US plans last big push in Iraq  —  Strategy document calls for extra 20,000 troops, aid for Iraqi army and regional summit  —  President George Bush has told senior advisers that the US and its allies must make "a last big push" to win the war in Iraq and that instead of beginning …

Another GOP Maalox moment  —  Just when the MSM focus had fixed on the Democrats' culture of corruption and business-as-usual, along come Beltway Republicans to remind us of how lame the GOP leadership is.  —  Trent Lott is back.  —  Flashback 2002: I called Trent Lott the Republican Party's eternal Maalox moment.

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 …

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" …

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.

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.

A Confession?  —  With a new book and TV special, O. J. Simpson is reviving the controversy over his acquittal for the murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman 12 years ago.  —  Is O. J. Simpson confessing?  That's what powerhouse publisher Judith Regan teasingly promises from a new book …

Afghan women seek death by fire  —  Increasing numbers of Afghan women are committing suicide by setting fire to themselves to escape difficult lives, according to NGOs based in the country.  —  They say women forced into marriage or suffering chronic abuse are killing themselves out of desperation.

Pork-gobbling Crusader dog starts blogging  —  During a lull in al-Qaeda blogging operations, Cave 13F, North Waziristan.  —  Achmed: My brothers, have you see this?  A new filthy Crusader blog is soiling al-Internet!  The Jules Crittenden of al-Boston Herald in Amerikiyah!