Senator's Number on 'Madam' Phone List  —  Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) apologized last night after his telephone number appeared in the phone records of the woman dubbed the "D.C. Madam," making him the first member of Congress to become ensnared in the high-profile case.

Bush Plans To Stress Next Phase In Iraq War  —  GOP Dissent Spurs Change In Message but Not Course  —  President Bush, facing a growing Republican revolt against his Iraq policy, has rejected calls to change course but will launch a campaign emphasizing his intent to draw down U.S. forces next year …

'SiCKO' Truth Squad Sets CNN Straight  —  DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN: "(Moore says) the United States slipped to number 37 in the world's health care systems.  It's true. ...  Moore brings a group of patients, including 9/11 workers, to Cuba and marvels at their free treatment and quality of care.

Gonzales Was Told of FBI Violations  —  After Bureau Sent Reports, Attorney General Said He Knew of No Wrongdoing  —  As he sought to renew the USA Patriot Act two years ago, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales assured lawmakers that the FBI had not abused its potent new terrorism-fighting powers.

They Honor Us With Their Hate  —  Tidying up the other day, I came across an old newspaper and, flipping through it, saw a picture that made my heart stop.  It showed Palestinians, most of them young, all of them male, reacting with glee to a particularly heinous terrorist attack.

Republicans cool to presidential forum at Cobo  —  Up to nine presidential candidates will take the stage at Cobo Center on Thursday morning to woo the African-American vote.  At most, there will be one Republican.  —  It's not for lack of an invitation.  The National Association …

Blogger challenge - Let's really put the netroots to work!  —  You gotta admit, Cindy Sheehan has got a pair!  —  Cindy Sheehan has threated to run against Nancy Pelosi for Congress as a third party candidate in 2008 unless Pelosi introduces articles of impeachment against Bush by July 23rd.

Ex- convicts and addicts may get DoD clearance  —  At the Pentagon's request, Senate defense authorizers tucked deep within a defense bill a repeal of the department's restriction on granting security clearances to ex-convicts, drug addicts and the mentally incompetent.

For Democrats, Pragmatism On Universal Health Care  —  In a conference call in January, the health-care debate within the Democratic Party played out before former senator John Edwards of North Carolina, who was in search of policy advice for his presidential campaign, and his wife, Elizabeth.