Not the 'Real Vote'  —  REP. JOHN MURTHA (D-Pa.) has a message for anyone who spent the week following the House of Representatives' marathon debate on Iraq: You've been distracted by a sideshow.  "We have to be careful that people don't think this is the vote," the 74-year-old congressman …

Next Stop — The Senate  —  After the House approved the non-binding resolution calling the surge strategy a failure before the military implements it, the Senate prepared a rare Saturday session to vote on the bill.  Harry Reid wants to have no debate or alternative resolutions and will force a cloture vote around 12:45:

Boxer to introduce airline passengers' bill of rights  —  CRUSADE PICKS UP STEAM AFTER THIS WEEK'S JETBLUE DELAYS  —  One day after hundreds of passengers were stranded on JetBlue flights for up to 11 hours, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer said she plans to introduce legislation in the Senate for a passengers' bill of rights.

WHILE CONGESS WAS VOTING...  ...this happened in Iraq:  —  Iraqi Government and 1st Iraqi Army Division assumes control … IA Captures Al Qaeda In Iraq Cell Leader, Recovers Weapons Cache … BOMB-MAKING FACILITY DESTROYED … IA, CF target terrorist cells in Muqdadiya

Democrats Signal a Wider Battle Lasting the Rest of President's Term  —  After enjoying great deference in the conduct of national security for his first six years in office, President Bush now faces an assertive opposition Congress that has left him on the defensive.

Forget Iraq.  McCain wants to be the anti-sex candidate.  He's preaching abstinence now.  —  fark it!  Oh, this is rich.  John McCain can't make the votes on Iraq — the dominant issue of these times.  No, McCain has more pressing matters on his plate.  He's too busy working on his no-sex agenda.

Chávez Threatens to Jail Price Control Violators  —  Faced with an accelerating inflation rate and shortages of basic foods like beef, chicken and milk, President Hugo Chávez has threatened to jail grocery store owners and nationalize their businesses if they violate the country's expanding price controls.

Baghdad Plan Is a 'Success,' Iraq Prime Minister Tells Bush  —  Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki told President Bush on Friday that the increased effort to provide security in Baghdad had gone exceedingly well so far, Mr. Maliki's office said in a statement.

Time For Split In Republican Ranks  —  Republicans who prioritize national security above all other policies must place national security above party loyalty.  —  Since I served in Vietnam, I've been a national security Republican.  That's meant supporting the building of Republican majorities …

110th Congress / House / 1st session / Vote 99  — Question: On Agreeing to the Resolution  — Vote description: Disapproving of the Decision of the President Announced on January 10, 2007, to Deploy More Than 20,000 Additional United States Combat Troops to Iraq  — Result: Passed, 246-182, with 6 not voting.

Video: Michelle, strategists on fmr. Edwards bloggers; talking points mixed up  —  Former Edwards blog mistresses Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan were a topic of discussion on this evening's Factor.  Michelle, Republican strategist Kellyanne Conway, and Dem strategist Julie Roginsky …

Gun laws that constrain the law-abiding  —  For James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, Michael Dosunmu, 15, and Billy Cox, 15, the hand-wringing by police and politicians over the escalation of gun crime comes a little late: all three have been shot dead in south London over the past 10 days.

Fun With Dumb Metaphors!  —  This was White Flag Republican Ric Keller speaking on the floor of the House a couple of days ago: … I've become all too familiar with Congressman Keller's type the last few months.  They don't really understand the situation in Iraq or the wider battle against Radical Islam.