Time Limit on Iraq Troop Deployments Fails in Senate  —  Seven Republicans joined Democrats today in supporting a proposal to give American troops more time between their military deployments, but the measure fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance, on the first vote of a two-week Congressional debate on Iraq.

Lady Bird Johnson dies at 94  —  AUSTIN, Texas - Lady Bird Johnson, the former first lady who championed conservation and worked tenaciously for the political career of her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson, died Wednesday, a family spokeswoman said.  She was 94.  —  Johnson, who suffered a stroke …

Officer Advises Against Trial for Marine  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) - The government's case against a Marine accused of fatally shooting Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha lacks sufficient evidence to go to a court-martial and should be dropped, a hearing officer determined.

Miers' Attorney Says She Will Not Attend Hearing  —  Today, attorney George T. Manning, representing former White House Counsel Harriet Miers, rescinded his prior confirmation that Ms. Miers would attend the House Judiciary Committee's hearing on Thursday in response to a subpoena …

President Bush Unveils Renovated Press Briefing Room  —  Fact Sheet: The 2007 Renovation of the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room  —  Life in the White House - The Press Briefing Room  —  THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.  I like a good, short introduction.  (Laughter.)  —  Q — (inaudible) —

Iraq: Go Deep or Get Out  —  The president's shaky political consensus for the surge in Iraq is in danger of collapsing after the recent defections of prominent Senate Republicans such as Richard Lugar (Ind.), Pete Domenici (N.M.) and George Voinovich (Ohio).

MCCAIN UNRAVELED BY 'GAY SWEATERS'?  —  SWEAT THE TECHNIQUE McCain (Photos: Getty Images)  —  In the final days of his imploding candidacy, John McCain has taken a page out of Richard Nixon's play book, finding increasingly bizarre explanations for his political failures.

Moving Forward in Iraq  —  The "surge" is working.  Will Washington allow the current progress to continue?  —  In Washington perception is often mistaken for reality.  And as Congress prepares for a fresh debate on Iraq, the perception many members have is that the new strategy has already failed.

Homeland Security chief warns of 'increased risk'  —  Chertoff bases 'gut feeling' on history, Al Qaeda statements  —  Fearing complacency among the American people over possible terror threats, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in Chicago Tuesday that the nation faces a heightened chance of an attack this summer.

Bush will have to pull out of Iraq, or face historical obliteration  —  Are they traitors or prophets, these Republicans who have jumped ship and called for Bush to begin pulling out of Iraq — Sens. George Voinovich (Ohio), Richard Lugar (Ind.), John Warner (Va.), and Pete Domenici (N.M.)?

Boehner calls anti-surge GOP senators 'wimps'  —  Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.) called for comity Wednesday during a meeting of the Republican Conference after House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) referred to Senate colleagues who have begun to favor a change in course in Iraq as "wimps."

Deficit Falls to $205 Billion  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's budget deficit will drop to $205 billion in the fiscal year that ends in September, less than half of what it was at its peak in 2004, according to new White House estimates.  —  President Bush planned to discuss the figures in an afternoon appearance.

Al-Qaeda on the Run: Feasting on the Moveable Beast  —  "No al Qaeda Zone": Hefty Buhriz Policeman smoking in public.  —  The last major mission I did while in Baqubah in early 2005 was into Buhriz.  That mission had begun with our artillery firing some 155mm shots into a palm grove on the banks of the Diyala River.