Bush: 'I Am Relevant'  —  A defensive President Bush insisted that he was still relevant this morning in a news conference dominated by his bitter complaints about the Democratic Congress.  —  Asked how he found himself vetoing a children's health insurance bill that had passed Congress …

A Line in the Sand.  Putting Everyone on the Record.  —  The House is voting today on FISA legislation, the Democrats have played petty politics with this bill.  As currently written, many of America's national security experts are concerned that it will limit their ability to protect this country.

Republican Iowa Caucus  —  Iowa: Romney 25% Thompson 19% Huckabee 18%  —  The first Rasmussen Reports poll of the Iowa Republican Caucus for 2008 finds former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney enjoying a six-point lead while former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee …

Posted by: Lallye of she changes movement's why!  8:19am today  —  As soon as the page opened, I immediately and definitely saw clockwise, even before I saw the question.  I tried for several minutes to see anit-clockwise.  Could almost catch a glimpse by looking to the right or left …

Both Parties Have Strengths in "SCHIP" Debate  —  Democrats generally preferred, but Bush's counterarguments have support  —  PRINCETON, NJ — The Beltway debate over a bill reauthorizing federal funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is moving beyond the attempt …

Senate and Bush Agree On Terms of Spying Bill  —  Some Telecom Companies Would Receive Immunity  —  Senate Democrats and Republicans reached agreement with the Bush administration yesterday on the terms of new legislation to control the federal government's domestic surveillance program …

Stephen Colbert: I am running for president  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Colbert has announced his candidacy for president on "The Colbert Report," tossing his satirical hat into the ring of an already crowded race.  —  "I shall seek the office of the president of the United States," …

Patrick will endorse Obama, officials say  —  Obama lent Patrick a helping hand in last year's governor's race.  —  Governor Deval Patrick is throwing his support to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, an endorsement that will give the Illinois senator a much needed boost …

Law Firm's Gifts Bring Questions After Guilty Pleas  —  Over the years, as it became Exhibit A for critics of shareholders' class-action lawsuits, the law firm of Milberg Weiss often enjoyed the support of Democrats who called the suits an invaluable weapon in the universal conflict between big business and the little guy.

Republican to Democrats: Watch Out  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — What does a special election in Massachusetts have to do with next year's battle for Congress?  —  A lot, Republicans hope.  The Democrat beat the Republican in Tuesday's contest, but the GOP sees victory in defeat.

Live-blogging the Mukasey confirmation hearing  —  [See the section below regarding Feinstein's questioning of Mukasey on presidential power to detain American citizens with no charges and Congressional power to limit presidential war-making (here)]  —  The Senate Judiciary Committee today begins …

Morgan Stanley Sells Entire New York Times Stake  —  Oct. 17 (Bloomberg) — Morgan Stanley, the second-biggest shareholder in New York Times Co., sold its entire stake today, according to a person briefed on the transaction, sending the stock to its lowest in more than 10 years.

Syrian Official Says Israeli Airstrike Hit Nuke Facility  —  DAMASCUS, Syria — A high-ranking Syrian official confirmed that Israel's airstrike last month in northern Syria hit a nuclear facility, according to a document obtained Wednesday by FOX News.  —  "Israel was the fourth-largest exporter …

'Fragging' Is Rare in Iraq, Afghanistan  —  RALEIGH, N.C. — American troops killed their own commanders so often during the Vietnam War that the crime earned its own name - "fragging."  —  But since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military has charged only one soldier …