PREPARE TO QUALIFY How many Democrats in Massachusetts are kicking themselves today? [send a card first] Were he [Kennedy] to resign or die in office, state law requires a special election for the seat no sooner than 145 days and no later than 160 days after the vacancy occurs. … …

Democratic staffers across the Hill are already salivating about the possibilities that might arise come November. [Bulletin board material for the GOP] Democratic Hill staffers have become transfixed by the next Election Day – which could bring a new administration and an untold number of new job openings – while …

The web wizards over at Team McCain have just re-launched John McCain dot com.  It’s very fancy and if you enjoy windmills, you’ll love it as much as we did.

Sources: NY Rep. Fossella won’t run again WASHINGTON (AP) — New York Rep. Vito Fossella will not seek re-election after a series of damaging revelations about a child from an extramarital affair, two people familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. … Both people spoke on condition of anonymity …

John McCain is supposed to compete with this? When it rains, it pours – but at least he has protection.

Taking one for the team never paid so well. While being a member of Congress might do wonders to your ego, it doesn’t necessarily benefit your wallet – at least compared to the salaries some of your staffers might be making. [Ethical cleansing, $ubcription] Today’s Roll Call reports that while …

Chris Cillizza and Matthew Mosk Rival Camps Plan Inevitable Merger: Top fundraisers for Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have begun private talks aimed at merging the two candidates’ teams, not waiting for the Democratic nominating process to end before they start preparations for a hard-fought fall campaign. … …

From Mike Allen’s Playbook: BREAKING NEWS 1: “BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi government official says U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has arrived in Baghdad for a surprise visit. The official says the California Democrat is meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. … Pelosi’s visit to Baghdad on Saturday comes …

Bet on black? [NYTimes] The sharp surge in black turnout that Senator Barack Obama has helped to generate in recent primaries and Congressional races could signal a threat this fall to the longtime Republican dominance of the South, according to politicians and voting experts. Some analysts suggest that North Carolina …

If Republicans think Obama isn’t good for the economy, that might change after they read this post. Abercrombie Posts Slight Rise in Net “Despite a tough selling environment, we produced bottom-line growth while still remaining true to the aspirational positioning of our brands,” Chief Executive Mike Jeffries said. “We continue …

Is that Rep. Loretta Sanchez drinking poo water? At least the photo below isn’t as bad as this sucker. Sewer to Spigot: Recycled Water [WSJ]

Rep. Tom Davis recently released a memo, [littered with problems] and probably wishes he could have take backs. Calls for concern in his memo: 1. He misspells Barack Obama’s name throughout the entire memo. [Hire a copy editor] 2. For some reason he uses the term “tar baby” while trying …

In a move that’s being labeled as unprecedented, the Politico newspaper, run by Jim VandeHei, has handed over total control of their newspaper to the Democratic Party for an indefinite amount of time. Coverage on today’s front page: The GOP CRASH GOP Diagnosis: Dire Some say 70-vote deficit come November …

This country went from an expected decade of Republican majorities in the Senate and House as recent as 2004, to an expected Republican minority of 70 seats in the House…in 2008. John Harris & Josh Kraushaar: GOP Cancer: Party Could Lose 20 More Seats: Many House GOP operatives are privately …

Hillary Clinton, who apparently just fired her entire graphics department, has just released the ultimate “Hill Mary.” Why WV ‘Hill’billies are Important: [click here] The most important fact highlighted by a one desperate Hillary, “1916: The last year a Democrat won the White House without carrying West Virginia.” Sounds like …