A Stark Edge in Race for '08 Cash  —  New Numbers Heavily Favor The Democrats  —  Campaign contributors to the 2008 presidential candidates heavily favored Democrats in the three-month period that ended Saturday, giving three dollars to the party's leading contenders for every two dollars they gave to the top Republican candidates.

The Libby affair  —  President Bush's commutation of the 30-month prison sentence for I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, is neither wise nor just.  It is clearly within the president's executive powers, but that is beside the point.

'Wonderfully Spared'  —  Our Founders were talented men—and lucky ones too.  —  "You and I have been wonderfully spared," Thomas Jefferson wrote John Adams in 1812.  "Of the signers of the Declaration of Independence I see now living not more than half a dozen on your side of the Potomak, and, on this side, myself alone."

Bill Clinton Criticizes Bush on Libby Move  —  Former President Bill Clinton criticized President Bush on Tuesday for commuting the prison sentence of I. Lewis Libby Jr. and tried to draw a distinction from his own controversial pardons.  —  In Iowa to promote the presidential candidacy of his wife …

Police: Drugs found in Al Gore III's car  —  LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) — Former Vice President Al Gore's son, Albert Gore III, was arrested early Wednesday morning in Orange County, California on suspicion of possessing marijuana and prescription drugs, Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department told CNN.

Washington, Lincoln Most Popular Presidents: Nixon, Bush Least Popular  —  Seven American Presidents are viewed favorably by at least 80% of all Americans.  Those esteemed seven are led by the first President George Washington.  The Father of our Country is viewed favorably by 94% of Americans.

No Joy This Fourth Of July  —  "A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."  ~ Declaration of Independence  —  I've always enjoyed the Fourth of July.  —  It's summer, it's a festive holiday about celebration …

Grand jury finds Jurupa agency violated laws  —  Download story podcast  —  The Press-Enterprise  —  RIVERSIDE - The Jurupa Community Services District violated state law when it sold 4 acres of public land to Rep. Ken Calvert and his investment partners without first offering …

'Those who cure you will kill you'  —  An al-Qaeda leader in Iraq boasted before last week's failed bombings in London and Glasgow that his group was planning to attack British targets and that "those who cure you will kill you", The Times has learnt.  —  The warning was delivered to Canon Andrew White …

Technology Eases the Ride to Higher Tolls  —  There is a stretch of the Garden State Parkway that used to feel like the tollbooth capital of America.  In a span of 100 miles — from Pascack Valley, in northern New Jersey, to Barnegat, along the coast — eight different toll plazas greeted drivers.

Mayor reveals romantic link with TV newscaster  —  Both seek privacy but the admission raises questions about ethics.  —  At 4 p.m. on June 8, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa issued a terse statement announcing that he and his wife, Corina, were separating after 20 years of marriage.

Britain's Terror Threat Level Is Reduced  —  An Anglican churchman working in Iraq says he may have been given a chilling warning about the London and Glasgow terror attacks over two months ago.  —  Canon Andrew White says the message was delivered in a conversation with a terrorist he called the 'Devil'.

The Brits and The Others  —  Like Mark and Victor, I too have a very bad feeling about Gordon Brown.  Those Orwellian language changes spooked me, as did the appointment of M.M. Brown.  The obvious intent is to reduce the whole unpleasantness to a policing problem, which is what they did with the I.R.A. …