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.) …

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 …

"WE SHOULD START OVER"....Another draft report has been leaked to the press, this one a detailed look at the Iraqi police force in the wake of 2006's "year of the police": … This is becoming a comedy of the absurd.  Scrap the Iraqi police force?  Start over from scratch?  Is this a joke?

"Redacted" stuns Venice  —  VENICE (Reuters) - A new film about the real-life rape and killing of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl by U.S. soldiers who also murdered her family stunned the Venice festival, with shocking images that left some viewers in tears.  —  "Redacted", by U.S. director Brian De Palma …

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.

Justice Department Lawyers Refuse Detainee Cases  —  Some lawyers in the civil appeals division object to the government's policies on Guantánamo Bay  —  The government's legal arguments justifying the detention of hundreds of people at the Guantánamo Bay naval base …

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.

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.)

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.

Wealth, mystery surround donor Hsu  —  Fugitive Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu is linked to shadowy businesses and unsavory episodes.  —  WASHINGTON — Money has brought both trappings and trouble for Norman Hsu.  Major contributions to the campaigns of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton …

HHS Toned Down Breast-Feeding Ads  —  In an attempt to raise the nation's historically low rate of breast-feeding, federal health officials commissioned an attention-grabbing advertising campaign a few years ago to convince mothers that their babies faced real health risks if they did not breast-feed.

Snow to step down as White House spokesman Sept. 14  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, will step down from his post Sept. 14 and be replaced by Deputy Press Secretary Dana Perino, the White House announced Friday.

Justice Department Investigators Probe Hiring Practices  —  Do you believe in God?  Are you gay?  Have you cheated on your spouse?  What's your position on abortion?  Should gays be allowed to marry?  Have you contributed to Republican candidates?  What kind of conservative are you?