Bush's Public Approval at New Low Point  —  Americans have a bleaker view of the country's direction than at any time in more than two decades, and sharp disapproval of President Bush's handling of gasoline prices has combined with intensified unhappiness about Iraq to create a grim political environment …

Senator demands resignation of Housing Secretary after 'don't like Bush' dispute  —  Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) called on President Bush to ask for the immediate resignation of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson if a report about government contracts being awarded based …

GOP rips lowering of nominee's ABA rating  —  Republicans yesterday blamed bias for the American Bar Association's decision to downgrade a Bush judicial nominee's rating from "well-qualified" to "qualified," before a second hearing demanded by Democrats.  —  "It's telling that the only thing …

Iranian's Letter to Bush Emerges  —  In his letter to President Bush, Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, declared that Western-style democracy had failed and that the use of secret prisons in Europe and aspects of the war in Iraq could not be reconciled with Mr. Bush's Christian values.

U.S. has second worst newborn death rate in modern world, report says  —  Research: 2 million babies die in first 24 hours each year worldwide  —  (CNN) — An estimated 2 million babies die within their first 24 hours each year worldwide and the United States has the second worst newborn mortality rate …

Ex-NSA Chief Assails Bush Taps  —  NEW YORK — Former National Security Agency director Bobby Ray Inman lashed out at the Bush administration Monday night over its continued use of warrantless domestic wiretaps, making him one of the highest-ranking former intelligence officials to criticize the program in public, analysts say.

From the Department of Moral Relativism  —  Richard Cohen, writing last week on Stephen Colbert, who dared to lampoon Dubya in the presence of the Shrub-in-Chief himself: … And here's Richard Cohen today, milking a column out of readers' reaction to his pan of Colbert's monologue:

Karl Rove Invented the Internet  —  The Moose avers that Karl Rove is more devious than you thought.  —  Increasingly, the Moose is of the opinion that the only thing that it is going well for the Republicans is the left wing blogosphere.  Ultimately, it may be the GOP's saving grace.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali: "I Really Wonder What You Are Doing Here at Harvard"  —  After listening to Ayaan Hirsi Ali's talk at Harvard JFK's School of Government this afternoon, I went up to shake her hand and let her know much I admired her.  She is physically a slight woman.  How can it be that such a small woman is so feared?

"Nine Fingers" and the Third Man  —  New connections between the CIA and the Cunningham Scandal  —  Justin Rood at TPM Muckraker posted an interesting story yesterday, explaining why the Bush Administration's explanation for Porter Goss's sudden departure from the CIA looks increasingly lame.

GOP Reaches Deal on Tax Cuts  —  $70 Billion Measure Would Extend Breaks  —  House and Senate Republican negotiators reached a final agreement yesterday on a five-year, nearly $70 billion tax package that extends President Bush's deep cuts to tax rates on dividends and capital gains …

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Mahmoud, son of Xerxes: "You know, he's obviously a communicator."  —  DR: Hugh Hewitt?  —  HH: Mr. Secretary, welcome back to the program.  —  DR: Thank you.  It's good to be with you.  —  HH: Good to have you here.

As Chinese Students Go Online, Little Sister Is Watching  —  SHANGHAI, May 8 — To her fellow students, Hu Yingying appears to be a typical undergraduate, plain of dress, quick with a smile and perhaps possessed with a little extra spring in her step, but otherwise decidedly ordinary.