649,950 VOTES) and Sen. Barack Obama has 41% (464,351 VOTES). Former Sen. John Edwards (who has withdrawn from the race) has 2% (21,547 VOTES). UPDATE 12:30 am With 79 percent (8,872 OF 11,238...

Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) has won the Rhode Island primary, a win that breaks Sen. Barack Obama’s (Ill.) 12-contest win streak and leaves Ohio and Texas as tiebreakers in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination. With 13 percent of precincts in Rhode Island counted, Clinton led, 53 percent to 46 percent, but the Associated Press had already called the contest in her favor. Ohio and Texas remained too close to call based on exit polling....

MSNBC: BREAKING NEWS: Huckabee concedes defeat: ‘I fought the good fight’

As I posted yesterday, I put up a couple of Clinton signs at a major intersection. When I returned to the intersection today to hold up a Clinton sign during the lunch rush, my signs were gone. It is windy but I don’t think that both signs “just blew away.” Since I did not see who took my signs, I cannot prove that the Obama campaign is responsible. Reportedly, sign-stealing is occurring elsewhere as well. Obama signs are in no danger from me, but I’m sorry to see that Sen....

AP via CBS News: “I’m just getting warmed up,” Clinton told reporters, looking ahead to a busy day of campaign events in Ohio and Texas where polls show a close race ahead of Tuesday’s primaries. Famous Revolutionary War Naval Hero John Paul Jones: On September 23, 1779, Jones fought one of the bloodiest engagements in naval history. Jones struggled with the 44-gun Royal Navy frigate Serapis, and although his own vessel was burning and sinking, Jones would not accept the...

It turns out that the local Hillary Clinton HQ is about a five-minute drive from my apartment, so I went over there this morning. Since I cannot phone-bank (I’m HOH) I took some yard signs to put up in likely places. Here is my handiwork at the busy intersection of Galbraith Rd. & Vine St: Being a responsible citizen, I will remove the signs after the election and properly dispose of them.

MSNBC: President Hugo Chavez orders 10 battalions to Venezuela’s border with Colombia Let’s see what happens. BBC: Venezuela sends tanks to border

I have discussed the candidates with several friends, mostly lifelong Democrats, college-educated women in their 40s and 50s. We just cannot buy what Barack Obama is selling. Many of us are facing the possibility of, for the very first time, voting for the Republican nominee in November. Sen. Obama does not charm me (the more I watch and listen to him, the less I like him) and is clearly not qualified to be president at this time. He needs many more years of experience and a long track record which...

The McCain Possibilities Almost a year ago, the Crystal Ball took a first crack at listing the vice presidential possibilities in both parties (LINK). The list has held up surprisingly well. But the justifications for various candidacies have changed, and now that we know John McCain will make the choice, it’s time for reconsideration. (We’ll await the unofficial crowning of the Democratic nominee to play this game on the Democratic side, unless Democrats keep the game tied through the...

Our Very Own TMV Co-Blogger JMZ at Writes Like She Talks (Pre- & Post-Debate) http://www.writeslikeshetalks.com/ ABC Political Radar http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/02/live-blogging-f.html Cleveland Plain Dealer http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/presidential_candidates/