Sarkozy Defeats Royal in French Presidential Runoff (Update2)  —  By Francois de Beaupuy and Helene Fouquet  —  Nicolas Sarkozy was elected president of France as Socialist Segolene Royal conceded defeat.  —  Sarkozy, candidate of the governing Union for a Popular Movement …

The Elephant in the Room  —  George W. Bush has the lowest presidential approval rating in a generation, and the leading Dems beat every major '08 Republican.  Coincidence?  —  A Virtually Bush-Free Zone: The GOP debate in California on May 3  —  It's hard to say which is worse news for Republicans …

New Tape: Al Qaeda No. 2 Wants 200,000-300,000 U.S. Dead in Iraq  —  Ayman al-Zawahiri Says Al Qaeda Wants to Spill More U.S. Blood Before America Withdraws  —  In a new video posted today on the Internet, al Qaeda's number two man, Ayman al Zawahiri, mocks the bill passed by Congress setting …

Romney Reaches to the Christian Right  —  In a Conservative Crowd, Candidate Talks About Marriage, Child-Rearing  —  Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (R) did not discuss his Mormon faith as he continued his outreach Saturday to conservative Christians in a graduation speech at Regent University …

Online Venom or Vibrant Speech?  —  Not so long ago, the only way to talk back to The Post was to write a civil letter to the editor, with a verifiable name and address, or to contact the ombudsman.  —  Now, click on "view all comments" at the end of a story, column or blog on washingtonpost.com …

Boehner acknowledges GOP nervous on Iraq  —  WASHINGTON - The House Republican leader said Sunday that GOP support could waver if President Bush's Iraq war policy does not succeed by the fall.  —  But first, the president's troop increase deserves a shot, Minority Leader John Boehner (news, bio, voting record) said.

With New Clout, Antiwar Groups Push Democrats  —  Every morning, representatives from a cluster of antiwar groups gather for a conference call with Democratic leadership staff members in the House and the Senate.  —  Shortly after, in a cramped meeting room here, they convene for a call with organizers across the country.

Plan B?  Let's Give Plan A Some Time First  —  ONE of the most common criticisms of the current "surge" in Iraq is that its proponents have not developed a Plan B in case it fails.  The skeptics liken this lack of a backup strategy to the Bush administration's failure to plan for various contingencies …

Former Clinton Adviser Stephanopoulos Shills for Hillary as he Grills John Edwards  —  Former Clinton adviser and current "This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos mercilessly grilled Democrat presidential candidate John Edwards Sunday on a number of issues, including his numerous flip-flops when he was a U.S. senator.

Thompson's Politics Much Like McCain's  —  But Unlike the Senator, Actor Is GOP's Darling  —  Fred Thompson fervently backed the Iraq war, railed against an expanding federal government, took stands that occasionally annoyed his party and rarely spoke about his views on social issues during …