Top McCain Aides Quit Struggling Campaign  —  Republican presidential candidate John McCain accepted the resignations of two of his top aides today in a stunning shakeup of a campaign that has been roiled by financial and political problems.  —  Campaign manager Terry Nelson …

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.

Pelosi lines up Iraq votes  —  House Democrats are planning a series of votes this month on Iraq that they hope will ratchet up pressure on the White House and congressional Republicans to change course on the unpopular war or suffer political consequences.  —  Sensing that additional GOP …

Bush Equals Nixon's Highest Disapproval  —  The Roper Center at the University of Connecticut is an excellent archive for poll junkies, featuring polling archives that go back much further than Polling Report (not that polling report isn't great). the coup de grace (I hope I spelled that right) …

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.

Bush Is Firm as Criticism Over Iraq Mounts  —  With his Iraq policy under intensified criticism and debate, President Bush is delivering a "stay the course" message today in the Middle West.  —  Previewing a speech he is to give in Cleveland this afternoon, Mr. Bush said he would talk about …

'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.

Chief siege cleric killed as rebel mosque falls  —  The chief cleric of the radical Red Mosque in Islamabad has been killed after Pakistani special forces launched a bloody assault on his compound.  —  The body of Abdul Rashid Ghazi, who earlier had predicted that his "martyrdom was certain" …

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.

White House touts 'retooled' Iraq mission  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — As President Bush faces GOP pressure to change his war strategy, the White House announced Tuesday that an upcoming progress report will result in "the beginning of a new way" in Iraq.  —  Six months after announcing an increase …

This is not our fight  —  Congress must end U.S. role in a civil war nobody voted for  —  On Oct. 11, 2002, the Senate gave President Bush authority to use force against Iraq.  Nearly five years later, it is time for Congress to say enough is enough.  —  The American people have waited long enough for progress in Iraq.