Kerry Remark Draws Sharp Criticism  —  A comment Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) made about getting "stuck in Iraq," which he later said was a botched joke about President Bush, prompted sharp criticism today from Bush and other Republican leaders.  —  Bush accused Kerry of insulting American troops …

U.S. Central Command Charts Sharp Movement of the Civil Conflict in Iraq Toward Chaos  —  A classified briefing prepared two weeks ago by the United States Central Command portrays Iraq as edging toward chaos, in a chart that the military is using as a barometer of civil conflict.

Tomorrow's News: Sweeney's Alleged Domestic Abuse  —  Joe Mahoney and I report tomorrow off a state police report of an incident in which Rep. John Sweeney's wife apparently called the police to report domestic violence.  —  The full story follows:  —  POWERFUL UPSTATE Rep. John Sweeney got …

This Is No Fun  —  I just thought I would go on record stating that the last few weeks and months have really sucked for me.  I spent my whole life in the GOP- starting in 1984 with county meetings, going to Teenage Republican camp (my friends called it Hitler Youth Camp …

Pelosi's Unintelligent Choice  —  If Democrats win control of the House next week, Nancy Pelosi's first test as speaker will arrive long before the 110th Congress convenes.  Her choice to head the House intelligence committee — unlike other House committees, this one is left entirely …

Republican rally in 5th  —  Poll suggests backlash to Dem publicity  —  Republican Doug Lamborn has opened a lead in the surprisingly contested race for Colorado's 5th Congressional District, signaling a possible backlash to projections of a big year for Democrats.

Iraqi Demands Pullback; U.S. Lifts Baghdad Cordon  —  Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki demanded the removal of American checkpoints from the streets of Baghdad on Tuesday, in what appeared to be his latest and boldest gambit in an increasingly tense struggle for more independence from his American protectors.

N. Korea Agrees to Return To Talks  —  North Korea agreed yesterday to return to the six-nation nuclear disarmament talks, just three weeks after it conducted its first test of a nuclear device.  —  The country's unexpected decision, which was announced by Chinese and U.S. officials in Beijing …

Wages, benefits on upswing  —  WASHINGTON — Wages and benefits paid to American workers rose last quarter by the most since 2004, as the unemployment rate matched a five-year low.  —  The Labor Department said Tuesday that its employment cost index rose 1 percent compared with the second quarter.

Dems hold record 15-point edge over GOP  —  NBC/WSJ poll: Worst may be over for Republicans after Foley sex scandal … WASHINGTON -  —  Mark Murray  —  The final pre-election NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll suggests that Democrats continue to have a significant advantage heading …

PNG tells Australia: we will stop your aid  —  PAPUA New Guinea is threatening to dramatically reduce the money it receives from Canberra, suspend all official visits by Australians or impose onerous travel restrictions, and recall its high commissioner.  —  Whether it does so …