Is ‘success’ of U.S. surge in Iraq about to unravel?  —  BAGHDAD — A cease-fire critical to the improved security situation in Iraq appeared to unravel Monday when a militia loyal to radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al Sadr began shutting down neighborhoods in west Baghdad and issuing demands of the central government.

The Long Defeat  —  Hillary Clinton may not realize it yet, but she's just endured one of the worst weeks of her campaign.  —  First, Barack Obama weathered the Rev. Jeremiah Wright affair without serious damage to his nomination prospects.  Obama still holds a tiny lead among Democrats nationally …

Exclusive: Clinton acknowledges a “misstatement” on Bosnia sniper fire  —  Earlier this afternoon, Sen. Hillary Clinton came to the Daily News and Inquirer building here in Philadelphia — where she's seeklng the Daily News editorial board endorsement — and I had a chance to ask …

NY gov says he tried drugs in his youth  —  NEW YORK (AP) — New York's new governor, who disclosed last week that he and his wife committed adultery several years ago, said Monday he used cocaine in his 20s and smoked marijuana when he was younger.  —  In reference to cocaine …

Worried Dems wish for ‘dream team’  —  WASHINGTON — What are the odds Democrats will field a “dream team ticket” with Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton combining forces?  —  London bookmaker Ladbrokes is taking bets at 8-1, but leading Democratic insiders aren't ready to put down their money — yet.

One Bruising Scenario for Clinton  —  WASHINGTON — To listen to some of the discussion about the Democratic presidential contest these days, one would think that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton should have spent Easter weekend in Chappaqua, writing her withdrawal speech and preparing for her return to the Senate.

Behind the Deal, the Hand of the Fed  —  Adam Smith's invisible hand has a puppeteer: the Federal Reserve.  —  In case there is any confusion about who was pulling the strings behind the scenes of JPMorgan Chase's acquisition of Bear Stearns, the curtain was lifted Monday.

Don't discount Gore-led ticket  —  U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, whose district includes much of Martin and St. Lucie counties, is hoping he won't have to attend the Democratic Party national convention in Denver in August.  —  If he does go, that will mean the Democrats still haven't decided a nominee for the presidential election.

Cheney on 4000 American Dead: “They Volunteered.”  —  How's that for “supporting the troops”?  —  Download |  Play Download |  Play  —  This part absolutely kills me.  Who bears the burden of this war?  The soldiers and their families who lose sleep every night praying their loved ones don't get blown up?

Obama's Test: Can a Liberal Be a Unifier?  —  WASHINGTON — At the core of Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign is a promise that he can transcend the starkly red-and-blue politics of the last 15 years, end the partisan and ideological wars and build a new governing majority.

McCAIN'S CRED....Via Steve Benen, MSNBC analyst Chuck Todd tells us why John McCain can get away with routine demonstrations of abject ignorance, like his recent proclamation that Iran is supporting al-Qaeda in Iraq: … Italics mine.  Let's recap.  Foreign policy cred lets him get away with wild howlers on foreign policy.

Dems to hammer McCain for ‘100 years’  —  John McCain is scheduled to deliver a major foreign policy speech Wednesday in Los Angeles, one with a heavy Iraq focus, but chances are Democrats won't be listening.  They've already distilled his views into an easy to remember formulation: 100 years of war.

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Presidential primary fight doesn't bother Reid  —  Democrat predicts early resolution  —  While Democrats across the country are anguished about the bitter fight for their presidential nomination, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid doesn't appear to be losing any sleep over it.