The entire government has failed us on Iraq  —  For the president, and the majority leaders and candidates and rank-and-file Congressmen and Senators of either party—there is only blame for this shameful, and bi-partisan, betrayal  —  SPECIAL COMMENT  —  A Special Comment about the Democrats' deal …

Ex-Gonzales Aide Testifies She 'Crossed the Line'  —  The Justice Department's former liaison to the White House testified before Congress today that she improperly weighed political factors in considering applicants for career positions in the department, and she said she was sorry.

Edwards: Move Past 'War on Terror'  —  NEW YORK (AP) - Democrat John Edwards Wednesday repudiated the notion that there is a "global war on terror," calling it an ideological doctrine advanced by the Bush administration that has strained American military resources and emboldened terrorists.

Clinton Staff Memo Urged Skipping Iowa  —  In an indication of how the shifting calendar is forcing the presidential candidates the rethink their strategies, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign considered — and rejected — a plan to stop competing in Iowa, the traditional kickoff state …

Mary Cheney Gives Birth to Baby Boy  —  Mary Cheney gave birth today to perhaps the most anticipated baby in contemporary U.S. politics — her first child, Samuel David Cheney, whom she will raise with her longtime partner Heather Poe.  —  The 8-pound, 6-ounce boy is the sixth grandchild for Dick Cheney.

The Poor Get Richer  —  It's been a rough week for John Edwards, and now comes more bad news for his "two Americas" campaign theme.  A new study by the Congressional Budget Office says the poor have been getting less poor.  On average, CBO found that low-wage households with children …

Four Senators With Balls  —  If I asked you to quickly name what four United States Senators are sticking to their guns and will vote against the ludicrous "compromise" Iraq supplemental bill — you know, the one where George W. Bush gets everything he wants — what would be your first few guesses?

Remarks As Prepared For Delivery At The Council on Foreign Relations  —  A Strong Military for a New Century  —  Council on Foreign Relations  —  New York, New York  —  May 23, 2007  —  It is wonderful to be back here at the Council.  Thank you for having me.

There's Good News from Iraq  —  There is good news from Iraq, believe it or not.  It comes from the most unlikely place: Anbar province, home of the Sunni insurgency.  The level of violence has plummeted in recent weeks.  An alliance of U.S. troops and local tribes has been very effective …

MIDWEST LUTHERANS LARGELY REJECT VIOLENCE  —  Chicago - By an almost two-to-one margin, Midwest Lutherans voiced solid opposition to decapitation, suicide bombing, and chemical warfare in a new comprehensive survey of their social attitudes.  —  The Pew Research survey, conducted May 13-19 …

Senate Scales Down Proposed Guest-Worker Program  —  The Senate slashed the size of a proposed guest-worker program for foreign laborers yesterday, dealing the first real blow to a fragile overhaul of the nation's immigration laws since it reached the Senate floor this week.

France's Sarkozy calls to tighten sanctions on Teheran  —  French President Nicholas Sarkozy called Wednesday for sanctions on Iran to be tightened if the country does not adhere to the West's demands to cease its nuclear agenda.  —  If Iran attains nuclear weapons, Sarkozy warned …

Consumer Commission Nominee Withdraws  —  WASHINGTON — President Bush's pick to head the Consumer Product Safety Commission withdrew his nomination Wednesday amid strong opposition from some Senate Democrats because of his career as a manufacturers' lobbyist.

Center of Attention … Central Sanity crossed the 500-posts milestone.  "Here's a look back at the 25 most popular, based on percentage of hits among the last 4,000 visits."  —  Bob McCarty quotes Winston Churchill on Islam / Muslims.  —  It ain't nice.  —  Libby writes at The Impolitic that the "Leaker-in-Chief" is back.

GOP Candidates Criticize ABC News Report on CIA-Iran Plan  —  From The Blotter:  —  Two Republican presidential candidates today criticized the ABC News report Tuesday about the CIA's covert plan to destabilize the Iranian regime.  —  "I was shocked to see the ABC News report regarding covert action …

Taste of Home Runs Low in Iraq  —  Complications Hold Up Embassy Food Convoys  —  Congress and the White House may be sparring over funds for the U.S. effort in Iraq, but the mint chocolate chip is still flowing at the embassy in Baghdad.  At least for now.