My thanks to my colleague Cheryl Corley for filling in during my absence.

NPR: Black Conservatives Torn Between McCain, Obama

For what it's worth - and welcome to my surreal world - I told News Corp that the absence of a formal confirmation or denial would be viewed as de facto confirmation.

BBC: Would BSkyB be protected by News Corp break-up?

So my question is, absence of the Turkish ambassador in Washington, is it a matter of concern for the U.S. administration?

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing