Maliki's Withdrawal Card  —  A year ago, the conventional Beltway wisdom had it that Iraq was a failed state.  Today, the same wisdom holds that it is less chaotic but still fragile, dependent entirely on a U.S. presence to survive.  But judging by recent comments from Nouri al-Maliki, even this view may be out of date.

Tomorrow's anti-Obama email today  —  This monolouge will getting many heads nodding in agreement, but for those Americans who don't like much having to “press 1 for English” one line won't go over well:  —  “Instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English — they'll learn English …

SENATE TICK-TOCK ON THE FISA BILL  —  From NBC's Ken Strickland  —  The Senate is finally expected to wrap up the bill updating the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act today, which includes the controversial provision of retroactive immunity for telecom companies facing lawsuit.