The markets work in mysterious ways, my friends. Con Coughlin reports at The Daily Telegraph's blog Three-Line Whip that in one part of Afghanistan's Helmand Province, crop substitution is succeeding for the time being. It's not due to a NATO crop substitution program to coerce farmers to grow another crop besides poppies.

Railroad Commissioner is one of our statewide races in Texas that many voters know little about but that has a large influence on the everyday lives of Texans. Today was the runoff between Democrats Dale Henry, a candidate with a resume loaded with civic leadership experience and hands-on oil and gas experience and Mark Thompson, an activist, therapist and former police officer.

Earlier today I came across this interesting bit in NetNewsWire (my feed reader) from Marc Ambinder about a new website launched by a former employee of Senator Hillary Clinton's former Campaign Manager, Patti Solis Doyle: Vote Both.

Vote Both encourages Democrats to support a Clinton-Obama ticket. Note the order there.

McCain Democrats. That's a new term for me, folks. Apparently Gallup has done a polling mashup that includes some of the polling information I wrote about here earlier this week that indicates a sizable number of Democrats would vote for John McCain over the Democratic candidate they oppose at this stage in the primary process.

According to this Gallup poll released today, some Democrats don't hold very Democratic views about this election:

230 years have passed since the Continental Army under the command of General George Washington weathered a brutal winter in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. While there wasn't an actual battle at Valley Forge back in the winter of 1777-1778, there is a battle going on there now.

James Carville, in yesterday's New York Times, discussing New Mexico Governor and former Clinton administration Mr. Everything Bill Richardson's endorsement of Senator Barack Obama:

“Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic,” Mr. Carville said, referring to Holy Week.

Lawrence Lessig, everyone's favorite law professor (at least in my circle of friends) and CEO of Creative Commons, announced the launch of a new project this afternoon: Change Congress.

Another day, another Republican retirement. This retirement makes 22 and counting for this cycle.

New York Representative Tom Reynolds announced yesterday that he will not seek re-election, bringing a scandalized 10 year career in the House to an end.

One of my daily reads in the blogosphere is Mark Kleiman. He's got a hilarious "what if" up today that has Ann Coulter liveblogging the Gettysburg Address.