CNN has a solid rundown of what will likely be the focus of tonight's debate, and Politico has some "I wish" questions.

For today's edition of On The Record, we speak with Allen McClinton, legislative aide to State Representative Rick Noriega.

These days it seems harder to judge friend or foe.

I have been remiss — this story came out a few days ago and I have neglected to write about it, but here it is: John Edwards has a stake in pirate booty found on a sunken ship.

Filed in the you've-got-to-be-kidding-me department: Republicans are saying that Democratic Congressional oversight on and investigations of the Department of Homeland Security are overly burdensome and creating problems. Their solution? They're launching an investigation and engaging in a little oversight.

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie earns a gold star for his raucous zinger at a rally yesterday.

For this episode of On the Record, we speak with Ella Tyler, Committeewoman for Senate District 17.

With a large slate of contenders on both the Republican and Democratic sides, the primary picture is shaping up. And with polling data and debates in full swing, the candidates have begun the tried and true tactic of eating their own. Destroying an opponent's facts, character, and bad hairpiece has always been a tactic in Presidential races. And when candidates aren't doing it, their supporters are. But is it a good thing?

The 2009 speaker's race is getting more interesting by the day. The newest legislator to declare that he will run against Craddick for the speaker's seat is none other than his Speaker pro tempore, Sylvester Turner.

The news broke a few days ago that Congressman Nick Lampson would not be running for Senate, and would instead run for re-election in Texas' 22nd Congressional District. On the heels of that came confirmation of what has been widely speculated for the last several weeks: Mikal Watts is forming an exploratory committee and will run for US Senate.