AFP - Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton on Monday condemned the US administration's plan to reform financial regulation as too little and too late to end the subprime mortgage crisis.

The Democratic Presidential nominating race has become fairly long & intense white knuckle politics at its most unexpected hour. Once the election fray becomes just Democrat vs Republican will you see the gloves really come off...

Hello, April. The second quarter starts now. Enjoy your Open Thread.    

Bloomberg - April 1 (Bloomberg) -- Andrea Helmer was interested in Barack Obama until she heard sound bites of his fiery pastor's sermons. Last week, she volunteered for Hillary Clinton's campaign in Indiana.

The right-wing smear campaign against Barack Obama has begun. Conservatives intend, as they have so many times before, to appeal to Americans' ugliest prejudices and most craven fears.

The deadline for the first financial quarter of 2008 is 11:59 eastern daylight time tonight — just an hour away. If you donate before midnight tonight, your donation will be part of our March financial report to the FEC. This will be the final report before the next series of primaries, and the results will be seen as a key measure of the strength of our campaign.

We've heard from thousands of supporters today who have not only donated, but have who have also been motivated to take action in their own communities to work for change.  

Carol from California:

As an adult, I have never contributed to a political campaign because I have never believed in a politician. This is the first time I have worked on a political campaign in earnest. This is the first time I have believed in a politician as an honest person. It is my belief that Barack Obama has the power to inspire people and, therefore, our country to do great things.

Candy from Florida:

I'm 51 yrs old, have always voted Republican until now… We don't need someone that thinks they have all the answers, we need someone that can build bridges with people and provide an atmosphere to work together to solve the great issues of our country. This country and our political process needs change and a leader that brings people together rather than alienates them… I am certain that Obama is the person to lead this change.

Amy from Oregon:

I have been so discouraged by the political scene of the past 10 years or so that I have done nothing but vote. Now, I feel that "Fierce urgency of now". I realize that Barack Obama gives us an opportunity to truly change how we do things in this country. I feel compelled to leave the shelter of home to go out and work for change. I have been phonebanking from home, writing postcards to women in Pennsylvania, tabling and registering voters on the Oregon State University campus, and working with the new Corvallis for Obama group.

When we started this campaign over a year ago, the pundits and the political insiders didn't think it was possible to mobilize ordinary people to reject conventional thinking and fight for real change. Tonight, we have a chance to prove them wrong.

Help us finish this quarter strong:    

Hoping to avoid a summer-long bloodbath for the Democratic presidential nomination, some party leaders such as Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen have urged a convention of superdelegates in June, after the caucuses and primaries are over.

Who's Scrubbing the Trinity United Church of Christ Website?

Over 4,000 people came out to Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania this evening to hear Barack.   Check out some pictures from the event!









Did you see Barack in Pennsylvania today? Tell us about it in the comments!

The '60s may have seen the dawn of identity politics, but it wasn't until recently that identity politics became so ... political.