Heilemann: Robert Reich to Endorse Obama  —  Secretary of Labor Robert Reich with Hillary Clinton at an education event in Washington, 1994.Photo: Corbis  —  If the Democratic presidential race were a poker game, by now you'd have to suspect that Barack Obama's campaign is dealing from the bottom …

Superdelegates Unswayed by Clinton's Attacks  —  Throughout their contentious debate on Wednesday, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton tried again and again to put Senator Barack Obama on the defensive in a pointed attempt, her advisers say, to raise doubts about his electability among a small …

Barack Obama makes a one-fingered gesture while speaking of Hillary Clinton  —  This is one of those political moments that really needs few words.  —  We'll no doubt hear much more about this incident in coming days.  —  Right now, we'll just leave this video for Ticket readers to view and judge for themselves.

Pentagon institute calls Iraq war ‘a major debacle’ with outcome ‘in doubt’  —  WASHINGTON — The war in Iraq has become “a major debacle” and the outcome “is in doubt” despite improvements in security from the buildup in U.S. forces, according to a highly critical study published Thursday …

How Obama Fell to Earth  —  Back in Iowa, Barack Obama promised to be something new — an unconventional leader who would confront unpleasant truths, embrace novel policies and unify the country.  If he had knocked Hillary Clinton out in New Hampshire and entered general-election mode early …

HMMMM  —  Remember that woman from the debate last night who the moderators showed videotape of asking whether Barack Obama “believes in the flag”?  Her name is Nash McCabe.  —  I remember thinking it was sort of odd to have a couple one-off uses of ordinary voter questions when it didn't really seem like it was part of the format.

Joe Scarborough Walks Off MSNBC's “Race To The White House” After Exchange With Rachel Maddow  —  “Joe didn't walk off.  He chose not to participate in the final couple of minutes of the discussion because he felt the conversation didn't fit his role as a political analyst.”  —  Previously:

Clinton: Obama's 'walk away" mentality  —  PHILADELPHIA —The fallout over Wednesday's debate in Philadelphia continued this morning as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton suggested to a local TV newscast that Sen. Barack Obama's complaints about his questioning at the event displayed a “walk away” mentality “when the going gets tough.”

Man's Men  —  I don't know that I agree with Mark Kleiman that Barack Obama's masculinity won't be an issue in the coming election.  On the one hand he's tall, but he's kind of, well, scrawny looking.  But also, the political space I think he's trying to occupy—building understanding …

President Bush Attends National Catholic Prayer Breakfast  —  Washington, D.C.  —  THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for the gracious welcome.  Austin, thanks for your kind introduction.  Thanks for giving me this unusual speaking opportunity.  I understand that this program builds up to another speech.

Iwo Jima Veterans Blast Time's ‘Special Environmental Issue’ Cover  —  Time editor tells MSNBC ‘there needs to be a real effort along the lines of World War II to combat global warming and climate change.’  —  Business & Media Institute  —  For only the second time in 85 years …

So, Mr Putin, what do you see in this nubile 24-year-old rhythmic gymnast?  —  This is the kind of question Mrs Merton might ask:  —  'So, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, what do you see in a 24-year-old, sensationally beautiful gymnast with a penchant for posing semi-naked …