SOMEHOW I HAD MISSED THIS YESTERDAY: Conrad says he’s not a target of fed Countrywide probe. “Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said he’s not a target in a Justice Department [probe] of Countrywide Financial. NBC News recently reported that the FBI is investigating Countrywide’s VIP program – which gave special mortgage deals to government officials.”

But what about this? “The Democratic senator ‘told WDAY Radio News Tuesday that he was asked to consider serving as director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. … Conrad said he declined the offer because he has obligations to fulfill in the U.S. Senate.'” Hmm.