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 …

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

Democrats & Torture  —  As I discussed in this article a few days ago, Judge Mukasey seems to be the only person required by Democrats to call for a categorical ban on all coercive interrogation tactics.  —  This morning, both Rich and the Wall Street Journal recount these comments by Sen. Chuck Schumer in 2004:

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 …

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 …

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 …

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?

'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.

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.

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 …

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.

Damsel in the Debate  —  My favorite photo of the week — maybe my favorite photo of the presidential campaign so far — showed Hillary Clinton, dukes up, in a pair of bright red boxing gloves.  It is iconic Hillary, unafraid to take on a fight.  Which is also why the almost anti-feminist subtext …

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.

Heck of a Job, Hughsie  —  KAREN HUGHES THROWS IN THE TOWEL.  —  And so Karen Hughes is leaving her post as "public diplomat" in much the same way she assumed it, with an air of farce and mystery.  —  The farcical qualities, in both phases, were up front for all to see.

In Iraq, a Lull or Hopeful Trend?  —  Signs of Declining Violence Leave Residents, U.S. Commanders Cautious  —  From store clerks selling cigarettes by generator power, to military commanders poring over aerial maps, Iraqis and Americans are striving to understand the sharp decrease in violence …