President Stands by Gonzales  —  President Bush said yesterday that Democrats in Congress are engaging in "pure political theater" by preparing resolutions of no confidence in Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, and he repeated his support for his embattled aide and longtime friend.

Today's Must Read  —  OK, so you knew Duke Cunningham was dirty, but you didn't know that he was this dirty.  —  The Wrong Stuff: The Extraordinary Saga of Randy "Duke" Cunningham, the Most Corrupt Congressman Ever Caught, the book about Cunningham by the reporters who brought him down, hits stores this coming Monday.

The Left's Iraq Muddle  —  Yes, it is central to the fight against Islamic radicalism.  —  At this year's graduation celebration at The New School in New York, Iranian lawyer, human-rights activist and Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi delivered our commencement address.

CRITICS IN SENATE VOW TO ALTER IMMIGRATION BILL  —  As the Senate began work on a comprehensive immigration bill, lawmakers from both parties demanded substantial changes in the legislation on Monday and forced Senate leaders to extend debate beyond the Memorial Day recess.

Some US Muslims justify suicide attacks  —  WASHINGTON - One in four younger U.S. Muslims say suicide bombings to defend their religion are acceptable at least in some circumstances, though most Muslim Americans overwhelmingly reject the tactic and are critical of Islamic extremism and al-Qaida, a poll says.

Bush could double force by Christmas  —  (05-22) 04:00 PDT Washington — The Bush administration is quietly on track to nearly double the number of combat troops in Iraq this year, an analysis of Pentagon deployment orders showed Monday.  —  The little-noticed second surge …

After the Surge  —  The Administration Floats Ideas for a New Approach in Iraq  —  President Bush and his senior military and foreign policy advisers are beginning to discuss a "post-surge" strategy for Iraq that they hope could gain bipartisan political support.

Free To Be Al Gore  —  Boy, it would be fun if Al Gore changed his mind and ran for president — fun for the voters, anyway.  Imagine a candidate whose preelection book is devoted in large part to an attack on the media for waging war on reason.  —  Politicians, it is often said, never win by attacking the media.

Giuliani sends mixed signals about Iowa  —  DES MOINES, Iowa - Some Iowa Republicans are questioning whether presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani intends to largely skip the state's leadoff caucuses.  —  A sluggish start to campaign organizing and indecision about whether to compete …

Edwards charges $55,000 to speak to UC Davis students about poverty  —  Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, who as a Democratic presidential candidate recently proposed an educational policy that urged "every financial barrier" be removed for American kids who want to go to college …

Maysan  —  A Small Battle in the Media War  —  As we drive to meet the Merlin helicopter, our vehicle displays a British flag on the dash.  We pass teams of British soldiers at Basra Air Station as they conduct morning runs, preparing for the next combat, perhaps only hours away.

The Myth of Muslim Silence; The Persistence of MSM Silence  —  "Muslim silence" in the face of terrorism has become a predictable cliché in Western discourse.  It is now widely believed by non-Muslims throughout the West that no representative of the faith of Muhammad will denounce violence …

U.S. Government Gave Airtime to Terrorists, Official Admits  —  Justin Rood Reports:  —  Al Hurra television, the U.S. government's $63 million-a-year effort at public diplomacy broadcasting in the Middle East, is run by executives and officials who cannot speak Arabic, according to a senior official who oversees the program.

Evangelicals at a Crossroads As Falwell's Generation Fades  —  If the Rev. Jerry Falwell personified the Christian right in the past, then the Rev. Frank S. Page may represent its future.  —  From his Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va., where his funeral will be held today, Falwell gave evangelicals a strong political voice.

McCain's temper back on campaign's front-burner  —  His shouting match with a Senate colleague raises new questions about an old issue.  —  An angry, profane exchange between Sen. John McCain and another Republican senator last week prompted a new round of questions Monday …