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.

Plan B For Iraq: Winning Dirty  —  Without prejudging whether President Bush's "surge" policy will work, the administration and its critics ought to be seriously thinking about a Plan B, the "80 percent solution" - also known as "winning dirty."  Right now, the administration is committed …

On Carrier in Gulf, Cheney Issues Warning to Iran  —  Vice President Dick Cheney used the setting of an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf to deliver a stern message to Iran today, warning that the United States would not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons or gain the upper hand in the Middle East.

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.

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,

Colleagues Cite Partisan Focus by Justice Official  —  Two years ago, Robin C. Ashton, a seasoned criminal prosecutor at the Department of Justice, learned from her boss that a promised promotion was no longer hers.  —  "You have a Monica problem," Ms. Ashton was told, according to several Justice Department officials.

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.

The New Anti-Blasphemy Rules, Again:  —  Last month, a Tufts student newspaper (The Primary Source) published the following ad: … The preceding December, the student newspaper also published a satirical Christmas carol — in its Christmas carol parody issue — cricitizing affirmative action …

Clinton's Advantage Unchanged In Two Months  —  I just completed my new polling averages for May 12th, and I find it extremely frustrating to report that Hillary Clinton's lead has returned to early-March levels:  —  High-End Estimate  —  Date Clinton Obama Edwards Other / Unsure  —  May 12

Petraeus Comes Through  —  It's a stunning letter.  And it's one of the most important letters to come from a senior military official in a very long time.  The very fact that it is necessary reveals the extent of the damage that Bush and Rumsfeld and Cheney have done.

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.

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?

Lou Dobbs: Making up racist s**t  —  The eliminationist meme connecting immigrants to disease leapt forward about five quanta this week thanks to CNN's Lou Dobbs.  —  The Southern Poverty Law Center reports that Dobbs is spreading the tale that immigrants are bringing leprosy to America …

'Vote for Romney is vote for Satan'  —  Christian leader follows up Sharpton attack on Mormons  —  While some evangelical Christians are defending the presidential candidacy of Mormon Mitt Romney from an attack by Al Sharpton, another prominent pastor is going further in his condemnation …

New charges filed against former top CIA official, contractor  —  New charges have been filed alleging that the CIA's former No. 3 official used his influence in that role to support a proposed $100 million government contract for his best friend, a defense contractor, in return for lavish vacations …

Stamp prices to go up Monday  —  WASHINGTON - It will cost a bit more to mail letters and parcels starting Monday.  A first-class letter will go up 2 cents to 41 cents.  —  But there is also some good news — folks will be able to buy "forever" stamps that remain valid regardless of any future increase.