Oprah's Ratings Drop

That, and other news, in today's Political Panorama.

Welcome back after a brief break for the Memorial Day weekend...

Here's some catch up items...

Oprah Winfrey's ratings have dropped 7 percent this year --- but it's uncertain whether her endorsement of Barack Obama has anything to do with it, reports the New York Times.  Winfrey herself has admitted that she has endured charges of disloyalty for not backing Hillary Clinton, and the talk show host's Website has been chalk full of vitriolic comments. But daytime ratings are down overall, and her staffers point this out when explaining the ratings erosion.

Remark & Retract: Fox News analyst Liz Trotta is the latest to apologize for bringing up assassinations, this time in an attempt at humor.

Mountains and Mole Hills: In a story that the Clinton campaign distributed to its media list, John Harris of the Politico dissects the media's reaction --- or over reaction --- to Hillary Clinton's RFK comments. Meanwhile, James Poniewozik finds Keith Olbermann's reaction to Clinton over the top --- to say the least.

Bloggers and Franken: Minnesota's politics are amplified more than ever this year by bloggers, one of whom broke a story about Al Franken's finances. Franken got good news in a Rassmussen poll, that shows his campaign in a dead heat with incumbent Norm Coleman.

Still for Hagee: John McCain disavowed televangelist John Hagee last week, but Joe Lieberman is still scheduled to appear at the controversial preacher's Washington-Israel Summit.

And More Ellen: Ellen DeGeneres asks Jenna Bush whether she can have her wedding at the Crawford ranch. (via Daily Dish).