Senate rejects Iraq redeployment motions  —  Both Democratic proposals easily defeated  —  Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., trying to convince his colleagues to approve his Iraq troop redeployment resolution, failed by a vote of 86-13.  The resolution of fellow Democrat, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., faired better, but still lost, 60-39.

Ex-Bush aide convicted in D.C. corruption case  —  Safavian found guilty on 4 counts of obstruction, making false statements  —  WASHINGTON - A jury Tuesday convicted a former Bush administration official of four counts of lying and obstructing justice in the first trial to be held in connection …

Iraq Debate Previews Presidential Bids  —  Votes on Senate Proposals for Withdrawal Set for Today  —  Yesterday's lengthy Senate debate over Iraq offered early hints of the 2008 presidential contest, with some potential candidates calling for a rapid drawdown of U.S. troops …

If Necessary, Strike and Destroy  —  North Korea Cannot Be Allowed to Test This Missile  —  North Korean technicians are reportedly in the final stages of fueling a long-range ballistic missile that some experts estimate can deliver a deadly payload to the United States.

Legislate Learning English?  If Only It Were So Easy  —  PRESIDENT BUSH'S plan to give longstanding illegal immigrants a path to citizenship would require them to learn English as a sign that they accept American culture.  The conservative base of the Republican Party considers any policy …

Army takes older recruits  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army, aiming to make its recruiting goals amid the Iraq war, raised its maximum enlistment age by another two years on Wednesday, while the Army Reserve predicted it will miss its recruiting target for a second straight year.

GOP Rebellion Stops Voting Rights Act  —  Complaints Include Bilingual Ballots and Scope of Justice Dept. Role in South  —  House leaders abruptly canceled a vote to renew the 1965 Voting Rights Act yesterday after rank-and-file Republicans revolted over provisions that require bilingual ballots …

The Persistence of Stupid  —  So this morning I crank up the laptop and cruise over to Memeorandum to see what blog folks are talking about today, and what do I see but a big headline —  And I'm thinkin', wow, that's gonna crank up the righties.  And sure enough, a bunch of 'em are pumpin …

An Evening With David Sirota [2]  —  An Evening With David Sirota  —  Wasn't quite sure what to expect at David Sirota's book signing featuring Ned in New Haven earlier this evening.  Actually, looking back, I should have known what to expect: a packed house with less seats than behinds to put in them.

Close Guantanamo?  —  THE MILITARY detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has become the focus of global protests against U.S. human rights violations during the war on terrorism.  Images of the hooded, jumpsuited prisoners who were brought there in 2002 still pervade the world's media …

Net Neutrality: Crunch Time  —  It's time to hit the phones, everyone.  I am told that the Senate Commerce Committee will be doing bill mark-up today, and that the net neutrality vote will be pushed off until probably Tuesday.  —  And that we are one vote short at the moment for killing the Stevens bill in the Committee.

Thinking Outside The Blog  —  Judging from the amount of publicity they gleaned, the liberal bloggers who gathered in Las Vegas recently for the first annual YearlyKos convention represent the cutting edge of thinking in the Democratic Party.  —  But the blogs I have scanned are heavier …

Rep. Murtha: Pennsylvania's Embarrassment  —  Rep. Jack Murtha (D-Pa), imagines himself to be the scourge of the hawks in the Bush administration.  Many journalists do, too, because they keep inviting him to appear on talk shows.  —  So why were the targets of Mr. Murtha's wrath doubled …

President Bush Participates in Press Availabilty at 2006 U.S.-EU Summit  —  CHANCELLOR SCHÜSSEL: So, ladies and gentlemen, let me first start by saying that this was — is the 15th journey of the President of the United States, George Bush, to Europe.  And I'm really happy that this journey leads …

State adds weblogs to off-limits sites for state employees  —  FRANKFORT, Ky. - State employees will no longer be able to access a political weblog that has criticized Gov. Ernie Fletcher and other Kentucky politicians.  —  But Mark Nickolas, operator of the bluegrassreport site …