Despite Bruises of '06, Rove's Influence Lasts  —  Whatever history makes of Karl Rove's role in the White House, his legacy as a political strategist can be measured in a presidential campaign that has already begun without him.  A look at the roster of every Republican presidential candidate finds people …

Obama leaves some wanting a little more  —  NASHUA - U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's surging presidential campaign is reaching a critical mass in that voters want to hear more.  —  As a self-described, "hope monger,'' the Illinois Democrat's optimistic call for systemic change on health care …

Defense Chief Keeps Own Counsel on Iraq  —  In the debate about next steps on Iraq, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates does more listening than talking, rarely revealing his own views, except in clipped comments or the questions he asks at meetings.  —  Even in his private discussions with lawmakers …

Learn from the fall of Rome, US warned  —  The US government is on a 'burning platform' of unsustainable policies and practices with fiscal deficits, chronic healthcare underfunding, immigration and overseas military commitments threatening a crisis if action is not taken soon, the country's top government inspector has warned.

Random Rummy August Sighting  —  Starting a war must really wear a guy down.  —  Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was spotted today having lunch at Morton's on Connecticut Ave.  What was remarkable was not what he ordered, or with whom he dined, or how quintessentially condescending he may have been to the waiter.

US Gov't broke Padilla through intense isolation, say experts  —  Despite warnings, officials used 43 months of severe isolation to force Jose Padilla to tell all he knew about Al Qaeda. … MIAMI - When suspected Al Qaeda operative Jose Padilla was whisked from the criminal justice system …

Gonzales could get say in states' executions  —  Proposed rules would let the attorney general sign off on 'fast tracking' death penalty appeals.  —  WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is putting the final touches on regulations that could give Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales important …

Elizabeth Edwards Unplugged  —  ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: In an interview in August's edition of The Progressive magazine, Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Senator John Edwards, D-N.C., takes candid shots at the other candidates battling for the Democratic nomination against her husband.

Going After Blue Dogs: A Question for You  —  I've been kicking around the idea with Chris that we should raise the costs of bad decision-making on things like FISA, or when they fold to Republicans on the supplemental or (insert fight here).  —  It's not much to put up some google ads criticizing …

SPIEGEL ONLINE: "The US Military is more successful in Iraq than the world wants to believe."  —  Historical consistency has never been a strong point for SPIEGEL magazine or SPIEGEL ONLINE - but this is shocking:  —  Just look at this article.  —  After years of calling Iraq a disaster …

Katrina aid goes toward luxury condos  —  TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — With large swaths of the Gulf Coast still in ruins from Hurricane Katrina, rich federal tax breaks designed to spur rebuilding are flowing hundreds of miles inland to investors who are buying up luxury condos near the University of Alabama's football stadium.

Border Patrol to build fencing  —  The U.S. Border Patrol is asking for volunteers among its agents to help build fences on the U.S.-Mexico border, even as President Bush is withdrawing half the National Guard troops he sent there last year to build fences.  —  A memo circulated last week …