The Associated Press

The duelists.

Should Democrats fear a long primary fight? Should Republicans?

Lacking a clear route to the selection of a Democratic presidential nominee, the party’s uncommitted superdelegates say they are concerned about the risks of a prolonged fight between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and perplexed about how to resolve the conflict.

The New York Times interviewed dozens of undecided superdelegates -- the elected officials and party leaders who hold the balance of power for the nomination -- found them uncertain about who, if anyone, would step in to fill a leadership vacuum and help guide the contest to a conclusion that would not weaken the Democratic ticket in the general election.

When will the Democratic primary fight ever end? In Pennsylvania next month? At the convention in August? And when it does end, who will be left standing?

The Associated Press

The next occupant of this house will be a problem-solver, if younger voters have their say.

Are Americans entering a new age of pragmatism?

Will the 2008 presidential election turn out to be the last hurrah for the ideals of the Baby Boomer generation?

More and more, the discussion on the campaign trail is turning away from idealism and toward a discussion of "pragmatism." Stressing practice over theory is nowhere more pronounced than with younger voters. Ben Lazarus, a Yale sophomore who is active in the student group for Obama, put it this way: "There's a new sensibility in how our generation looks at politics and elections. We look at people who are genuine. We look at people who are problem-solvers."

Would America be better off with a president who appeals to people's ideals? Or does the United States need a chief executive who is a practical problem-solver first and foremost?

The Associated Press

Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., won't be asking for voters' support in November.

Will the last House Republican please turn out the lights?

A steady stream of House Republicans are opting to "spend more time with family" rather than face the prospect of remaining in the minority for another two, four or who-knows-how-many years. Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia is the latest to announce his retirement.

Does the exodus of Republican lawmakers strengthen the desire for political change that presidential candidates talk about so much? Was the Republican majority a fluke? Are Democrats just better at winning elections?

The Associated Press

They're smiling, not bearing their fangs.

Who's the conservative Republican here, anyway?

"If you get endorsed by the New York Times," Mitt Romney told John McCain at Wednesday night's Republican debate, "you're probably not a conservative."

"Let me note that I was endorsed by your two hometown newspapers who know you best," McCain replied, "including the very conservative Boston Herald who know you well better than anybody."

A newspaper's editorial endorsement may not be the last word on who is or isn't a conservative, but the question of who's the most conservative Republican contender for the White House is spurring hot debate. As it should.

The Associated Press

America's Mayor is out.

Does Giuliani's defeat mean the end of 9/11 politics?

Rudy Giuliani's distant third-place finish in Florida killed his bid for president. But does Giuliani's defeat also mark the beginning of the end of an era in Republican politics that began on Sept. 11, 2001?

Politico.com's Ben Smith and David Paul Kuhn suggest that Giuliani's national celebrity was based on his steady, comforting appearance in Americans' living rooms amid the terrorist attacks, and his campaign for president never found a message beyond that moment. But the emotional connection he forged that day, it seems, has proved politically worthless.