Lott succeeds in leadership comeback  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Trent Lott, ousted from the top Senate Republican leadership job four years ago because of remarks considered racially insensitive, won election to the No. 2 post Wednesday for the minority GOP in the next Congress.

Abramoff Reports to Prison; Officials Focus on Reid, Others  —  Brian Ross and Rhonda Schwartz Report:  —  As convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff reported to federal prison today, a source close to the investigation surrounding his activities told ABC News that Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) …

Rep. John Murtha defends his ethics  —  "Hardball" host Chris Matthews asks Murtha about leadership, Iraq, ethics … Host of 'Hardball'  —  In his first interview since reportedly calling a Democratic bill on lobbying and ethics "total crap," Rep. John Murtha told "Hardball" …

Class Struggle  —  American workers have a chance to be heard.  —  The most important—and unfortunately the least debated—issue in politics today is our society's steady drift toward a class-based system, the likes of which we have not seen since the 19th century.

Carville Says Dems Should Dump Dean over "Rumsfeldian" Incompetence  —  Democratic strategist James Carville says his party should dump Howard Dean as chairman of the Democratic Party because of incompetence.  —  Carville, during coffee and rolls with political reporters today …

Does the GOP Need Another Thumpin' in 2008 to Get the Message?  —  Last night, a prominent conservative blogger was telling me that she "hates Republicans" and that she wants to vote independent.  When I asked her why, she said, "Yeah, they're totally gonna elect Boehner and Blunt.

Bush reappoints overseas broadcast chief  —  WASHINGTON —President Bush on Tuesday renominated the chairman of the agency that directs U.S. overseas broadcasts even though the nomination has been stalled in the Senate amid allegations of misconduct.  —  Kenneth Y. Tomlinson was nominated again …

One More Time for Judicial Nominees  —  After calling for bipartisanship, President Bush surprised Senate Democrats with plans to renominate a controversial list of judges - some of whom may be unacceptable even to a few Republican senators.  "It's an unfortunate signal," said one senior Democratic Senate aide.

Ancient Crash, Epic Wave  —  At the southern end of Madagascar lie four enormous wedge-shaped sediment deposits, called chevrons, that are composed of material from the ocean floor.  Each covers twice the area of Manhattan with sediment as deep as the Chrysler Building is high.

We Still Owe You One, Mahmoud  —  Ever since he took office, there's been speculation that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was involved in the 1979 seizure of the American embassy in Tehran.  Now, it appears the Russian newspaper Kommersant has stumbled upon more evidence to back up the rumors.

U.S. Commander Warns Against Iraq Cutoff  —  WASHINGTON — The top U.S. commander in the Middle East warned Congress Wednesday against setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, saying it would impede commanders in managing U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Exultant Chuck Says He'll Veto the Next Alito  —  New King of Washington Promises Moderate Court; Rove-like, Plans Permanent Democratic Majority; More N.Y. Homeland Money, Iraqi Federalism  —  More than the inability to influence Iraq policy or the President's tax cuts …

What motivated man accused of sending threats?  —  Chad Castagana linked to several right-wing blogs … MSNBC TV  —  Anchor, 'Countdown'  —  Keith Olbermann  —  Anchor, 'Countdown' … OLBERMANN: Federal authorities still expect the preliminary hearing for Chad Conrad Castagana to continue day after tomorrow.

School board votes to dump JROTC program  —  After 90 years in San Francisco high schools, the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps must go, the San Francisco school board decided Tuesday night.  —  The Board of Education voted 4-2 to eliminate the popular program, phasing it out over two years.

Bush Initiates Iraq Policy Review Separate From Baker Group's  —  President Bush formally launched a sweeping internal review of Iraq policy yesterday, pulling together studies underway by various government agencies, according to U.S. officials.  —  The initiative, begun after Bush met …

Toys for Tots rejects talking Jesus dolls  —  LOS ANGELES, California (AP) — A talking Jesus doll has been turned down by the Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program.  —  A Los Angeles company offered to donate 4,000 of the 1-foot-tall dolls, which quote Bible verses, for distribution to needy children this holiday season.

McCain Explores 2008....  Sen. John McCain will formally open his 2008 presidential exploratory committee by tomorrow a.m., an adviser said today.  —  The committee has already built a website — http://www.exploremccain.com/ — and it will stream live his speech to GOPAC, a conservative grassroots group with a strong pedigree.

Pakistan votes to amend rape laws  —  Pakistan's national assembly has voted to amend the country's strict Sharia laws on rape and adultery.  —  Until now rape cases were dealt with in Sharia courts.  Victims had to have four male witnesses to the crime - if not they faced prosecution for adultery.