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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

Campaign ads and recruitment videos  —  That the media has become ever more central to al-Qaeda's political strategy has become something of a truism.  Terrorists have always relied on the media to amplify their message, with their spectacular violence aimed not just at killing people …

The Worst Fears Of The Netroots Continue To Be Realized  —  It looks increasingly clear that Joe Lieberman is going to keep his Senate seat (read on): … Alas for the netroots, it looks increasingly clear that he will not.  It should come as no surprise that Democrats are now telling Lieberman …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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.