We were so excited to see a tip in our inbox with the subject line, “Explosion at HHS Building,” because buildings? Blowing up? Dead bodies? HELLO, PAGEVIEWS! $$$$$$! But, alas, it was just “small explosion” a repairman caused while working on something. No one was hurt, no fires. LAME SANDWICH. MORE »

Wonkette operative “tom m.” informs us of the latest disturbing addition to Barack Obama’s cabinet, which already includes a space pirate: “Why is Obama nominating Sally Jesse to head HHS?” [Washington Post]

• The Senate renewed key provisions of the Voting Rights Act 98 to 0, yesterday. President Bush is expected to sign it. [WP]

• President Bush spoke before the NAACP, receiving applause for his commitment to the VRA, and boos and heckling over the Iraq war. [WP]
• The FEC announced that former political powerhouse Americans for a Republican Majority, Tom DeLay’s PAC, will “pay $115,000 in fines for violations of federal campaign rules” and shut down permanently. [NYT]
• “While making it plain it wants civilian casualties limited, the administration is also content to see the Israelis inflict the maximum damage possible on Hezbollah.” [WP]
• Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt “claimed millions of dollars in tax deductions through a type of charitable foundation they created that until recently paid out very little in actual charity,” kept or invested the money themselves. [WP]

* Pretty soon the 4am “make millions in your spare time” infomercials will feature Drudge. [Logged Hours] MORE »

Or maybe since the invention of Viagra. Anyhoo, yesterday a flash mob of old people descended upon the Arlington home of poor Michael Leavitt: MORE »