Press Conference by the President  —  Initial Benchmark Assessment Report  —  THE PRESIDENT: Good morning.  Thank you.  Yesterday, America lost an extraordinary First Lady and a fine Texan, Lady Bird Johnson.  She brought grace to the White House and beauty to our country.

Christian Right Activists Disrupt Hindu Chaplain In The Senate  —  Today was a historic first for religion in America's civic life: For the very first time, a Hindu delivered the morning invocation in the Senate chamber — only to find the ceremony disrupted by three Christian right activists.

House OKs plan to withdraw US troops  —  WASHINGTON - The Iraqi government is achieving only spotty military and political progress, the Bush administration conceded Thursday in an assessment that war critics quickly seized on as confirmation of their dire warnings.

McCain Official Busted on Sex Charge  —  Justin Rood Reports:  —  An official with the John McCain presidential campaign was arrested for allegedly soliciting oral sex from a policeman in Florida yesterday.  —  Bob Allen, a member of the Florida House of Representatives …

Delta Dental's Terribly Coverage  —  Delta Dental is currently arguing that my root canal — done at an in-network dentist — does not merit much in the way of reimbursement, and is telling me that my share of the procedure comes out to around $2,000.  A procedure, mind you, that's already been done …

What about the Iraqis?  —  From today's press conference with the Senate Democratic leaders.  —  I tried to get an answer to what I blogged earlier today.  —  I did not succeed.  —  TAPPER: Senator Reid, what do you say to critics who say, "Look, the Senate voted, including two of you up on the stage …

Courtroom Explodes in Laughter After ABC's Sawyer Touts Fairness of Journalists  —  Thursday's edition of "Good Morning America" featured a Diane Sawyer anecdote that revealed the low opinion Americans have of journalists.  After wrapping up a segment on people who avoid jury duty …

I have been "warned"  —  I can't post here anymore because my potential run for Congress  —  is not on the Democratic ticket.  —  I have been deeply grateful for all of your support over the years.  —  Your love and kindness helped me through lots of sleepless nights  —  at Camp Casey '05.

Guards steal $282 million from a bank in Baghdad  —  BAGHDAD: In an astonishing heist, guards at a bank here made off with more than a quarter-billion dollars on Wednesday, according to an official at the Interior Ministry.  —  The robbery, of $282 million from the Dar Es Salaam bank …

Nobel laureate calls for removal of Bush  —  Irish peace activist's speech at Dallas event gets standing ovation  —  Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams came from Ireland to Texas to declare that President Bush should be impeached.  —  In a keynote speech at the International Women's Peace Conference …

Thompson Waffles On Pro-Choice Lobbying Past  —  Fred Thompson has effectively admitted in an interview with Sean Hannity that he did lobby in behalf of a pro-abortion rights group.  —  Hannity served up a chest-high, 25 mph softball:  —  "They have attacked you, they have attacked your family …

The Democratic (Not So) Short List  —  Tom Goldstein prepared this post with extensive research and input from summer associate Jonathan Eisenman and assistance from Adam Chandler, as well as very helpful thoughts and advice from others on potential nominees.

GOP Pundit Outed In DC Madam Scandal  —  Remember June 16th, 2006?  That's when Burkman got exposed by a couple of girls on MySpace and posted Crooksandliars graphics of Jack to check him out.  Her site is set to private now, but Wonkette still has some info...They called him a "CREEEEP"

New York Times' Leslie Wayne Continues Twisted Jihad Against Edwards  —  The journalistic titans who run The New York Times don't give a damn what I think.  But I'm going to tell them this anyway: You guys are badly botching your coverage of John Edwards, in a way that raises the question …

"Draft Al Gore" for president  —  A Draft Al Gore group delivered the former vice president more than 100,000 signatures on a petition urging him to mount a White House bid.  —  Draft Gore organizers brought the list of Gore fans to the Democrat's Nashville office yesterday morning, and called the number a "major milestone."