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 …

Marine Investigator Recommends Dropping Charges in Haditha Killings  —  SAN DIEGO — An investigating officer has recommended dismissing murder charges against a U.S. Marine accused in the slayings of three Iraqi men in a squad action that killed 24 civilians in the town of Haditha, according to a report.

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Will Not Attend Hearing  —  Today, attorney George T. Manning, representing former White House Counsel Harriet Miers, rescinded his prior confirmation that Ms.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

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.

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).

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.

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."

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.)?

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.

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.