A Scandal-Scarred G.O.P. Asks, 'What Next?'  —  Scott Reed, a Republican strategist, was at a dinner in Philadelphia on Monday night when his cellphone and Internet pager began beeping like crazy.  Only later did he learn why.  His party was buzzing with news of a sex scandal involving a Republican United States senator — again.

Carlson claimed that after incident in a public bathroom, he assaulted the man who "bothered" him  —  On the August 28 edition of MSBNC Live, hosted by MSNBC general manager Dan Abrams, Tucker Carlson, host of MSNBC's Tucker, asserted, "Having sex in a public men's room is outrageous.

Wyoming leapfrogs Iowa and New Hampshire  —  Wyoming Republicans have jumped to the head of the pack in the US presidential nominating process, moving their caucus to January 5, ahead of even the traditional early-voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire.  —  While the move puts Wyoming …

Soros-linked group hit with huge fine  —  The Federal Election Commission has fined one of the last cycle's biggest liberal political action committees $775,000 for using unregulated soft money to boost John Kerry and other Democratic candidates during the 2004 elections.

Democratic fundraiser is a fugitive in plain sight  —  California authorities have sought businessman Norman Hsu for 15 years.  Since 2004, he has carved out a place of honor raising cash for such candidates as Hillary Rodham Clinton.  —  WASHINGTON — For the last 15 years …

Iraqi Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr Suspends Mahdi Army Activities  —  BAGHDAD — Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered a six-month suspension of activities by his Mahdi Army militia in order to reorganize the force, and it will no longer attack U.S. and coalition troops, aides said Wednesday.

Former security guard Jewell dies  —  ATLANTA - Richard Jewell, the former security guard who was erroneously linked to the 1996 Olympic bombing, died Wednesday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.  —  Jewell, 44, was found dead in his west Georgia home, GBI spokesman John Bankhead said.

Edwards: Americans should sacrifice their SUVs  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards told a labor group he would ask Americans to make a big sacrifice: their sport utility vehicles.  —  The former North Carolina senator told a forum …

When Condi went nuclear  —  Condoleezza Rice may be willing to compromise at a Middle East negotiating table - but not at a jewelry counter.  —  Coit Blacker, a Stanford professor who is one of the secretary of state's closest friends, recalls going into a shop where Rice asked to see earrings.

The Big Picture(s)  —  In the midst of the still-lingering controversy over the truthiness of The New Republic's "Baghdad Diarist," more than a few people suggested that war supporters, unable to discredit the real bad news coming from Iraq, targeted the Scott Thomas Beauchamp stories as a weak link.

WEARING THE BLACK FLAG (3)  —  The story began here.  Latest chapter here.  —  Speaking of the Petraeus report....  It seems that those who routinely feed from the various toilets along the left wing information sewer are currently being feel about said upcoming report.  (Not think, mind you, but feel.

A Particularly Unhappy Anniversery  —  I think it fitting that my recent interview with Category 5 coauthor Judith Howard occured this week as we settle down to reflect upon the 2nd anniversary of a particularly grim event in our nation's recent history.  I would like to give pause …