Haggard steps down amid gay affair inquiry  —  Ted Haggard, one of the most prominent evangelical pastors in the nation, resigned today as president of the National Association of Evangelicals amid allegations that he carried on a three-year sexual relationship with a male prostitute.

Truth in Kerry's remark  —  Hard facts about Iraq from senator are run through GOP spin cycle  —  The sharks — or are they Swift Boats? — are circling.  —  Republicans are feverishly seizing on Sen. John Kerry's remark about President Bush's Iraq policies and trying to distort it into a slap …

Penn President Poses with "Suicide Bomber"  —  University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann threw her annual Halloween costume party at her home Tuesday night.  Among the guests was Saad Saadi, who came dressed as a suicide bomber, complete with plastic dynamite strapped to his chest and a toy automatic rifle.

Last gasps in Iraq  —  I supported this war, but the deteriorating situation is starting to convince me that we can't win.  Those of us who hoped that the Iraqis could achieve democracy were wrong — and their failure has implications for the entire region.

Exclusive: NRCC's Foley "Damage Control"  —  Two senior aides to National Republican Campaign Committee Chairman Tom Reynolds participated in "damage control" conference calls concerning correspondence between Congressman Mark Foley and a former congressional page — two days before the scandal became public …

Mideast terror leaders to U.S.: Vote Democrat  —  Withdrawal from Iraq would embolden jihadists to destroy Israel, America  —  JERUSALEM - Everybody has an opinion about next Tuesday's midterm congressional election in the U.S. - including senior terrorist leaders interviewed by WND …

Scandals Alone Could Cost Republicans Their House Majority  —  Indictments, investigations and allegations of wrongdoing have helped put at least 15 Republican House seats in jeopardy, enough to swing control to the Democrats on Tuesday even before the larger issues of war, economic unease and President Bush are invoked.

Crystal Ball 2006: THE PREDICTIONS  —  Campaigns Clamor for Last-Minute Midterm "Mo"  —  Just how Democratic a year is 2006?  —  Five days out, let's rephrase the question this way: when's the last time a major political party has failed to capture a single House seat, Senate seat …

Washington warns of 'mounting evidence' of bid to bring down Siniora Cabinet  —  White house says it supports a 'sovereign, democratic' lebanon  —  BEIRUT: Washington warned of "mounting evidence" Wednesday that Iran, Syria and Hizbullah are "preparing plans to topple" the Lebanese government.

Rep. Paying Ex-Mistress About $500K  —  ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A Republican congressman accused of abusing his ex-mistress agreed to pay her about $500,000 in a settlement last year that contained a powerful incentive for her to keep quiet until after Election Day, a person familiar with the terms of the deal told The Associated Press.

Steele cuts Cardin's lead nearly in half … The race for Maryland's open U.S. Senate seat has narrowed, but Democrat Benjamin L. Cardin holds a 6-point edge, the result of firm support among black voters and strong leads in Baltimore and suburban Washington, according to a new poll for The Sun.

Blogwars: Me vs. Ace on Kerrygate  —  You are dead to me.  —  Just kidding.  I thought Ace's response deserved a link after I accused him of being in "nutroots territory" last night, which was in turn a response to him implying that I was "crazy" for thinking Kerry's remark might have been aimed at Bush and not the military.

MSNBC makes double-digit viewer gains  —  NEW YORK — Things are looking up at MSNBC, with the channel registering double-digit gains in viewers and adults 25-54 for October while Fox News Channel led all news networks for the 250th straight week.  —  Leading the charge was …