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.

In Gulf, Cheney Pointedly Warns Iran  —  As He Talks Tough, U.S. Pursues Diplomacy  —  Aboard an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf 150 miles off Iran's coast, Vice President Cheney warned Tehran yesterday that the United States and its allies will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons …

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 …

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,

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.

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

What Is The Post Opinion Section For?  —  One specific issue some of the delicate flowers raised was the question of why progressive bloggers are so mean to Fred Hiatt.  And, indeed, a decent point was raised: Progressive bloggers are quick to impute specific motives to Hiatt and we're often leaping …

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.

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?

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.

Goodling Granted Immunity in DOJ Probe  —  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 …

'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 …

CREW files FEC complaint against Senator Martinez: "Basically, Mel Martinez broke the law in order to win an election."  —  CREW filed an Federal Elections Commission (FEC) complaint today against Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) alleging multiple egregious violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act …

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.

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.