Bush Backs Away From 2 Key Ideas of Panel on Iraq  —  President Bush moved quickly to distance himself on Thursday from the central recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, even as the panel's co-chairmen opened an intensive lobbying effort on Capitol Hill to press Mr. Bush to adopt their report wholesale.

AP Poll: Few expect victory in Iraq  —  WASHINGTON - Americans are overwhelmingly resigned to something less than clear-cut victory in Iraq and growing numbers doubt the country will achieve a stable, democratic government no matter how the U.S. gets out, according to an AP poll.

That Murder in London  —  The poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko, renegade Russian spy and fierce critic of Vladimir Putin's government, is everywhere being called a mystery.  There is dark speculation about unnamed "rogue elements" either in the Russian secret services or among ultranationalists acting independently of the government.

A Father's Tears  —  George H.W. Bush cried at a tribute to his son Jeb.  What else was he feeling?  —  He stood there at the podium, the kind of podium he'd stood at 5,000 times in a long political life, and talked to the kind of audience he knew well: supporters and loyalists, old friends and new.

Labor Presses for Measure to Ease Unionizing  —  Claiming a major role in the Democrats' victory last month, labor leaders are pressing Congressional Democrats to enact a measure to make it easier for workers to unionize.  —  Labor leaders see the measure as pivotal to stop a slide in union membership that has lasted decades.

JIMMY CARTER FIRES BACK AT LONGTIME AIDE OVER BOOK  —  WASHINGTON — Former President Jimmy Carter faced new criticism Friday over his controversial book on Palestinian lands when a former Middle East diplomat accused him of improperly publishing maps that did not belong to him.

Time to Party in the Capital.  Just Bring the Checkbook.  —  Lights glowed late in the Capitol dome on Wednesday night, indicating that the House and the Senate were in session.  But the real action was taking place elsewhere on Capitol Hill, in wine bars, restaurants and town houses …

Changes Are Expected in Voting by 2008 Election  —  By the 2008 presidential election, voters around the country are likely to see sweeping changes in how they cast their ballots and how those ballots are counted, including an end to the use of most electronic voting machines without a paper trail …

More Judges Packing Pistols in Courtrooms  —  Despite more security, states pass laws allowing jurists to arm themselves  —  Despite increased security at courthouses following shootings in Chicago and Atlanta about one year ago, many judges are bringing their own guns into their courtrooms for protection.

Long a Laggard, Wages Start to Outpace Prices  —  After four years in which pay failed to keep pace with price increases, wages for most American workers have begun rising significantly faster than inflation.  —  With energy prices now sharply lower than a few months ago …

KERRY PLAYS IT COOL FOR DEMS  —  SEN. JOHN Kerry didn't have nice things to say about Sen. Hillary Clinton or his former running mate, John Edwards, on Tuesday night.  But he didn't say anything bad about them either, according to witnesses.  —  Kerry, who desperately wants to run again for president …

European Socialists eager to work with U.S. Democrats  —  OPORTO, Portugal (Reuters) - European Socialists promised on Thursday to work to rebuild Europe's strategic alliance with the United States now that the Democrats control Congress after last month's elections.

Political wombs and the perfidy of the New York Times  —  On the question of the pregnancy of Mary Cheney — who is at once a lesbian, the daughter of the Vice President of the United States, and a supporter of her father — Kathryn Jean Lopez strikes me as exactly right:

Costly Fleet Update Falters  —  Contractors Oversee Coast Guard Project  —  A multibillion-dollar effort to modernize the Coast Guard's fleet has suffered delays, cost increases, design flaws and, most recently, the idling of eight 123-foot patrol boats that were found to be not seaworthy after an $88 million refurbishment.

Return of the Green Helmet Guy  —  Is the AP on a visionquest to send what remains of its tattered credibility down the flush-hole of Hell forever?  Check this out.  —  Apparently oblivious to the fact that Reuters was completely spun and respun by Green Helmet Guy and his Hezbullah grievance …

For Now, an Unofficial Rivalry  —  Possible Clinton-Obama Presidential Clash Has Senate Abuzz  —  On Wednesday night, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy hosted the nine Democratic members of his health and education committee at an intimate dinner in his home in Washington's Kalorama neighborhood.