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The father of Bristol Palin's baby says the couple practiced safe "most of the time." Levi Johnston's interview on the The Tyra Banks Show is set to air Monday. MSNBC's Alex Witt and Courtney Hazlett discussed the interview.

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David Shuster talks to Margaret Carlson about whether there is any legal basis for the request by Sarah Palin and the Alaskan state Republican party for a special election. Apparently they think Uncle Ted Stevens should have a chance to win his seat back and that Mark Begich should resign.

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Sean Hannity of Fox News tried this week to goad Republican challengers Sam Caliguiri and Rob Simmons into calling Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) "a lying weasel" on national tv. One gladly took the bit in his teeth and ran with it, one did not. Hannity's glee came from a local Connecticut rag publication, the New Haven Register.

The knives have come out in earnest for Senator Dodd in recent weeks in the wake of the AIG bonuses fiasco, and some recent bad poll numbers, and we can expect more yellow journalism in the coming months as this plays out until the senate election some 18 months away.

If these republicans want to lay with the likes of a Sean Hannity, intent on negative campaigning for the duration, then I fully expect Senator Dodd to recover. In recent years three republican congressmen in Connecticut have gone down to defeat employing such tactics, one of them being Rob Simmons himself.

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Rachel Maddow reminds us of why our lack of credibility due to our actions at Guantanamo Bay matters. We're now being mocked by the North Koreans for inquiring about the return and welfare of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee. Isn't that special? Sadly, it is not surprising and was inevitable.

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David Shuster recaps the rough week the GOP had on the late night television shows.

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From Real Time April 3, 2009.

From the White House blog:

In this week’s address, filmed aboard Air Force One between vital diplomatic engagements abroad, the President discusses the breadth and depth of the global challenges we face. Recapping his trip, though, it is clear just how much opportunity lies in reshaping America’s relationships around the world. On everything from turning our economy around -- which shed hundreds of thousands more jobs last month -- to ending the threat of nuclear arms, "The only way forward is through shared and persistent efforts to combat fear and want wherever they exist."

Full transcript below the fold.

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David Shuster filling in for Keith Olbermann on Countdown debunks the media and right wing frenzy over whether Michelle Obama inappropriately "touched" the Queen or not. First the iPod idiocracy and now this. He also highlights Michelle Obama's visit to a London girls' school which was very touching. If that doesn't make you a bit teary eyed after watching it, well, I just don't know what to say.

Part 1

From Washington Journal April 3, 2009.

Parts 2-4 below the fold.

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President Barack Obama's wife choked up as she addressed girls at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in Islington, north London, where her visit brought screams of excitement.

In my opinion this little clip gives us yet another example of what a transformational couple the Obamas have become in the world. In what could easily have been contrived for the cameras, the sense is that something genuine and real is happening, not faked. And as seen in this clip, Michelle Obama's message is especially resonant with young women and girls of color.

Earlier this week Gallup released their Favorable numbers for both the President and First Lady and for the first time she has scored higher than her husband. While this isn't unusual for most wives of Presidents, it does represent a milestone of sorts for Michelle Obama. Barely a year ago talking heads were bleating about her being a liability to her husband's campaign, that her outspokenness was a distraction in the middle of grueling primaries. And just a year ago the famous line,

"For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback"

...made headlines, twisted all out of shape into something sinister and decidedly un-American by a compliant press. Painted as "the angry black woman" her disapproval numbers shot up.

Now, however, with 72% of Americans having a favorable opinion and only 17% an unfavorable one she is likely the most highly regarded woman in America. Or at least up there with Oprah. Perhaps most surprising is that more Republicans now have a favorable opinion of Michelle Obama than unfavorable. The same cannot be said for her husband.

It is quite likely Michelle Obama will become the most admired woman in the world soon, if she isn't already. That is good for the Obama's but, after the last eight years, is a great thing for the United States.

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