Speaking in Jerusalem, President Bush has condemned proposals to negotiate with Hamas, Iran, and any other group associated with terrorism. Invoking analogies to appeasement of Hitler, the President remarks injected himself abruptly into the 2008 election season where no member of his administration is a candidate. In response, DNC Chair Howard Dean demanded that Senator John McCain repudiate the President for having taken a partisan position while overseas.

This is ridiculous. There is an important debate to be had and both partisan sides bear responsibility for twisting it into nothing more than cheap opportunism.

Michael Medved writes that the idea that Americans have an inherent - even Darwinistic - advantage over other peoples is gaining additional respect in the scientific community as a result of new research.  The reason?  Immigrants who self-selected themselves have a greater tendency to exhibit risk-taking and inventive skills.  Perhaps.  But I wonder if we’ve not lost that aspect of ourselves.

President Bush’s interview with Politico’s Mike Allen goes a long way in confirming some of the positive character traits - steadfastness, faithful, determined - that I wrote about yesterday.  It also highlights some of negatives as well.  On balance it wasn’t a bad attempt at making Bush’s public image more palatable, something Republican candidates clearly need given that they’ve suffered some unfortunate defeats in recent months, most recently in Mississippi.

The Washington Post reports: “The Lebanese government rescinded two decisions Wednesday that had targeted Hezbollah and ignited the worst internal fighting since the end of the 15-year civil war, underlining the group’s sense of victory in a battle that has recalibrated Lebanese politics.”

The article Karl links to is indeed a horrible piece of trash.

Cinque Henderson wrote a tremendous article from the perspective of a black person who refuses to vote for Barack Obama. His main problem with the Senator from Illinois? He’s not even remotely the trancendent figure he pretends to be (when it comes to race).

Fantastic stuff: Barack Obama tries to show that he’s a simple person, just like most Americans, by calling a female reporter “Sweetie.” The reporter rightfully feels insulted, and Obama is forced to apologize.

One of the most amusing aspects of analyzing politics is that politicians are usually the last to know what voters want. For some reason, the average politician is completely tonedeaf for the will of ‘the people.’ Case in point: the GOP is panicking because it suddenly realizes that Republicans are very unpopular right now, mainly because of George W. Bush’s unpopularity.

John Edwards endorses Obama, along with Pert shampoo, Vidal Sassoon conditioner, and Revlon nail polish.

Obama reveals himself to be vile sexist pig. He also hates kittens.

“I won’t quit and you can’t make me,” vows Clinton, who then threatens to hold her breath until they give her the nomination.

Sean Penn endorses Obama, then accuses him of unconstitutional voting record before being upstaged by dancing pandas. That story snarks itself.

Republicans reported concerned about prospects of fall wipeout. I can’t believe it. They finally noticed.

Emily’s List goes after NARAL. Professional wrestling fans respond: Chick fight!!! Hillary Clinton campaign demands apology for rank sexism, then realizes that the pro wrestling fans are their base.

Analyst muses that Obama might be liberal on taxes. YOU THINK?????

McCain straight-talks his way on to both sides of an issue.

President Bush still manages to say foolish things. BDS Brigades still manage to completely lose their minds over it.

The Huffington Post is reporting on growing speculation that Edwards is set to endorse Barack Obama tonight. Edwards has already said that Obama is the likely nominee. Obama’s campaign has apparently announced a major endorsement at a rally in Michigan today.

As a state that could support Obama in the fall but requires some friendly gestures due to their delegate woes, and also as a state where the economic issues Edwards talks about are close to the hearts of voters, would be a great place to make such an announcement.

It’s still a rumor for now, but please bear with me. I’ve spent the day reading quotes and watching video of uneducated hicks Real Americans™ saying they can’t support Obama because he’s Muslim, or not “All-American” or just plain because he’s black, I need some encouragement.

UPDATE: The New York Times and ABC are confirming the endorsement.

Good news: Islamist author Adnan Oktar (penn name: Harun Yahya, h/t reader AAB) has been sentenced to three years in prison. A Turkish court found him guilty of creating an illegal organization for personal gain. Oktar had been put on trial in Istanbul together with 17 other individuals. The sentence came after a previous trial which began in the year of 2000 after Oktar, along with 50 members of his Science Research Foundation (BAV) were arrested in 1999.

Because of the nature of the candidates and the long tradition of identity-based politics in the Democratic Party, many attempts have been made to parse the Democratic primary electorate on racial and gender. But today at TPM, Josh Marshall gets at what seems to be the most accurate way to identify the die-hard core of Hillary Clinton’s base: the uneducated and even the downright ignorant.

Hillary’s campaign compared to Monty Python’s “dead parrot” sketch. Next: Ron Paul’s campaign compared to Monty Python’s “spam, spam, spam, eggs, and spam” sketch. And Obama says to Rev. Wright, “wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more!” And John McCain announces, “I’d like to buy an argument, please”. And Mike Huckabee resurrects campaign after finding the “holy hand grenade of Antioch”.

Poll reveals that 82% believe that 31% of the people are 95% wrong about 68% of everything.

Poll reveals Democrats have advantage in upcoming general election. Poll also reveals that Superman has advantage over Yogi the Bear in head-to-head combat.

Obama surrenders, dons flag pin. Also promises to implement completely new style of politics by implementing internet-based system to pander more rapidly than any previous campaign.

Actual West Virginia voters refute the notion that anti-Obama crusade features much ignorance, racism and prejudice. Except, well, totally not.

College Democrats leaders endorse Obama on YouTube. Clinton supporters respond in kind, “Leave Hillary Alone!“

Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Turkey yesterday, for their second visit to this country. The first time was 37 years ago; back then, the two were warmly welcomed by Turkish masses. This, however, the reception was colder. The reason: 37 years ago, Turkey wasn’t much of a player. It had a whole lot of catching up to do. Today the situation is different: Turkey is ready to join the European Union.

AmericaBlog exemplifies Democrats’ inherent loathing of the democratic process. John has picked his candidate; therefore, no one else is allowed to express their opinions or compete against his anointed one.

IT’S NOT CLOSE. YOU FREAKING LOST THE NOMINATION, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?

Good God. What is wrong with her? The Clintons and their campaign staff don’t give a damn that they are now hurting our electoral chances in the fall against McCain and against the Republicans in Congress.

US President George W. Bush arrived in Israel earlier today, to kick off his tour through the Middle East. He will stay in this part of the world for five days, and he’ll visit three countries. His visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel; a major issue on his agenda is, of course, the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians (and the rest of the Arab world).

Barry Rubin writes: “The Lebanese logjam has broken at last as Hizballah seized west Beirut and inflicted a big defeat on the pro-government side. While Iran and Syria provide guns and strong backing to their friends, the West responds with words backed by nothing. Who can blame Hizballah and Damascus and Tehran for laughing with contempt, believing they are the tide of the future, assuming their “passionate intensity” will inevitably triumph over the weak-willed West?”

Turkish Prime-Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (finally I can write his name correctly; in the Dutch alphabet we don’t have the soft G) easily survived a no-confidence vote recently. The opposition filed the motion last week after police forces had, in their opinion, used excessive force against left-wing (socialist and communist) protestors who wanted to celebrate ‘labor day’ (May 1) by virtually destroying Istanbul’s inner-city.

Out of respect for the soldiers (who died) fighting in Iraq. Although I understand Bush’s reasoning (some may feel that playing golf while a war is going on is insensitive), I’ve got to say that I don’t think it should matter whether or not the man plays golf every now and then. However, we’ve all got different ways in which we show respect, this is Bush’s way. Making a big deal out of it, then, is tasteless.