Last Friday & the Weekend: Michael must have had a low-key weekend, as the Nutter newswires were fairly quiet. He probably needed the rest, though, as he had a pretty hectic week last week, and it may only now be sinking in that he's the mayor. Monday: Michael tapped Lori Shorr, (now-)former VP for policy and planning at Philadelphia Youth Network, to serve as his chief education adviser and help him get to work on......

Looks like Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter is the voice of sanity among Republicans when it comes to the Supreme Court and the replacement of the recently retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. And as chair of the Senate Judicial Committee, his words likely have some sway. In these times when the conservative Republicans who seem to run the show have nearly demanded that President Bush nominate former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore (you know, the wacky......