• Citizens for the Republic has produced a
  cleverly titled ad called "Mourning in
  America" that laments the sad state of affairs in the country
  under Obama. Its appeal to emotion is a little too much
  for conservatives, though. Daniel Larison
  warns that its promise that a Republican government would be
  "smaller and more caring" is misleading, because good governments, in
  his world, should never care about their citizens.
• Because "it could've been worse" isn't the best campaign strategy, DCCC
  chair Chris van Hollen is calling on Democrats to talk
  about the local effects the stimulus funds have had and how communities
  will be hurt if they're cut. Or, in other words, brag for
  once.
• Disturbing news for
  attendees of last week's Values Voters Summit. Congressional Republicans may not want "don't ask, don't tell" repealed, but that won't stop other Republicans from turning out to support the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the group behind the Prop. 8 federal challenge. Ken Melhman is hosting a fundraiser that also includes Karl Rove on the guest list.
• Remainders: Three reasons to miss Larry
  Summers; Michelle Obama heads out on the campaign trail;
  Stephen Colbert to
  testify for the United Farm Workers on Capitol Hill; the new "Contract With America'"may be written by the inhabitants of an Internet
  forum.

-- Sarah Babbage