Hillary Clinton is doing a town hall with Rachel Maddow. I don't think it's live, but it had to be filmed since yesterday, since they are discussing the Cruz-Kasich alliance.

Hillary sounds very confident. She reminds Rachel a few times she is 2.7 million votes ahead.

She doesn't sound worried about Sanders, or whether he tells his supporters to support her.

She emphasizes her support for the Democratic party. She is raising money for Democrats down ticket.

Maddow keeps trying to get her to acknowledge Sanders' permanent mark on the Democratic party. She won't say he changed the party. Instead she says how important it is to support Democrats. And for Democrats to increase their turnout at midterm elections, not just presidential elections.

Donald Trump is reveling in the seemingly quick demise of the deal between Cruz and Kasich to divvy up Indiana, New Mexico and a few other states hoping to stop Donald Trump from being the Republican nominee.

The agreement, in which the two candidates agreed to cede forthcoming states to one another — Mr. Kasich would, most crucially, stand down in Indiana’s primary on May 3 to give Mr. Cruz a better chance to defeat Mr. Trump there, while Mr. Cruz would leave Oregon and New Mexico to Mr. Kasich — carried the stench of desperation, but initially it seemed like a breakthrough.

Cruz is apparently putting his hopes on Indiana and California. [More...]

The Department of Justice has issued a directive to states telling them to make it easier for those leaving prison to get ID cards. It's part of a broader new initiative to make it easier for felons leaving prison to re-enter society. The initiative is called Roadmap to Re-entry.

The AP reports: [More...]

The best TV show I saw this weekend: Viceland's States of Undress goes to Palestine (it's available On Demand on Comcast, or you can watch it online here.)

The Good Wife has just a few episodes left. There are so many characters on this show that I can't stand watching, I'm surprised I watch the show at all. Is it really going to go out at the same place it began, with Alicia's husband Peter indicted? Only this time, Alicia refuses to stand by his side? I hope the ending isn't as trite as that. But it's really gone downhill this season fast, so I won't be surprised if it is.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

According to this Yahoo News article, Bernie Sanders gave the clear impression today his campaign will only last through the California primary, not to the convention. On ABC's This Week:

“We intend to take the fight all the way to California,” Sanders said on ABC’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos,” “so people throughout this country have a right to determine who they want as president and what kind of agenda they want for the Democratic Party.”

On Meet the Press:

“We are in this race. We are not writing our obituary. We’re in this race to California,” he said, before letting a tense change slip. “And we’re proud of the campaign we ran.”

He still thinks he can win. And in case there was still any doubt, he's not catering to Democrats [More...]

It's just about sundown here, which marks the beginning of Passover. Best wishes to all observing.

The Obamas once again celebrated Passover with a White House seder. . (Here's an article explaining why.) The Washington Post says Passover is currently "having a moment". [More...]

Seriously? People are criticizing Saturday Night Live and calling for a boycott over this parody skit? It doesn't glorify heroin use -- just the opposite. Did these people miss the ghoulish dragons laughing like hyenas at the end? The skit not only makes using heroin unappealing, it turns it into something totally uncool, by portraying it as something your uncool parents do. What could be more of a turn-off to teens?

Mocking heroin use is likely to be far more of a deterrent than scaring kids or the usual "just say no" message. [More...]

When logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead
And the White Knight is talking backwards
and the Red Queen's off with her head
Remember what the doormouse said....

What would the doormouse have said to Ted Cruz and other Republicans, hoping for a "White Knight" to prevent a Donald Trump nomination, regardless of how close he comes to the magic number of 1237 delegates, should he fall even a wee bit short by the start of the convention? The latest chapter begins yesterday, at a meeting of RNC leaders in Florida.[More...]

Trump says Kaitlin Jenner can use whatever bathroom she wants. (NYTimes, no link, subscription required.)

Trump is reinventing his campaign and Republicans should be worried.

Hillary is considering a female running mate

When is Bernie dropping out?

Prince has died at his home in Minnesota at age 57. He cancelled a few concerts earlier in the week for medical reasons.

The singer – full name Prince Rogers Nelson – had a medical emergency on April 15th that forced his private jet to make an emergency landing in Illinois. But he appeared at a concert the next day to assure his fans he was okay. His people told TMZ he was battling the flu. Prior to his most recent appearance however, Prince had cancelled two shows due to health concerns.

His final days. R.I.P. Prince. Added: James Corden's heartfelt tribute to Prince.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Time Magazine reports on the slow but steady increase of U.S. troop presence in Iraq. Apparently, it's in preparation for the upcoming battle to retake Mosul from ISIS.

Unless you have a loved one in the U.S. military, you probably haven’t been aware of the slow-but-steady increase in American troops on the ground inside Iraq.... On Monday, Pentagon officials said the total U.S. troop presence in Iraq would grow by more than 200 troops—to a deployed force of 4,087—as Baghdad and Washington prepare to take Mosul back from ISIS.

Troops on temporary assignment in Iraq, those guarding diplomatic outposts—or those rotating in to replace troops who haven’t left yet—aren’t included under that 4,087 ceiling. When they are, Pentagon officials say, the total U.S. troops presence in Iraq is creeping toward 5,000.

[More...]

Hillary is beaming, on stage with Bill and Chelsea.

"Thank You New York. Today you proved once again, there's no place like home."

..."New Yorkers, you've always had my back, and I've tried to have yours."

Hillary Clinton won big in New York -- 59.2% as of now to 40.8% for Bernie. She even won Brooklyn.

"To those who supported Sanders, I believe there is more that unites us than divides us"

She says the race is in the home stretch. "This campaign is the only one, Democrat or Republican, to win more than 10 million votes." [More...]