Jerry Falwell dies at age 73  —  One of the nation's most notorious TV preachers, Jerry Falwell, died today in Lynchburg, Va. … More soon.  —  Update: I have to admit, writing about Falwell's death poses an awkward challenge for me.  When I worked at Americans United for Separation …

Gonzales Pressed Ailing Ashcroft on Spy Plan, Aide Says  —  On the night of March 10, 2004, a high-ranking Justice Department official rushed to a Washington hospital to prevent two White House aides from taking advantage of the critically ill Attorney General, John Ashcroft, the official testified today.

Bush Taps New 'War Czar'  —  ABC News Learns Pentagon Official Selected to Oversee Iraq, Afghanistan Wars  —  After a frustrating search for a new "war czar" to oversee the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, ABC News has learned that President Bush has chosen the Pentagon's director of operations, Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, for the role.

Video: MSNBC quotes WhiteHouse.org on Falwell's political influence  —  Yeah, WhiteHouse.org.  The most infamous, relentlessly anti-Bush parody site on the 'Net.  —  You can imagine how it played out.  Producer to intern: "We need a fawning description of him from the White House website …

Exclusive: Thompson Responds to Michael Moore Challenge  —  Breitbart.tv Exclusive: The confrontation over Cuba continues.  Michael Moore has challenged Fred Thompson to a health care debate.  At issue — Moore's trip to Cuba and Thompson's criticism of that trip.

Clinton to vote for Iraq pullout  —  Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines emails:  —  "Senator Clinton will vote for cloture on both the Feingold-Reid and Reed-Levin Amendments, to send the President a clear message that it is time to change course, redeploy our troops out of Iraq, and end this war as soon as possible."

Sources: Senate GOP on Verge of Amnesty Deal  —  Sources on Capitol Hill tell me the Senate may be very close to a deal on comprehensive immigration reform.  —  But as the immigration deal comes together, Senate conservatives are growing uneasy about the state of the negotiations …

Yes, Hypocrisy Matters  —  It's no surprise to see that James Kirchick, assistant to New Republic editor in chief Martin Peretz, shares his patron's passion for the cause of keeping Paul Wolfowitz in office at the World Bank.  Kirchick says Wolfowitz's critics are making baseless charges …

The plot unmasked  —  My post on the attempt by the New Right to create a Stab-in-the-Back legend around the war in Iraq struck a nerve.  John Hawkins at Right Wing(nut) News, evidently a man of unusual penetration, has detected the underlying plot: … Right.  It's a conspiracy.

Pre-Spin Room Thoughts: McCain, Rudy, Romney  —  Invoking the Roger Simon rule: in my judgment, John McCain convincingly and incontrovertibly won tonight's debate.  He was strong, confident, answered tough questions with ease and dispatch, and seemed the most presidential.

Palmetto Punditry  —  The debate took a while to gain any traction, but there were some clarifying moments for me.  The questions were often excellent - especially the tough ones at the beginning about the war.  The Republicans, we learned, have absolutely no idea what to do about Iraq.

Giuliani Wins, But Paul Threw The Game  —  Team Rudy should send a hundred roses to Ron Paul — yellow roses, of course — after the Congressman essentially tossed the debate to Giuliani.  Rudy had a pretty good night going anyway, but when Paul as much as said that the terrorists had a point …

In Study, College-Prep Classes Left Many Unready  —  Only one-quarter of high school students who take a full set of college-preparatory courses — four years of English and three each of mathematics, science and social studies — are well prepared for college, according to a new study …

Surging Ahead in Iraq  —  The new strategy can work.  But Washington has to give it time.  —  There is a serious and widening disconnect between the timetables that commanders are using to guide their actions in Iraq and those being demanded by politicians in Washington.