By Bush's Own Standard, Surge Has Failed  —  Before Gen. David Petraeus' report, and to give it a context of optimism, the president visited Iraq's Anbar province to underscore the success of the surge in making some hitherto anarchic areas less so.  More significant, however, was the fact that the president did not visit Baghdad.

Republicans introduce measure condemning MoveOn ad  —  House Republican leaders introduced a resolution Monday condemning a full-page newspaper ad from MoveOn.org that criticizes the character of Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of U.S. troops in Iraq.

9/11: Remembrance and resistance  —  What do you remember?  When I think back to September 11, 2001, the crisp morning before jihadists struck on American soil, I remember transluscent blue skies.  Green-gold leaves.  And the blush pink cheeks of my then-one-year-old daughter …

Clinton to cut ties with fundraiser  —  The Democrat's presidential campaign is refunding $850,000 linked to Norman Hsu, caught up in allegations of running a Ponzi scheme.  —  WASHINGTON — Confronted with the possibility that disgraced fundraiser Norman Hsu might be running …

Strike Three?  —  A bomb-sniffing dog in Ankara helped Turkish authorities stop a massive terrorist attack on the anniversary of 9/11.  A van full of explosives in a parking garage would have devastated the center of the large city, and it would have served as a counterpoint to the messages released by Osama bin Laden in the past week:

Poll: Giuliani Tumbles, GOP Race Tightens  —  CBS News Poll: Thompson's Entry Vaults Him To A Close Second Place In Republican Contest  —  (CBS) Rudy Giuliani, after holding the front-runner spot in the race for the Republican presidential nomination for months, has seen his lead nearly evaporate …

Romney Adviser Linked to Anti-Thompson Internet Site  —  A top adviser to former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney appears to be behind the launch of a new Web site attacking GOP presidential rival Fred D. Thompson during his first week on the trail.  —  The site, PhoneyFred.org …

'America the Ugly'  —  Six years after 9/11, it's notable how little the politics of the left have changed.  —  In the immediate aftermath of the attacks on us that took place on this very day six years ago, several younger commentators proclaimed the birth of an entirely new era in American history.

Colin Powell: Terrorists are not greatest threat to nation  —  In an interview with GQ magazine that's scheduled to be put online here at 11 a.m. ET, former secretary of State and one-time potential presidential candidate Colin Powell has this to say about terrorism and the threat it poses to the USA:

Attack Iran!  —  That's NRO's Andy McCarthy's take on the Petraeus testimony.  He cites this comment from the general: … I predict an echoing chorus from the far right.  In fact, I think Petraeus' testimony and the administration's agenda makes the most sense if you see all of this as a prelude …