With Democrats Like These ...  Every now and then, we are tempted to double-check that the Democrats actually won control of Congress last year.  It was particularly hard to tell this week.  Democratic leaders were cowed, once again, by propaganda from the White House and failed, once again …

Giuliani asks Values Voters to trust him  —  Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, walking into a political lion's den, told the year's largest gathering of social conservatives that he is "not always the best example of faith" but that their similarities are much greater than their differences.

"Crooks & Liars" Discovers Best Way to Defend Rep. Pete Stark  —  Lie.  —  Nutrooters Crooks and Liars discovers that if you can't possibly win an argument over the latest disgusting anti-military, anti-Bush remarks by a Democratic politician...  Then just lie about it.

Thompson's fall from grace  —  There was a time over the summer when Fred Thompson looked like he'd enjoy enormous support from the GOP's religious right base.  The Dobson crowd had already ruled out McCain and Giuliani, and skepticism over Romney lingered.

ABC's Rush report shows why people hate the media  —  Why the Surber kids were told Daddy is a piano player in a whorehouse  —  Why do people absolutely detest the media?  Is it the laziness?  Is it the incompetence?  Is it the bias?  —  This report from the ABC News blog shows all 3 elements.

Ex-Prosecutor Alleges Pentagon Plays Politics  —  Pressure for 'Sexy' Guantanamo Hearings  —  Politically motivated officials at the Pentagon have pushed for convictions of high-profile detainees ahead of the 2008 elections, the former lead prosecutor for terrorism trials at Guantanamo Bay said last night …

IEDs Seen As Rising Threat in The U.S.  —  As Preparedness Is Criticized, Bush Works on a Plan  —  The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI agree that the homemade explosive devices that have wreaked havoc in Iraq pose a rising threat to the United States.

Update: Saturday Morning  —  And now the real (sorry, Ron) main event: Rudy Giuliani.  —  Giuliani took the stage to a warm reception of applause, answering the immediate question of whether the FRC crowd might rudely snub him from moment one.  Not so: definitely a courteous and even enthusiastic welcome.

A Journalist?  Says Who?  —  I've discussed in this space - though in the light and frothy context of inappropriate photos posted online - how once something is on the Internet, it's in the public domain.  —  The same goes for legal rulings.  —  In a fascinating instance …

Rudy's New Minnesota Campaign Official Has An "N-Word" Problem  —  The man named yesterday by the Giuliani campaign to a law enforcement outreach campaign post in Minnesota was forced to resign a government job in 2004 when proof surfaced that he'd admitted to repeatedly using the word "nigger" in the past, Election Central has learned.

Sheriff's deputies arrest 'New Times' owners  —  Paper at odds with county authorities  —  Michael Kiefer, Robert Anglen and JJ Hensley  —  Phoenix New Times owners Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin were arrested Thursday night by Maricopa County sheriff's deputies on charges of revealing grand jury information, a misdemeanor.

An Improbable Favorite Emerges in Cajun Country  —  An Oxford-educated son of immigrants from India is virtually certain to become the leading candidate for Louisiana's next governor in Saturday's primary election.  It would be an unlikely choice for a state that usually picks its leaders …

J.K. Rowling Outs Hogwarts Character  —  NEW YORK (AP) - Harry Potter fans, the rumors are true: Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, is gay.  J.K. Rowling, author of the mega-selling fantasy series that ended last summer, outed the beloved character Friday night …

Limbaugh At It Again - Mocks Voice Of 12 Year Old Graeme Frost  —  Remember when comedian Rush Limbaugh mocked Michael J. Fox during the 2006 campaign?  It seems he was at it again last night on FOXNews' Hannity & Colmes, where he not only denied attacking Graeme Frost, but went on to mock his voice …