The most influential US conservatives: 1-20  —  As the US prepares for what is arguably the most open presidential election since 1928, the last time there was no incumbent president or vice-president on the ballot, the Daily Telegraph's Washington correspondents compile a list of the 100 …

The Real Hill-Bill Problem  —  WASHINGTON — Americans don't normally take much notice of Argentine elections.  But they did notice when Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, wife of President Nestor Kirchner, was elected to succeed him last Sunday, ensuring not just a co-presidency …

S.C. Democrats Say No to Colbert  —  GREENVILLE, S.C. — The momentum of the Colbert presidential campaign hit a cul-de-sac today when the South Carolina Democratic Party decided he wasn't a serious candidate and turned down his application to get on the ballot.

Obama Pledges 'Aggressive' Iran Diplomacy  —  Senator Barack Obama said he would "engage in aggressive personal diplomacy" with Iran if elected president, and would offer economic inducements and a possible promise not to seek "regime change" if Iran stopped meddling in Iraq and cooperated on terrorism and nuclear issues.

Prostates and Prejudices  —  "My chance of surviving prostate cancer — and thank God I was cured of it — in the United States?  Eighty-two percent," says Rudy Giuliani in a new radio ad attacking Democratic plans for universal health care.  "My chances of surviving prostate cancer in England?

The war in Iraq has been won  —  THERE is a reason Iraq has almost disappeared as an election issue.  —  Here it is: The battle is actually over.  Iraq has been won.  —  I know this will seem to many of you an insane claim.  Ridiculous!  —  After all, haven't you read countless stories that Iraq is a …

Hillary Reveals Her Inner Self  —  It's startling.  It's still 1993 in there, the year before her fall.  —  The story isn't that the Democrats finally took on Hillary Clinton.  Nor is it that they were gentlemanly to the point of gingerly and tentative.  There was an air of "Please …

Undecided Schumer May Be Key to Mukasey's Chances  —  Judiciary Chairman Endorsed Justice Nominee but Says He, Like Other Democrats, Is Concerned About Torture Question  —  As Democratic opposition builds over attorney general nominee Michael B. Mukasey, no Democratic lawmaker has found himself …

Obama chides Clinton for playing gender card  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama, the only black candidate for president, accused rival Hillary Clinton on Friday of hiding behind her gender after she was pummeled in a debate with six male candidates.

'This Will Make Voter Fraud Easier'  —  Why does Mrs. Clinton want driver's licenses for illegal aliens?  —  Sen. Hillary Clinton was asked during a debate this week if she supported New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Saudi prince: We could've helped prevent 9/11  —  (CNN) — Saudi Arabia could have helped the United States prevent al Qaeda's 2001 attacks on New York and Washington if American officials had consulted Saudi authorities in a "credible" way, the kingdom's former ambassador said in a documentary aired Thursday.

How Iraq's Elections Set Back Democracy  —  IN the six weeks since Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker delivered their report to Congress on the situation in Iraq, there has been much criticism over the lack of progress made by the Baghdad government toward national reconciliation.

Industries Paid for Top Regulators' Travel  —  Two Heads of Product Safety Agency Accepted Trips From Manufacturer Groups  —  The chief of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and her predecessor have taken dozens of trips at the expense of the toy, appliance and children's furniture industries …

Friday's Blackout boycott took wing on the Web  —  Civil rights movement goes digital as it tries to show blacks' spending power  —  Gwenola Grier learned about Friday's National Blackout boycott through an e-mail forwarded by a friend that called for blacks to spend no money …

Poll Index  —  Voting for The 2007 Weblog Awards is now open.  This is the master list of voting links that you can use this to navigate to the voting booths for each of the 49 categories.  You can vote once a day in each category.  Polls close November 8, 2007.  —  General Categories  —  Best Blog