Rove's Time in Limbo Near End in CIA Leak Case  —  Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald is wrapping up his investigation into White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove's role in the CIA leak case by weighing this central question:  —  Did Rove, who was deeply involved in defending President Bush's use …

In GOP, Doubts On Likely CIA Pick  —  Gen. Hayden Is 'Wrong Man,' Hoekstra Says  —  The Republican chairmen of the House and Senate intelligence panels raised serious concerns about Gen. Michael V. Hayden on the eve of his expected nomination today as CIA director, with Rep. Peter Hoekstra …

Damn That Success  —  The Moose wonders how the donkey could curse success.  —  What is it about peace and prosperity and a two term Democratic Presidency that the donkey doesn't like?  According to the leader left wing blogosphere, it is nothing that terribly significant.

At Home, Cynicism and Support  —  Many of Kennedy's Constituents Suspect Story but Don't Mind  —  PAWTUCKET, R.I. — The bad news for Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy: The voters of Rhode Island do not, by and large, seem to believe his version of what led to a car crash early Thursday outside the U.S. Capitol.

The Enemy Within  —  Democrats may not be able to win the House, but Republicans could lose it.  —  Ken Mehlman is the unflappable efficiency expert who chairs the Republican National Committee.  Because he's not known for histrionics, his warning last week to GOP congressional staffers …

Late Nite FDL: GOP Boogeymen and Other Media Phantoms  —  We'll leave aside for now the high hilarity of George Stephanopoulos having Tom DeLay on to talk about ethics, and letting him blather on about corrupt Democrats virtually without challenge (I can think of 20 things …

The two crucial mistakes that cost Straw his job  —  Jack Straw made two crucial mistakes in his dealings with Tony Blair: one involved the prime minister's relationship with Gordon Brown and the other Iran.  Mr Straw has said repeatedly that it is "inconceivable" that there will be a military strike …

Use that veto pen, Mr. President  —  The Washington DC Examiner Newspaper, The Examiner  —  WASHINGTON - President Bush has frequently portrayed many of his most controversial actions as necessary to protect executive branch prerogatives against usurpations of power by Congress.

Immigration: The Ugly Duckling Issue  —  We have become accustomed in the six years of the George W. Bush presidency to seeing issues split the parties and the nation down the middle, with almost all Republicans on one side and almost all Democrats on the other.

Ahmadinejad sends letter to Bush  —  Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has written to George W Bush proposing "new solutions" to their differences.  —  The letter will be sent via the Swiss Embassy which represents US interests in Iran, a government spokesman said.

Jimmy Carter: Punishing the innocent is a crime  —  Jimmy Carter International Herald Tribune  —  Innocent Palestinian people are being treated like animals, with the presumption that they are guilty of some crime.  Because they voted for candidates who are members of Hamas …

Many Youths Disregard Their Virginity Pledges, Harvard Study Says  —  According to interviews, more than half have sex within a year.  But one pro-abstinence group disputes the findings.  —  BOSTON — Virginity pledges, in which young people vow to abstain from sex until marriage …

Cupid's Broken Arrow  —  Performance Anxiety and Substance Abuse Figure Into the Increase in Reports of Impotence on Campus  —  Adam Skrodzki, a tall, redheaded senior at the University of Maryland, bench-presses a respectable 280 pounds.  He fights fires in Howard County as a volunteer …

The USDA on Iraq: Everything's Coming Up Rosy  —  Career appointees at the Department of Agriculture were stunned last week to receive e-mailed instructions that include Bush administration "talking points" — saying things such as "President Bush has a clear strategy for victory in Iraq" — in every speech they give for the department.