Kerry apologizes for 'a botched joke'  —  WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kerry apologized for "a botched joke" about President Bush's Iraq policies that led Bush and fellow Republicans to accuse him of insulting U.S. troops.  Even some Democrats assailed Kerry, who had some campaign appearances scratched Wednesday.

Rush's Interview with President George W. Bush  —  RUSH: Mr. President.  —  THE PRESIDENT: Hey, Rush, how are you?  —  RUSH: Never better.  It's a thrill to have you on the program today and many thanks for making time for us.  —  THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, sir, for giving me a chance to visit with you.

Abandoning An American Soldier  —  While the media is obsessed parsing the ad libs of someone on no ballot this fall, something truly ominous has just happened in Iraq.  The commander-in-chief has abandoned an American soldier to the tender mercies of a Shiite militia.

In Lamont Race, Bitter Democrats Do Pre-Mortems  —  Lieberman Seems to Hug Big Lead in Connecticut; Ned Speaks in Past Tense; Lefties Blame Wolfson; Brazile: Bloggers 'Give You Wind But Not Sail'  —  Ned Lamont, Connecticut's Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, crossed the rainy street alone.

Poll Shows Iraq War Is Voters' Main Concern  —  A substantial majority of Americans expect Democrats to reduce or end American military involvement in Iraq if they win control of Congress next Tuesday, and say Republicans would maintain or increase troop levels to try to win the war if they hold …

Nearly half of Americans uncertain God exists: poll  —  Nearly half of Americans are not sure God exists, according to a poll that also found divisions among the public on whether God is male or female or whether God has a human form and has control over events.

Up in Smoke  —  THE SUPREME COURT MAKES ONE OF THE YEAR'S BIGGEST CASES DISAPPEAR.  —  Wow.  Maybe Justice Antonin Scalia was right last week when he suggested that Supreme Court reporters just aren't smart enough to do this job.  Judging by the faces of my colleagues as they entered the pressroom today …

72 hours to victory?  Maybe not  —  A campaign claiming it was going to "win on turnout" used to be regarded as a certain loser.  Suddenly, it's not a joke anymore.  Republican operatives are claiming their 72-hour program can hold back this year's wave.  —  Of course, turnout can be vital …

After the Storm, Students Left Alone and Angry  —  Two of the officers assigned to John McDonogh High in New Orleans checking students in a hallway.  Some students bristle at the security.  —  John McDonogh High School has at least 25 security guards, at the entrance, up the stairs and outside classes.

Allen's Fumbles, Romney's Gain  —  Even before the votes are counted, over the Republican Party a "thick darkness broodeth" — words from a Victorian hymn, for a party with a Victorian tendency.  But one Republican, who is not running for anything this year, will emerge from this bruising season with enlarged prospects.