Well, he's not completely out, but the Republican Texas lawmaker will officially end his bid for the presidency at a rally outside of the state's GOP convention next week.  He remains in as an advocate of sorts for libertarian-focused conservatives in local districts nationwide, as part of the "Campaign For Liberty."  ABC News confirms his exit:

Quinnipiac University has just released polling data that has Obama ahead of McCain in the Empire State by a significant margin (50%-36% w/MoE +/- 2.6).  Obama also polls higher in every subgroup (except, of course, Republicans).  Most significantly, Obama has 53% of the female vote and breaks even with McCain among whites.  

The most interesting finding is the fact that 48% of all voters in New York, Sen. Clinton's home state, do NOT want Sen. Obama to select her as his running mate.  More than half of NY's white voters, independents, men and voters age 45+ also disapprove of that option.  A slightly higher number of Democrats do approve of Clinton for VP, however.  For those who have joined the "Stay At Home On Election Day" crowd, they factor in at less than 7% in every demographic group.    

And no, it's not one with a predominant African-American population.  We all know that the Clintons wrote off the black vote last year and have damaged their standing so bad that even Hillary's senatorial home state has disowned them.  No, the Clintons are working hard to woo "hard working Americans, white Americans" to seal the deal in their "Solutions for Caucasians"...oh whoops, I'm so sorry....it's the "Solutions for Americans" tour.  Unfortunately for them, the argument won't be as strong in the forthcoming Montana primary.  Apparently, the Clinton spin of Obama's supposed failure with the white vote isn't sticking too well.

Seeking a rationale for her fading campaign, Hillary's bloggers are jumping on her op-ed in today's Daily News about why she's continuing to run.  Nothing new or relevatory is offered of course, other than her meme of defiance that we all heard in past stump speeches (i.e. I won't quit because I won't quit fighting for you blah blah blah).  

But what still resonates with an aura of a will-o'-the-wisp is that she made this statement in today's op-ed regarding her RFK remark:

Looks like the backlash from Bill Clinton's comment at Portsmouth College in New Hampshire about Obama's campaign is prompting the former President to start putting out a few smoldering fires.  According to Ben Smith at The Politico, he plans to appear on Rev. Al Sharpton's radio show today to clarify his comments.

In case you missed what I'm referring to, here's a quote from an angry, finger-wagging Bill:

Because this stomach-rotting bile just popped up as "developing" on The Sludge Report:

I thought the John Edwards love child was two-headed?

I've caught on to a few unique hints lately regarding the potential and collateral damage of combat overseas, both current (Iraq) and looming (Iran). And it goes beyond what you'd grasp from fleeting headlines or momentary soundbites.

Last night, I had a lengthy chat with my son, Sam. But the conversation took place via an interesting and abstract medium of communication, my wife's tummy. You see, Sam is set to enter this world in February 2008, at which time we should know (1) who the nominees for the Presidency will be, and (2) whether or not we set off the undoing of this country via actions against Iran. Just the sound of my voice resonates with Sam from inside the womb, with his kicks popping in small bursts, easily felt when touching my wife's abdomen. I pay close attention to those tiny pulsations, particularly when I say certain things to him. Last night, I said "I will give my life to make sure that you will not fight in this war..." The pounding my wife felt in response was strong enough to elicit a wide-eyed gasp as she laughed heartily.

But for me, in all honesty, it wasn't a laughing matter.

Ben Smith at The Politico reports that Barack Obama has earned the endorsement of the largest union in Illinois, the SEIU Illinois State Council:

Meanwhile, the Illinios SEIU backed Obama today in a release that discusses efforts in "neighboring states."


[Key line: "Already, hundreds of members are volunteering to phone bank, door knock and to travel to neighboring states to support Obama's presidential bid."]

More after the jump...