It's neither a secret nor a surprise that Senator McCain has had some trouble getting the GOP establishment to back him — The Hill had a recent article on how at least 14 GOP congressmen were refusing to support McCain and nearly as many refused to answer whether they would or not. Another person has now been added to the list, as former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld also won't come out in support of Senator McCain.

MSNBC is reporting that Washington bureau chief Tim Russert has passed away of a heart attack today while working on Sunday's "Meet The Press" broadcast.

A major fire destroyed parts of the governor's mansion in downtown Austin earlier this morning.

So like Josh mentioned, when David Van Os stickers are making their way around the floor of the convention, it's pretty much official that he's running for chair. As that's a public statement of candidacy, the Texas Ethics Commission would likely think so too. So should there be concern that a TEC spokesman confirmed that they have not received Van Os' filing?

Reporting from multiple boots on the ground at the state convention has it that David Van Os will, as was rumored, be running for state chair. He and ex-vice chair Roy Laverne Brooks will be running against incumbent chair Boyd Richie.

The Bush White House can continue playing offense, but it is growing increasingly clearer that all his players are leaving the field.

Doctors for Senator Ted Kennedy say the senator has a malignant brain tumor.

Senator Edward Kennedy was rushed to the hospital early this morning after suffering what appears to have been a seizure.

I used to think of the Knesset as the body where Anwar Sadat brought his plea for peace in the Middle East — a place of diplomacy. Leave it to Bush to leave a dark mark upon it for me.

Senator John Edwards endorsed Senator Barack Obama for the presidency yesterday.