* 11:29 am - The Senate has adjourned until Tuesday. Apparently, not enough members were present today to do anything more than a few resolutions.

* 12:29 pm - Obama’s Macaca moment. Actually, it’s much worse because it was planned.

When United States Senator Barack Obama entered the American Presidential race, he staked out his turf on the moral high ground with a call for a new kind of politics, devoid of personal attack and characterised by debates on the issues that matter.

His campaign apparently has not been listening: Members of the Senator’s campaign staff have been circulating a document that, in its title, slightingly refers to Democratic rival Senator Hillary Clinton as the Democrat from Punjab — a seeming slur on Clinton’s ties with India and Indian Americans.

Whoever ordered this racist/xenophobic hit on Clinton needs to be fired. Right away. And I don’t mean the person who wrote it. From what I understand, the first draft was much more acceptable, but it was rejected and sent back with a demand that it be infinitely tougher. If the author is fired and the person who ordered the rewrite is not, then Obama is a huge hypocrite. The full memo is here.

* 1:00 pm - I haven’t yet decided who won yesterday’s caption contest, but I’ll have the new t-shirt, mugs, etc. ready by Monday. As always, don’t forget to go buy something at our charity store. I’ve belatedly realized that the markup is way too low, so there could be a price increase next week. Get something today!

* 1:35 pm - I had remembered somewhere in my addled brain that “Punjab” was used at one time as an actual slur, so I did a bit of research. From the Racial Slur Database…

Punjab is the Indian character from “Little Orphan Annie.” Also represents the Punjab region of India (near the Punjab river). When the British took over India, they used it as a derogatory term for the natives there.

[Emphasis added.]

The headline from the Obama hit piece…

* 1:55 pm - Despite the headline on this story in The Hill, Dan Lipinski was never an “Accidental Congressman.” His “election” to Congress was carefully planned…

Democrats upset by how Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) acquired his seat and what he’s done with it will give the second-termer another primary challenge in 2008.

Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Pera has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), and yesterday told The Hill that he will announce his candidacy for Lipinski’s seat after July 4.

* 4:39 pm - In this video, Obama pledges that he will “not make ad hominem attacks” on opponents and will not use opposition research to “suggest that they have untoward motives.”

Also, the chairman of the United States India Political Action Committee, which is referenced in the OR memo, is upset at what has transpired…

I am writing on behalf of the over 50,000 members of USINPAC, the largest bi-partisan political action committee representing the Indian American community. As representatives of the Indian American community, we have been encouraged by your message of inclusion and your promise to bring a new kind of politics to our country. This is why we are so concerned about media reports indicating your staff may be engaging in the worst kind of anti Indian American stereotyping.

We are very proud of the contributions Indian Americans have made, and continue to make, to our country. USINPAC represents members across the nation, from all walks of life, who are caring for the sick, building businesses, educating our children and supporting their families. We are extremely proud to be Americans, and are working everyday for the brighter future you regularly speak about.

[H/T: The Swamp]