McCain Wrong on Iraq Security, Merchants Say  —  A day after members of an American Congressional delegation led by Senator John McCain pointed to their brief visit to Baghdad's central market as evidence that the new security plan for the city was working, the merchants there were incredulous about the Americans' conclusions.

The botched US raid that led to the hostage crisis  —  A failed American attempt to abduct two senior Iranian security officers on an official visit to northern Iraq was the starting pistol for a crisis that 10 weeks later led to Iranians seizing 15 British sailors and Marines.

Featured Slideshow II: Openly Gay Celebrities  —  (CBS) NEW YORK Several candidates for president are on a fast pace for fundraising.  Democrat Hillary Clinton has set a record and Republican Rudy Giuliani isn't far behind.  —  But it's what Giuliani said Monday that will likely steal the headlines.

Supreme Court rejects appeal by Gitmo prisoners … WASHINGTON (CNN) — In a victory for President Bush, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by suspected terrorists challenging their imprisonment at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Reid Backs Iraq War-Funds Cutoff  —  Senate Leader Makes It Clear a Bush Veto Wouldn't End Debate on Withdrawal  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid yesterday endorsed the Senate's toughest antiwar bill yet, a bid to cut off funding within a year, sending a clear signal to President Bush …

Press shuts down blogger  —  A couple of weeks ago, I headed down the street to Parliament Hill to cover the budget for my blog and for Blogging Tories.  You can see the product of that effort here, here, here, and here.  I have a Hill pass that indicates that I have been pre-screened …

Exclusive: Iran Nuclear Bomb Could Be Possible by 2009  —  Brian Ross and Christopher Isham Report:  —  Iran has more than tripled its ability to produce enriched uranium in the last three months, adding some 1,000 centrifuges which are used to separate radioactive particles from the raw material.

Blair: Next 2 days 'fairly critical'  —  LONDON - The next two days are "fairly critical" to resolving the dispute over a seized British navy crew, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday, after Iran's chief international negotiator offered a new approach to end the standoff with Tehran.

MICHAEL WARE SAYS DRUDGE WAS WRONG, and The Raw Story has video that seems to prove his case.  —  I can't find where Drudge has retracted, but on this evidence I'm going with Ware over Drudge.  (Via Hit & Run).  I've updated earlier posts to reflect this, too.

Top Court Orders EPA to Reconsider Regulating Emissions  —  The Supreme Court today ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider its refusal to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, narrowly siding with 12 states and various environmental groups in a battle with the Bush administration over global warming.

'I'm Not Praying for God to Save Me'  —  Elizabeth Edwards talks about cancer and how the death of a son gives her the perspective she needs to cope.  —  After disclosing that her breast cancer, first diagnosed before the 2004 election, had spread to her bones, Elizabeth Edwards became a symbol of how to cope with recurrence.

Bush losing key adviser on Iraq  —  WASHINGTON - President Bush is losing his top day-to-day adviser on Iraq, the White House confirmed Monday.  —  Meghan L. O'Sullivan, who has played a key behind-the-scenes role in implementing Bush's controversial Iraq policies over the past four years, will leave later this spring.

CQ Vote Study Shows Democrats Are Organized Majority So Far  —  There are those who will scoff that putting "Democrats" and "party discipline" in the same sentence is an oxymoron.  And over the first three months of the Democratic-controlled 110th Congress, much of the media has tended …

Shiite Cleric Opposes Return of Baathists in Iraq  —  The most powerful Shiite cleric in Iraq has rejected an American-backed proposal to allow thousands of former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party to return to government service, an aide to the cleric said Monday.