In Theater of War, It's Iraq Study Group's Turn to Take the Stage  —  Minutes after the Iraq Study Group placed an improvised explosive device beneath the Bush administration's Iraq policy yesterday, panel member Lawrence Eagleburger was asked how President Bush reacted to the recommendations.

NEW MEXICO GOV. BILL RICHARDSON: 'I AM RUNNING' IN 2008  —  New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is expected to formally file papers to form a presidential exploratory committee in January.  But today he told FOX News "I am running," as he described the professional and personal experiences that he believes have prepared him for the job.

President Bush Meets with British Prime Minister Tony Blair  —  Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building  —  PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all.  Please be seated.  I just had a good visit with Prime Minister Tony Blair.  I appreciate you coming back, Mr. Prime Minister.

McCain Continues to Win Over Bush Insiders  —  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) continues to recruit top GOP political operatives in expectation of a presidential run.  According to a source close to the McCain operation, the candidate has lined up Terry Nelson to serve as campaign manager …

Cheney Pregnancy Stirs Debate on Gay Rights  —  Mary Cheney, a daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, is expecting a baby with her partner of 15 years, Heather Poe, Mr. Cheney's office said Wednesday.  —  Lea Anne McBride, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cheney, said the vice president and his wife …

US Congress struggles to break final logjam before adjourning  —  WASHINGTON: The bipartisan drive to bring the 109th session of Congress to an end slowed as the lawmakers struggled with the finale, a catchall bill covering everything from tax breaks for college tuition to normal trade relations with Vietnam.

Dean: Dems should keep out Buchanan  —  WASHINGTON - Republican Vern Buchanan might be the official winner in a messy Sarasota-area congressional race, but Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean says the Democratic-controlled Congress should not seat Buchanan without another election.

Saudis reportedly funding Iraqi Sunnis  —  CAIRO, Egypt - Private Saudi citizens are giving millions of dollars to Sunni insurgents in Iraq and much of the money is used to buy weapons, including shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles, according to key Iraqi officials and others familiar with the flow of cash.

Lean Left?  Lean Right?  News Media May Take Their Cues From Customers  —  When Matt Lauer declared on the "Today" show last week that NBC would start referring to the conflict in Iraq as a "civil war," he inadvertently started his own civil war within the news media.

Specter gets the chance to set things right  —  When the Military Commissions Act, which among other things suspended habeas corpus for suspected terrorists, went to the Senate floor in September, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) voiced some relatively passive concerns.

Top Ten Funniest Political Moments Of 2006  —  Try to name the funniest moments in politics this year, and you'll immediately think of violent assaults with deadly, hilarious weapons.  Yes, this was the year that politics met broad physical humor.  And crime.  Lots and lots of crime.

Is It January Yet?  —  Not that I want to rush right past Christmas morning at our house or anything (because, really, The Peanut is at the perfect age this year where the whole tree and lights and Santa are magic, and that is a LOT of fun)...but I've spent a little time trying to figure …