Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Poll: McCain Dominates GOP Races; Dems Locked in Tight Contests As Super Tuesday Polls Open  —  UTICA, New York - The final day of polling before Super Tuesday was one of hardening positions in key races across the country, the latest Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby survey work shows.

Limbaugh Defends Clinton and Obama on Iraq  —  Talk show host Rush Limbaugh is so exasperated about Senator McCain's surge in the Republican presidential contest that he is coming to the defense of Senators Clinton and Obama.  —  On Mr. Limbaugh's program today, he said people should not be rushing …

The Cooper Concerns  —  I'm not a Hillary-hater.  She's been an outstanding senator.  She hung tough on Iraq through the dark days of 2005.  In this campaign, she has soldiered on bravely even though she has most of the elected Democrats, news media and the educated class rooting against her.

Actor Jack Nicholson Endorses Hillary for President  —  In a surprise announcement on this morning's Rick Dees show, Oscar-winning actor Jack Nicholson endorsed Hillary Clinton for president.  —  “Mrs. Clinton has been involved in issues, everything from health care, which we know and prison reform …

As 24 States Vote, a Grab for Delegates, and an Edge  —  Brace yourself.  —  Forty-three presidential nominating contests in 24 states.  Channel upon channel of the commentators talking about exit polls.  The biggest prize of the night — California — being decided well after most viewers have headed for bed.

Time Runs Out for an Afghan Held by the U.S.  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — Abdul Razzaq Hekmati was regarded here as a war hero, famous for his resistance to the Russian occupation in the 1980s and later for a daring prison break he organized for three opponents of the Taliban government in 1999.

Economy Fitful, Americans Start to Pay as They Go  —  For more than half a century, Americans have proved staggeringly resourceful at finding new ways to spend money.  —  In the 1950s and '60s, as credit cards grew in popularity, many began dining out when the mood struck or buying …

Dissonance on Iraq  —  Cartoonish views of the war.  —  CONVENTIONAL WISDOM HAS it that, unlike in Vietnam, there is bipartisan support for “the troops” in Iraq despite the many arguments over the conduct of the war and whether U.S. forces should remain in Mesopotamia.

The Bush Budget Clown Show  —  Roger Runningen and Brian Faler of Bloomberg report on the Bushies' proposed budget for fiscal 2009: … Their reference to “near-record levels” of the deficit doesn't give a full and fair account of the magnitude of what can only be called a clown show.

The U.N. Deception: What Exactly Colin Powell Knew Five Years Ago, and What He Told the World  —  Colin Powell presented the case against Iraq to the UN Security Council five years ago today, on February 5, 2003.  —  As much criticism as Powell has received for this—he calls it “painful” …

THE POLLS  —  There's one guarantee I can make right now about tonight's results.  They are going take make either Zogby or SurveyUSA look like complete fools.  Which one I'm not completely sure, but definitely one of them.  —  Consider this spread.  Zogby has his final California number as Obama 49%, Clinton 36%.

What's Really in the U.S. Military Budget?  —  MUCH MORE THAN THE OFT-CITED $515.4 BILLION.  —  It's time for our annual game: How much is really in the U.S. military budget?  —  As usual, it's about $200 billion more than most news stories are reporting.

In Berkeley, push to rescind letter to Marines  —  (02-04) 18:52 PST Berkeley — A week after blasting the Marines as “unwelcome intruders” in Berkeley, two City Council members want the city to back off the declaration that ignited the wrath of the nation's right wing and inspired …