Trent Lott announces his resignation  —  Minority whip says he will leave Senate before end of the year  —  Pascagoula, Mississippi - Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, announced Monday he will retire from the Senate by end of year.

Iraqis may offer US deal to stay longer  —  BAGHDAD - Iraq's government, seeking protection against foreign threats and internal coups, will offer the U.S. a long-term troop presence in Iraq in return for U.S. security guarantees as part of a strategic partnership, two Iraqi officials said Monday.

The False Conservative  —  Who would respond to criticism from the Club for Growth by calling the conservative, free-market campaign organization the "Club for Greed"?  That sounds like Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich or John Edwards, all Democrats preaching the class struggle.

DON'T GO THERE: BRIT PAPER STARTS 'UGLIEST MONTH'  —  The TIMES of London starts 'The Ugliest Month' with a full page photo takeout on Hillary Clinton and her beautiful personal assistant.  —  "Hillary Clinton has been accused of having an affair with Huma Abedin," reads the caption.

Clinton and Obama switch roles in Iowa  —  DES MOINES — In a reversal of fortune, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is barnstorming Iowa with a front-runner's swagger while Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) scrambles like an underdog.  —  In ways big and small over the weekend …

Ron Paul Has Won  —  He won't win the nomination.  He won't win any primaries.  But for Ron Paul's quixotic bid for the White House, it's "Mission Accomplished."  —  Take a look at this from Sunday's Washington Post.  Not just the article but the killer packaging:

Islamists target Arizona base  —  Fort Huachuca, the nation's largest intelligence-training center, changed security measures in May after being warned that Islamist terrorists, with the aid of Mexican drug cartels, were planning an attack on the facility.  —  Fort officials changed security measures …

Bush to Welcome Gore to White House  —  Former Political Rivals Meet as Nobel Prize Winners are Honored  —  Forget the Mideast peace talks.  A meeting that may require even greater diplomacy will take place Monday in the Oval Office, when President Bush receives America's Nobel Prize winners — including his one-time rival, Al Gore.

Rudy: It's time to unmask Romney  —  WINDHAM, N.H. — In a big strategic shift, Rudy Giuliani hammered Mitt Romney's record on three fronts, saying it was time to "take the mask off and take a look at what kind of governor he was."  —  Using some of the toughest language of his campaign …

Winter of Our Discontent  —  "Americans' Economic Pessimism Reaches Record High."  That's the headline on a recent Gallup report, which shows a nation deeply unhappy with the state of the economy.  Right now, "27% of Americans rate current economic conditions as either 'excellent' or 'good …

Lead America, Republicans  —  We need our Tony Blair, our Nicolas Sarkozy.  —  While Democrats select a presidential candidate, Republicans seek a president.  There are a bunch of Jimmy Carters on the other side who are willing to apologize for America's greatness.  Forget about finding the next Reagan.