DELEGATE COUNT as of 10 P.M. Tuesday

The Associated Press tracks the delegate races by projecting the number of national convention delegates won by candidates in each presidential primary or caucus, based on state and national party rules. This count includes the preferences of the superdelegates who have expressed one.

In some states, local precinct caucuses are the first stage in the allocation process. The AP uses preferences expressed in those caucuses to project the number of national convention delegates each candidate will have when he or she is chosen at county, congressional district or state conventions.

Has Romney forgotten what he once called McCain?

So Mitt Romney now says that John McCain is “without question the right person to be the next president of the United States.” (TNT, 3-28).

Hmm. Is that the same John McCain Romney earlier referred to as “dishonest”?

Oh, I forgot, that was when they were campaigning against each other for their party’s nomination.

Hanford's comeback for the ages

RICHLAND Rob Oram had a feeling that his team would respond to its beatdown last week against Davis.

But after falling behind 21-0 to East Valley on Friday at Fran Rish Stadium, the Falcons appeared to be headed to another quick exit from the playoffs.

Only this time, it didn't happen.

For state’s Democrats, it’s now prime time

Last night we were waiting for California, much like we were waiting for Florida on that impossibly long and ultimately incomplete presidential election night in 2000.

Unlike Florida then, there was no way that California now was going to be a decider in the Super Tuesday race that held the most suspense.

That, of course, is the remarkable, absorbing battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the soul and the convention delegates of the Democratic Party.

You read it here first – all the skinny on ’08

The big event is now less than a year away, a perfect time for a few brave predictions of what will happen between now and Election Day 2008.

1. Bill Clinton will do something to embarrass his wife.

2. Pierce County Auditor Pat McCarthy will blame instant-runoff voting for delays in counting the November vote.