1. Al Gore Still Thinking of 2004?

Al Gore is still thinking about running in 2004.

That's the verdict of a very famous journalist who bumped into the former Clinton Vice-President in New York recently.

Our journalist friend has known Al for decades. Al has always been a bit cold and aloof to him, he tells us.

Not this time. Warm, fuzzy, friendly. A new Al. For a new election year maybe.

The journalist told us that after the meeting he concluded, "He's got to be running."

But the deadline for New Hampshire has passed. Al has no organization and no money.

Our source says Al isn't thinking of running in the primaries. He's apparently thinking that there is a very real possibility no one candidate will have a lock on the nomination.

Dean may come in with the most votes, but won't have a majority.

After the first convention vote, delegates will be free to vote for the Democratic candidate of their choice.

Journalist friend says Hillary's camp is already seeing 2004 as a real possibility under this scenario. Now Al thinks it just may happen too.

Stay tuned.

2. Angry Democrats Plan on 'Kicking Ass'

Media pundits lately have been buzzing about how angry Howard Dean and the other Democrats are acting. Now the anger has turned into lunatic hatred as the very Democratic National Committee itself has launched an official party weblog called, we kid you not, "Kicking Ass."

So reports USA Today, which quotes DNC strategist Ann Lewis as saying: "We have been too nice. We have been too polite."

When have the Dems ever been nice or polite?

It's Republican pols such as Trent Lott who are notorious for whimpering and cringing when Tom Daschle, Teddy Kennedy and company attack.

President Bush seldom reacts when the likes of Hillary Clinton and Robert "KKK" Byrd launch their politics of personal destruction. But that's one reason Americans like him.

The crazier the Dems get, the better his chances for re-election.

Because the Democrats' symbol, the donkey, is a synonym for ass, we predict DNC's new slogan will come true next year ... only the party will be kicking itself.

By the way, USA Today, like most media, incorrectly describes the left-wing hatemongers as "liberals."

As CBS whistleblower Bernard Goldberg points out, the traditional definition of "liberal" meant tolerant, rational and fair, the opposite of these New Left extremists who preach hate.

3. Howard Dean's Vault of Secrets

Oops! Howard Dean was caught in another big lie this week. How will he squirm out of this one?

Under pressure from fellow Democrats to unseal 145 boxes of documents from his 11 years as governor of Vermont, Dean tried to divert attention by launching a false attack on the president.

He claimed that Bush was hiding his gubernatorial records in Texas for 50 years. "I'll unseal mine if he'll unseal his," the Democrat front-runner pledged.

Then reality once again reared its head. The Associated Press pointed out that Bush's records were available under Texas law.

Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie said, "I'm sure that when Dr. Dean learns that President Bush's public papers as governor are now unsealed, he will be good to his word and unseal the papers of his governorship as well."

But America is still waiting to see what Dean is so desperate to hide.

Howard, unseal your records or we'll hit you with search warrants like your friends did to Rush.

4. N.Y. Times Takes 3 Years to Catch Up to NewsMax

We're glad to see that the New York Times has, after three years, caught up with NewsMax in reporting how changes in the states' populations benefit President Bush.

On Dec. 28, 2000, a NewsMax editor noticed a blockbuster story in a little-noticed report from the Census Bureau.

We ran it as our lead article, complete with a big colorful map, even though nearly all the media ignored the report despite its major national implications.

The Census, and NewsMax, revealed how, as Americans keep moving from the North to the Sunbelt, states won by President Bush scored a net gain of seven electoral votes, and states won by failed Democrat candidate Al Gore lost seven votes.

In fact, only one Democrat state (California) gained, whereas seven Republican states gained. Six Democrat states lost votes, compared to four GOP states.

The Times finally reported the "news flash" this week as a page one story.

"If President Bush carries the same states in 2004 that he won in 2000, he will win seven more electoral votes," the Old Gray Lady marveled.

Well, better late than never. And, at least, Jayson "Burning Down My Master's House" Blair didn't write the story.