Norman Mailer, Outspoken Novelist, Dies at 84  —  Norman Mailer, the combative, controversial and often outspoken novelist who loomed over American letters longer and larger than any writer of his generation, died today at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.  He was 84.

Clinton admits planting questions in public forum  —  Hillary Clinton stopped at a bio-diesel plant in Newton, Iowa earlier this week to see alternative fuels in the making and drive home the week's campaign theme of her energy plan.  After a tour, the candidate took questions from the crowd.

AL-DURA AND THE "PUBLIC SECRET" OF MIDDLE EAST JOURNALISM  —  The evidence emerging from the ongoing Al Dura trial in France indicates that Western journalists are fully aware that some of the footage they use in their reports on the Mideast conflict is staged, charges Richard Landes.

Recession?  What Recession?  —  If it looks like a recession and feels like a recession ...  "Quite frankly," said Senator Charles Schumer, peering over his glasses at the Fed chairman, Ben Bernanke, "I think we are at a moment of economic crisis, stemming from four key areas …

Republicans blame the wrong president for overstretched military  —  Of all of Bush's misstatements from the 2000 presidential election, one of the most obviously-false attacks was on military readiness.  Indeed, then-Gov. Bush blamed Clinton and Gore directly for "hollowing out" the military.

Play of the Day: McCain's Mom on Mormons  —  MEREDITH, N.H. (AP) - John McCain's 95-year-old mother, in a swipe at her son's rival Mitt Romney, said Friday that Mormons were to blame for the scandal that rocked the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.  —  During an appearance on MSNBC …

Rice's Management at Issue  —  Critics Cite Blackwater, Baghdad Embassy and Passports  —  Shortly after Condoleezza Rice took charge of the 57,000-person State Department in 2005, she said she relished the challenge of "line responsibility" in leading a large organization.

The Web Finds Its Man, and Takes Him for a Ride  —  From posting video on YouTube to enlisting friends through Facebook, all of the presidential candidates are looking for ways to harness the Internet.  In the case of Ron Paul, the Internet has harnessed him.

Hugo Chavez's criminal paradise  —  Under the anti-globalization president, Venezuela has become a haven for global crime.  —  While President Hugo Chavez has been molding Venezuela into his personal socialist vision, other transformations — less visible but equally profound — have taken hold in the country.

NUCLEAR....John McCain offered up some criticism of Bernie Kerik yesterday for bailing out on his job training the Iraqi police, and the Giuliani campaign naturally went ballistic in response.  Rich Lowry is perturbed: … But this is just the package you get with Rudy.

People Who Live in Glass Houses  —  Nationally syndicated radio host Michael Baisden has been blasting Color of Change and suggesting they misappropriated funds raised for the Jena 6.  —  From the Chicago Tribune: … You view the cancelled checks here.  According to emails and letters released …

Edwards @ John Mellencamp concert  —  It was 7 p.m. on a Friday night in Des Moines and I was driving to meet friends L, M and S at Wells Fargo Arena where I would see one of my favorite bands, Los Lobos, open for John Mellencamp.  The sound of my phone ringing pierced the interior of my car.