Sen. Webb's Democratic Response to the SoTU: The war's costs to our nation have been staggering  —  Jim Webb of Virginia was selected to give the Democratic response to Bush's SoTU, and boy, did they make the right choice.  Webb hit all the right notes, his points impressive and unassailable.

Bush Urges Congress, Nation To Give His Iraq Plan a Chance  —  Domestically, He Makes Overtures To Democrats  —  President Bush implored lawmakers and the nation last night to give him one more chance to win the war in Iraq and avoid the "nightmare scenario" of defeat while presenting …

The State of the Union  —  The White House spin ahead of George W. Bush's seventh State of the Union address was that the president would make a bipartisan call to revive his domestic agenda with "bold and innovative concepts."  The problem with that was obvious last night — in six years …

'Scapegoat:' Scooter's Stunning Defense  —  A bombshell detonates on day one of the Libby perjury trial, as Cheney's longtime aide points the finger at Karl Rove  —  Libby leaving the courthouse Tuesday afternoon.  —  A WEB EXCLUSIVE  —  It was the last thing the White House needed …

Watching the SOTU Speech on ABC  —  Did they really need to drag World News anchor Charles Gibson all the way down from New York just to do a stand-up intro with the Capitol dome over his shoulder?  George Stephanopoulos and Martha Raddatz were in separate locations, so it wasn't as though he was joining them in the studio.

Health and Taxes  —  The Bush proposal opens a debate for 2008.  —  Now we're getting somewhere.  The U.S. has long needed a debate over health care and tax subsidies, and President Bush got ready to rumble last night with his proposal to make insurance more affordable for most Americans.

General Says New Strategy in Iraq Can Work Over Time  —  Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, President Bush's new choice as the top commander in Iraq, told senators on Tuesday that the new military strategy to secure Baghdad can work, and that he had asked that the additional troops the administration promised …

N Korea helping Iran with nuclear testing  —  North Korea is helping Iran to prepare an underground nuclear test similar to the one Pyongyang carried out last year.  —  Under the terms of a new understanding between the two countries, the North Koreans have agreed to share all the data …

From the President, a Two-Letter Jab at the Democrats  —  President Bush departed from the prepared text of his State of the Union address to graciously congratulate Nancy Pelosi on her history-making selection as the first female Speaker of the House.  Then he departed from the prepared text …

The Web Celeb 25  —  THE FACE OF FAME IS CHANGING.  The ranks of the world's celebrities used to be dominated by millionaire actors, athletes and musicians, but the Internet has leveled the playing field.  A kid with a video camera has access to as large an audience as the biggest Hollywood star.

The Lonely Optician  —  Does your love life comply with state regulations?  You may be surprised.  —  Say you live in Washington state, and you find yourself getting to know and becoming attracted to your dental hygienist—or for that matter your optician (that's the person who fits your eyeglasses …

Letter to the editor  —  Univ. can and should honor those who serve in military  —  To the Editor:  —  What is Yale doing to recognize those from Yale — graduates, staff, faculty — who have served in combat in the Persian Gulf or in Afghanistan or the other troubled areas of the world …