The hits just keep on coming for Alexi Giannoulias. As if Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich were not enough, yesterday one of Giannoulias’ major donors was arrested and accused of defrauding two banks of almost $2 million.  more

The Tories may be preparing to go into a public relations war with Britain’s senior-most police chiefs after Conservative accusations that many of the chiefs are in the Labour government’s pocket.  more

A new poll finds that amongst Florida Republican primary voters, 56% want Governor Charlie Crist out of elected office entirely.  more

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty’s national profile is certainly growing, but his in-state numbers have fallen off a cliff. A recent poll shows his approval ratings to be among the worst he has registered in office.  more

Despite Dick Cheney’s never ending publicity tour, a new poll finds that Americans think Obama is doing better than President Bush on national security issues.  more

Alexi Giannoulias spent much of the week fending off charges related to his ties to corrupt figures like Rod Blagojevich and felon Tony Rezko. Now, the Chicago Business Journal is reporting that the Giannoulias family stands to take away more than $10 million in federal tax refunds if their bank fails.  more

The move by climate change deniers to have their beliefs taught in schools will only push American students further behind the rest of the world in math and science knowledge.  more

In the Illinois Senate race, Democratic candidate Alexi Giannoulias launched an effort Wednesday to address questions about his work at his family’s bank amidst reports of loans to corrupt officials and the mob.  more

Republicans who hoped that Arlen Specter would go quietly were wrong. Specter has stormed past the man that pushed him out of the Republican party in the latest Quinnipiac University poll.  more

Democrats hoping for an economic bounce before the November midterms may not get one. On Friday, the White House is expected to receive a report announcing that the economy continued to shed jobs in February.  more

Three term U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s highly anticipated Texas gubernatorial run ended Tuesday with current governor Rick Perry scoring a first round primary knockout. But before blaming anti-Washington anger, Hutchison should look to her own campaign’s many missteps.  more

Sen. Bunning’s obstructionist hold on a bill extending unemployment and health benefits to Americans has become an embarrassment for the GOP, giving Democrats the opportunity to portray Republicans as unhelpful and uncaring.  more

Texas GOP voters will probably have to head to the polls twice to nominate their candidate for governor, at least if Rasmussen’s latest numbers hold up.  more

Pitcher John Smoltz won 212 games and recorded 155 saves in his 22 years in the major leagues. But can he win a congressional race?  more

Chicago’s troubled Broadway Bank — owned by the family of Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias — must raise no less than $75 million in capital by late April. This is just the latest distraction for Giannoulias in his tight race with Rep. Mark Kirk for Barack Obama’s old Senate seat.  more

A new poll shows Mark Kirk trailing his Democratic opponent by seven points in the Illinois Senate race. Kirk though just needs to stay steady in the polls until former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s embarrassing trial begins this summer.  more

Robert Gates had harsh words for NATO earlier today, raising questions about the organization’s capacity to carry out its Afghan mission.  more

A new book which reports claims that British PM Gordon Brown was abusive and bullying towards staff members will only make Labour’s bid to retain the House of Commons more of a challenge.  more

In a speech Friday, Illinois GOP Senate candidate Mark Kirk argued against a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and pushed instead for oil sanctions to cripple the Iranian regime.  more

Karzai’s stirring up of sentiment over civilian deaths for purely political purposes makes it more difficult for NATO to complete one of the central goals of the offensive: winning the support of the Afghan public.  more