A Plausible Plan B  —  If we were allied with an Iraqi government that, however weak, was truly national — cross-confessional and dedicated to fighting a two-front war against Baathist insurgents and Shiite militias — a surge of American troops, together with a change of counterinsurgency strategy …

Rice Highlights Opportunities After Setbacks On Mideast Trip  —  As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew to Europe on Wednesday after four days of talks in the Middle East, her Boeing 757 jet passed high over Baghdad.  On a cloudless day at 37,000 feet, the city seemed sparkling and calm …

Flexing Muscle, China Destroys Satellite in Test  —  China successfully carried out its first test of an antisatellite weapon last week, signaling its resolve to play a major role in military space activities and bringing expressions of concern from Washington and other capitals, the Bush administration said yesterday.

WHCA Chief Says He Did Not Tell Comedian to Back Off Bush and Iraq  —  NEW YORK Earlier this week word emerged that impersonator Rich Little would be the star performer at this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington in April.  Organizers admitted they wanted a somewhat more …

Gonzales Questions Habeas Corpus  —  In one of the most chilling public statements ever made by a U.S. Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales questioned whether the U.S. Constitution grants habeas corpus rights of a fair trial to every American.  —  Responding to questions from Sen. Arlen Specter …

Senate Passes Ethics Package  —  Parties Reach Hard-Fought Deal On Lobbying and Other Reforms  —  Senate Democrats and Republicans broke a difficult stalemate last night and approved 96 to 2 expansive legislation to curtail the influence of lobbyists, tighten congressional ethics rules …

Between friends, Emanuel looking for neutral corner  —  WASHINGTON — Of all the positions he has assumed in political wars, one rarely associated with the combative Rahm Emanuel is this: fetal.  —  Yet that is where he finds himself when it comes to his preferred candidate in the 2008 presidential race.

The Most Depressing Poll Ever  —  In the latest Fox News poll, just out today, the pollsters asked the following question: … Here are the results: … Friends, I'll allow you a minute to wrap your minds around this, for we are truly through the looking class.

House Repeals Tax Break for Big Oil  —  Pelosi Plan for New Panel Sparks Criticism  —  House Democrats capped their "100 hours" agenda with the passage of an energy bill yesterday, the sixth piece of legislation approved in two weeks, and Democratic leaders said the package marked "a beginning …

Ministers launch petition to stop Bush library  —  DALLAS, Texas (AP) — A group of Methodist ministers from across the nation launched an online petition drive Thursday urging Southern Methodist University to stop trying to land George W. Bush's presidential library.

Road Home seldom leading out of state  —  Most plan to use grants to rebuild, not to relocate  —  Unlike most Arabi homeowners displaced by the 2005 hurricanes, John and Diane Johnson don't face the stress of rebuilding their destroyed property during an interminable wait for state aid.

Press Briefing by Tony Snow  —  White House Conference Center Briefing Room  —  MR. SNOW: All right, before we get started, let me just show you a tiny bit of leg on the State of the Union address, but — well, maybe it's just upper ankle, I'm not sure.  It's not going to be a typical State …

Ex-Ohio Rep. Ney sentenced to 30 months  —  WASHINGTON - Former Rep. Bob Ney was sentenced Friday to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a congressional bribery scandal.  —  Ney, the first congressman ensnared in the case, pleaded guilty to trading official favors for golf trips …

Rebuke in Iran to Its President on Nuclear Role  —  Iran's outspoken president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, appears to be under pressure from the highest authorities in Iran to end his involvement in its nuclear program, a sign that his political capital is declining as his country comes under increasing international pressure.