Right Wing Launches Baseless Smear Campaign Against 12 Year Old Recipient Of SCHIP  —  Two weeks ago, the Democratic radio address was delivered by a 12-year old Maryland boy named Graeme Frost.  Graeme told his story of being involved in a severe car accident three years ago …

Democrats Seem Ready to Extend Wiretap Powers  —  Two months after insisting that they would roll back broad eavesdropping powers won by the Bush administration, Democrats in Congress appear ready to make concessions that could extend some crucial powers given to the National Security Agency.

Leak Severed a Link to Al-Qaeda's Secrets  —  Firm Says Administration's Handling of Video Ruined Its Spying Efforts  —  A small private intelligence company that monitors Islamic terrorist groups obtained a new Osama bin Laden video ahead of its official release last month …

Giuliani Still on Top as Republicans Prepare to Debate in Michigan  —  Latest Gallup Poll shows Thompson in second place, followed by McCain  —  PRINCETON, NJ — As the Republican presidential candidates square off in the latest in a series of debates — this time in Dearborn, Mich. tonight …

Red Baiting  —  Over on the blog-I-didn't-know-he-had, Roger Cohen shows us all that he's actually the kind of liberal hawk who likes going in for a little McCarthyite red baiting now and again, analogizing my former colleague Mike Tomasky to a Stalin apologist.

Iraq insurgency: People rise against al-Qa'eda  —  Damien McElroy spent a week in the heart of the insurgency in Anbar province in Iraq.  In the second of seven exclusive reports he describes how peace and prosperity have returned to a town formerly riven by sectarian killings.

Iraqi Questions  —  I think Rich Lowry would agree that we both had an informative week in Iraq in and around Baghdad, Anbar, and Diyala.  Many thanks to the efforts of Major Rayburn and Col. McMaster who allowed us to accompany them on their visits in Baghdad, Anbar, and Diyala …

DAN RATHER VOWED TO LEAK BUSH GUARD DOCS TO NEW YORK TIMES — IF CBS SPIKED  —  Former CBSNEWS anchor Dan Rather pressured CBS to air the failed Bush/National Guard story in September 2004, Howard Kurtz reports in his new blockbuster book: REALITY SHOW: INSIDE THE LAST GREAT TELEVISION NEWS RACE.

Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight  —  Even now, at 81 and with her memory beginning to fade, Gloria Donadello recalls her painful brush with bigotry at an assisted-living center in Santa Fe, N.M. Sitting with those she considered friends, "people were laughing and making certain kinds …

The PLAN  —  I've given it a skim, and here's my conclusion: It's extremely good.  Exceptional in some places, slightly nebulous in others, perfectly in line with expectations in yet more, but also perfectly in line what we should expect from good public servants at this point, and certainly more than I expected from Obama.

Buyout Firms to Avoid a Tax Hike  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) has told private-equity firms in recent weeks that a tax-hike proposal they have spent millions of dollars to defeat will not get through the Senate this year, according to executives and lobbyists.

Fred Thompson Announces National Campaign Leadership Team  —  McLean, VA - Sen. Fred Thompson announced today the members of his National Campaign Leadership Team: Sen. Howard H. Baker will serve as honorary chairman of his presidential campaign and Sen. Spencer Abraham, Sen. George Allen …

New Blogette Addition  —  We're very excited to announce that Mary Anne Huntsman, daughter of Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, will be joining us on the road as the final member of our Blogette team.  A long-time family friend, Mary Anne recently decided to join us on the campaign trail and will add …