REAL CHILD OF HELL:  —  Behold!  Mitt Romney rides a pale horse.  From last night's debate: … Bin Laden is a singular figure, but, you know, fair enough; there will be a successor to bin Laden.  But where might Romney be going with this? … Mitt Romney's War: the total conflation of all Islamist movements.

Giuliani gambles on abortion stance  —  Former NYC mayor calculating a libertarian stance may not be a liability  —  Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani set himself apart with his response to questions on abortion.  —  SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani went …

Have Bill Frist and right-wing bloggers plagiarized their new Iraq plan?  —  After having created "The Victory Caucus" two months ago only to stand by helplessly as it died a rapid and painful death, right-wing bloggers have now joined forces with former Senator Bill Frist to create a new Victory website …

I Guess the Word "Immediately" Has a Different Meaning When Used by Old Media  —  The L.A. Times asks: Will Fred Thompson's racist role have political repercussions? … The paper mulls over the meaning of this — and looks to conservative blogs! … Which conservative blogs?  I'm so glad you asked!

Iran's ad should send shivers  —  The notice, appearing worldwide, sought bids for constructing two nuclear power plants.  —  Among the surreal events becoming ever more frequent in the nuclear showdown with Iran was the appearance of an ad last week in the International Herald Tribune …

Bush, Democrats and Iraq  —  What happens next?  —  The House on Wednesday failed to override President Bush's veto of a $124.2 billion war-funding measure that included a firm time line for withdrawing troops from Iraq.  —  The House's 222-203 vote fell 62 votes short of the two-thirds majority required.

The U.S. Attorney, the G.O.P. Congressman and the Timely Job Offer  —  There is yet another United States attorney whose abrupt departure from office is raising questions: Debra Wong Yang of Los Angeles.  Ms. Yang was not fired, as eight other prosecutors were, but she resigned under circumstances …

Bush Warns of Vetoes Over Abortion Issue  —  President Bush told Congressional leaders Thursday that he would veto any legislation that weakened federal policies or laws on abortion.  —  In a two-page letter sent to the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid …

Hillary's Image  —  Public rates Clinton  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Hillary Clinton is one of the best-known political personalities in the country, having been in an intense public spotlight for more than 15 years.  Although Clinton has been well-known for some time, opinions of her have shifted considerably as the years have gone by.

The Colorful Case of A Well-Named Lawyer  —  Montgomery Blair Sibley's Current Client Isn't the Juiciest Part of His Story  —  Montgomery Blair Sibley, attorney for the morally impugned and legally challenged, is first and foremost Montgomery Blair Sibley, which is to say a descendant …

22% Believe Bush Knew About 9/11 Attacks in Advance  —  Democrats in America are evenly divided on the question of whether George W. Bush knew about the 9/11 terrorist attacks in advance.  Thirty-five percent (35%) of Democrats believe he did know, 39% say he did not know, and 26% are not sure.

HUFFINGTON POST WIRES  —  WASHINGTON — The National Rifle Association is urging the Bush administration to withdraw its support of a bill that would prohibit suspected terrorists from buying firearms.  —  Backed by the Justice Department, the measure would give the attorney general …

Dems Outline Plans for Iraq Bill  —  Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wis.) outlined a new plan for an Iraq funding bill in private meetings Thursday afternoon, congressional aides said.  —  The plan would split the now vetoed supplemental spending bill into two bills, one that would provide two months …

Projectile Bomb Attacks Hit Record High in Iraq  —  BAGHDAD — Attacks in Iraq involving lethal weapons that U.S. officials say are made in Iran hit a record high last month, despite efforts to crack down on networks supplying the armor-piercing weapons known as explosively formed projectiles, according to a senior U.S. commander.

France's Royal warns of violence if Sarkozy wins  —  PARIS (Reuters) - Socialist opponent Segolene Royal said on Friday that France risks violence and brutality if her opponent right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy wins Sunday's presidential election.  —  On the last day of official campaigning …