We’ve seen this before from the McCain campaign, its Maverick-y process of rationalization. When Obama didn’t agree to McCain’s call for a series of 80 town halls, the McCain campaign used this as a justification to make nasty shit up about Obama, such as “Obama wants to teach your kindergartners how to bang each other.” When the Obama campaign made fun of McCain’s ~7 houses, the McCain campaign considered this an insult to Cindy McCain — wives are off-limits! — and responded with its first ad about, uh, Tony Rezko. And now we come to the present situation, in which the McCain campaign is using a random Congressman’s weekend rant to justify its upcoming usage of Jeremiah Wright. MORE »

• Alexandra Kerry’s new book is full of Biblical metaphors and deep meditations about sneakers and is possibly better than Meghan McCain’s. [DC Examiner]
• McCain tries and fails to flatter John Lewis into friendship after having ignored him forever. [Crooks and Liars]
• Virginia thought its Tim Kaine had been picked as Obama’s VP for like three seconds but then, ha, no. [Political Ticker]
• The Democrats are letting the Republicans corner the market on patriotism, because who can argue with patriotism? [AMERICAblog]
• McCain can say whatever nonsense he wants, whenever he wants, and no one really cares at all, because everyone agrees he is a Maverick and a Patriot. [Ezra Klein]
• Scott McClellan gives Obama some PR advice that includes leaving Scott McClellan alone. [Ben Smith]

Rep. John Lewis will announce today that he’s bailing on Hillary and will vote for Obama at the DNC convention, according to the New York Times. Why? Because he represents Atlanta and Atlanta voted 3:1 for Barack. BUT WAIT: Hillary’s campaign says the NYT lies! And John Lewis is not exactly a random congressman — if he jumps ship, it will suddenly be okay for a whole lot more congressional Democrats to do the same. Meanwhile, fellow Georgia Congressman David Scott is supposedly switching to Obama, too. [NYT/CBS/WP/AJC]

Politics is 99% image, the other half is kissing babies. Jim Ramstad knows that and his top-down-screaming-out, “money ain’t a thing” lifestyle is letting you know he’s skipping the 8th step — no apologies. Michael Hayden isn’t apologizing either, he likes the European futbol and doesn’t give a damn if it’s the 4th of July. Mike Piazza’s not running for anything but he knows the voters love the Magnum P.I. style, and Bill Bennett’s not running either, but he probably should start, for his health.

MORE »

* Reliable Source: Alec Baldwin on lobbying: “I get a headache around these people. Committees! Budgets!”. . . Bush twins, with Henry Hager and Joshua Ginsberg, seen at Oyamel restaurant in Crystal City. . . Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) spotted in coach. [WP]
* Lloyd Grove’s Lowdown: Teresa Heinz Kerry says her husband’s ‘04 loss was a “let down for the world.” She added, “I miss those guys, the Secret Service. We’re having a party for them in the garden this spring. The cowboys, someone else’s cowboys now.” [NYDN]

• Congressional Research Service determines that the administration should have notified all members of the House and Senate intelligence committees about NSA eavesdropping. [WP, NYT, USAT]
• Dems up the ante against the “culture of corruption”; their proposed limitations on lobbying are stricter than GOP plan. [WP, NYT, W$J]
• Republican Rep. Jerry Lewis steered $160m project through Congress after firm donated $110,000, USAT alleges; congressman denies wrongdoing. [USAT]
• Longest independent counsel inquiry ever accuses Clinton administration officials of a cover-up. [NYT]
• Human Rights Watch says the administration makes a “deliberate policy choice” to abuse detainees. [NYT]
• Costs of the war and rebuilding the Gulf Coast will exacerbate this year’s budget debate. [USAT]
• State Department will shift hundreds of diplomats to the Middle East, Asia, and elsewhere from Europe and Washington. [WP, NYT]
• Democrats urged to vote against Samuel Alito. [NYT, LAT]
• Republicans try to reassure seniors about new drug plan. [WP]
• Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) “is back!” [WP]
• Larry Wilkerson’s criticisms of the administration caused an estrangement with Colin Powell. Wilkerson: “This is not a Republican administration, not in my view. This is a radical administration.” [WP]

• Under the Dome: Humane Society says lobbyists use cockfighting to raise money. . . Bork is against television coverage of confirmation hearings. . . Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) will honor journalists who advanced civil rights; Dan Rather, John Siegenthaler will attend. [The Hill]
• Inside Politics: Fonda cancels bus tour to avoid overshadowing Sheehan. [WT]
• Inside the Beltway: Pierce Brosnan on Bush: “This man called President Bush has a lot to answer for. I don’t know if this man is really taking care of America.”. . . Carville, Matalin sponsor Katrina-benefit run/walk. [WT]
• Rush & Molloy: Magic Johnson, Don Cheadle, Jay-Z criticize Bush’s handling of Katrina. [NYDN]
• Lloyd Grove’s Lowdown: Clinton buys 15 pounds of candy. [NYDN]
• The Scoop: Michael Moore is reportedly “seriously considering” making a film about government’s response to Katrina. [MSNBC]