McCain Campaign Calls Allegations ‘Gutter Politics’  —  Sen. John McCain said today that he has “never done any favors for anybody — lobbyist or special-interest group” as his presidential campaign rushed out a statement denouncing allegations that he did anything to benefit a specific Washington lobbyist as “gutter politics.”

Putin ‘has secret $40bn fortune’  —  An unprecedented battle is taking place inside the Kremlin in advance of Vladimir Putin's departure from office, the Guardian has learned, with claims that the president presides over a secret multibillion-dollar fortune.

An Interview With Fred Thompson's Wife, Jeri Thompson  —  Yesterday, I got together with Fred Thompson's wife, Jeri Thompson, for a phone interview as she traveled around Iowa.  Unfortunately, near the end of the interview, while she was running low on time, she hit a bad cell.

Housing changes unravel Katrina victims' lives  —  Rent subsidy programs migrate to new agencies  —  On a rainy afternoon two days before Thanksgiving, Dawn Haynes was driving when she spotted the family of five sitting on the steps of Gospel Baptist Church.

Business As Usual On The Border  —  The reliably thoughtful Andrew Sullivan delivers his perspective on the awful story of a Nordic would-be tourist: … Matt Yglesias joins in: … So, this incident from Cheney's America reads like an Eastern European country in the 70's?

To See Or Not To See  —  There's a bit of controversy brewing today over Mitt Romney — apparently the Boston Phoenix and the Detroit Free Press are reporting that Romney's father George, the former Governor of Michigan never actually marched with Martin Luther King Jr. as had been previously claimed.

Descendants of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse break away from US  —  WASHINGTON (AFP) — The Lakota Indians, who gave the world legendary warriors Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, have withdrawn from treaties with the United States, leaders said Wednesday.  —  “We are no longer citizens …

Choice is clear: McCain's the one  —  There are times in this nation's history so perilous that they cry out for a steady, experienced leader, a person so trusted that we would put the fate of this country in his hands.  —  This is one of those times, and Sen. John McCain is that person.

Richardson Accuses Clinton of ‘Flip-Flop’ on Iraq Pullout  —  MUSCATINE, Iowa — I just got a phone call — unprompted — from Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a Democratic candidate for president, blasting Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for saying she would withdraw nearly all American troops …

Ron Paul's Photo-Op with Stormfront  —  An LGF reader emailed this photograph, showing Ron Paul at the Values Voters Presidential Debate in Fort Lauderdale on September 17, 2007.  Immediately to Paul's left: Don Black, the owner of neo-Nazi hate site Stormfront.

Re: Discouraging Libel Tourism Decision  —  Stanley, I agree it's an awful decision.  (At the end of this piece at Human Events, I outline the federal appeals court case that resulted in today's New York State decision).  I have not completely lost hope.  The panel in the federal court …

Troops Capture ‘Special Groups’ Leader, Release Detainees  —  Coalition forces captured a suspected “special groups” leader during operations yesterday in the northern Baghdad area, military officials reported.  —  The targeted individual was the special groups criminal element leader …

Archbishop says nativity ‘a legend’  —  The Archbishop of Canterbury said yesterday that the Christmas story of the Three Wise Men was nothing but a 'legend'.  —  Dr Rowan Williams has claimed there was little evidence that the Magi even existed and there was certainly nothing to prove there were three of them or that they were kings.

The Weakest of Denials  —  At a year-end press conference this morning, President Bush staved off questions about White House complicity in the destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes, refusing even to flatly deny that he was personally involved.  —  Bush also declined to say whether …

Poll puts Tories 12 points ahead of Labour  —  Gordon Brown's personal approval rating has slumped to an all-time low as a Daily Telegraph opinion poll today shows that Labour would lose 100 MPs if an election was held now.  —  The YouGov poll indicates that the Conservatives go into the new year with a 12-point lead over Labour.

U.S. Senate Report: Over 400 Prominent Scientists Disputed Man-Made Global Warming Claims in 2007  —  Senate Report Debunks “Consensus"  —  Complete U.S. Senate Report Now Available: (LINK)  —  Complete Report without Introduction: (LINK)  —  INTRODUCTION:

Is it down to Mitt and Mike?  —  Not since 1952 has the nation entered a presidential year with greater seeming uncertainty as to who will face off in November.  —  Early that year, Tennessee Sen. Ernest Kefauver upset Harry Truman in New Hampshire, relieving the nation by dashing Harry's hopes for another four years.

Huckabee's Faith-Based Views Find Critics, Fans in Both Parties  —  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — When the idea for a proclamation declaring Christian Heritage Week came up in 1994, Jim Guy Tucker, the Democratic governor of Arkansas, would not sign it.  His aides said he did not think it was appropriate to honor a particular faith.