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.

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.

Poll: Iraq hurting GOP chances  —  As U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum makes fighting global terrorism his closing pitch of the campaign, the latest Temple/Inquirer Poll shows that growing doubts about the Iraq war continue to erode support for Republicans.  —  More voters than a month ago say the war …

ACLU drops Patriot Act challenge  —  DETROIT - The American Civil Liberties Union on Friday dropped a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the USA Patriot Act.  —  The ACLU said it was withdrawing the lawsuit filed more than three years ago because of "improvements to the law."

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Voters are likely to re-elect Perry  —  Despite poor job reviews, he has 38% support while Strayhorn, Bell split ticket  —  AUSTIN - A majority of likely Texas voters say they are unhappy with the job Republican Rick Perry has done as governor, but he is likely to win re-election …

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.

Only choice on war is to win or lose it  —  I was on C-SPAN the other morning, and a lady called in to complain that ''you are making my blood pressure rise.'' Usual reason.  The host, Paul Orgel, had asked me what I thought of President Bush and I replied that, whatever my differences …

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" …