Democrats Seek to Repeal 2002 War Authorization  —  Senate Democratic leaders intend to unveil a plan next week to repeal the 2002 resolution authorizing the war in Iraq in favor of narrower authority that restricts the military's role and begins withdrawals of combat troops.

AP: Vilsack to end White House bid  —  DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democrat Tom Vilsack is abandoning his bid for the presidency after struggling against better-known, better-financed rivals, a senior campaign official told The Associated Press on Friday.  —  Vilsack left office in January …

Detour From High Road in Clinton-Obama Clash  —  After weeks of watching in frustration as Senator Barack Obama presented himself as a fresh face gliding above partisan politics, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has drawn Mr. Obama onto a muddy political field, engaging him in a back-and-forth …

Stepping to the Plate, Giuliani Is Seeing Only Softballs  —  In a swing through South Carolina this week, Rudolph W. Giuliani chose to campaign at a fire house, which is a little like Derek Jeter meeting with Yankees fans — a most unlikely forum for hostility, or even much skepticism.

U.S. economy leaving record numbers in severe poverty  —  WASHINGTON - The percentage of poor Americans who are living in severe poverty has reached a 32-year high, millions of working Americans are falling closer to the poverty line and the gulf between the nation's "haves" and "have-nots" continues to widen.

Dems in uproar over Fox plan to cover debate  —  The first presidential primary is 11 months away, but liberals are arguing among themselves over how to best reach new voters — and whether to cooperate with one of their biggest media nemeses.  Their dilemma:  —  Should we Fox?

U.S. hardens line on talks between Israel and Syria  —  The United States demanded that Israel desist from even exploratory contacts with Syria, of the sort that would test whether Damascus is serious in its declared intentions to hold peace talks with Israel.

The British retreat from Iraq brings peril for U.S. troops  —  Vice President Cheney says the British are leaving southern Iraq because things are going so well.  In the real world, Basra is a mess.  —  A British soldier stands in front of a tank in Basra, Iraq, Feb. 5 …

U.S. Used Bases in Ethiopia to Hunt Al Qaeda in Africa  —  The American military quietly waged a campaign from Ethiopia last month to capture or kill top leaders of Al Qaeda in the Horn of Africa, including the use of an airstrip in eastern Ethiopia to mount airstrikes against Islamic militants …

The Real News Behind "The Surge"  —  "More troops" isn't the most significant aspect of the military "surge" in Iraq.  —  Since at least fall 2003, an increase of 5,000 to 10,000 troops over a three-month window has been an option for coalition forces.  For example, deploying a "ready brigade" …

Fake Private Parts Are No Joke, Myers Says  —  Delegate Wants to Ban Vehicle Displays of Plastic Genitals  —  Maryland Del. LeRoy E. Myers Jr. to truckers: If you've got 'em, you don't need to flaunt 'em.  —  As the General Assembly debates global warming and the death penalty, Myers …

Pelosi Seeks Tougher Oversight on Ethics  —  AP Photo FX101  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for tighter ethics rules in federal agencies Wednesday after government officials approved the purchase of a $980,000 vacation home by a top Justice Department lawyer with an oil company lobbyist.