Bush Dodges Comey's Accusations That He Personally Arranged Ashcroft Hospital Visit  —  During a press conference today, President Bush was confronted about recent accusations made by former Deputy Attorney General James Comey regarding the White House's shocking efforts to seek legal sanction for its warrantless wiretapping program.

White House: 3.5 percent pay hike unnecessary  —  Troops don't need bigger pay raises, White House budget officials said Wednesday in a statement of administration policy laying out objections to the House version of the 2008 defense authorization bill.  —  The Bush administration had asked …

Struggle continues for immigration deal  —  WASHINGTON - Republicans and Democrats struggled Wednesday over the final details of an elusive deal that would grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. and fortify the border.  —  Among the last sticking points …

Book Excerpt: The Assault on Reason  —  Not long before our nation launched the invasion of Iraq, our longest-serving Senator, Robert Byrd of West Virginia, stood on the Senate floor and said: "This chamber is, for the most part, silent—ominously, dreadfully silent.

Wolfowitz interview goes nowhere fast … In our Behind the Scenes series, CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events.  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — I was the only reporter in the world to talk to embattled World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz on Wednesday.

Stop the GOP Senate Cave-in: Call 202-225-3121 (Bumped)  —  (We're going to keep this up top for most of the day.  Lots of fresh blogging below!)  —  John McCain's gift that keeps on giving —the McCain-Kennedy coalition of those blind to border security— is getting close to its unveiling.

President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with United Kingdom Prime Minister Blair  —  PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you.  I'm pleased to welcome Tony Blair back to the White House.  He is a good friend.  He has led the British people for a long time, since 1797.  (Laughter.)

Against the Porkbusters  —  Conservatives should find another crusade  —  On May 1, President Bush vetoed the emergency defense-funding bill that the Democratic Congress had passed.  It was the second veto of his presidency.  He listed three reasons for the veto.

Scientists Cast Doubt on Kennedy Bullet Analysis  —  In a collision of 21st-century science and decades-old conspiracy theories, a research team that includes a former top FBI scientist is challenging the bullet analysis used by the government to conclude that Lee Harvey Oswald alone shot …

D.C. May Be Losing Status As a Majority-Black City  —  The District of Columbia's longtime status as a majority-black city appears to be diminishing, even as Maryland and Virginia continue to experience a dramatic rise in their minority populations, according to census estimates released today.

The Last Temptation of Al Gore  —  Let's say you were dreaming up the perfect stealth candidate for 2008, a Democrat who could step into the presidential race when the party confronts its inevitable doubts about the front runners.  You would want a candidate with the grass-roots appeal of Barack Obama …

Rove's Worrisome Witness  —  On the day presidential senior adviser Karl Rove administered a tongue-lashing to a Republican congressman, disturbing news about his former executive assistant was spread on Capitol Hill.  GOP House members learned that Susan Ralston is requesting immunity …