Are the Faithful Losing Faith?  —  Two weeks till midterms, the NEWSWEEK poll shows Republicans in danger of losing a big chunk of their base.  And a growing consensus for a bread-and-butter Democratic agenda.  —  Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images  —  Party Time?  Democrats are feeling optimistic about Election Day.

Lawmaker Outraged by Sniper Footage on CNN  —  SAN DIEGO — CNN has become "the publicist for an enemy propaganda film" by broadcasting a video showing an insurgent sniper in Iraq apparently killing an American soldier, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee said here Friday.

Why 112 cars are burning every day  —  A year after the Paris riots violence and despair continue to grip the immigrant suburbs  —  FLAMES lick around a burning car on a tiny telephone screen.  Omar, 17, a veteran of France's suburban riots, replayed the sequence with pride.  "It was great.

Liberal darling  —  Megan McArdle tells us that the Economist has moved all of its material from behind the paywall (if you're not a subscriber, you need to watch an ad to get in).  It seems to me that this is good news for the Economist; I can't imagine it'll lose many subscribers, and it may gain some.

Survivor!  —  The GOP Victory  —  JUBILANT DEMOCRATS SHOULD RECONSIDER their order for confetti and noisemakers.  The Democrats, as widely reported, are expecting GOP-weary voters to flock to the polls in two weeks and hand them control of the House for the first time in 12 years — and perhaps the Senate, as well.

Tight race for Hyde seat, latest poll shows  —  Incumbent Bean leads in 8th Congressional District  —  The candidates for the west suburban congressional seat being vacated by retiring Republican Rep. Henry Hyde are locked in a tight contest while first-term Rep. Melissa Bean holds …

Many GOP Donors Pitch In For Joe  —  WASHINGTON — Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman collected millions of dollars in campaign cash since his Democratic primary loss by tapping a lengthy list of major contributors to President Bush, dozens of Washington special interest groups and a lot of loyal Democrats.

Suspecting Leak, Chairman Suspends Panel Staffer  —  Democratic Aide to House Intelligence Committee Was Flagged by GOP Member Based on 'Coincidence'  —  The Republican chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence suspended a mid-level Democratic staffer Tuesday based …

The Woman Who Would Be Speaker  —  Uncompromising Pelosi Set to Seize Opportunity  —  On election night 2004, Nancy Pelosi faced a painful reality: Her party was again a big loser, failing to win the presidency and losing three more House seats.  Pundits were suggesting Pelosi should accept …

With Guarded Cheer, Democrats Dare to Believe This Is Their Time  —  There is something unusual bubbling in Democratic political waters these days: optimism.  —  With each new delivery of bad news for Republicans — another Republican congressman under investigation, another Republican district conceded …

Home Office plans floating jails  —  Home Secretary John Reid has been accused of panic measures over plans to use prison ships to ease overcrowding in jails in England and Wales.  —  The government has advertised for contractors to provide up to 800 places on ships.

Atheist gifts pontifical school in will  —  ROME - An Italian journalist and self-described atheist who died last month has left most of her books and notes to a pontifical university in Rome because of her admiration for Pope Benedict XVI, a school official said Saturday.

Many Iraqis Look to Gunmen as Protectors  —  Behind the maze of men with guns in Iraq is a very simple truth: their barrels offer protection, something Iraqis say the government has never given them.  —  On Friday, the web wound tightly around the southern city of Amara …

Gay sex and motorbikes  —  If an activity brings satisfaction to those who take part in it and harms no one, it can't be immoral  —  In recent years the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada and Spain have recognised marriages between people of the same sex.  Several other countries recognise civil unions with similar legal effect.

Weldon Slams Navy, Sailors, in Desperate Personal Attack  —  In second debate with Admiral Joe Sestak, Weldon's comments about "sailor servants" reveal lack of both respect and knowledge about military service  —  Springfield, PA - In his second debate against former Navy Vice Admiral Joe Sestak …