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.

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.

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 …

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."

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 …

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.

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.

Hundreds questioned in search for U.S. troops … BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — U.S. troops hunting for the three soldiers abducted south of Baghdad on Saturday have made nearly a dozen arrests and questioned hundreds of people, a U.S. military official said on Tuesday.