In another telltale sign that the country's economy has been damaged by the housing, credit, and financial crises, the number of people who signed up for unemployment benefits last week was the highest it has been in more than two years. The Labor Department reported today that 407,000 signed up for government aid for the week ending March 29, a much higher number than economists had predicted. The last time this many people signed up for unemployment benefits was September 2005, when thousands had been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and other Gulf storms. more >>

Leading up to Pennsylvania, the Democratic presidential contest is getting nasty. more >>

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former Democratic presidential candidate himself, will endorse Barack Obama for president today. In a statement released on Thursday, Richardson wrote: "I believe [Obama] is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America's moral leadership in the world." more >>

After disappointing showings in both Iowa and New Hampshire, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has decided to end his presidential bid. Two anonymous sources told the Associated Press that Richardson will most likely announce his decision today. more >>

Former Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu was charged this afternoon in a 15-count indictment for engaging in what Manhattan U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia characterized as a "massive fraud scheme" that involved not only bilking investors but also making illegal campaign contributions in other peoples' names to candidates—most prominently, Hillary Clinton. more >>

He always preaches peace and unity among candidates, but we spotted Bill Richardson's troop being pretty partisan in Iowa. more >>

His presidential platform includes slashing oil consumption in half and expanding America's hybrid fleet. But New Mexico Gov. more >>

Is the budget deficit rising? Is China really our banker? Clinton, Obama, and the rest sure seem to think so. more >>

A few thoughts on Thursday's Democratic presidential forum at Howard University, here in steamy Washington, D.C. more >>

We told you (below) that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson had lost enough weight to make his horse, Sundance, very happy. more >>

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee isn't the only fatty who hit the treadmill and dieted—he lost 110 pounds and several chins—to get ready for a 2008 presidential run. more >>

It could have been the environment, the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, or the brash frankness of an ex-politician. But former Rep. more >>

Pajamas Media is running a weekly straw poll on the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations. You can vote for both Democrats and Republicans. more >>

It's getting to be that time of the political season again, when long-shot presidential hopefuls try out those "meetups" to test their popularity and spread the word of their budding campaign. First up: New Mexico Gov. more >>