NBC's Tim Russert dead at 58  —  Washington bureau chief, ‘Meet the Press’ moderator collapsed on job  —  Tim Russert at the Newseum in Washington on Nov. 14.  —  Live video  —  LIVE: Remembering Tim Russert  —  LIVE VIDEO: Watch MSNBC's coverage of the life of NBC News Washington …

McCain Slams The Supreme Court's Habeas Decision  —  PEMBERTON, N.J.—I am still sitting in a John McCain town hall, so have not had time to transcribe the full quotes, but wanted to post this quick.  After a day of consideration, the McCain Campaign has decided to come out hard against yesterday's 5 …

Obama Defines Social Security ‘Doughnut’ Plan  —  COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sen. Barack Obama today plans to make a firm commitment to a Social Security tax hike on people making more than $250,000 a year, stepping away from an earlier plan he floated last year to boost the 12.4 percent payroll tax …

McCain Cancels Event with Controversial Fundraiser  —  ABC's Rick Klein reports: Sen. John McCain on Friday abruptly cancelled a Monday fundraiser that had been scheduled at the home of a Texas oilman, after ABC News contacted the campaign inquiring about a verbal blunder the Texan made during …

FU AP  —  I talked to a reporter this week about the embattled Associated Press and said three times that I didn't want it to die.  I might take that back.  —  The AP has filed truly noxious takedown notices against Rogers Cadenhead's community-created Drudge Retort, arguing copyright violations for quotes from 33 to 79 words long.

This Is Why Facts Matter  —  Senior Brookings Fellows Michael O'Hanlon and Kenneth Pollack gave a report today and entertained questions at a Brookings briefing on Iraq.  It was the single most illuminating presentation I have witnessed on the status of Iraq and the potential way forward.

Dems Not Backing Obama?  Rahm Will Deal With It  —  As the man who guided (and pressured and arm-twisted) Democrats to historic congressional gains in 2006, what is Rep. Rahm Emanuel doing now about party members like Rep. Dan Boren who have balked at publicly endorsing Sen. Barack Obama?

Request: Ambinder  —  A reader wants to know: “I know you read Ambinder's blog.  Do you think it's balanced?  If not, which way does it incline?”  I think it's very balanced.  I have no idea what Marc thinks and, indeed, I sometimes think Marc is so committed to reporting and balance that he doesn't know what he thinks.

Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 43%  —  Obama's lead shrinks slightly compared with earlier this week  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Barack Obama leads John McCain in national registered voter preferences for the election, but by a slightly narrower margin than he had earlier this week, 46% vs. 43%.