FDL's Libby reporting forces a re-evaluation of blogs  —  It is virtually impossible to closely follow the Libby trial without relying upon the work of the blogging team assembled by Jane Hamsher and FireDogLake.  Hamsher built FDL by becoming (along with her blogging partner …

Bush Declares Iran's Arms Role in Iraq Is Certain  —  President Bush said Wednesday that he was certain that factions within the Iranian government had supplied Shiite militants in Iraq with deadly roadside bombs that had killed American troops.  But he said he did not know whether Iran's highest officials had directed the attacks.

Giuliani Says He Is Running for President in '08  —  Rudolph W. Giuliani yesterday removed any lingering doubts that he was running for president, and, without mentioning President Bush by name, offered pointed criticism on how the Iraq war has been handled.

Awaiting the Dishonor Roll  —  Congress "supports the troops" while emboldening the enemy.  —  Congress has rarely been distinguished by its moral courage.  But even grading on a curve, we can only describe this week's House debate on a vote of no-confidence in the mission in Iraq …

POLL: Coleman would easily trump Franken  —  U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman would win easily if he ends up facing comedian Al Franken in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race in 2008, according to an exclusive 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS/SURVEY USA poll.  —  The popular comedian announced that he would seek …

Rudy's New Social Conservatism  —  Pundits of all political persuasions have been chattering about whether Rudy Giuliani, whose name is invariably modified by the description "social liberal," can overcome the objections of many religious conservatives to win the Republican nomination.

Retired NBA star Hardaway says he hates 'gay people'  —  Former Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway said on a radio show Wednesday afternoon that he would not want a gay player on his team.  —  "You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known," Hardaway said.  "I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people.

U.S. to allow 7,000 Iraqi refugees … WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Bush administration hopes to resettle about 7,000 Iraqi refugees to the United States this year, the State Department said Wednesday.  —  The decision comes amid pressure from the U.S. Congress and the international community to do more about the growing refugee crisis.

Democrats should beware of the post-Vietnam syndrome  —  WASHINGTON - Reading the polls, congressional Democrats are racing to distance themselves from the war in Iraq, competing over who has got the best proposal for a speedy exit of U.S. troops.  —  History suggests, however, they should look down the road.

Keith Olbermann, NBC agree on second term  —  'Countdown' host extends through 2011; will contribute more to network  —  MSNBC is a joint venture between NBC and Microsoft  —  NEW YORK - Keith Olbermann will continue to be a thorn in Bill O'Reilly's side for at least four more years.

French Police Arrest 11 in Recruitment for Al Qaeda  —  The French antiterrorism police have arrested 11 people, most of them accused of connections to Iraqi insurgency recruitment rings linked to Al Qaeda, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday.  —  Two suspects were detained at Orly Airport …

Quest to Heal Iraqi Boy Became a Final Mission  —  HILLA, Iraq — Hours before getting killed the way he feared most, Capt. Brian S. Freeman looked up and smiled when Abu Ali dropped by his office.  —  After nearly six months of overcoming financial and bureaucratic hurdles in a war zone …

Cheney's Call  —  Early on the morning of June 20, 2002, then-Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Bob Graham, D-Fla., received a telephone call at home from a highly agitated Dick Cheney.  Graham, who was in the middle of shaving, held a razor in one hand as he took the phone in the other.

Iraq adviser: al-Sadr in Iran  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - An adviser to Iraq's prime minister said Thursday that radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is in Iran, but denied he fled due to fear of arrest during an escalating security crackdown.  —  Sami al-Askari said al-Sadr traveled to Iran by land …