Blue Radar

As we post each morning, here are the political buzz stories headlining the newspapers and blogs before you head to work today:

• ENVIRONMENT China has surpassed the United States as the earth's number one carbon polluter.
• CONGRESS Senator Arlen Specter's (R-PA) cancer has returned.  He still plans to seek a new term.
• INTERNATIONAL Vladimir Putin will step down as president and become the new Russian Prime Minister.  This will take place in roughly three weeks.
• 2008 ELECTION/PRESIDENTIAL Joe Lieberman is leaving open the idea of giving a keynote address at the Republican National Convention this summer.
• 2008 ELECTION/PRESIDENTIAL Democrats nationwide (Gallup): Obama - 51%, Clinton - 40%.
• 2008ELECTION/PRESIDENTIAL Democrats nationwide (Rasmussen): Obama - 49%, Clinton - 40%.
• 2008 ELECTION/PRESIDENTIAL Pennsylvania Democrats (Bloomberg): Clinton - 46%, Obama - 41%.
• 2008 ELECTION/PRESIDENTIAL North Carolina Democrats (Bloomberg): Obama - 47%, Clinton - 34%.
• 2008 ELECTION/PRESIDENTIAL Indiana Democrats (Bloomberg): Obama - 40%, Clinton - 35%.

More posts throughout the day.