I have a soft spot in my heart for Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (featured below) because theirs was one of two albums I bought along with my very first real stereo system (Advent II speakers, a Pioneer amp, some random turntable). I was feeling a little guilty about spending the dough on it ($300 in hard-earned wages, as I recall), but my best friend said: “Don’t worry, Kilgore; there’s something spiritual about stereo!” And ain’t it the truth.

Here are some remains of the day:

* Because deep down you want to know: an update on Edwin Edwards’ congressional race, which, if God is merciful, will make it to a runoff.

* GOP going all Willie Horton in effort to save Rep. Lee Terry of Nebraska.

* Peter Beinart takes a dim view of Leon Panetta’s efforts to exaggerate his agreements with Hillary Clinton.

* At Ten Miles Square, Julia Azari explores the question of why pols are so often silent on the big debates over race and gender that enliven ideologues and advocates.

* At College Guide, Daniel Luzer discusses the radical but understandable idea of cutting student loan debt by not offering so many loans.

And in non-political news:

* Florida man who shot teenager in argument over loud music is convicted of first-degree murder.

That’s it for Friday. D.R. Tucker and David Atkins will be in tomorrow for Weekend Blogging. We’ll close with a tune from a later incarnation of Manfred Mann, called Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, performing “Buddha,” a sort of anti-religious religious song, or religious anti-religious song–hard to say.

Selah.

Ed Kilgore

Ed Kilgore is a political columnist for New York and managing editor at the Democratic Strategist website. He was a contributing writer at the Washington Monthly from January 2012 until November 2015, and was the principal contributor to the Political Animal blog.