Conscience of a Conservative  —  In the fall of 2003, Jack L. Goldsmith was widely considered one of the brightest stars in the conservative legal firmament.  A 40-year-old law professor at the University of Chicago, Goldsmith had established himself, with his friend and fellow law professor John Yoo …

The Most Feared Man on the Hill?  —  For Gay Blogger, Craig's Resignation Is Just the Latest on His List  —  Soon, a new name will pop up on Mike Rogers's hit list.  —  Larry Craig wasn't "the first on my list," the gay blogger says.  And the Idaho senator, who announced his resignation Saturday, "won't be the last."

Richardson: Keeping Iowa first is God's will  —  Sioux City, Ia.  — God's will is for Iowa to have the first-in-the-nation caucus, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson told a crowd here today.  —  "Iowa, for good reason, for constitutional reasons, for reasons related to the Lord …

Independent Audit Finds Progress Lacking in Iraq  —  A report by Congressional auditors issued todayconcludes that "violence remains high" in Iraq amid mixed progress on security and that political reconciliation efforts remain far from sufficient, eight months after President Bush began his troop-increase plan.

Draper: Laura Bush Considers Rove 'A Necessary Evil,' 'Self-Aggrandizing'  —  In a new book on the Bush presidency, entitled "Dead Certain," former Texas Monthly senior editor Robert Draper reveals that First Lady Laura Bush refers to her husband's longtime political adviser, Karl Rove, as …

'NHS SHOULD NOT TREAT THOSE WITH UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLES' SAY TORIES  —  • Patients who improve their health to be given 'Health Miles' cards to claim free fruit and veg  —  Patients who refuse to change their unhealthy lifestyles should not be treated by the NHS, the Conservatives said today.

Democrats Express Decided Preference for Change Over Experience  —  Seventy-three percent favor presidential candidate who strongly desires to change Washington  —  PRINCETON, NJ — The Democratic presidential nomination could well be decided on the basis of whether Democratic primary …

Book says Souter mulled resignation after Bush v. Gore  —  'The Nine'  —  According to Jeffrey Toobin's new book on the Supreme Court, Justice David Souter nearly resigned in the wake of Bush v. Gore, so distraught was he over the decision that effectively ended the Florida recount and installed George W. Bush as president.

Craig's Children Say He Was 'a Victim of Circumstance'  —  After a highly publicized arrest in a bathroom sex sting and a week spent defending his sexuality, Idaho Sen. Larry Craig announced his resignation from the Senate this weekend.  He maintains his innocence, however, despite having pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

Did the bankrupcty reform touch off the mortgage bubble? … A parenthetical note: that bankruptcy study is horrendous and should never be cited by anyone.  It counted any bankruptcy in which the parties had more than $1,000 in uninsured medical bills as having been caused by the bankruptcy …

Residents: Nooses spark school violence, divide town  —  JENA, Louisiana (CNN) — Mychal Bell was like a lot of boys his age, his mother says.  —  The always-smiling 16-year-old often spent weekends on the couch, munching Little Debbie snack cakes, watching football and dreaming of the day he would join his heroes in the NFL.

The New Anti-Semitism  —  Hatred of Jews has reached new heights in Europe and many points south and east of the old continent.  Last year I chaired a blue-ribbon committee of British parliamentarians, including former ministers and a party leader, that examined the problem of anti-Semitism in Britain.

IS CHENEY ABOUT TO BLOW UP THE BAY BRIDGE?  —  Having been a 911 truth activist for 5 years, I have serious suspicions about  —  the Bay Bridge being closed for entire 4 days.  —  There has been a lot of threats of terrorist attacks coming form the government.  —  Looks like they are preparing the public.

Fighting for Our Handgun Ban  —  As mayor and attorney general of the District of Columbia, we were deeply disappointed this year when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit declared that the District's longstanding handgun ban violates the Second Amendment.

Michigan officially leapfrogs New Hampshire, for now  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed legislation moving her state's 2008 presidential primary to January 15, temporarily placing it ahead of New Hampshire in the heavily front-loaded nominating calendar.