A Rebellion and an Awkward Embrace  —  In the most exciting and confounding election cycle of my lifetime, Rudy Giuliani, the Prince of the City, is out because he was about to lose New York, John Edwards is out, the Clintons are fighting for their historical reputations …

WH funds race: Clinton, Obama crush GOP-ers  —  Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama out-raised the four Republican presidential candidates - John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul - $49.6 million to $42.2 million in the last three months of 2007, according to finance reports made public Thursday night.

Buried WMD Scoop  —  Journalists are taught never to “bury the lead.”  Yet it looks as if that's precisely what CBS's “60 Minutes” did in reporter Scott Pelley's fascinating interview Sunday with George Piro, the FBI agent who debriefed Saddam Hussein following his capture in December 2003.

Focus-group women unchanged post-debate  —  BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — If Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama wanted their last debate performances before Super Tuesday to change minds, it didn't work.  —  At least not for 10 undecided California women who gathered for a focus group aimed …

Times Reporter Subpoenaed Over Source for Book  —  WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury has issued a subpoena to a reporter of The New York Times, apparently to try to force him to reveal his confidential sources for a 2006 book on the Central Intelligence Agency, one of the reporter's lawyers said Thursday.

Coulter: If McCain's the nominee, I'll campaign for Hillary  —  The ne plus ultra of conservatives crapping away Iraq in a fit of spite at Maverick: “I think she would be stronger on the war on terrorism.”  Madness.  —  Blowback

McCain's Critics on Right Look Again  —  WASHINGTON — Senator John McCain has long aroused almost unanimous opposition from the leaders of the right.  Accusing him of crimes against conservative orthodoxy like voting against a big tax cut and opposing a federal ban on same-sex marriage …

The McCain Transition  —  John McCain is exhausted.  He hasn't had a full-night's sleep in forever.  It took him 10 hours to get to California because of flight trouble.  He underperformed in the debate Wednesday night, as his staff understands.  He took some shots at Mitt Romney …

Employment Situation Summary  —  Technical information:  —  Household data: (202) 691-6378 USDL 08-0130  —  Establishment data: (202) 691-6555 Transmission of material in this release  —  http://www.bls.gov/ces/ is embargoed until 8:30 A.M. (EST), Media contact: (202) 691-5902 Friday, February 1, 2008.

Dozens Killed in Worst Baghdad Attack in Months  —  BAGHDAD — Twin bombs struck two markets in central Baghdad on Friday, killing dozens in the worst attack in the Iraqi capital for many months.  —  One bomb hit the Ghazil pet market, the scene of another deadly bombing in November when 13 people were killed.

Countdown Special Comment: On FISA and Telecom Immunity  —  Keith Olbermann's Special Comment tonight on Countdown was yet another scathing rebuke of President Bush and his lies about the pending FISA legislation and fear tactics during his final State of the Union address earlier this week.

Clawing for a Legacy  —  Legacy?  What legacy?  —  There was general amazement when (the now-muzzled) Bill Clinton did his red-faced, attack-dog, race-baiting performance in South Carolina.  Friends, Democrats and longtime media sycophants were variously perplexed, repulsed, enraged …

Here's the problem with McCain (Remember Alcibiades?)  —  If there is any justice in the world, Sen. John McCain's hopes of winning the 2008 Republican presidential nomination will suffer a body blow when people are reminded of a well-sourced story published last year by The Hill describing …

The Edwards Effect  —  So John Edwards has dropped out of the race for the presidency.  By normal political standards, his campaign fell short.  —  But Mr. Edwards, far more than is usual in modern politics, ran a campaign based on ideas.  And even as his personal quest for the White House faltered …

Self-Funding In An Age Of BCRA  —  Late last night, Mitt Romney's campaign released its fourth-quarter funding figures, and as everyone expected, Romney significantly self-funded.  He raised $9 million, which stacks up well against the other Republicans, but added twice as much into the kitty from his own pocket.

Over the Top  —  Jonah, I may be a one-woman over-the-top machine, but I think what you've been seeing in The Corner and elsewhere is folks taking what limited time is left to air concerns and differences.  And, yes, take sides.  If you think Romney's the conservative guy with real leadership skills, say so and say why.

Obama Won  —  It was, I think, his best debate in the campaign so far.  The one-on-one format elevated him instantly and he commanded the stage and the occasion.  Hillary Clinton did not do poorly.  All her strengths were on show: the policy mastery, the gaffe-free talking points, the Clinton record in the 1990s.