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.

To help U.S. win in Iraq, Rummy and Cheney must go  —  The Vietnamization of Iraq.  If you Google that phrase, you'll find a slew of articles dating as far back as March 2003.  They talk about quagmire, guerrilla war, and the difficulty of getting Iraqi forces on line.  Mainly, they are expressions of despair.

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 …

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 …

As Elections Near, Dueling With Dollars  —  Party Operatives Try To Influence Races  —  John Lapp, a 35-year-old Democratic strategist in charge of spending $60 million to defeat Republicans, had reason to feel aggressive.  Internal party polls late last week showed 30 GOP House incumbents tied or behind.

Poll Puts Maryland Democrats In the Lead  —  Races Are Much Closer, GOP Candidates Say  —  A strong Democratic tide in Maryland threatens to swamp Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s reelection bid and bolsters the party's efforts to retain control of an important U.S. Senate seat, according to a new Washington Post poll.

New time change to make Halloween brighter in 2007  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - This Halloween will be the last time most U.S. kids yell "trick-or-treat" in the dark, as next year's extension of daylight saving time promises to shed more light on traditional candy-gathering activities.

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.

GOP at a loss?  Karl Rove has an 11th-hour plan to win  —  He taps government resources to boost candidates in need.  —  During a whirlwind five-hour trip to bolster an endangered GOP congressman's reelection prospects, White House political guru Karl Rove last week delivered a fiery speech …

Tipping Point for War's Supporters?  —  In Past Month, Even Stalwarts Have Called for Change in Iraq Policy  —  As the fighting in Iraq swerved toward civil war in February, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John W. Warner (R-Va.) expressed "a high degree of confidence" …

Poll shows tight Idaho races  —  With 10 days left before Election Day, many voters are still undecided on key races  —  For the first time since the early 1990s, the outcome of a statewide election appears in doubt with just 10 days to go.  —  An Idaho Statesman/Today's 6 poll says races for governor …

Kurdistan  —  A conversation with the president of Iraq's most successful region.  —  ERBIL, Iraq—Unlike Baghdad, 200 miles away, the air here does not echo with the sound of gunfire, car bombs and helicopters.  Residents of this city of a million people picnic by day in pristine new parks …

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.

Official in Abramoff Case Sentenced to 18 Months  —  A federal judge yesterday sentenced David H. Safavian, a former top Bush administration official, to 18 months in prison for lying and concealing unethical dealings with lobbyist Jack Abramoff.  —  During an unusual hearing that lasted much of the day …

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.