A couple of momentous events occured on this day that led to the Civil War. In 1820, President Monroe signs the Missouri Compromise and in 1857 the Supreme Court rules on the Dred Scott case. On to today's top stories:
"It's Now a Marathon, with Pa. the Big Prize" (Martha Moore, USA Today) The first thing everyone needs to do is stop declaring one particular day the day of days. The press has been burned twice now and you would think they'd learn. Obama will likely win Wyoming and Mississippi, and Clinton will likely win Pennsylvania. In other words, no win at this point, unless someone sweeps the table, will clinch it.
"Could Clinton, Obama Become a Team?" (Calvin Woodward, Associated Press) Clinton mentioned it, Obama killed it; but yet it remains. All the hallelujahs aside, the practicality of a joint ticket is that it's the simplest solution to the Dems' mess right now. That, and it would, at least theoretically, be a formidable ticket.
"Bush and McCain Stress Their Unity, and So Do the Democrats" (Michael Shear and Michael Abramowitz, Washington Post) Giving John McCain a honeymoon as long as a Google search, the Dems pounced on the Rose Garden endorsement yesterday and seemingly strong bond between the president and his one-time adversary.
"Democrats Brace for a Long Battle" (Michael Finnegan and Mark Barabak, Los Angeles Times) All the talk about Clinton's inability to catch Obama in delegates is true of course. But it's also true that even with 100 more delegates, Obama has a thin claim to the nomination. Delegates won't decide this thing, unless there's a "super" before it.
"Lesson of Defeat: Obama Comes Out Punching" (Michael Powell and Jeff Zeleny, New York Times) Now it's time for Obama to show his mettle. Clinton has proven hers time and again, but how will Obama respond to the double threat of a Clinton resurgence and bad media coverage? For starters, he's attacking.
"Caucus Drives Latest Ruckus" (June Kronholz, Ben Casselman and T.W. Farnum, Wall Street Journal) On caucuses, Clinton has a point, as we saw with the mess that was the Texas "Two-Step." These quaint gatherings of yesteryear are not only outdated, they're inefficient.
"McCain's Prize: A Head Start" (Ronald J. Hansen and Dan Nowicki, Arizona Republic) McCain also had a head start going into the primaries, remember, and all it did was lead to a summer of discontent. For Republicans, the hope is that McCain learned something from last year's blunders and is taking the opportunity the Dems have given him to fully form his campaign team and message.
"Pro-Clinton 527 Preps for Pa. Air War" (Kenneth Vogel, The Politico) We have seven weeks until the PA primary, which means April 22 will be like Jan. 3 and the Iowa caucuses. The candidates will essentially move to the state while ads blanket the airwaves.
"Floridians Might Get a Second Vote" (Lesley Clark and Beth Reinhard, Miami Herald) Of all the difficulties facing the Democratic Party, what to do about Florida and Michigan is perhaps the hardest. Allowing them to vote again is one idea.
Get today's other election stories at RCP's Politics and Election page.
