AP - John McCain tore into Barack Obama over a two-year Iraq absence. The likely Democrat nominee then said he was considering a war zone trip. Point: McCain.

Two weeks ago, I spoke with Barack Obama about the Middle East, Zionism, and his favorite Jewish writers. Since my blog is both fair and balanced, I had a lengthy conversation with Senator John McCain earlier this week about many of the same subjects.

This morning in Rapid City, South Dakota, Barack held a Town Hall meeting and talked with local residents about the need to turn the page on the spin coming out of Washington and offer a new direction for our foreign policy.

Video from this morning's town hall in Rapid City:

Today is the last day to make a matching donation and make the statement that we are ready for change in Washington, and ready to create an open dialogue with the American people.  We need your help to make our voice loud and clear.

The final two primaries will be held this Tuesday, and we need to be reaching out to as many people as possible.  Make calls today and stand up for the change we need in Washington.

The Network Behind the Bush-bashing Book Cliff Kincaid, Accuracy in Media Publisher Peter Osnos, who admits to personally working with former Bush White House press secretary Scott McClellan on his new book, What Happened, began his career as an assistant to I.F.

On Saturday the Rules & Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee meets to try to resolve a dispute over whether to seat the Michigan and Florida delegations to the convention . Here's why this rules wrangle has turned into a big event of the 2008 campaign.

What makes a movement? People from across the country getting together and giving what they can to say no to politics controlled by big money and special interests. While Bush and McCain are raising millions of dollars from a handful of donors at a private fundraiser, ordinary people are making matching donations—the average amount of less than $100—to move towards a different kind of politics.

The May fundraising deadline is tonight, at 11:59 EDT. If you make a contribution now, your donation will be matched by another supporter and you'll have a chance to share your story or message with them. Here is what some of our supporters have had to say: 

Kenton in New Mexico: 

Seven dollars isn't much, is it? Well, I'm poor but I figure $7 is a token of my support.  Maybe it will buy some campaign-team donuts for their early meeting one morning. Or 10 seconds worth of fuel while flying between campaign stops. Or a few pencils...

Darlene in Arkansas:

I do not have a lot of money but I donate what I can. This is the first time in my life I have ever contributed to a presidential candidate. I am a retired white woman... I feel this country has had enough of going back to the past instead of moving forward to the future of our children and grand children. Please match or double my contribution and help our country take a path for the people in our country... 

Lorrinda in North Carolina:

I have always been a registered Republican, but I truly believe that change not only can happen, it must happen to ensure my two little daughters have a better future... I would rather have them look up to a president who actually changed their lives for the better.

Valerie in Florida:

I want to be a part of history and this may be my last chance.  Thank you for matching my contribution and I hope with the efforts of everyone that wants change, receive the change we all are hoping for.

Richard in Kansas:

Yes he is the real deal and Yes We Can!! I am a Registered Republican/Obamican and I will be voting Democrat for the first time in 20 Years. Obama gives my children the best chance for a brighter future than I had. Thank you for supporting the next President of the United States!!!

These supporters and the people who matched their donations know they are a part of something bigger than themselves—something bigger than those few donors in a closed-door fundraiser where the politics of old are practised. Join them and make a matching donation today. 

the DNC is set to potentially decide the fate, not to mention the make up, of the Florida and Michigan delegations to the Democratic National Convention, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has a great timeline of events that led to this unprecedented meeting of the Rules and Bylaws Com …

Late last night, when a group of reporters from the traveling press went to visit Mount Rushmore, Barack decided to come along too. Check out the slideshow...

 

MSNBC First Read has details... 

When asked if he would like to see himself on the monument someday with Presidents George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, he joked: "I don't think my ears would fit. There's only so much rock up there."

Let's build the movement in South Dakota -- Make a matching donation today and double your impact...

 

Barack Obama said Saturday he has resigned his 20-year membership in the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago "with some sadness" in the aftermath of inflammatory remarks by his longtime pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and more recent fiery remarks at the church by a visiting priest.

Barack Obama has resigned his 20 year membership in the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago in the aftermath of inflammatory remarks by his longtime pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and more recent fiery remarks at the church by another minister.