memeorandum: Bush Asked to Reconsider Safety Nominee (Stephen Labaton/New York Times)

World Bank Justice — Wolfowitz's resignation offers a window into a corrupt institution. — So after weeks of nasty leaks and media smears, the World Bank's board of executive directors yesterday cleared President Paul Wolfowitz of ethical misconduct for following the board's own advice …

Discussion: Power Line and Betsy's Page

Steven R. Weisman / New York Times:

Wolfowitz Resigns From World Bank — Paul D. Wolfowitz, ending a furor over favoritism that blew up into a global fight over American leadership, announced his resignation as president of the World Bank Thursday evening after the bank's board accepted his claim that his mistakes at the bank were made in good faith.

Karen DeYoung / Washington Post:

For Washington Insider, Job Was an Uneasy Fit — As he prepared to assume the World Bank presidency in the spring of 2005, Paul D. Wolfowitz reached out to the bank's skeptical senior managers. In informal meetings, he took copious notes and asked respectful questions.

Discussion: Slate

ABCNEWS:
World Bank Chief Paul Wolfowitz Resigns

Discussion: Associated Press, The Reaction, Atlas Shrugs, The Huffington Post, The Democratic Daily, Comments From Left Field, PoliBlog (TM) and CNN

Steven R. Weisman / New York Times:
How Battles at Bank Ended 'Second Chance' at a Career

Discussion: Prairie Weather

Peter S. Goodman / Washington Post:
Wolfowitz Resigns From World Bank

Discussion: The Washington Note, Obsidian Wings, ECHIDNE OF THE SNAKES and The Garlic

Douglas W. Kmiec / Washington Post:

Testimony in a Teacup — What's Overlooked in Comey's Histrionics — James Comey's Senate testimony on Tuesday was staggeringly histrionic. It has, as Sen. Arlen Specter suggested, the dramatic flair of the Saturday Night Massacre. Presidential emissaries seeking the signature …

Discussion: The Next Hurrah, Shakesville and News Hounds

New York Times:

Senate Democrats Plan a Resolution on Gonzales — Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales's standing in Congress weakened further on Thursday as Senate Democrats arranged to hold a no-confidence vote and the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee predicted that the furor …

Discussion: Real Cities, The Carpetbagger Report, TPMmuckraker, MSNBC, DownWithTyranny!, Washington Monthly, Truthdig and TalkLeft

Massimo Calabresi / Time:
Was Gonzales' Emergency Visit Illegal?

Discussion: MaxSpeak and Riehl World View

Los Angeles Times:
Pressure on Gonzales gathers anew

Discussion: Washington Post

David Saltonstall / NY Daily News:

In Rudy's heart & on payroll — Judith Giuliani got $125G to craft speeches — Being Mrs. Rudy Giuliani can't be easy, but at least it pays well - about $10,000 a month. — A day after the former mayor disclosed in federal filings that he considers his third wife, Judith, a salaried employee …

Discussion: WorldNetDaily

CNN:
Christian right leader writes off Giuliani

Discussion: Talking Points Memo

Private Pigg / Iowa Voice:

Giuliani, Edwards Have Holdings in Sudan — Via the AP: … This is what I hate about politics. What average man just "isn't aware" he happens to have some "holdings" in Sudan? Oh, really, I do? I had no idea! Where else do I have "holdings"? — Then, of course, we see that they …

Discussion: Riehl World View

Jim Kuhnhenn / Associated Press: Giuliani, Edwards have Sudan holdings

Sam Youngman / The Hill:

McCain's missed votes on Iraq trigger Reid rebuke — Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is the only presidential candidate in Congress to have missed a major vote on the Iraq war this year, and his absences are not sitting well with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

Discussion: Chicago Tribune, Comments From Left Field and AMERICAblog

Fred Thompson / Pajamas Media:

First Blogger? — Since the '04 Howard Dean campaign, the Internet has been seen as fertile ground for presidential candidates. But the advent of a possible candidacy by former Senator Fred Thompson could take online politics to a new level. In this exclusive article for Pajamas Media …

Discussion: Central Sanity, Power Line and Bob Krumm

Peggy Noonan / Opinion Journal:

The Man Who Wasn't There — Fred Thompson isn't yet running, but he's running a great campaign. — Having watched the second Republican debate the other night, it's clear to me the subject today is Fred Thompson, the man who wasn't there. While the other candidates bang away earnestly …

Discussion: Instapundit.com

Tony / Rootless Cosmopolitan:

Getting Sarkozy - and France - Wrong — Bonhomie does not a policy make: — Sarkozy's agenda is "to the left of Kucinich" — One of the reasons I know I'm doing something right on this web site is the fact that I'm lucky enough to have Bernard Chazelle as a frequent reader of and commentator …

John Ward Anderson / Washington Post:

60 Die in Iraq; Study Warns Of Collapse — British Center Finds Country Close to Being a 'Failed State' — More than 60 people were killed and dozens wounded in mortar strikes, drive-by shootings, roadside explosions, suicide bombings and other violent attacks in Iraq on Thursday …

Discussion: Atlantic Free Press and Daily Kos

Frank Newport / Gallup Poll:

Majorities of Republicans, conservatives, and frequent church attenders in favor — PRINCETON, NJ — A substantial majority of the American public favors the expansion of federal hate crime legislation to include crimes against people based on their gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Discussion: Captain's Quarters, Think Progress, Pam's House Blend and AMERICAblog

defendamerica.mil:

Tribal Leaders Across Diyala Reaffirm Commitment to Unity — Local Iraq officials focus on recruiting police, creating peace. … As coalition and Iraqi security forces continue to provide security and stability throughout Diyala Province, Iraq, many tribal leaders are also united …

Discussion: The Strata-Sphere and The Belmont Club

Agence France Presse:

Former US ambassador in on-air spat with 'superior' BBC man — LONDON (AFP) - Straight-talking former US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton accused a top BBC presenter of being leftwing and "a superior Brit" in a colourful on-air spat Thursday. — The controversial ex-diplomat …

Discussion: EU Referendum, Flopping Aces, Unqualified Offerings, Atlas Shrugs, Hot Air and Amygdala