Why aren't we ashamed of fawning over Obama?  —  Slate's Tim Noah has introduced a new regular feature called "The Obama Messiah Watch," devoted to "gratuitously adoring biographical details" about Barack Obama.  The first item, from the LA Times, quotes a former classmate of Obama's marveling …

The Ba-Da-Boom Crew  —  If you've been following the Lewis "Scooter" Libby perjury trial, I can understand how you might confuse Dick Cheney with Tony Soprano.  Cheney's office is beginning to sound a lot like the Bada Bing, minus the dancers.  —  Court has been in session for only a week …

U.S. missile defense maturing, latest test a success  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Within a year, the U.S. missile defense system should be able to guard against enemy attacks, while testing new technologies, the deputy director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said on Monday.

Edwards says he may have been too inexperienced for 2004 run  —  WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina: Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards acknowledged that he may have been too inexperienced in national politics for his White House run in 2004.  —  The former North Carolina senator …

Suicide Attack Is First in Israel in 9 Months  —  After nine months without a suicide bombing in Israel, a Palestinian walked from Egypt across the open desert border, hitched a ride from a wary Israeli motorist and then blew himself up on Monday inside a bakery in the Red Sea resort town of Eilat, Israeli officials said.

Equipment For Added Troops Is Lacking  —  New Iraq Forces Must Make Do, Officials Say  —  Boosting U.S. troop levels in Iraq by 21,500 would create major logistical hurdles for the Army and Marine Corps, which are short thousands of vehicles, armor kits and other equipment needed to supply the extra forces, U.S. officials said.

GOP senator challenges Bush on war powers … WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate Republican on Tuesday directly challenged President Bush's declaration that "I am the decision-maker" on issues of war.  —  "I would suggest respectfully to the president that he is not the sole decider," Sen. Arlen Specter …

Missteps by Iraqi Forces in Battle Raise Questions  —  Iraqi forces were surprised and nearly overwhelmed by the ferocity of an obscure renegade militia in a weekend battle near the holy city of Najaf and needed far more help from American forces than previously disclosed, American and Iraqi officials said Monday.

Europe Resists U.S. Push to Curb Iran Ties  —  European governments are resisting Bush administration demands that they curtail support for exports to Iran and that they block transactions and freeze assets of some Iranian companies, officials on both sides say.

McCain Flip Flops, Now Says He Would Not Consider Redeployment Under Any Scenario  —  In a recent interview with The Politico, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that if his escalation strategy for Iraq fails, then he would consider redeployment: … It didn't take long for McCain to backtrack from redeployment.

Bush Directive Increases Sway on Regulation  —  President Bush has signed a directive that gives the White House much greater control over the rules and policy statements that the government develops to protect public health, safety, the environment, civil rights and privacy.

GOP Right Sees Lemons in White House Race  —  Contemplating the current field of Republican presidential candidates, Rush Limbaugh sounded like a man with malaise.  —  "To be honest with you, there's nobody out there that revs me up," he confessed to his audience of several million conservative sympathizers …

Bush Says Missing '-ic' Was an Oversight  —  President Bush says the missing "-ic" in the State of the Union address was nothing more than an oversight.  —  Near the beginning of the speech last week, Bush congratulated "the Democrat majority" for its electoral victory …

Republicans Block House Pay Raise  —  WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders Monday abandoned attempts to revive an annual pay raise cherished by rank and file lawmakers, a decision prompted by lingering GOP anger over last year's campaign.  —  Lawmakers' pay will be frozen at $165,200 …

Admiral Calls for 'New and Different' Approach in Iraq  —  The admiral who has been nominated to be the next head of the United States Central Command said today during a Senate confirmation hearing that a "new and different" course of action was needed in Iraq and he warned about Iran's "support" for terrorism beyond its borders.

Libby Live: David Addington Three  —  We've been in a break-it appears that Walton wanted to do some research on the last objection-over classification issues.  As I pointed out below, Wells has put the word "documents" when it refers to declassification in Addington's mouth.