Democrats Plan Symbolic Votes Against Bush's Iraq Troop Plan  —  Democratic leaders said Tuesday that they intended to hold symbolic votes in the House and Senate on President Bush's plan to send more troops to Baghdad, forcing Republicans to take a stand on the proposal and seeking to isolate …

Somalia: Al Qaeda militant killed … MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A senior al Qaeda suspect wanted for bombing U.S. embassies in East Africa has been killed, a Somali official said Wednesday as witnesses said U.S forces launched a third day of airstrikes.  —  Also Wednesday …

On Reflection  —  George Bush will address us tonight, and show us the way forward.  The general outline has been floated: Up to 20,000 more troops, ready to move in by the end of the month.  Hammer time for Baghdad and Anbar, already underway with 80 insurgents killed on Haifa Street since Saturday.

Did the 9/11 Commission receive all the documents it requested?  Davis Releases Berger Report  —  Washington, D.C. - Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Tom Davis (R-VA) released the following statement today on a committee report that sheds important new light …

With Iraq Speech, Bush to Pull Away From His Generals  —  When President Bush goes before the American people tonight to outline his new strategy for Iraq, he will be doing something he has avoided since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003: ordering his top military brass to take action they initially resisted and advised against.

Gilmore a step closer  —  The former Va. governor files papers to form a committee to explore a presidential race  —  Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, describing himself as "a consistent conservative," set out yesterday to explore a presidential candidacy.  —  He filed the papers to form …

Kennedy endorses Kerry; calls Romney 'multiple choice'  —  In addition to coming out strong against plans for any troop surge in Iraq, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) told Chris Matthews he will back John Kerry for president in 2008.  When asked about former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney …

Senator's condition upgraded after brain surgery  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Tim Johnson's condition has been upgraded from critical to fair, four weeks after he was hospitalized for a brain hemorrhage, his office said Tuesday.  —  The South Dakota Democrat, who was rushed to the hospital December 13 …

Venezuelan Plan Shakes Investors  —  Verizon Communications had been looking to lighten its exposure to Latin America for some time when it struck a deal in April to sell investments in three properties in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.  —  Now, it probably wishes it had disconnected its Latin lines even sooner.

Late Nite FDL: Blather, Rinse, Repeat (The Five Stages of Blogging)  —  (This illustration is a Demotivator from www.despair.com.)  —  Groan.  Add the name of Joe Klein to the long list of Pompous Old Bores Who Should Know Better (like Tom DeLay) who have decided that hey …

Democrats to challenge Bush's Iraq plan  —  WASHINGTON - President Bush is telling lawmakers he will send thousands more U.S. troops to Iraq's two most troubled regions, in a plan that Democrats are resisting as a major escalation of a 31/2-year-old war.  On Tuesday, Senate Armed Services …

A Hopeful Ponders Where to Plant Her Flag  —  Choices, choices.  The Four Seasons in Georgetown or the Four Seasons in Midtown?  A town full of political leaks or a town full of mysterious odors?  Easy access to hundreds of gabby Democratic strategists or easy access to the one gabby Democrat …

Soldiers doubt an influx of American troops will benefit Iraqi army  —  MUQDADIYAH, Iraq - It was supposed to be a reconciliation meeting, a get-together to introduce the Sunni Muslim mayor and police chief of this city north of Baghdad to the mostly Shiite Muslim Iraqi soldiers who'd been assigned to protect their town.