LUNCH-HOUR REPORT 3-27: The Dems' heated race; covering Bush and national security

By Mary Anna Towler on March 27, 2008

In today's Times: Nicholas Kristof discussed what he calls the "bloody" Democratic battle and the odds against Hillary Clinton being able to win the nomination. In the end, writes Kristof, the Clintons' legacy may be that they'll have "the same effect on Mr. Obama this November that Ralph Nader had on Al Gore in 2000."

Poll watch: CNN is reporting that Hillary Clinton's "negatives" have been increasing as the hostility in the Democrats' campaign has grown. Obama's negative rating is staying the same.

Speaking of polls, though: I'm as obsessed with this presidential race as anybody, but polling people now as to how they'll vote in November seems pointless (unless you're a Democratic candidate trying to convince superdelegates that you're more electable than your opponent). We'll learn a lot more about McCain - and the Democratic nominee - in the campaign for the general election.

Online reading: "The Education of a Reporter," New York Times' Eric Lichtbau's piece on slate.com. The topic: "How reporters bought the administration's national-security line - and why we're snapping out of it."