Who Howled the Loudest Over Senator Ted Kennedy's Endorsement of Barack Obama?

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Hell Hath No Fury

There is dissension in the National Organization for Women over Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama — and the rejection thereby of Hillary Clinton.

The head of the New York state chapter of NOW — Marcia Pappas — called Kennedy's move — "the ultimate betrayal." She says women have forgiven, stuck up for and stood by Kennedy despite his being late in his support of issues such as Title Nine and the Equal Rights Amendment — and now are being repaid with what she calls "his abandonment."

But the leader of New York City's NOW chapter — Sonia Ossorio — tells The New York Observer that Kennedy has been a tremendous friend to women. And the organization's national president — Kim Gandy — is also giving Kennedy a pass on the Clinton snub — saying — "we respect Senator Kennedy's endorsement."

Place Your Bets

The students at Virginia's Washington and Lee University have had an uncanny knack for picking the right nominee for the party not currently in the White House. Students have been holding elaborate mock conventions since 1908 — and have been wrong only once in the last 60 years — when they chose Ted Kennedy over George McGovern in 1972. This year — it wasn't even close.

Hillary Clinton easily won the nomination in the mock convention — with more than 2,100 delegates — about 100 more than needed. Obama finished more than 400 delegates behind, with Edwards a distant third.

Bull Market

You've heard a lot lately about the horrible housing market in the U.S. But there is one place in the world with soaring prices — a shortage of homes — and bidding wars among buyers.

The city — is Baghdad. The Los Angeles Times reports decreased violence has led to a huge influx of returning Iraqis – 67,000 since September. And that has produced what it calls a real estate "frenzy." The Times reports sales prices in some neighborhoods have doubled — and houses are being snatched up as quickly as they are put up for sale.

And it's not just traditional family houses. Multi-million dollar homes are being bought by retired military officers, doctors, and Iraqis who got rich from government contracts.

Grand Theft

A 29-year veteran employee with New York State's Department of Education has been arrested for allegedly stealing hundreds of historic documents from state archives and selling many of them on eBay.

Police say Daniel Lorello stole some very famous items — such as a letter written in 1823 by vice president John Calhoun — and copies of the "Davy Crockett Almanacs." Lorello apparently did not take such other treasures as the state's original first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation or a complete set of autographs from the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Lorello has pleaded not guilty to charges of grand larceny, possession of stolen property and fraud. But the attorney general's office has released a written confession made earlier. Authorities say Lorello did it — to pay off his daughter's $10,000 credit card debt.

— FOX News Channel's Martin Hill contributed to this report.