Republican Senators Call for New War Authorization  —  Two leading Republican senators said today that President Bush should seek a new war authorization and present a plan to Congress by Oct. 16 outlining contingency plans in Iraq.  Those plans, which would include reducing American forces, should begin by the end of the year.

Exclusive: Terror Commander: New Attack Will Dwarf Failed Bomb Plot  —  Brian Ross and Maddy Sauer Report:  —  As senior intelligence and law enforcement officials met again today in the White House Situation Room to deal with the "summer terror threat," a top terror commander said an attack …

Yet Again, Tax Cuts Do Not Pay for Themselves  —  The Wall Street Journal says Kevin Hassett has discovered the Laffer curve, but I think these data might say something else.  Here's the picture from the editorial where they are making their usual plea for more tax cuts:

American Grit  —  We can't fire the president right now, so we're waiting it out.  —  It's been a slow week in a hot era.  I found myself Thursday watching President Bush's news conference and thinking about what it is about him, real or perceived, that makes people who used to smile at the mention of his name now grit their teeth.

A Gate-Crasher's Change of Heart  —  The Guests Were Enjoying French Wine and Cheese on a Capitol Hill Patio.  When a Gunman Burst In, the Would-Be Robbery Took an Unusual Turn.  —  A grand feast of marinated steaks and jumbo shrimp was winding down, and a group of friends was sitting …

A Colloquy On The Fairness Doctrine  —  The debate over the Fairness Doctrine continued in the Senate today, as Dick Durbin blocked Norm Coleman from offering an amendment that would forbid content control in political speech on the airwaves.  Coleman and Durbin then got into a series …

Frameshop: A Picture of the GOP on Civil Rights  —  The one photo the GOP does not want anyone to see was snapped at yesterday's NAACP GOP Presidential Candidate Forum.  The NAACP invited all 9 Republican candidates to the forum, but only one showed up: Tom Tancredo.

Clinton, Edwards talk of limiting debate  —  DETROIT (AP) - Democrats John Edwards and Hillary Rodham Clinton consider themselves among the top presidential candidates.  —  They were caught by Fox News microphones discussing their desire to limit future joint appearances to exclude some lower rivals after a forum in Detroit Thursday.

Conrad Black, Three Codefendants Convicted of Fraud  —  Conrad Black, former chief executive officer of Hollinger International Inc., was found guilty of defrauding the newspaper publisher, becoming the latest CEO convicted in a five-year U.S. crackdown on corporate crime.

Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman understands the war better than all the other Democrats, and better than a handful of Republicans.  —  The Hugh Hewitt Show  —  HH: Pleased to welcome now to the Hugh Hewitt Show Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut.  Senator, good to have you, thanks for joining us.

Iranian Police Smash Squirrel Spy Ring  —  Police in Iran are reported to have taken 14 squirrels into custody - because they are suspected of spying.  —  The rodents were found near the Iranian border allegedly equipped with eavesdropping devices.  —  The reports have come from the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Exclusive: "Swift Boat" Ad Firm Linked to Viral Videos  —  An employee of the Republican ad firm responsible for 2004's controversial "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" advertisements has apparently been producing viral videos which ridicule Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson.

Bloody consequences of open borders: The kidnapping and murder of Zina Linnik  —  Update: Bad timing award goes to Democrat Washington state governor Christine Gregoire, who is leaving on a trip to lobby for open borders.  How politically stupid and insensitive can you be?