Kudos to both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (and even John McCain) for calling for Cuba to release all political prisoners in the wake of Castro's resignation.

Hillary: (from her statement)

The people of Cuba yearn for the opportunity to get out from under the weight of this authoritarian regime, which has held back 11 million talented and hardworking citizens of the Americas. The new government should take this opportunity to release political prisoners and to take serious steps towards democracy that give their people a real voice in their government.

Obama:

"The prompt release of all prisoners of conscience wrongly jailed for standing up for the basic freedoms too long denied to the Cuban people would mark an important break with the past. It's time for these heroes to be released."

McCain:

"We must press the Cuban regime to release all political prisoners unconditionally, to legalize all political parties, labor unions and free media, and to schedule internationally monitored elections," the Arizona senator said in a statement.

By Big Tent Democrat

Yes, it's me again. The PC police guy. And predictably, I have a problem with this:

FINEMAN: . . . [T]he problem that Hillary‘s got is in certain ways her whole candidacy is an act of ventriloquism from her husband. Or at least, some people view it that way. And Hillary isn‘t always known as the most authentic candidate that you‘ve ever seen that come down the pike, very calculating, very scripted and so forth.

(Emphasis supplied.) Yep, predictably, I see stating that a female candidate is merely a dummy for her ventriloquist husband is sexist.

I am predictable that way.

Via Instapundit, there's Krugman and Kevin Drum discussing when the "Obamamania" bubble will burst. I agree with both of them.

Krugman first:

One thing I worry about a lot if Obama is the Dem nominee — and he’s surely the frontrunner now — is that there will be a backlash against Obamamania. Actually, it’s already starting — probably too late to have much effect on the nomination fight, but in plenty of time to affect the general election.

I hope I’m just a cynical baby boomer who has never really trusted any politician since 1968. But I just have a very bad feeling about the way things are going.

Now Kevin: [More...]

By Big Tent Democrat

(Speaking for me only)

Via Atrios, more evidence of the incompetence of the Clinton campaign:

Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign failed to file a full slate of convention delegate candidates for Pennsylvania's April 22 primary.

This despite the possibility the primary proves critical and despite Clinton owning the full-throated support of Gov. Rendell, state Democratic Party leadership, Mayor Nutter and, presumably, the organizational skill all that entails.

And despite a Rendell-ordered extension of the filing deadline that could be viewed as more than just coincidental.

How could this possibly have happened? And make no mistake, this reflects on the candidate, Hillary Clinton.

Update [2008-2-19 14:27:1 by Big Tent Democrat]: Hilzoy says Atrios and I are wrong, that Clinton is in no danger of losing delegates. If that is so, I must say, never mind. I will leave the post up, but if it does not matter, then who cares?

(larger version here.)

Wisconsin demographics are here. There are 5.5 million people. 90% of the state is White, 6% are African Americans and 4.7% are Hispanic. By contrast, in Milwaukee County, the African American population is 26.6%.

Wisconsin is an open primary that allows same day registration. This favors Obama. So does the large student population in the state.

The weather is cold and snowy across the state today. I expect both campaigns have planned for that and have volunteers in place to drive people to the polls.

Wisconsin has 74 delegates to award. Small potatoes compared to Texas and Ohio. The question to me is whether an Obama win in Wisconsin will change the mind of voters in Texas and Ohio.

I didn't expect Hillary to win any contests in February. I don't think a loss in Wisconsin knocks her out by any means. On the other hand, if she does well, even if she doesn't win, it will be a clearer sign that her candidacy is still viable.

Updates below:

Update: McJoan at Daily Kos and the ACLU has just issued a press release.

The Supreme Court today declined to review a case by the ACLU and other groups and individuals, including criminal defense lawyers, over Bush's warrantless NSA wiretapping. A lower court had dismissed the case holding the ACLU and other plaintiffs hadn't established they were directly affected by the wiretapping.

The high court's action means that Bush will be able to disregard whatever legislative eavesdropping restrictions Congress adopts as there will be no meaningful judicial review, the ACLU attorneys said.

The Sixth Circuit decision in ACLU v. NSA is here (pdf). Some explanatory quotes are below:

By Big Tent Democrat

The Obama blogs are now confident that Texas is Obama's to lose:

No question it's a tight tight race with two weeks to go. Given how much ground he seems to have gained recently (remember that this is the second poll released in 24 hours showing an even or nearly even race), and his history of rapidly moving from being well behind in polls to winning primaries, it's starting to look like Texas might go to Obama.

This comes on the heels of SUSA's Texas poll that has Obama within 5 of Clinton in Texas.

This is a terrific development. A real test now for Obama's ability to win the POPULAR VOTE in big contested states. No need for spinning. Just a need for WINNING THE POPULAR VOTE. Maybe now we can get this "will of the voters" thing right. BTW, I guess Ohio is not going to be a battleground after all.

Congratulations to Josh Marshall and the bevy of reporters at Talking Points Memo. They crossed a new threshold today by winning a Polk Journalism award for their coverage of the U.S. Attorney firing scandal.

Attytood explains why it's so significant for bloggers and how it happened.

Here are the winners.

Citing health reasons, Fidel Castro has resigned as President of Cuba. An election is expected within days.

His letter was published overnight in a Cuban newspaper.

"I will not aspire to, nor will I accept the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," Castro wrote. "I wish only to fight as a soldier of ideas. ... Perhaps my voice will be heard."

....My wishes have always been to discharge my duties to my last breath," he said. "That's all I can offer."

More...

Amtrak has announced it will start searching bags.

Amtrak passengers will have to submit to random screening of carry-on bags in a major new security push that will include officers with automatic weapons and bomb-sniffing dogs patrolling platforms and trains, the railroad planned to announce today.

You know what to do, right? Make sure the bag they search has the Fourth Amendment printed on it.

larger version here.

Let the 4th Amendment speak for you as you hand your bag over for a search by a train, subway or airline security guard. It's a silent protest and reminder to authorities that you consider searches without reasonable suspicion or probable cause to be an infringement of your privacy rights.

You can get your's here. They make great gifts for college kids who are probably more likely to take Amtrak than we are.

Via Pensito Review: U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Somma, 63, has resigned after pleading guilty to a D.U.I.

He was in his Mercedes and wearing a cocktail dress, fishnet stockings and high heels at the time of his arrest last week -- which was occasioned by his allegedly rear-ending a pick-up truck in Manchester, N.H. last week. His wife was out of town at the time of the incident.

The Boston Herald notes:

“He was serving a 14-year appointment. This will leave him without a pension.”

Barack Obama expanded a bit today in Ohio on his meeting with John Edwards to seek his endorsement this weekend. He doesn't sound very confident he has it.

The courtship of John Edwards has been entirely inconclusive, Sen. Barack Obama said this afternoon...Edwards is not likely to endorse Obama or Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton soon, the Illinois senator concluded after visiting with Edwards and his wife Elizabeth.

....he suggested that the value of Edwards's backing would have its limits.

After saying he would "love to his support, he adds:

"But right now, what I think is most important is for me to make sure that I am getting out and talking to voters."

Calling all tea-leaf readers. Was he turned down, is Edwards undecided or just not ready to announce his decision?