Fineman: What Obama must do in the debate  —  WASHINGTON - As Sen. Barack Obama prepared for Tuesday night's crucial NBC debate in Philadelphia, his high command back in Chicago was watching a lot of old Clinton videotape — not of Hillary Clinton, but of Bill, and not of Bill as president …

CLEAR CHANNEL, REPUBLICAN PROPAGANDA NETWORK, OUT TO KILL SPRINGSTEEN'S MAGIC?  —  If you look for Springsteen in Google News, you get one rave review of his live sold out tour after another.  Last Thursday and Friday he wowed 'em at the Oakland Coliseum.  Last night he was in L.A.

New Congress at war over everything  —  In a closed-door meeting before the last vote on the children's health care bill, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer appealed for the support of about 30 wavering Republican lawmakers.  What he got instead was a tongue-lashing, participants said.

Exclusive: ABC News Obtains Text of Blackwater Immunity Deal  —  State Department Grants Immunity to Guards Investigated for Shooting Iraqi Civilians  —  Members of a private security company pose on the rooftop of a house in Baghdad, Sept. 18, 2007.  ABC News has learned details …

University of Delaware Requires Students to Undergo Ideological Reeducation  —  The University of Delaware subjects students in its residence halls to a shocking program of ideological reeducation that is referred to in the university's own materials as a "treatment" for students' incorrect attitudes and beliefs.

Attorney General Nominee Sends Letter to Dems  —  Attorney general nominee Michael B. Mukasey told Senate Democrats today that a kind of simulated drowning known as waterboarding is "repugnant," but he does not know whether the interrogation technique violates U.S. laws against torture.

Against Giuliani  —  "Hillary and Obama are kind of debating whether to invite [Osama bin Laden and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] to the inauguration or the inaugural ball," says Rudy Giuliani.  Andrew's right.  This guy is out of his goddamn mind.  —  You know, a few years ago …

Col. Boylan's denial  —  (updated below)  —  As indicated last night, Editor & Publisher has published a lengthy article on the Col. Boylan email matter, which includes a discussion of an unsolicited, critical email sent to them from Col. Boylan as well.  That, as I documented last night …

How Lawmaker Rebuilt Hometown on Earmarks  —  Johnstown Gets Billions  —  With Power Broker's Aid;  —  FBI Questions a Contract  —  JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — If John Murtha were a businessman, he'd be the biggest employer in this town.  —  The powerful U.S. congressman has used his clout …

Stephen Colbert Tops Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich in Presidential Poll  —  Fresh from a victorious interview on "Meet the Press," Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert continues to out-pun pundits and expectorate political expectations with his half-sincere, three-quarters-book-promoting campaign for the presidency.

Three plead guilty in fake voter scheme  —  Three of seven defendants in the biggest voter-registration fraud scheme in Washington history have pleaded guilty and one has been sentenced, prosecutors said Monday.  —  The defendants were all temporary employees of ACORN …

ODD CONNECTION TO THE DEATH PENALTY: Lawprof and legal journalist Jeff Rosen had a very interesting New York Times article about Justice Stevens a week ago.  The whole thing is much worth reading; but here I wanted to comment just on one part: … I recognize that much can get lost in such pieces …

Cross-dressing state lawmaker blackmailed following late night tryst  —  SPOKANE — State Representative Richard Curtis says he's not gay, but police reports and court records indicate the Republican lawmaker from southwestern Washington dressed up in women's lingerie and met a Medical Lake man …

Meyer apologizes in letter to students  —  Andrew Meyer has addressed an apology letter to UF students, UF President Bernie Machen and Student Government for his "failure to act calmly" during a Sept. 17 forum with Sen. John Kerry.  —  In a letter released to the Alligator on Monday afternoon …

Norman Podhoretz: Anyone Who Doesn't Want To 'Bomb Iran' Is Appeasing 'Hitler'  —  On the PBS Newshour with Jim Lehrer last night, Commentary Magazine editor-at-large Norman Podhoretz, who is also a foreign policy adviser to Rudy Giuliani, repeated his claim that there is "only one terrible choice" …

Kucinich questions Bush's mental health  —  PHILADELPHIA - Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich questioned President Bush's mental health in light of comments he made about a nuclear Iran precipitating World War III.  —  "I seriously believe we have to start asking questions …