A dose of discipline for McCain's campaign  —  The Sergeant has been promoted.  —  Whenever Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) needed an answer to a political question during long days on buses and planes with reporters during the GOP primary, he would turn to a linebacker of a campaign adviser.

Judge Rejects Bush's View on Wiretaps  —  WASHINGTON — A federal judge in California said Wednesday that the wiretapping law established by Congress was the “exclusive” means for the president to eavesdrop on Americans, and he rejected the government's claim that the president's constitutional authority …

15 Hostages Rescued in Colombia  —  Military Tricks Rebels Into Freeing Politician Betancourt, 3 American Contractors  —  Colombia's military yesterday rescued the most prominent of several hundred hostages held by Marxist rebels, a group of 15 that included the French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt …

A Supreme Court on the Brink  —  In some ways, the Supreme Court term that just ended seems muddled: disturbing, highly conservative rulings on subjects like voting rights and gun control, along with important defenses of basic liberties in other areas, including the rights of detainees at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

Can Barack Buy the Presidency?  —  On the money front, how do Sens. Obama and McCain stack up?  No contest, it seems.  Since the campaign began, Mr. Obama has raised a staggering $295-plus million, versus Mr. McCain's almost $122 million.  But that's misleading.  —  Mr. Obama spent a lot to win the nomination.

YOU AND YOUR CELL....All modern cell phones are equipped with GPS capability that allows your location to be tracked within a few meters at all times.  Question: does the federal government have access to this tracking information without a warrant?  The ACLU filed a Freedom of Information request …

Crime doesn't pay  —  I just found out a friend of mine got shot three times in the stomach last night in my neighborhood during a mugging.  He's in the hospital, possibly facing major surgery.  —  This seems like a terrible time to launch into a diatribe on gun control …

Research: Wind power pricier, emits more CO2 than thought  —  'Windfarm output is never zero.  Sometimes it's less'  —  Fresh contenders have entered the UK wind power debate, as a turbines expert funded by the Renewable Energy Foundation publishes an investigation into a hotly-disputed subject …

CNBC Contributor Blasts Limbaugh Deal: ‘What Are These People Smoking?’  —  Vanity Fair media columnist says popular host will be ‘oddity,’ claims ‘rise of conservatism’ ‘coming to an end.’  —  Business & Media Institute  —  It's time to short-sell Clear Channel Communications stock …

Panel Questions State Dept. Role in Iraq Oil Deal  —  Bush administration officials knew that a Texas oil company with close ties to President Bush was planning to sign an oil deal with the regional Kurdistan government that ran counter to American policy and undercut Iraq's central government, a Congressional committee has concluded.

(Updated) Why Are Right-of-Center Bloggers So Silent On Torture?  —  As you know if you are a reader of this or any number of other blogs, The New York Times broke a biggie yesterday in reporting that the Pentagon knowingly employed torture techniques that the Communist Chinese used …

White House, Candidates Plan Smooth Transfer of Power  —  WASHINGTON — The Bush administration and the two major presidential campaigns are beginning an unprecedented attempt to prevent the transfer of power in January from disrupting defense and counterterrorism efforts.

Losing the mullet, angling for veep  —  Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has a shot at being John McCain's No. 2 — and it's not just because of the snazzy new haircut.  —  Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty speaks to Republicans on behalf of John McCain during the Michigan GOP Convention in Grand Rapids on Feb. 10, 2007.

Conservative Activist Details McCain Support  —  Phil Burress is one of the mover and shakers in the conservative Evangelical movement.  —  He's one of the key guys in the room when James Dobson, Tony Perkins and others gather to discuss key social issues.  A month ago, he had this to say about John McCain:

Iraq Hints at Delay in U.S. Security Deal  —  BAGHDAD — Declaring that there will not be “another colonization of Iraq,” Iraq's foreign minister raised the possibility on Wednesday that a full security agreement with the United States might not be reached this year, and that if one was, it would be a short-term pact.

America's Days Aren't Numbered  —  I have a simple request.  As we celebrate the birth of the American Republic, can we all stop predicting its death?  It's getting depressing.  —  The last time I strolled through the local Barnes & Noble, there were so many books announcing the end of American power …

Lieberman Favs Shellacked  —  Running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary in 2006, Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman did his best to avoid irritating the Democratic base in order to win at least some of their votes in November.  Now, having so publicly backed John McCain …