How Clinton has built her lead  —  REASON TO SMILE: Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton greets residents in New Hampton, Iowa Sunday.  Polls show her national popularity with Democrats growing.  —  Her base is voters who dominate the Democratic nominating process.  But the presidential campaign season is still young.

Top Iraqis Pull Back From Key U.S. Goal  —  Reconciliation Seen Unattainable Amid Struggle for Power  —  BAGHDAD — For much of this year, the U.S. military strategy in Iraq has sought to reduce violence so that politicians could bring about national reconciliation, but several top Iraqi leaders …

The Best Police Force in Iraq  —  RAMADI, IRAQ - In late July when I visited a police station in the town of Mushadah just north of Baghdad I worried that Iraq was doomed to become the next Gaza.  As many as half the police officers, according to most of the American Military Police who worked …

Republicans Remain Deeply Distrustful of News Media  —  Democrats much more positive  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Republicans in America today remain deeply distrustful of the national news media — in sharp contrast to Democrats, who have a great deal more trust in the media's accuracy.

Same Old Party  —  There have been a number of articles recently that portray President Bush as someone who strayed from the path of true conservatism.  Republicans, these articles say, need to return to their roots.  —  Well, I don't know what true conservatism is, but while doing research …

Can Ailes Outfox CNBC?  —  Invoking Stonewall Jackson,  —  Fox Business Chief Prepares  —  To Battle Entrenched Rival  —  During a long and colorful career, Roger Ailes has dug ditches, advised Richard Nixon on his 1968 presidential campaign, produced off-Broadway shows — and started cable networks, notably Fox News Channel.

Thompson Turns to Taxes  —  Presidential Candidate  —  Hopes Tough Talk  —  Lures Conservatives  —  WASHINGTON — Fred Thompson entered the presidential race hoping to be the candidate of choice for conservatives.  But he has stumbled in early attempts to woo social conservatives …

As War Dragged On, Coverage Tone Weighed Heavily on Anchors  —  This article is adapted from the book "Reality Show: Inside the Last Great Television News War" by Howard Kurtz, Free Press, New York, ©2007.

Senate Bill Aims to Define Who Is a Journalist  —  The Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 is the grand title attached to the bill that passed the Senate Judiciary Committee last week with bipartisan support.  It is better known as the reporter's shield law.

Al Qaeda in Haditha: The battle the media ignored  —  Buried in the mountain of exhibits attached to the once secret Haditha, Iraq murder inquiry prepared by US Army Maj. Gen. Eldon A. Bargewell is an obscure Marine Corps intelligence summary (see pdf) that says the deadly encounter …

ASK DR. HELEN: FIGHTING FOR MEN'S RIGHTS  —  Men are becoming increasingly concerned about finding justice in today's legal system.  PJM advice columnist Dr. Helen interviews Glenn Sacks and warns against "standing idly by while your rights are infringed, your freedoms are in question and your sex is used as a weapon against you."

Al Gore tipped to win Nobel  —  THE environmental campaigner Al Gore is being tipped as a favourite to win the Nobel peace prize in Oslo this Friday in a controversial move that could place saving the planet above saving people from war and conflict.  —  Gore, a former American vice-president …

Clinton's Iran Vote Prompts A Harsh Back-and-Forth  —  Randall Rolph said he came to New Hampton, Iowa, on Sunday to see Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) with an open mind about whether to support her candidacy.  After a tough exchange over Iran, he left saying he had ruled her out.

Another U.N. Power Grab  —  What would Reagan do?  On the Law of the Sea Treaty, we know the answer.  —  It is an impressive testament to the abiding affection and political influence of former President Ronald Reagan that the fate of a controversial treaty now before the U.S. Senate …

A Dutch Retreat on Speech?  —  And now we come to what may be a truly fundamental test, maybe even a turning point, for that part of the world generally known as the West.  —  The test is this: Are prominent, articulate critics of radical Islam, critics who happen to be citizens …

He Can Act, but Can He Debate?  Untested Thompson Faces Rivals for First Time  —  In an unusual political season that seems to offer up a presidential debate every week or so, the Republican debate tomorrow is expected to offer something new: Fred D. Thompson.