• “[T]here has been far more stability than change in the national Obama-Clinton vote preference since Super Tuesday, and that includes the period of last ten days. To the extent that we have seen real changes, they are barely bigger than what we might expect by chance alone…. the seemingly odd divergence between Gallup and Rasmussen since the Wright story broke is really not that unusual. It is comparable to similar separations in the trend lines that occurred around February 13 and February 29. Random variation will do that.” [Pollster.com]
• “[I]n accordance with an agreement the conference made with former Vice President Al Gore, press will not be allowed to attend his keynote presentation at the conference. Video recordings, broadcasts and photography are also prohibited.” [Threat Level]
• “You often hear it said, of some political or other opportunist, that he would sell his own grandmother if it would suit his interests. But you seldom, if ever, see this notorious transaction actually being performed, which is why I am slightly surprised that Obama got away with it so easily.” [Slate]
• “[A]mong the prayer groups, one holds special status: a tight-knit gathering of about a dozen senators which still meets every Wednesday morning for prayer and discussion…Each week, someone starts the meeting by giving personal testimony, secure in the support of the audience. Once, Senator Dan Coats stood before the group and sang ‘Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.’ The roster of regular participants has included such notable conservative names as Brownback, Santorum, Nickles, Enzi, and Inhofe. Then, in 2001, just after the new class of senators was sworn in, another name was added to the list: Hillary Rodham Clinton.” [The Atlantic (from the archives but of current interest)]
• “Predict the Democratic Primary”[RCP]
• Palate cleanser:
