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 …

IRAQ ROUNDUP....The annual report of the Pentagon's Mental Health Advisory Team for the Iraq War found, among other things, that the length and duration of tours of duty in Iraq were starting to cause serious problems: … Suicides are up, marital conflicts are up, and 10% of soldiers …

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 …

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.

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.

Face the Snark - Commander Guy Edition  —  for the week ending 5/5/07:  —  [Dim houselights, cue intro music]  —  Chris Matthews: Hello, and welcome to "The Candidating Game," where one lucky guy at the end of this evening will get to take Lady Liberty on the chaperoned date of her dreams!

It's Easy To Say  —  Frank Rich: … Well, yes, of course.  But also, of course, exactly what's meant by accountability is left unsaid.  Well, here's how to hold them accountable:  —  1. Impeach Cheney and Bush - not necessarily in that order.  —  2. Hand over Bush, Cheney, Rice …

Propaganda Fear Cited in Account of Iraqi Killings  —  Recently unclassified documents suggest that senior officers viewed the killings of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha in late 2005 as a potential public relations problem that could fuel insurgent propaganda against the American military …

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.