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 …

Bush Drops Plans to Renominate 3 Judges  —  In an apparent effort to lower the temperature in the fierce battle over federal judges — and in a concession to political reality — President Bush said Tuesday that he was dropping plans to nominate three of his choices for the federal appeals courts …

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.

Vilsack wants funding for more troops blocked  —  DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack called Tuesday for Congress to block funding for additional troops in Iraq.  —  But he said he's leery of using purse strings to shrink the U.S. presence in Iraq.

Governor Mitt Romney on Iraq  —  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  —  Boston, MA - Governor Mitt Romney, in direct consideration of the proposed increase in troop deployments in Iraq, issued the following statement today putting an emphasis on the need for clear and measurable strategic objectives.

"I'm not afraid, I've lost everything in Iraq:" An Interview with a Fallujan Civil Servant  —  An Interview with a Fallujan Civil Servant  —  Note: Please consider this interview a companion piece to my second dispatch for the Examiner.  Taken together, they provide a good primer …

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 …

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 …

Troops Sent in Surge to Have Limited Role, Bush Aide Says  —  President Bush will announce tonight that the additional American troops he plans to send to Baghdad will act only in support of Iraqi forces, and that they are being sent only because the Iraqi government has promised a "fundamental" …

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 …

Terminatorcare  —  Gov. Schwarzenegger writes a prescription for disaster.  —  MONTEREY, Calif.—On Monday, Arnold Schwarzenegger presented his proposal for reducing the number of Californians who lack health insurance.  His proposal is almost indistinguishable—except in details …

The Age of Proximity  —  The Age of Anxiety isn't a new phenomenon — but the Age of Proximity is.  And with good reason, the Age of Proximity is a dangerous, challenging era.  —  Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, provided several uncomfortable illustrations.  Take New York City first …

Help me set the Senate's agenda  —  Happy New Year!  This is my first blog post on DailyKos, and I'm really looking forward to interacting more with this tremendous community in the coming weeks and months.  —  As we begin the new year, we herald the beginning of a new chapter in our nation's history.

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.