Judge's ruling keeps DeLay on ballot  —  AUSTIN - A federal judge ruled today that Republicans cannot replace former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay on the ballot for the 22nd Congressional District race.  —  U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks, a Republican appointee, ruled that DeLay must appear …

Bush: Hard to read North Korea's motives  —  WASHINGTON - President Bush said Thursday it is hard to read North Korea's motives in firing a missile with the potential to hit the United States or Canada, but said the U.S. cannot afford to misjudge the situation.

N.Y. Court Says Lawmakers Should Consider Gay Marriage  —  The New York Court of Appeals ruled this morning that the state Constitution does not guarantee a right to marriage for same-sex couples, and that state lawmakers, not the courts, are better suited to consider the issue.

Enron founder, facing prison, dies in Aspen  —  What he couldn't do in the courtroom, former Enron Chairman Ken Lay may finally be able to achieve in death — avoid a criminal record.  —  Lay, 64, who died of a heart attack in Aspen, Colo., early Wednesday morning, will likely have his case vacated …

Why Economists Like Immigration  —  With members of the House and Senate sparring over immigration reform, it is worth summarizing why most economists are sympathetic with the more welcoming approach of the Senate bill.  —  The study of economics leaves a person with two strong impulses.

Debate Headquarters [51]  —  Track the Discussion Online: Can't get enough?  Check out some of the blogs following the debate tonight.  —  LamontBlog (unoffocial) |  Firedoglake |  MyDD |  Atrios |  Connecticut Local Politics |  Blog for America  —  Rapid Response: Rebut misleading answers …

Syndicate Will Look Into Alleged Coulter Plagiarism On Its Own — And Possibly With Electronic Tool  —  NEW YORK Universal Press Syndicate issued a statement this afternoon saying it might look into the plagiarism allegations against Ann Coulter in two possible ways.

N.J. Gov., Lawmakers Reach Deal on Budget  —  TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey's governor and lawmakers reached a deal Thursday on a new state budget, six days into a state government shutdown that shuttered casinos and threw more than 80,000 people out of work.  —  Gov. Jon S. Corzine …

Suicide: Not Painless  —  Michelle Malkin has responded to my post on UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Denice Denton's suicide.  Quick recap: Malkin called Denton a "capitulationist chancellor" after Denton failed to expel or punish students who angrily protested and kicked military recruiters off campus.

IDF soldier, 21 Palestinians killed in IDF raid in north Gaza  —  An Israel Defense Forces soldier was killed Thursday afternoon during an Israel Defense Forces operation in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia.  —  First Lieutenent Yehuda Bessal was seriously wounded when shot …

King won't decide first question till cameras roll  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — CNN's Larry King has interviewed every president since Richard Nixon.  Tonight at 9 p.m. ET he conducts his second interview with President George W. Bush since his election in 2000.  —  The interview will be broadcast from the White House.

Reports conflict about Zubeydi's fate  —  Conflicting reports emerged on Thursday night about the fate of the the Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades West Bank commander Zakariya Zubeydi, after Border Police's undercover elite Yamas unit, surrounded the home where Zubeydi was believed to be holed up in together with a number of other wanted men.

Army charges officer for refusing to fight in Iraq  —  SEATTLE (Reuters) - The U.S. Army filed three charges on Wednesday against an officer who refused to fight in Iraq due to objections over the legality of the war.  —  First Lt. Ehren Watada, who supporters say is the first commissioned U.S. officer …

'Hardball with Chris Matthews' for July 5  —  Guests: Dan Burton, Bill Pascrell, Tyler Drumheller, Michael Scheuer, Jim Gilmore, Hilary Rosen, Cindy Sheehan  —  NORAH O'DONNELL, MSNBC HOST: North Korea sets off its own 4th of July spectacular, an international show of defiance.

Bloggers battle old-school media for political clout  —  Online journals gaining greater influence, scrutiny  —  WASHINGTON — When a writer for The New Republic, the 92-year-old doyen of elite Washington opinion journals, accused the nation's most prominent political blogger of using …

Cause and Effect  —  IT'S TIME TO STOP BLAMING THE GOOD GUYS FOR PROBLEMS IN IRAQ.  —  Another obscene video from al-Qaida, this time showing the different ways in which abducted Russian diplomatic staff can be put to death.  And, as one could well expect, feeling in Russia runs high.

Farrell answers the simple question while Dodd continues to avoid the issue  —  It's great the reporters are picking up on my "simple question."  —  It makes my job much easier...thanks guys! … Meanwhile, our Senior Senator Chris Dodd remains on the fence.