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 …

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.

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Will Not Attend Hearing  —  Today, attorney George T. Manning, representing former White House Counsel Harriet Miers, rescinded his prior confirmation that Ms.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 …

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.

Flynt is tracking 20 congressional sex scandal leads  —  Larry Flynt, the porn-industry magnate who first linked Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) to the escort service of the "D.C. Madam," said Wednesday that his investigators are tracking more than 20 leads on alleged congressional sex scandals.

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) —

Levin-Lieberman Love Fest - One Step Closer to War on Iran  —  Right after Sen. Lieberman voted against U.S. troops on the Webb amendment, he launched his new Iran Amendment - cosponsored by pals Kyl, Graham, Collins and Sessions with strong support by McCain - and Senator Levin could not fall …

Hmmm.  A very...  FELONY  —  Hmmm.  A very knowledgeable emailer says it's a felony ...  I can't vouch for the legal interpretation.  But it seems like decent prima facie case and the emailer knows his stuff.

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).

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."

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.

FRED THOMPSON: "A LAWYER WHO IS A PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATE"  —  Fred Thompson has sent us the following column on the subject of his career in the practice of law.  We are delighted to bring it to our readers: … Supplementing Senator Thompson's historical observations …

State House Rep. Arrested  —  Titusville police say they have arrested Florida State Rep. Robert "Bob" Allen, of Merrit Island, on second degree misdemeanor charges for soliciation for prostiution.  —  Allen, 48, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at Veteran's Memorial Park on East Broad St. in Titusville.