Mukasey Wins Vote in Senate, Despite Democrats' Doubts  —  The Senate confirmed Michael B. Mukasey as attorney general Thursday night, approving him despite Democratic criticism that he had failed to take an unequivocal stance against the torture of terrorism detainees.

Bernard Kerik: America's Cop Indicted  —  Federal Grand Jury Indicts Kerik on Various Corruption Charges  —  A federal grand jury has voted to indict former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik on charges stemming from the acceptance of free rent and apartment renovations …

Police Block Bhutto From Attending Rally  —  The opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was placed under house arrest this morning, her political party said.  Streets were filled with police officers carrying batons and shields, and trucks blocked roads, trying to prevent access to a protest rally …

Transcript: Barack Obama On Hillary, Iraq And More  —  National Journal's Linda Douglass sat down with Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama in Iowa on Tuesday, Nov. 6.  This is a transcript of their conversation.  —  Q: So, welcome to Senator Barack Obama.  Welcome to "National Journal On Air."

Germany's Day of Destiny  —  While 9/11 has shaped US foreign policy and national identity significantly, German identity and foreign policy has been shaped even more by 9.11. — that's how we write "November 9th."  —  This is what happened on November 9th in Germany:

59 schoolchildren died in Afghan blast  —  KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghanistan's deadliest suicide attack since the Taliban regime's ouster killed 59 schoolchildren, while 96 other students were wounded in the blast, the Education Ministry spokesman said Friday.

PAT ROBERTSON ENDORSES RUDY GIULIANI FOR PRESIDENT  —  The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced that Pat Robertson has endorsed Rudy Giuliani for President of the United States.  —  "It is my pleasure to announce my support for America's Mayor, Rudy Giuliani …

From Back of G.O.P. Pack, Huckabee Is Stirring  —  Mike Huckabee's field staff had expected a modest crowd for a campaign event at a tiny rural community college near here on Wednesday.  But as people began to cram into the shoe-box-size room, campaign organizers scurried to roll back a dividing wall and set up extra chairs.

SPEAK FOR YOURSELF....Responding to my suggestion earlier today that the American public increasingly opposes the Iraq war regardless of how well it's going, Tobin Harshaw of the Opinionator says: … Not only is this baseless (read the post and judge for yourself), it's craven.  Even worse, it's bad writing.

WaMu and The Rep War  —  Via PJ at Housing Wire, I see that WaMu put a PR out yesterday on the matter of Mr. Cuomo's investigation into its appraisal practices.  As PJ notes, this is the part that matters: … That last sentence is clearly a direct response to the last sentence of this part of Fannie Mae's PR from earlier yesterday:

Tidal wave heading for England's east coast poses 'extreme danger to life'  —  Tens of thousands of householders are today preparing for some of the worst coastal floods in decades.  —  Sea levels could rise up to 9ft this morning along part of the East Coast, putting lives at risk.

12 arrested in counter-terrorism and drug-trafficking investigation  —  More indictments are expected in the probe, which has centered on L.A.'s garment district.  —  A dozen people were arrested Tuesday on charges of narcotics trafficking, money laundering and selling counterfeit goods …