U.S. to Hand Iraq a New Timetable on Security Role  —  The Bush administration is drafting a timetable for the Iraqi government to address sectarian divisions and assume a larger role in securing the country, senior American officials said.  —  Details of the blueprint …

Vote Early and Often  —  A Democratic takeover will be a setback for moderates and conservatives.  —  David Kuo, once an official of President Bush's faith-based initiative, published a book this month that attacks the White House for privately ridiculing evangelical Christians while cynically manipulating how they vote.

Cleland  —  It's not the biggest deal in the world, per se, but continuing liberal obsession with Max Cleland strikes me as a bit odd.  Josh Marshall hails a witty Cleland line at a campaign event for John Tester and remarks: "If the Dems take Congress, that image will bookend the era …

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.

We are biased, admit the stars of BBC News  —  It was the day that a host of BBC executives and star presenters admitted what critics have been telling them for years: the BBC is dominated by trendy, Left-leaning liberals who are biased against Christianity and in favour of multiculturalism.

Diplomat cites U.S. 'stupidity' in Iraq  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - A senior U.S. diplomat said the United States had shown "arrogance" and "stupidity" in Iraq but was now ready to talk with any group except Al-Qaida in Iraq to facilitate national reconciliation.  —  In an interview with Al-Jazeera …

Ford Jr. shows up at Corker event uninvited  —  Harold Ford Jr. showed up uninvited at a campaign event for rival Republican Bob Corker at a private charter airstrip in Memphis this morning.  Corker had scheduled the media event earlier this week.  —  News reporters were surprised …

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 …

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 …

The genteel revolt that is remaking US policy on Iraq  —  Republican veterans push for end to interventionist approach  —  A "polite rebellion" is under way among previously loyal allies of President Bush aimed at persuading him to change course in Iraq and quietly abandon the foreign policy doctrine …

'We have liberated Amara from the British.  Basra next'  —  Last week Ghaith Abdul-Ahad visited Amara, the city overrun by militamen yesterday, and met British troops in the area  —  Ten days ago I sat on a mattress on the floor of a Mahdi army safe house talking to Abu Mahdi, a slim 40-year-old …

SERIOUSLY?  The Washington Post reports that a Democratic House leadership would likely name Rep. Alcee Hastings the head of the House Intelligence Committee, and that the Congressional Black Caucus is insisting on this, given that Rep. Hastings is first in line because of seniority …

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 …

The veil stretches our tolerance to its limits  —  Shahid Malik, the Labour MP for Dewsbury, spoke for almost the entire nation yesterday when he told Aisha Azmi - the Muslim teaching assistant suspended for wearing a veil - "to just let this thing go".  An employment tribunal has rightly rejected …