Lawyer says McKinney a victim in scuffle  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer for Rep. Cynthia McKinney, the Georgia congresswoman who had an altercation with a Capitol Police officer, says she was "just a victim of being in Congress while black."  —  McKinney awaited word Friday on whether …

Howard Dean accuses Bush, GOP of exploiting immigration issue  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - Democratic Party chief Howard Dean accused President Bush and the Republican Party on Friday of exploiting the immigration issue for political gain by scapegoating Hispanics.  —  Dean and Bush agree on the legislation at the heart of the debate.

Ex-DeLay Aide Pleads Guilty  —  Deal Protects Tony C. Rudy From Additional Charges  —  A former top aide to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) pleaded guilty to conspiracy today and promised to aid a wide-ranging federal investigation into corrupt lobbying practices.

Jill Carroll forced to make propaganda video as price of freedom  —  CAIRO - The night before journalist Jill Carroll's release, her captors said they had one final demand as the price of her freedom: She would have to make a video praising her captors and attacking the United States, according to Jim Carroll.

New Poll: Americans Favor a Guest Worker Plan  —  79% say illegal immigrants should have the chance to work here, but most want tougher enforcement too  —  Americans polled by TIME magazine show strong support for a guest-worker program and a process for undocumented workers to become citizens …

'I Am Not Running Away'  —  Meet Benon Sevan, the man at the center of the Oil for Food scandal.  —  NICOSIA, Cyprus—"Medium or sweet?" asks Benon Sevan.  He is inquiring how much sugar I would like in the Turkish coffee he's boiling up for us on his kitchen stove, and I am torn between thanking …

Cranky Franken's 'Today' Appearance: Tells Conservative Guest To "Screw You"  —  A very tired and very cranky Al Franken appeared on the March 31 edition of the Today show.  The segment, which aired at 7:12AM EST, saw Franken respond to a barb from fellow radio talk show host Michael Smerconish with this witty barb: "Screw you."

OPERATION STEEL GAZELLE: A SMART, MULTI-SLIDE PLAN FOR TOUGHENING AMERICAN SECURITY WITH SMARTNESS  —  Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)  —  Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)  —  HARRY: Hello, I'm Harry Reid, leader of the Democrats in the United States Senate.  —  NANCY: And me Nancy Pelosi.

The GOP's Stake In Checking The President  —  Russ Feingold is a U.S. senator from Wisconsin.  —  During the Watergate hearings, then-Senator Howard Baker, a Republican, showed tremendous courage, and a deep sense of Congress's duty to hold President Nixon accountable …

RWN's First Mention On The Rush Limbaugh Show  —  Folks, today was the greatest day of my entire political blogging career so far.  I've been mentioned in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN and Time.  I've been on the air with Tammy Bruce.  I've interviewed Senators, Congressmen …