NOT BEAN BAG  —  We seem to be at the point where there are now two credible possibilities.  One is that the Clinton campaign is intentionally pursuing a strategy of using surrogates to hit Obama with racially-charged language or with charges that while not directly tied to race nonetheless play to stereotypes about black men.

The Democrats' Fairy Tale  —  “Give me a break.  This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen."  Thus spoke Bill Clinton last Monday night, exasperated by Barack Obama's claim that he — unlike Hillary Clinton — had been consistently right (or wrong, depending on your point of view) on the Iraq war.

Michelle Obama Enters the Race Fray  —  Michelle Obama spoke today in South Carolina at the Trumpet Awards, an event celebrating black achievement.  After commenting on Bill Clinton's fairy tale remark she said: … More...  She then wove the women issue into her comments:

Michelle Obama reaches out to blacks at Trumpet Awards  —  ATLANTA —Michelle Obama told the audience at an event celebrating black achievement that her husband is the person America needs in the White House right now, not in four or eight years.  —  Barack Obama's other half spoke briefly …

Race and Gender Are Issues in Tense Day for Democrats  —  LAS VEGAS — After staying on the sidelines in the first year of the campaign, race and to a lesser extent gender have burst into the forefront of the Democratic presidential contest, thrusting Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton …

Fluidity in G.O.P. Race; Democrats Eye Electability  —  WASHINGTON — Republican voters have sharply altered their views of the party's presidential candidates following the early contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, with Senator John McCain, once widely written off, now viewed more favorably …