Why the Gore Story Matters  —  As the controversy over global warming doomsayer Al Gore's voracious energy-eater mansion rolls on, there's an angle I think merits deeper investigation than it is currently getting.  While much of the focus has been on whether or not Gore is an environmental hypocrite …

Walter Reed patients told to keep quiet  —  Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center's Medical Hold Unit say they have been told they will wake up at 6 a.m. every morning and have their rooms ready for inspection at 7 a.m., and that they must not speak to the media.

Political interference alleged in sacking of a U.S. attorney  —  WASHINGTON - The U.S. attorney from New Mexico who was recently fired by the Bush administration said Wednesday that he believes he was forced out because he refused to rush an indictment in an ongoing probe of local Democrats …

For Want of a Dentist  —  George's Boy Dies After Bacteria From Tooth Spread to Brain  —  Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache Sunday.  —  A routine, $80 tooth extraction might have saved him.  —  If his mother had been insured.  —  If his family had not lost its Medicaid.

Contain and Engage: A New Strategy for Resolving the Nuclear Crisis with Iran  —  Watch Joseph Cirincione and Andrew Grotto discuss the report (YouTube.com)  —  For six years, the United States has ineffectively confronted Iran over its nuclear program.  Bush administration officials …

An Editor's Confession: I'm the Source of 'Slow Bleed'  —  With a mixture of pride and remorse, I have a confession: I am the author of the Democratic Party's "slow-bleed strategy" for ending the war in Iraq.  —  I had nothing to do with the details of the plan that Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) floated two weeks ago.

Republicans Set to Block Jefferson's Appointment to Homeland Security Panel  —  Republicans plan to force a floor vote on Rep. William Jefferson's move to the Homeland Security Committee in an unprecedented maneuver to force Democrats to go on the record supporting their embattled colleague …

Going it alone because we have to  —  Unless allies spend more on defense, the U.S. will continue to act unilaterally out of necessity.  —  TONY BLAIR'S decision to withdraw 1,600 troops from Iraq is understandable.  The prime minister had to make a difficult decision about where to allocate …

Bill would mandate nicer term for illegals  —  TALLAHASSEE — A state legislator whose district is home to thousands of Caribbean immigrants wants to ban the term "illegal alien" from the state's official documents.  —  "I personally find the word 'alien' offensive when applied to individuals …

Interview of a Senior Administration Official by the Traveling Press  —  SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: The reason the President wanted me to come, obviously, is because of the continuing threat that exists in this part of the world on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistan border …

THE ROYAL PASTY THAT'S UNHEALTHIER THAN A BIG MAC  —  He's a tireless champion of organic farming and healthy eating.  —  So it was perhaps no surprise when Prince Charles launched an attack on the fast-food industry.  —  But when he went as far as suggesting that McDonald's should be banned …

If They Was Meant To Ride Around In Trucks, God Would Have Given 'Em John Deere Caps and Naked Lady Mudflaps  —  In an age where news stories routinely describe such and such a virus as "only a plane ride away," how can it be that honey bee colony losses of up to 70% in some areas of the US are treated as a complete mystery?

Feith Takes to the Web  —  Under attack from Democrats, the Pentagon's former No. 3 civilian official, Douglas Feith, has launched a Web site to defend himself against accusations that his office made up intelligence to justify the Iraq invasion.  —  The cyber offensive comes three weeks …

Iran to Take Part in Iraq Security Conference  —  The top Iranian national security official, Ali Larijani, indicated Wednesday that Iranian officials would probably take part in a regional security conference on Iraq next month, which would include the first high-level diplomatic contacts between American …

VIDEO COMPILATION: Matthews Obsessed With Clinton Sex Speculation  —  MSNBC host Chris Matthews is obsessed with Bill Clinton's sex life.  Over the last four weeks, Matthews has incessantly raised baseless speculation that President Clinton may have an extramarital affair or engage …

Why James Carville Thinks Gore Will Run  —  This isn't new news, despite Newsmax.com's breathless breaking news alert.  —  For months, Clinton strategist James Carville has been telling anyone who would listen that he's convinced ex-VP Al Gore will run, Gore's deflections to the contrary.

Some push for Huckabee to run for Senate, not president  —  Though his long-shot presidential campaign is still in its early stages, some wish former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee would drop his national aspirations and return home to wage what they see as a vital campaign against Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) in 2008 instead.