Kerry's Stripes: Excellent catch by Ryan Lizza in his TNR blog. Kerry blew off an NAACP campaign forum, then tried to play off a phony excuse. NYT's David Halbfinger picks up:

. . . Kerry apologized for missing an N.A.A.C.P. candidates' forum on Thursday night that only the Rev. Al Sharpton attended. Mr. Kerry said he had to campaign instead in Maine, which holds its caucuses on Sunday, "to pay them the same kind of respect I pay you by being here today."

"I just want to tell you head-on, because that's the kind of president you deserve, and that's the kind of person I am," Mr. Kerry said.

In fact, Mr. Kerry had left Maine in early afternoon and spent the evening raising money in New York.

(Emphasis added.) What a guy.