The Iron Timetable  —  BARACK OBAMA yesterday accused President Bush and Sen. John McCain of rigidity on Iraq: “They said we couldn't leave when violence was up, they say we can't leave when violence is down.”  Mr. Obama then confirmed his own foolish consistency.

May We Mock, Barack?  —  When I interviewed Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert for Rolling Stone a couple years ago, I wondered what Barack Obama would mean for them.  —  “It seems like a President Obama would be harder to make fun of than these guys,” I said.  —  “Are you kidding me?”  Stewart scoffed.

Poll Finds Obama's Run Isn't Closing Divide on Race  —  Americans are sharply divided by race heading into the first election in which an African-American will be a major-party presidential nominee, with blacks and whites holding vastly different views of Senator Barack Obama …

Congressional Approval Hits Record-Low 14%  —  Democrats less positive than Republicans about Congress  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Congress' job approval rating has dropped five percentage points over the past month, from 19% in June to 14% in July, making the current reading the lowest congressional …

So Popular and So Spineless  —  Much ink has been spilled lately decrying the decline in American popularity around the world under President Bush.  Polls tell us how China is now more popular in Asia than America and how few Europeans say they identify with the United States.

A talking head with a conflict  —  At 7:35 a.m. Monday, the day after dramatic news that the federal government was stepping in to support the mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, CNBC anchor Carl Quintanilla introduced a guest on his “Squawk Box” program.

Policy Shift Seen in U.S. Decision on Iran Talks  —  PARIS — The decision by the Bush administration to send a senior American official to participate in international talks with Iran this weekend reflects a double policy shift in the struggle to resolve the impasse over the country's nuclear program..

BlogOsphere  —  While Obama was making the case that McCain flip-flops more than he does, Gwen Ifill said, what about Obama's change on Campaign finance?  That led to this back and forth: … So, Obama makes that distinction between his “supporters” and the blogosphere (hey, you'll get my vote, be happy).

Gates Warns of Militarized Policy  —  Defense Secretary Stresses Civilian Aspects of U.S. Engagement  —  Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates warned yesterday against the risk of a “creeping militarization” of U.S. foreign policy, saying the State Department should lead U.S. engagement with other countries …

Pushing Limits—and Proud of It … To some, it was satire.  To others, it was offensive and malicious.  The New Yorker's cover, “Politics of Fear,” shows Barack Obama dressed as a Muslim fist-bumping his gun-toting wife.  New Yorker Editor David Remnick defended his magazine's decision …

CNN LARRY KING LIVE  —  Interview with Sen. Barack Obama; Mortgage Crisis Affects Thousands of Homeowners  —  THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT.  THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.  —  LARRY KING, HOST: Tonight, Barack Obama sounds off right here on the magazine cover that created a firestorm.

Consumer Prices, Driven by Fuel, Surge 1.1% in June  —  A crucial measure of inflation rose at its fastest rate in 17 years, the government said on Wednesday, just a day after the chairman of the Federal Reserve warned that inflation poses a significant risk to the nation's economic outlook.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund: ‘Simple Question’  —  Planned Parenthood Action Fund is launching a televised campaign against Senator John McCain on cable in some swing states today.  —  The ad uses McCain's evident discomfort with a question about whether it's “unfair” …

Obama's Conservative Mideast Pick  —  Even before Barack Obama says a word upon his arrival in Israel next week, close observers of America's role in the region will get a message from the presence in his delegation of a tall, slightly disheveled diplomat well known to the power players of the Middle East.