This is probably very bad news for the democrats in Maryland.  Much of the black Democratic local leadership of Prince George's County has endorsed Steele.  They say their concerns have been repeatedly marginalized by the Democratic Party and that Steele is a good man.  Prince George's County is a huge county with a huge black, Democratic base and this is, unfortunately, likely to reverberate.  It could throw the election to Steele and the Senate majority to the Republicans.  This is a short diary, but it doesn't look as though anyone has posted it.  You can find details in the Washington Post online.  Sorry to bring such bad news.  Things have been looking so hopeful.

5PM today: A prayer vigil and relief effort in Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill.  

East Capitol Street between 11th & 13th

Prayer vigil and collection of money and supplies particularly for victims who are expected tomorrow from NO  coming to DC Armory.  This ad hoc group already has a lot of things for these people so any spillover will go to  other victims being privately housed in the Washington, DC area and - if they're lucky enough to be overwhelmed with donations - they have trucks going down on 9/10 to NO to reach victims they have identified on the ground who were lucky enough to escape but still need lots of help.  They are particularly looking for children's items(toys, schoolbags, clothes). Email me if you need more information.  

PLEASE RECOMMEND THIS DIARY SO THE INFORMATION STAYS CURRENT THIS AFTERNOON.

I recently read a post on one of the blogs (perhaps Kos) which had a brilliant idea for framing a positive approach to the current mess we're in.  The Democrats (all of us, but most importantly, all of our leaders) could take a "pledge of responsibility".  We  already control  popular opinion on most important issues of the day.  Our problem is that we have put them forward negatively and we need to find a new way of stating them.  We could promise to take responsible action on:

This is getting very, very heavy.  Bush was on that plane when the memo was read and probably discussed and a plan developed for pushing back against Wilson.  He will probably want to pardon those who are indicted if only to protect himself.  

Maybe, if bloggers start talking up this idea, it will encourage the press to try to get reassurance from GWB that no pardons will be issued against leakers.  It's worth a try, no?  And it could keep the ball rolling in the press when they try to change the subject again.  If nothing else, it would put them all on a hotseat and it would undercut the pardons when granted.