Rivals try to deflate F. Thompson campaign  —  Fred Thompson has had a relatively easy ride as he has flirted with a bid for the Republican presidential nomination.  His strategists have found traction promoting him as the heir to Ronald Reagan — and a conservative alternative to the top tier of the GOP field.

Blasts Destroy Remnants of Samarra Shiite Shrine  —  Early morning blasts Wednesday destroyed two minarets at the same Shiite shrine in Samarra where an attack last year demolished the mosque's gilded dome and plunged the country into a wave of deadly sectarian violence.

Naming Contest: What To Call Earmarks?  —  Nancy Pelosi, who campaigned on a platform of ending lobbyist influence and the "culture of corruption" in Congress, has unveiled a new strategy to do both.  She wants people to call pork-barrel line items something other than "earmarks" …

Our Common Struggle  —  America had its civil war.  Why expect freedom to come easy to Iraq?  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq—Americans keen to understand the ongoing struggle for a new Iraq can be guided by the example of their own history.  In the 1860s, your country fought a great struggle of its own …

Pardon Scooter  —  Until a very short while ago, few had heard of Scooter Libby.  Today, still not a celebrity with the larger public, he carries on his shoulders the full weight of charges against the administration in the Wilson/Plame matter.  Convicted of lying, he is not really reviled for that.

Broward may cancel deal with radio station because it airs Rush Limbaugh  —  Rush Limbaugh has long been a thorn in the side of liberals, but now, because of him, some Democratic politicians don't even want to join with a local radio station to broadcast hurricane information.

14 Palestinians killed as Hamas nears complete Gaza conquest  —  At least 14 Palestinians were killed by Hamas fire Wednesday, including 13 members of Fatah, as Hamas was on the verge of completing its conquest of the Gaza Strip.  —  Hamas is now in control of southern, central …

The Progressive Majority: Why a Conservative America is a Myth  —  For anyone interested in where the American public really stands on the big issues that distinguish progressives from conservatives — including the issues at the forefront of today's political debates — "The Progressive Majority …

Honesty About Iraq  —  How are we doing?  —  National Review Online  —  The United States can usually win even postmodern wars abroad if it can play to its strengths — which are marshaling our enormous material, intelligence, and technological advantages to defeat the enemy …

Coleman faces challenge from his former adviser  —  An Iraq war veteran and former adviser to Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) yesterday said he is considering a primary challenge against the lawmaker in 2008.  —  Retired Lt. Col. Joe Repya (R) lost a race for the state Republican Party chairmanship last week …

Don't run, Al.  Don't!  —  The self-defeating Draft Al campaign is just the tip of the Democrats' woes.  Plus: Paris and Lindsay's mommy problems, and the heyday of Hollywood pizazz.  —  "Run, Al, run!"  —  This chant, according to media reports, is being heard from the crowd wherever former Vice President Al Gore speaks.

The Rightosphere Temperature Check For June  —  Right Wing News emailed more than 240 right-of-center bloggers and asked them to answer 8 questions.  The following 52 blogs responded,  —  Aaron's CC, The Absurd Report, The Agitator, The American Princess, Argghhhh!, AtlanticBlog, Bad Example …

Lebanese lawmaker killed in blast … BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) — A member of the Lebanese parliament was killed in an explosion Wednesday outside a Beirut military sports club in what hospital sources said was an assassination.  —  Lawmaker Walid Eido, known as a foe of Syrian involvement in Lebanon …

Due Process: No One's Kidding You, Tony  —  White House spokesman Tony Snow got incredulous at his briefing today when asked if indefinite detentions of enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay undermines President Bush's global push for democratization.  Quoth Snow: "Are you kidding me?"

Judge Who Seeks Millions for Lost Pants Has His (Emotional) Day in Court  —  B efore trial began yesterday in the case of the D.C. judge who sued his neighborhood dry cleaners after they lost his pants, the most extraordinary fact was Roy Pearson's demand for $65 million in damages.