Baird sees need for longer U.S. role in Iraq  —  U.S. Rep. Brian Baird said Thursday that his recent trip to Iraq convinced him the military needs more time in the region, and that a hasty pullout would cause chaos that helps Iran and harms U.S. security.  —  "I believe that the decision …

White House spokesman quitting  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — White House press secretary Tony Snow will step down from his position as early as next month, sources inside and outside the Bush administration told CNN on Friday.  —  When contacted by CNN about his possible departure, Snow said, "I'm not making any announcement."

Commerce, Treasury funds helped boost GOP campaigns  —  WASHINGTON — Top Commerce and Treasury Departments officials appeared with Republican candidates and doled out millions in federal money in battleground congressional districts and states after receiving White House political briefings detailing GOP election strategy.

Jenna and Henry: Now They're Really, Really Official  —  Back in February 2005, Laura Bush was asked about the guy her daughter Jenna was seeing.  "This is not a serious boyfriend — I hate to have to be the one to say it on television," said the first lady.  "But he's a very nice young man."

Thompson: Roe 'bad law and bad medicine'  —  DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) - Likely Republican White House hopeful Fred Thompson told CNN Friday that he would work to overturn Roe v. Wade if elected president, and would push for a constitutional amendment that protects states from being forced to honor gay marriages performed in other states.

MICHIGAN TO MOVE UP ITS PRIMARY  —  From NBC News' Chuck Todd  —  According to sources inside both parties, the two state parties in Michigan have agreed to move the state's primary — legislatively — to Jan. 15.  This is a compromise date out of respect for Democratic Sen. Carl Levin …

It Shouldn't Have Taken the Deaths of Three Miners to Get the Media to Focus on Mine Safety  —  So last night, suddenly, after the tragic second collapse at the Utah mine, there was a dramatic shift in the TV coverage of the story.  All at once, faux folksy mining boss Bob Murray …

Giuliani-McCain: That's the Ticket?  —  McCain Tells ABC News He's 'Flattered' by Rival Giuliani  —  Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani are rivals for the 2008 Republican nomination, but you wouldn't know it by asking them.  —  In an interview …

Edwards Calls Coulter 'She-Devil'  —  ABC News' Rick Klein Reports: Former Sen. John Edwards on Friday fired the latest round in his ongoing verbal feud with Ann Coulter, calling her a "she-devil" at a public event before quickly adding that he shouldn't engage in name-calling.

Taking cultural editing notes from terrorists  —  The New York City Police Department issued a disconcerting report this week called, "Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat."  In a nutshell, investigators and researchers concluded that the most serious threat the nation faces come …

Short of Purple Hearts, Navy tells vet to buy own  —  PEARLAND — Korean War veteran Nyles Reed, 75, opened an envelope last week to learn a Purple Heart had been approved for injuries he sustained as a Marine on June 22, 1952.  —  But there was no medal.  Just a certificate and a form stating that the medal was "out of stock."

Lie, Lie, Lie, Lie, Lie, Lie: Gonzales' Top Six Fibs  —  The verdict is clear: Alberto Gonzales is the lying-est attorney general in recent history.  "I don't trust you," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) told him last month.  Ranking member Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) …

Fixing The Internet  —  I don't know what Elaine is so upset about.  I mean, without dessicates, those clothes'll be noticeably musty in five years.