Should Barack Obama have asked Jimmy Carter to hold off on his endorsement until he finishes his AIPAC appearance tomorrow? I’m betting the McCain camp isn’t going to miss out on making a point of that one. And by the way, is Carter going to be given a featured speaking spot at the Democratic Convention in Denver?

Meanwhile, ABC’s The Note asks:

Just to throw this out there — what happens if we get another one of those famous split decisions tonight? Yes, the big story should be (and will be, by any measure) Obama’s securing the nomination, not a loss in Montana or South Dakota. But another loss would seem to, again, point out the gaping holes in Obama’s electoral coalition. As we’ve said, he’s stumbling past the finish line here.

So why is it that even when he’s the winner some Democratic primary voters won’t cast their ballots for him? Richard Cohen says they’re all a bunch of racists. Or is Obama not clearing the presidential bar for other reasons?

And finally, will McCain make the most of his time tonight with his speech from New Orleans to both differentiate himself from Bush, his greatest defensive challenge, and put Obama back on his heels on political extremism and/or inexperience, McCain’s great offensive opportunities? Whatever he does, the media is sure to pooh-pooh his performance in comparison to Obama, but if we have learned anything this primary season it is that the media regularly gets ignored by voters. That’s one trend McCain hopes will continue.