The Power of Hillary  —  "Hillary Clinton really is one of the weakest . . . nominees with whom the Democrats could be saddled."  —  "Democrats are worried sick about her chances."  —  "Just give someone else a chance, so we in the Democratic Party can elect a Democrat."  —  "She cannot possibly, possibly win."

Has Israel lost the spirit of '76?  —  THIRTY YEARS AGO this week, on July 4, 1976, Israel carried out one of the most spectacular rescue missions in history — the raid on Entebbe airport in Uganda that freed more than 100 Jewish hostages being held by Arab and German terrorists.

Roberts Is at Court's Helm, but He Isn't Yet in Control  —  WASHINGTON, July 1 — As the dust settled on a consequential Supreme Court term, the first in 11 years with a change in membership and the first in two decades with a new chief justice, one question that lingered was whether …

Secrecy, Security, the President and the Press  —  THE Bush administration's unusually harsh attacks on The New York Times for exposing a secret banking-data surveillance program have turned a glaring spotlight on the paper's decision to publish the article.

LAST STAND  —  On May 31st, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced what appeared to be a major change in U.S. foreign policy.  The Bush Administration, she said, would be willing to join Russia, China, and its European allies in direct talks with Iran about its nuclear program.

How to Fix Guantanamo  —  An estimated 75% of its inmates there are no longer even being interrogated.  After the Supreme Court's rebuke, what can the U.S. do to improve its handling of detainees?  —  The Supreme Court's ruling in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld totals 185 pages and can be summarized in two words: Start over.

Hiring Federal Lobbyists, Towns Learn Money Talks  —  TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — Rebuffed on several requests for state and federal financing to help rebuild its crumbling bridge, this small resort town was all but resigned to raising the money by doubling the 50-cent bridge toll, increasing property taxes and issuing bonds.

Discontent over Iraq may cost Republicans control of Congress, poll says  —  WASHINGTON — President Bush's job approval rating is up slightly, but discontent over the Iraq war, especially among women, is continuing to boost Democratic prospects in the struggle for control of Congress, a Times/Bloomberg poll has found.

Horrifying  —  Recently, J*ff "Online Integrity" G*ldstein outed Thersites and NYMary on his site, publishing personal information about their identities and workplaces, apparently because Thersities snarked at Online Integrity's misattribution of a rather famous piece of artwork.

My Father 'The Hero'  —  Today is the 14th Anniversary of my Father's death, always a difficult day for me, no matter how many years go quietly by.... and as I write these words and tears are rolling down my face, I think of My Father and my ultimate hero, the man considered …

Farm Program Pays $1.3 Billion to People Who Don't Farm  —  EL CAMPO, Tex. — Even though Donald R. Matthews put his sprawling new residence in the heart of rice country, he is no farmer.  He is a 67-year-old asphalt contractor who wanted to build a dream house for his wife of 40 years.

Who's Lieberman Represent?  Not You  —  Something rare is happening in Connecticut: The state is actually playing host to a contested U.S. Senate primary election.  —  This is a shocking development.  Today, well-funded incumbents rarely face serious challenges.

Cheney makes grand entrance at NASCAR race  —  DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The stock cars weren't the only things buzzing the track at Daytona Saturday — Vice President Dick Cheney made his grand entrance when Air Force II flew in low over the crowd gathering for the start of the NASCAR race.

CNN RELIABLE SOURCES  —  Is White House Scapegoating "New York Times"?  ; Bloggers Respond to Recent Political Developments; Why the Media Hoopla Over Star Jones Departure?  —  THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT.  THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.  —  HOWARD KURTZ, HOST (voice-over): Targeting the "Times."

COPYCATTY COULTER PILFERS PROSE: PRO  —  July 2, 2006 — Conservative scribe Ann Coulter cribbed liberally in her latest book, "Godless," according to a plagiarism expert.  —  John Barrie, the creator of a leading plagiarism-recognition system, claimed he found at least three instances of what he calls …