The Times Interviews John McCain  —  Following are excerpts of a transcript of an interview conducted by The New York Times's Adam Nagourney and Michael Cooper with Senator John McCain in Hudson, Wisconsin, on July 11.  The answers are transcribed verbatim; some of the questions are paraphrased.

Bush Homeland Security Aide Caught On Tape Offering High-Level Access For Donations To Bush Library  —  The Sunday Times reports Stephen Payne, a Bush pioneer and a political appointee to the Homeland Security Advisory Council, was caught on tape offering access to key members …

The Imminent Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Debacle  —  Fannie Mae “is a government sponsored enterprise (GSE) of the United States federal government.  It is a shareholder-owned corporation authorized to make loans and loan guarantees.  It is not backed or funded by the U.S. government …

Bernie Mac makes off-color joke at Obama event  —  CHICAGO - Comedian Bernie Mac endured some heckling and a campaign rebuke during a surprise appearance Friday night at a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.  —  Toward the end of a 10-minute standup routine …

Obama Supporters on the Far Left Cry Foul  —  PORTLAND, Ore. — In the breathless weeks before the Oregon presidential primary in May, Martha Shade did what thousands of other people here did: she registered as a Democrat so she could vote for Senator Barack Obama.

U.S. Considers Increasing Pace of Iraq Pullout  —  WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is considering the withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq beginning in September, according to administration and military officials, raising the prospect of a far more ambitious plan than expected only months ago.

Holtz-Eakin: Phil Gramm Is No Longer ‘Giving Advice To Senator McCain’  —  Since Thursday, Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) presidential campaign has been in damage control mode, attempting to distance itself from top economic adviser Phil Gramm's belief that America is “a nation of whiners” that is only going through a “mental recession.”

Hummer, How We Need Thee  —  When General Motors announced that it would subject its Hummer division to what in the automotive business is known as a “review,” you could hear the tree huggers, the unreconstructed hippies, the postmodern Greens, Al Gore's organic peanut gallery …

The Ron Paul Revolution in full swing  —  Ron Paulians filled Constitution Avenue this morning to bring the “Second Revolutionary War” to Washington.  I'll admit that it was a pretty big crowd, the website had over 15,000 people pledged to come, but it looked like less than half that many showed up …

The fall of IndyMac  —  Feds seize bank - once a leading mortgage lender.  It may turn out to be most expensive collapse ever.  One thing is sure: The credit crisis is still with us.  —  NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — In what could turn out to be the most expensive bank failure ever …

McKinney is Green Party presidential nominee  —  (CNN) — The liberal environmentalist Green Party nominated former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney as its presidential candidate Saturday.  —  McKinney, 53, held off three rivals to win the party's nomination during its convention in Chicago, Illinois.

Dissident's Tale of Epic Escape From Iran's Vise  —  WASHINGTON — After three days on the run, Ahmad Batebi picked his way down a rocky slope to the stream that marked Iran's border with Iraq.  His Kurdish guides, who had led Mr. Batebi, an Iranian dissident, through minefields …