Sources: Craig resignation likely soon  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Several well-placed GOP sources in Washington and Idaho have told CNN that embattled Republican Sen. Larry Craig is likely to resign soon, possibly as early as Friday.  —  A GOP source with knowledge of the situation told CNN's Dana Bash …

New Frontburner Issue in Iowa: Same-Sex Marriage  —  The Nation — Iowa will in all likelihood remain the state that opens the process of nominating the Democratic and Republican candidates for president in 2008.  As such, it is a "must visit" and "must impress" state for contenders in both parties.

Lawmakers Describe 'Being Slimed in the Green Zone'  —  The sheets of paper seemed to be everywhere the lawmakers went in the Green Zone, distributed to Iraqi officials, U.S. officials and uniformed military of no particular rank.  So when Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) …

Panel Will Urge Broad Overhaul of Iraqi Police  —  An independent commission established by Congress to assess Iraq's security forces will recommend remaking the 26,000-member national police force to purge it of corrupt officers and Shiite militants suspected of complicity in sectarian killings …

Reid Opens Door to Pact With Antiwar Republicans  —  LAS VEGAS — Saying the coming weeks will be "one of the last opportunities" to alter the course of the war, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said he is now willing to compromise with Republicans to find ways to limit troop deployments in Iraq.

Thompson gives back cash  —  Fred Thompson, facing scrutiny for stockpiling cash while he purported to be only exploring the possibility of a presidential bid, is returning some contributions to supporters.  —  Thompson, who plans to officially enter the race for the Republican nomination Thursday …

What Women Want  —  How the GOP can woo the ladies.  —  Hillary has herself.  Barack has Oprah.  John Edwards has his wife, Elizabeth.  And what secret weapon do Republican presidential candidates have to curry the all-important "women's vote"?  —  (Cue silence.)

More Realism, Less Spin  —  A new report from Congress's investigative arm provides a powerful fresh dose of nonpartisan realism about Iraq as President Bush tries to spin people into thinking that significant — or at least sufficient — progress is being made.

JUST READ THE HEADLINE; DON'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS  —  When Marines were accused of committing atrocities at Haditha, Mad Jack Murtha and many others rushed to convict them.  We have followed the story as those accusations have fallen apart, and one Marine after another has been exonerated.

Surge working: top US general  —  THE US troop surge in Iraq has thrown al-Qa'ida off balance and produced a dramatic reduction in sectarian killings and a drop in roadside bombings.  —  David Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq, said the build-up of American forces in Baghdad since late January had produced positive outcomes.

How life returned to the streets in a showpiece city that drove out al-Qaeda  —  An American 'martyr' is being hailed in the Sunni Triangle for restoring peace to a town where soldiers now fight only water leaks  —  Watch Martin Fletcher's report from Ramadi

Budget Crunch Hits U.S. Attorneys' Offices  —  Amid Antiterror Focus,  —  Prosecutions Decline;  —  Rep. Lewis Probe Slowed  —  LOS ANGELES — Whoever succeeds Alberto Gonzales as attorney general will face a long list of challenges at the Justice Department, from unfilled senior positions to sagging morale.

Plane carrying U.S. lawmakers fired fired upon  —  (CNN) — A U.S. military plane carrying three U.S. senators and one member of the House of Representatives came under rocket fire Thursday night and had to make evasive maneuvers as it left Baghdad for Amman, Jordan.

Press Briefing by Tony Snow  —  MR. SNOW: Hello, everyone.  A quick announcement before I take your questions.  President Bush will welcome Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates to the White House on September 17, 2007, in the Prime Minister's dual role as Prime Minister and head of the European Union presidency.