The Senate Race in Connecticut  —  The Congressional elections are very much about America's problems in Iraq.  But the campaigns have shed little light on exactly what should happen next.  Nowhere is that more true than in Connecticut.  The two leading candidates, Ned Lamont and Joseph Lieberman …

Where We Went Wrong  —  Somewhere along the road to a "permanent majority," the Republican Revolution of 1994 went off track.  For several years, we had confidence in our convictions and trusted that the American people would reward our efforts.  And they did.

Safavian Seeks Leniency in Abramoff Case  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Bush administration official David Safavian wept as he asked for leniency in his obstruction of justice case Friday, telling a judge that his lobbyist friend Jack Abramoff manipulated him and drew him into the scandal.

Businesses Seek Protection on Legal Front  —  Left to right: Stephen Hilger/Bloomberg News; Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times; Adam Berry/Bloomberg News; David McIntyre/Bloomberg News; and Mychele Daniau/Agence France-Presse-Getty Images  —  Frustrated with laws and regulations …

HOW DO YOU SPELL DESPERATION?  G.O.P.  —  Want to know what desperation looks like?  —  Here's what Bill Frist and Ken Mehlman sent out yesterday in a desperation email fundraiser.  They're scared to death that John Kerry and Ted Kennedy ponied up to elect Democrats.  —  Let's see their $2 million, and raise them.

Biden, calling Iraq 'rathole' backs Courtney and Lamont, but says he won't campaign against Lieberman  —  U.S. Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., the Delaware Democrat and a leading critic of President Bush and the war in Iraq, on Friday backed Vernon Democrat Joseph D. Courtney in his rematch with U.S. Rep. Robert R. Simmons, R-2nd District.

'Not America's man in Iraq,' Premier says  —  Aides say Maliki warns U.S. to respect nation's sovereignty.  —  Iraq's prime minister sharply criticized U.S. policy Friday during a private meeting with the American ambassador, pointing to the United States' failure to either reduce violence …

U.S. Investigates Voting Machines' Venezuela Ties  —  The federal government is investigating the takeover last year of a leading American manufacturer of electronic voting systems by a small software company that has been linked to the leftist Venezuelan government of President Hugo Chávez.

The Straw That Broke the Multi-Culti Camel's Back  —  In the last few days in Britain, three events have caused what was already a small crack in the paper-thin edifice of "multiculturalism" in Britain to widen to a noticeable fissure.  —  First, 14-year old British schoolgirl Codie Stott …

The Non-Contract With America  —  What Democrats aren't saying about their agenda, so we will.  —  A joke in Washington these days is that the only thing that can save the Republicans on Election Day is the Democrats.  House Speaker-in-waiting Nancy Pelosi seems to get this joke …

US Republicans in Crisis  —  TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Tehran's interim Friday Prayers Leader Seyed Ahmad Khatami stressed that the savage and devilish performance of the US President George W Bush has placed Republicans in a very critical condition.  —  Addressing a large fervent congregation …

Democrats Push to Counter G.O.P. in Turnout Race  —  Volunteers in Missouri, left, assembled yard signs for Claire McCaskill, the Democratic Senate candidate.  Joyce Georges and her husband, Cliff, are longtime supporters of Jim Talent, the Republican incumbent.

IDF denies using uranium-based warheads during war in Lebanon  —  Israel did not use uranium-based warheads during the Lebanon war, the army spokesperson's office said Saturday.  The announcement was made in response to a report published Saturday on the website of the British newspaper The Independent.

Polls and Pundits: How Reliable Are Forecasts?  —  With 10 days left before the Nov. 7 midterm congressional elections, pollsters and pundits are forecasting a good night for Democrats.  —  Current projections show the party is poised to gain the 15 new seats needed to control the House of Representatives, and possibly more.

Too Little, Too Late?  —  President Bush made a big show this week of reevaluating his Iraq policy.  It made a difference-but only with his base and only at the margins.  The new NEWSWEEK poll finds likely voters still favoring the Democrats.  —  Marl Wilson / Getty Images  —  Change in the Air?

Political foes pull out stops  —  Ex-president backs Gillibrand; Sweeney touts AMD in Malta  —  Click byline for more stories by writer.  —  COLONIE — In the Capital Region's most contentious congressional race Thursday, Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand reached for some national star power as U.S. Rep. John Sweeney got down to earth.