Secret Court to Govern Wiretapping Plan  —  The Justice Department announced today that the National Security Agency's controversial warrantless surveillance program has been placed under the authority of a secret surveillance court, marking an abrupt change in approach by the Bush administration after more than a year of heated debate.

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Libby Live Blogging: Judy Miller's Ghost  —  Ruh-oh.  —  Today we'll have another round of juror selection.  I'll be live blogging the proceedings in the comments, but I just wanted to express my sympathies to the New York Times.  Judy Miller hacked into their site last night and posted …

Dodd Introduces Bill to Cap U.S. Troops in Iraq  —  Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) announced legislation today capping the number of troops in Iraq at roughly 130,000, saying that lawmakers should take an up-or-down vote on President Bush's plan to send additional troops to the country …

Anti-Buildup Measure to Have Bipartisan Stamp  —  Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, an outspoken Republican critic of the administration's Iraq policy, will join two leading Democrats in introducing a resolution opposing President Bush's buildup of troops in Iraq, putting a bipartisan stamp …

An Apology to Detainees' Attorneys  —  During a radio interview last week, I brought up the topic of pro bono work and habeas corpus representation of detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Regrettably, my comments left the impression that I question the integrity of those engaged in the zealous defense of detainees in Guantanamo.

What's Wrong With Vocational School?  —  Too many Americans are going to college.  —  The topic yesterday was education and children in the lower half of the intelligence distribution.  Today I turn to the upper half, people with IQs of 100 or higher.  Today's simple truth is that far …

Never About Right and Wrong  —  Today's blogospheric set-to, the argument over what it means if you were right or wrong about the war in Iraq.  Megan McArdle argues that many of the doves were right for the wrong reasons and notes that hawks often are reluctant to admit error given the reception they receive if they do.

Castro surgery seems to have been botched: experts  —  MIAMI (Reuters) - Cuban leader Fidel Castro has long prided himself on Cuba's doctors and free public health care system, but that system seems to have let him down after he fell ill in July , U.S.-based doctors said on Tuesday.

Shakeup: Kerry spokesman plays down staff changes, but admits they may be factor in 2008  —  Kerry hires two more at DC office, promotes communications chief  —  The Democrats' 2004 presidential nominee has added two new members to his Washington Senate staff and promoted his Communications Director …

Iowa Dems favor Edwards, GOP Favors Giuliani, McCain  —  Zogby's Road To New Hampshire telephone polling series kicks off with Hillary in a second-tier dogfight and Republicans split between conservative Gingrich and moderate candidates  —  Zogby's Newest Polling Packages Available Now for Purchase …

Frist looking at governor run in 2010  —  Former Majority Leader Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) is seriously considering a gubernatorial run in Tennessee in 2010, possibly setting up a White House bid further down the road.  —  Sources in Washington and Tennessee say Frist, who will turn 55 next month …

Crude Oil Rises After Failing to Break Through $50 a Barrel  —  Jan. 17 (Bloomberg) — Crude oil rebounded after failing to break through $50 a barrel in New York as cold weather moved into the Northeast.  —  Futures approached $50 in early trading today.  Below-normal temperatures will cover …

The Netroots Are Dumb  —  Over at the Democratic Strategist, Scott Winship writes: … While written in a less vitriolic tone than Max Sawicky's tirade against the netroots as "a mostly brainless vacuum cleaner of donations for the Democratic Party," the message is nearly identical: the netroots are dumb and uninformed.

In poll, Jindal bests Blanco in new battle for governor  —  Voters' perceptions of pair appear set  —  BATON ROUGE — U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal would handily defeat Gov. Kathleen Blanco if a rematch of their 2003 governor's race were held today, according to an independent survey that also suggests …