Webb Says His Novels 'Inappropriate' for News Radio  —  (CNSNews.com) - In an interview on Washington Post Radio Friday morning, Jim Webb, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Virginia, said excerpts of his novels are "a little bit inappropriate" to be read on news radio.

G.O.P. Moves Fast to Reignite Issue of Gay Marriage  —  The divisive debate over gay marriage, which played a prominent role in 2004 campaigns but this year largely faded from view, erupted anew on Thursday as President Bush and Republicans across the country tried to use a court ruling …

The Dixie Chicks Ad NBC Doesn't Want You To See  —  NBC is refusing to air an ad for the new Dixie Chicks documentary, "Shut Up & Sing."  Variety reports, "NBC's commercial clearance department said in writing that it 'cannot accept these spots as they are disparaging to President Bush.'"

The Year Of Playing Dirtier  —  Rep. Ron Kind pays for sex!  —  Well, that's what the Republican challenger for his Wisconsin congressional seat, Paul R. Nelson, claims in new ads, the ones with "XXX" stamped across Kind's face.  —  It turns out that Kind — along with more than 200 …

Democrats Fear Disillusionment in Black Voters  —  Last weekend, Jim Webb, the Virginia Democrat who hopes to oust Senator George Allen, crammed in visits to 12 black churches, and for several weeks he has been pumping money into advertisements on black radio stations and in black newspapers.

Muslim cleric apologizes for rape remark  —  SYDNEY, Australia - Australia's most prominent Islamic cleric vowed Thursday to stand strong against widespread outrage over his description of women who don't wear head scarfs as "uncovered meat" who invite rape.

I.R.S. Going Slow Before Election  —  Mark W. Everson, commissioner of internal revenue, said he regularly discussed the potential impact of agency actions with senior staff members.  "We are very sensitive to political perceptions," Mr. Everson said.  —  The commissioner of internal revenue …

Rumsfeld Tells Iraq Critics to 'Back Off'  —  With his chorus of critics expanding deeper into Republican ranks, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told detractors yesterday to pull back as U.S. and Iraqi officials grapple with the uncertainties of laying out Iraq's course.

Mahdi Army, Iraqi Police Battle in Baquba  —  The Mahdi Army continues to flaunt its power.  It's decision time for Maliki.  —  Iranian proxy Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army has yet again fought government forces in pitched street battles.  The scene of the latest fighting is the city of Baquba …

In the Libby Case, A Grilling to Remember  —  With withering and methodical dispatch, White House nemesis and prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald yesterday sliced up the first person called to the stand on behalf of the vice president's former chief of staff.  —  If I. Lewis "Scooter" …

Calling Out the New York Times  —  The U.S. Department of Defense is now taking its requests for corrections public through a website known as For the Record (located at http://www.defenselink.mil/home/ dodupdate/index-b.html).  Here, the Department of Defense is openly calling for corrections …

News Release: Gross Domestic Product  —  In order to view the PDF files on this page, the free Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed.  —  Recorded message: (202) 606-5306  —  GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: THIRD QUARTER 2006 (ADVANCE)  —  Real gross domestic product …

Andrew Sullivan on The Conservative Soul  —  The Hugh Hewitt Show  —  HH: Joined now by Andrew Sullivan, author of The Conservative Soul: How We Lost It, How To Get It Back, in bookstores everywhere.  I will link it at Hughhewitt.com a little bit later.  We've got Andrew for the next hour and a half.