CBS News Asks Batiste To Step Down As Consultant  —  Last night, retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste appeared on MSNBC's "Countdown With Keith Olbermann."  Batiste has been a CBS News consultant, but last night it was disclosed that he has been asked to leave that position due to his participation in an ad criticizing President Bush.

Iraqi Lawmakers Back Bill on U.S. Withdrawal  —  A majority of members of Iraq's parliament have signed a draft bill that would require a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Iraq and freeze current troop levels.  The development was a sign of a growing division between Iraq's legislators …

An Open Declaration of War Against The House Republican Leadership  —  There is only one thing you need to do.  Call John Boehner at (202) 225-4000 and tell him the House GOP will get no support until Ken Calvert is off Appropriations.  —  Dear Readers of RedState,

Bush and Democrats in Accord on Trade Deals  —  The Bush administration reached agreement on Thursday with the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and other Democrats to attach environmental and worker protections in several pending trade accords, clearing the way for early passage of some pacts and improving prospects for others.

The Assassination of Journalists - Protected by States Secrets  —  I wrote about this two years ago: … <snip> … We now learn that both Keogh and O'Connor have been found guilty: … So, two government officials acting out of their conscience to expose President Bush's plans to bomb journalists are found guilty.

A beautiful mosaic of anti-blogger hatred  —  Various prominent personages share their visceral contempt for blogs:  —  John Yoo at an April 18 Civil Liberties debate (via blogger Roger Ailes): … As Ailes says: "Yoo wishes they never existed because, unlike illegally-detained prisoners …

FBI agent steps into Coulter voting case  —  Conservative pundit Ann Coulter has been cleared of allegations that she falsified her Palm Beach County voter's registration and voted illegally — this, after a high-level FBI agent made unsolicited phone calls to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office to vouch for Coulter.

Judge OKs Immunity Deal in Firings Probe  —  WASHINGTON — A federal judge approved an immunity deal Friday allowing former Justice Department aide Monica Goodling to testify before Congress about the firing of eight federal prosecutors.  —  Goodling, who served as the department's White House liaison …

Poll: Congress' Approval Same As Bush  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - People think the Democratic-led Congress is doing just as dreary a job as President Bush, following four months of bitter political standoffs that have seen little progress on Iraq and a host of domestic issues.

FBI probes Nevada governor for corruption  —  Did Jim Gibbons accept cash and gifts in exchange for defense contracts?  —  Then-Congressman Jim Gibbons, seated, toasts with Dennis Montgomery during a March 2005 cruise.  Montgomery has now accused Gibbons of accepting cash on the trip.

Bush aides berate GOP members  —  Top Bush administration officials lashed out at a pair of House Republicans at the White House yesterday after details about a contentious meeting between President Bush and GOP legislators were leaked to the media earlier this week.

Art Critic Obama  —  Britney Spears painting, other work ditched before gallery fundraiser  —  When Barack Obama arrived this week for a campaign fundraiser at a Virginia art gallery, one large painting was covered by a curtain and another had been removed entirely before the Democrat's arrival.

IRAQ WAR: LOSING OR LOST?  —  Thanks to Washington Post blogger Dan Froomkin for tipping me off to this exchange from yesterday's press briefing by presidential press secretary Tony Snow that leads indirectly to some fundamental questions regarding public opinion and the Iraq War: … Is Snow right?