Building a Coalition, Forgetting to Rule  —  AS a political strategist, Karl Rove offered a brilliant answer to the wrong question.  —  The question he answered so successfully was a political one: How could Republicans win elections after Bill Clinton steered the Democrats to the center?

Hastert Planning to Retire at End of 2008, GOP Sources Say  —  After less than a year as a rank-and-file House member, former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert is expected to call an end to a political career that made him the longest serving Republican Speaker in the history of the House of Representatives.

Imus Settles With CBS, May Make Comeback  —  NEW YORK — Don Imus has reached a settlement with CBS over his multimillion-dollar contract and is negotiating to resume his broadcasting career.  —  Imus and CBS Radio "have mutually agreed to settle claims that each had against the other regarding …

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 …

Fact Check: Obama on Afghanistan  —  WASHINGTON - Democrat Barack Obama said it, the Republican Party pointed out in a screaming headline Tuesday that highlighted the presidential candidate's comments on Afghanistan and the killing of civilians.  —  Behind the scenes, Obama's rival campaigns buzzed …

Mattel recalls 9 million toys in U.S.  —  BETHESDA, Maryland (CNN) — Toymaker Mattel is voluntarily recalling 9 million of its toys in the United States including popular characters such as Batman, Barbie, Polly Pockets and a toy from Pixar's "Cars" movie because of hazards to children …

Hamas TV's child star says she's ready for martyrdom  —  GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Saraa Barhoum picked at the buttons on her pink bellbottom jeans as she twisted on a chair inside the bustling new Hamas television headquarters.  The afternoon light bounced off the sparkly outlines of butterflies …

See Who's Editing Wikipedia - Diebold, the CIA, a Campaign  —  On November 17th, 2005, an anonymous Wikipedia user deleted 15 paragraphs from an article on e-voting machine-vendor Diebold, excising an entire section critical of the company's machines.  While anonymous, such changes typically …

Clinton's first-lady records locked up  —  Archivists say the documents at her husband's presidential library won't be released until after the '08 vote.  —  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton cites her experience as a compelling reason voters should make her president …

Our Lives, Controlled From Some Guy's Couch  —  Until I talked to Nick Bostrom, a philosopher at Oxford University, it never occurred to me that our universe might be somebody else's hobby.  I hadn't imagined that the omniscient, omnipotent creator of the heavens and earth could be an advanced version …

Toward a Realistic Peace  —  Summary: The next U.S. president will face three key foreign policy challenges: setting a course for victory in the terrorists' war on global order, strengthening the international system the terrorists seek to destroy, and extending the system's benefits.

Giuliani Vows to End Illegal Immigration  —  Mayor's Campaign Hits Romney Back on Issue, Defends Record  —  A week after being assailed by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for being soft on illegal immigration as mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani today unveiled the details of his plan …

Dozens killed in multiple suicide attacks in Iraq  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Suicide bombings in a northern Iraqi town Tuesday targeted a religious minority and left at least 120 people dead and 150 wounded, according to police officials, who said there were three bombings in three locations.

Poll: Americans More Optimistic On Surge  —  29% Now Believe Troop Surge Is Helping In Iraq, But Most Still Say War Going Badly  —  (CBS) According to a new CBS News poll, Americans have become somewhat more optimistic about the impact of the troop surge in Iraq.

Enforcing the Community's foreign policy orthodoxy  —  A rather spirited exchange occurred yesterday on the question of Iraq between Atrios, on the one hand, and, on the other, Michael Cohen and Shadi Hamid at Democracy Arsenal, a foreign policy blog for various Democratic members of the Foreign Policy Community.