Democrats Outline a Platform for the Fall  —  WASHINGTON, June 16 — Declaring their party "ready for this election," Democratic leaders in Congress on Friday announced the platform they hope to use to regain the majority in November.  —  Their plan, presented at a news conference …

How the Chicks survived their scrap with Bush  —  Adam Sweeting assesses how the Dixie Chicks have weathered a political storm  —  Will it be the salmon teriyaki with organic greens, or asparagus tempura and tuna sashimi?  As the waiter hovers with pencil poised, the Dixie Chicks debate …

Antiwar Crucible in Connecticut  —  Back in 1962, when Joseph Lieberman was 20, he attended a raucous Democratic state convention in Hartford, Conn. Abraham Ribicoff, the former governor, had decided to leave his post in the Kennedy Cabinet to run for the Senate.

Moving Ahead, Rather Throws Sad Look Back  —  The 74-year-old man with the Mets cap pulled far down on his forehead slid into a booth at a diner on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and ordered a glass of milk without so much as turning a head — so quietly, in fact, that it was hard to believe it was Dan Rather.

Fall Elections Are Rove's Next Test  —  Reputation as Architect of Victory at Stake  —  White House political strategist Karl Rove emerges from the CIA leak case with his reputation scuffed, his power slightly diminished, and Republicans counting on him, once again, to help rescue their House and Senate majorities.

Contradictions Cloud Inquiry Into 24 Iraqi Deaths  —  What really happened in Haditha on Nov. 19, 2005?  —  On that day, marines killed 24 Iraqi civilians, including 10 women and children and an elderly man in a wheelchair.  But how and why it happened and who ultimately bears responsibility are matters of profound dispute.

Baghdad explosions bring Iraq toll to 23  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - A series of explosions struck commercial areas in Baghdad within hours Saturday, killing at least 17 people and dealing a blow to a huge government operation to secure the capital.  —  The blasts — seven within five hours …

"Media Matters"; by Jamison Foser  —  Weekly Part 4: where do we go from here?  —  Three weeks ago, we began what has now turned into a four-part series: … A week later, we elaborated on the notion that the "dominant political force of our time is the media," with a look back at more than a decade …

Indictment Rejected For Rep. McKinney  —  A D.C. grand jury has decided not to indict Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) for scuffling with a U.S. Capitol Police officer this year.  —  U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Wainstein issued a statement yesterday saying the decision followed "an extensive and thorough" …

Pentagon Study Describes Abuse by Units in Iraq  —  WASHINGTON, June 16 — United States Special Operations troops employed a set of harsh, unauthorized interrogation techniques against detainees in Iraq during a four-month period in early 2004, long after approval for their use was rescinded …

Police may let Muslims see terrorism intelligence  —  Vikram Dodd  —  The police are considering a proposal to let selected British Muslims examine the intelligence used to mount anti-terrorism raids before they take place, the Guardian has learned.  —  The proposal will be considered …

Records: Press aide knew online chat risks  —  BARTOW, Fla. - In Internet and phone chats with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl, a Department of Homeland Security press aide talked about underage sex, boasted about his job and called President Bush a "liar," according to transcripts released by prosecutors.

Betting on Defeat?  —  It's far from a safe bet.  —  National Review Online  —  Lately, it has become popular to recant on Iraq.  When 2,500 Americans are lost, and when the improvised explosive device monopolizes the war coverage, it is easy to see why — especially with elections coming up in November …