According to the latest Zogby International poll (reasonably reliable), Hillary Clinton is closing in on Barack Obama in Texas. A couple of days ago, Obama was leading by 6%. That lead has decreased to only 2% now. 43% of Texas Democratic Primary goers say they’ll vote for Clinton, against 45% who say they support Obama. (more…)

Turkish Daily News has a good article up about Iraqi Kurds, and the role they play in Iraq nowadays. And, of course, their attitude towards the PKK. In short: “Iraqi Kurdish leaders want to mend their relationships with Turkey but are still not on the same page with Ankara regarding the necessity to fight the outlawed Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK).” (more…)

A friendly message from Obama’s pastor:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfNEfEBYIZs[/youtube] (more…)

In the Middle East? Sound like a more than interesting book. It’s useful, it seems to me, to read the review beforehand though, if nothing else than to keep in mind that the book may give one more hope than is reasonable. (more…)

“President Bush expects to pull more U.S. troops out of Iraq before he leaves office next January, a senior administration official said yesterday, dismissing suspicions that a pause in withdrawals this summer would freeze U.S. force levels until the next president takes office,” the Washington Post reports. (more…)

How to make Islam and all Muslims look bad? Right, by not understanding art and by trying to limit the freedom of artists to express themselves. What’s even worse is that Western artists give in. “A Berlin gallery has closed an exhibition of satirical art by the controversial Danish group Surrend after receiving threats from a group of Muslims.” (more…)

Gabor Steingart writes for the German newspaper the Spiegel: “The rise of democratic frontrunner Barack Obama signifies an alarming victory of style over substance. Not unlike the dot-com hype, his campaign promises more than he can deliver. The one thing his voters can count on is that they will ultimately be disappointed.” (more…)

The Associated Press decided to factcheck some of the attacks aimed at John McCain. As we all know, McCain said that, if necessary, American troops would stay in Iraq for 100 years (he wouldn’t have a problem with that in that case). Now, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama slammed McCain over it, with Obama saying that “[w]e are bogged down in a war that John McCain now suggests might go on for another 100 years.” (more…)

Glenn Greenwald – who has suddenly become great friends with the Catholic League and, thus, Bill Donohue – wrote yet another post on the McCain / Hagee controversy and, despite Glenn’s obvious bias, it’s well worth the read. Catholics are increasingly uniting on this issue and it seems that the issue won’t go away for McCain (nor should it). McCain should distance himself completely from Hagee and his intolerant ilk. Wasn’t his nomination part of a movement to limit the influence of the intolerant and extremist factions of the religious right?

Jason reported a couple of days already that Ed Morrissey would join Hot Air starting March 1, and that he would stop blogging at Captain’s Quarters, but I wanted to take the time – now that Ed has truly moved – to wish him the best of luck at Hot Air. I have to say that I’ll miss Captain’s Quarters. Sure, he’ll post at Hot Air, but it’ll be different, no? Best of luck to you Ed, and we’ll all continue to read your writings.