To the Point

President Pervez Musharraf has not captured or killed Osama bin Laden. Maybe Pakistan's new coalition will. Political changes make terrorist leaders increasingly vulnerable, as the US reviews its billions of dollars in aid. Also, twenty-two people are killed in weekend tornadoes, and corporate American embraces Second Life. 

This year's presidential campaign will be, in part, a debate on America's role in a changing world. We hear the world-views of advisors to McCain and Obama, then debate specific differences on Iraq, terrorism and relations with other nations from Iran to China, Russia and the European Union. Also, Hezbollah takes control of Beirut, and  Myanmar's humanitarian crisis. Should other countries intervene?

Israel turns 60 today, celebrating the past but looking forward to an uncertain future. With a growing population of Arabs, can Israel be democratic and remain Jewish at the same time? Also, Hezbollah and renewed violence in Lebanon, and a former commander of the war in Iraq says he was set up for failure.

Hillary Clinton is back on the campaign trail, even though former nominee George McGovern says publicly it's time for her to quit. We update last night's results and today's developments.  Also, relief is slow to reach Myanmar, and Vadimir Putin steps down...or does he?

In Iraq, violence has increased and Iran has broken off talks with the US on Iraqi security.  The Maliki government has backed away from claims that Iran is arming outlaw militias.  We update conditions that seem more complicated by the day, both militarily and politically. Also, relief efforts continue in Myanmar, and voter turnouts in Indiana and North Carolina are reaching historic proportions.

Wins in both Indiana and North Carolina tomorrow could wrap things up for Barack Obama, but Hillary Clinton's doing well enough to make both states unpredictable. We look at the impact of Reverend Wright, the "gas tax holiday" and other issues. Also, tens of thousands killed when Myanmar is hit by a deadly cyclone, and a tragic finish to the Kentucky Derby.  Has good breeding gone bad?

In recent polls, a majority of voters say they want the Democrats to re-capture the White House.  But John McCain is pulling even with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.  Has a friendly news media allowed McCain to obscure his views on big issues?  Although they’ve picked their nominee, are Republicans any more united than the Democrats?   Also, President Bush sees light at the end of the dark economic tunnel, and tomorrow's Kentucky Derby and the tragic flaw in descendents of Native Dancer.

Gasoline prices have jumped almost 14 cents in the past week.  The profits of Exxon Mobil rose 17% in the past year—to $10.9 billion. President Bush says the government’s hands are tied, but McCain, Obama and Clinton are debating what Washington might do.  Is it time for a summer vacation from the gasoline tax?  Should it be even higher, so people will drive less?  What about a windfall tax on oil companies as prices continue to rise?  Also, Iraq asks Iran to stop supporting violence, and the terrorist watch list keeps members of a friendly government from entering the US without special permission. 

America as a whole is more diverse than ever before, but it’s increasingly crowded with cities—even neighborhoods--where everybody thinks like everybody else. What does that mean for the presidential campaigns? Is "political unification" a distant dream? Also, an update on a sluggish economy, and the man who discovered LSD died today—at 102.