Even the New York Times can see that the "surge" of American troops into Iraq, and the new strategy for fighting the war implemented by General Petraeus and his troops, has made a difference. "Baghdad Starts to Exhale as Security Improves" is the headline.

In New Orleans, a new White-majority on a City Council is yet another indicator of how the city was changed by Katrina.

In Iowa, Senator Obama is gaining on Hillary Clinton according to the most recent polls, with one poll putting him in the lead.

In New Hampshire, Mitt Romney continues to have a solid lead in most of the recent polls. But John Distaso points out that the data indicates most New Hampshire Republicans still have not settled for certain on a candidate. While Romney clearly has the advantage, don't be shocked if these numbers change considerably between now and the election (whenever that might be).

What to make of the dollar's decline? One man's opinion.