Dark Suspicions about the NIE  —  A new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), entitled "Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities," has just dealt a serious blow to the argument some of us have been making that Iran is intent on building nuclear weapons and that neither diplomacy nor sanctions can prevent it from succeeding.

Hillary Pollster: "Kindergarten Attack" On Obama Was Just A Gag!  —  Now this is interesting.  Yesterday the Hillary Clinton campaign was pilloried in the press after it issued a press release that attacked Barack Obama for claiming he wasn't running for President in order to fulfill a life-long ambition.

MIKE HUCKABEE — TOO MORALISTIC TO PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY  —  I have defended Mike Huckabee from charges that he's not a conservative.  As with nearly all of the Republican candidates, there are some important conservative positions to which Huckabee has not closely adhered …

Democrats Set to Debate in Iowa as Race Tightens  —  Listen Live Here Beginning at 2 p.m. EST  —  · All of the major Democratic presidential candidates will meet in Iowa on Tuesday for a two-hour debate, as an extremely close race is shaping up in the first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Colorado 2008 Presidential Election  —  Colorado: Schaffer, Udall Tie for Senate; Clinton Trails Giuliani, Leads Romney  —  Former Congressman Bob Schaffer (R) and Congressman Mark Udall (D)—vying for the open seat vacated by retiring Senator Wayne Allard, a Republican …

Norman Hsu indicted in NY; indictment added; feds want Billy Boy's sax back, plus "bottles of wine and champagne"  —  Just in from AP: … The Hillary Clinton campaign was too busy digging through Barack Obama's homework to respond.  —  More: Here's the indictment (PDF).

The 2nd Annual Worst Quotes From The Daily Kos (2007 Edition)  —  America's most influential blog is the Daily Kos.  Democratic members of Congress post on the blog, Democratic presidential contenders cater to them, and Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas is considered to be a mainstream figure amongst Democrats.

Giuliani No Longer Heads Consultant  —  DES MOINES, Iowa — Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani has stepped down as head of his consulting firm, Giuliani Partners, after months of refusing to disclose the firm's clients or the role he played.  —  Giuliani has been replaced as chairman …

WATCH'M SQUIRM  —  Look at the expressions on Bush's face and the evident discomfort as he gets ready to fib and weave about when he knew the intel on Iran.  —  Pay particular attention to when he says he was told there was new information back in August but supposedly didn't ask what the 'new information' was.

NURSES TOLD TO TURN MUSLIMS' BEDS TO MECCA  —  OVERWORKED nurses have been ordered to stop all medical work five times every day to move Muslim patients' beds so they face towards Mecca.  —  The lengthy procedure, which also includes providing fresh bathing water, is creating turmoil among overstretched staff on bustling NHS wards.

A Lurid Aftermath to a Hedge Fund Manager's Life  —  JUPITER, Fla. — A life of private jets and black-tie balls ended with Seth Tobias, a wealthy investment manager and a familiar presence on CNBC, floating face down in the swimming pool of his mansion here.

Exclusive: Another Friend of Giuliani's Embroiled in Sheriff's Criminal Case  —  Presidential Candidate Giuliani's Partner Linked to Bribery Case  —  When Hank Asher reached into the bag and pulled out the two $15,000 gold Cartier watches, the holiday crowd at Carmine's restaurant on 44th Street in Manhattan noticed, patrons recalled.