Hillary Clinton Gets First Announced Union Endorsement
The United Transportation Union announced that it is endorsing Hillary Clinton, in what the Associated Press has dubbed "the first national union endorsement of the 2008 campaign." One has to wonder if this endorsement was decided long ago and only just officially announced now, in order to claim the mantle of a first endorsement in the wake of reports yesterday that the International Association of Fire Fighters is backing Chris Dodd.

Fidel Castro Ponders Hillary-Obama Ticket
The right-wingers will go gaga for this. In his latest column, Fidel Castro pontificates on "the seemingly invincible ticket that might be created with Hillary for President and Obama for Vice President." Of course, it should be noted that the Cuban dictator ridicules them: "Both of them feel the sacred duty of demanding 'a democratic government in Cuba.' They are not making politics: they are playing a game of cards on a Sunday afternoon." Nevertheless, expect the Fox News types to imply or even state that Castro has endorsed them.

McCain Qualifies For Public Financing — Undecided On Actually Using Them
John McCain officially qualified with the Federal Election Commission today to receive federal matching funds in the Republican primaries. The campaign is not yet settled on actually accepting the funds, though. "We have not made a final decision, but we are doing what's necessary should we decide to opt into the matching fund system," said McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker. If he does accept funds, McCain will also face prohibitive restrictions on campaign spending, such as a limit of only $1.5 million in Iowa.

Obama Wins Support Of Doug Wilder
Barack Obama has been endorsed by former Governor Doug Wilder (D-VA), who in 1989 became the first black person elected governor of any state, and now serves as the Mayor of Richmond. Wilder, who has a history being a moderate Democrat, attacked in no uncertain terms the idea that Obama is not "black enough." "What is blackness?" he asked rhetorically. "Is it the way you talk? Do you got to say, 'Dey this, dey dat.'" Wilder plans to actively campaign on Obama's behalf.

Minnesota DFL Moves Caucus To February 5
In a widely expected move, the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party voted today to reschedule their caucus for February 5. The Minnesota Republicans already made the same move in July.

Fletcher Takes On Gambling Addiction In New Ad
Governor Ernie Fletcher (R-KY), who has been trailing badly in the polls against Democratic candidate Steve Beshear, has a new ad attacking Beshear's proposals for legalized casinos. The ad features Norma Brandt of Waterloo, Illinois, a former bank teller who now discusses her gambling problem. "I had no idea what a casino was or a slot machine, and at the end I was going everyday," Brandt says. "I ended up taking $241,000 from the bank, and I ended up going to prison. Had I not been caught, I know I'd be dead."