Secret U.S. Endorsement of Severe Interrogations  —  When the Justice Department publicly declared torture "abhorrent" in a legal opinion in December 2004, the Bush administration appeared to have abandoned its assertion of nearly unlimited presidential authority to order brutal interrogations.

On Stump, Low-Key Thompson Stirs Few Sparks  —  Twenty-four minutes after he began speaking in a small restaurant the other day, Fred D. Thompson brought his remarks to a close with a nod of his head and an expression of thanks to Iowans for allowing him to "give my thoughts about some things."

Ron Paul's Impressive Haul  —  Young, Rabid Internet Supporters Boost Congressman's Fundraising  —  Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, the outspoken libertarian White House hopeful often dismissed by his rivals and the punditocracy as a fringe candidate, was all smiles Wednesday as he bandied …

Another Dimension Of The Thomas Smear  —  I spent some time last night reviewing some of the transcripts from the "high-tech lynching" delivered by the Senate Judiciary Committee to Clarence Thomas, just to refamiliarize myself with the actual testimony and evidence.

Republicans Grow Skeptical On Free Trade  —  WASHINGTON — By a nearly two-to-one margin, Republican voters believe free trade is bad for the U.S. economy, a shift in opinion that mirrors Democratic views and suggests trade deals could face high hurdles under a new president.

Iraqis to Pay China $100 Million for Weapons for Police  —  Experts Fear More Will Go to Insurgents  —  Iraq has ordered $100 million worth of light military equipment from China for its police force, contending that the United States was unable to provide the materiel and is too slow …

Modern Heroes  —  Our soldiers like what they do.  They want our respect, not pity.  —  I'm weary of seeing news stories about wounded soldiers and assertions of "support" for the troops mixed with suggestions of the futility of our military efforts in Iraq.  Why aren't there more accounts of what the troops actually do?

In Ballot Fight, California Gets a Taste of '08  —  Ballot measures in California have long been proxies for local politicians' hopes and dreams — just ask Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who rode a recall petition to the Statehouse.  —  But now a statewide initiative has become the unusual battleground …

Families Settle Claims In Attack on Pentagon  —  Four Maryland families whose relatives were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon have settled claims against American Airlines and other companies involved in ticketing and screening passengers at Dulles International Airport.

The Democratic Economist  —  CHICAGO — In his curriculum vitae, Austan Goolsbee lists as his "other interests" — other than teaching at the University of Chicago — two activities: triathlons and improv comedy.  Evidently he is a masochist with a sense of humor, so he is suited to participate …

Clear Channel Rejects VoteVets Ad Because It 'Conflicts' With Listeners Who Tune Into Rush  —  Rush Limbaugh's hometown radio station that broadcasts his show — WJNO AM in Palm Beach, Florida — has refused to air a VoteVets ad by Brian McGough, the Iraq war veteran who was compared by Limbaugh to a suicide bomber.

Top Saudi Cleric Issues Warning  —  Earlier this week, Sheikh Abdel-Aziz Al-Asheikh - the most senior Wahhabi cleric in Saudi Arabia — released a rather surprising religious edict.  In this fatwa, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia instructed Saudis not to leave the Kingdom to participate in jihad …

Bush Veto Gives Democrats Legislative Defeat, Political Opening  —  Oct. 4 (Bloomberg) — For Democrats, President George W. Bush's veto yesterday of a measure expanding children's health care is a legislative setback — and a political opportunity.  —  Democrats have delayed for two weeks …