Iraqi PM disputes report on withdrawal plan  —  (CNN) — A German magazine quoted Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki as saying that he backed a proposal by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq within 16 months.

Obama eats with troops, meets Karzai  —  KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai Sunday as part of a tour aimed at boosting his foreign policy credentials.  —  The Illinois senator met with Karzai in Kabul, Afghanistan, a U.S. government source told CNN.

MSNBC prez on Fox News: “You can't trust a word they say”  —  MSNBC president Phil Griffin spoke with me earlier this week, a few hours after he was promoted to his new post (see my earlier story).  Because of what the techies call a “catastrophic failure” of my hard drive (a strange phrase …

Top Dem Party Officials Send Sharply-Worded Email Demanding That Hillary Donors And Supporters Get Behind Obama  —  In a sign that senior Democratic officials remain deeply concerned that post-primary bitterness could imperil Barack Obama's chances, two top Democratic officials have emailed …

It's the Economic Stupidity, Stupid  —  THE best thing to happen to John McCain was for the three network anchors to leave him in the dust this week while they chase Barack Obama on his global Lollapalooza tour.  Were voters forced to actually focus on Mr. McCain's response …

Al Gore Surprise Guest At Netroots Nation  —  Al Gore surprised — and delighted — the crowd at the Netroots Nation conference in Austin, Texas today, appearing on the heels of a speech by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.  (Update: Video here.)  —  According to the various Twitter feeds …

It Came From Outer Space  —  July 19, Oxford, UK-Death by asteroids, comets and gamma ray bursts was on the agenda of the conference on Global Catastrophic Risks this morning.  First up was NASA senior scientist David Morrison to talk about the Spaceguard Survey and the threat of a catastrophic asteroid strike.

Global warming: green campaigners blamed for 4x4 attacks  —  Green campaigners are being blamed for vandalising a number of 4x4 cars in Marston, Oxford, on Thursday night.  The owners of six vehicles found that tyres had been let down and warning letters plastered to the windscreens.

A Perception Problem  —  What will keep The New Yorker's image from sticking?  —  When Democratic strategist Mark Siegel first saw this week's New Yorker cover with Barack Obama in Muslim garb and wife, Michelle, with a huge afro looking like '60s Black Panther activist Angela Davis …

Gramm quits McCain campaign  —  Former senator Phil Gramm announced last night that he has stepped down as cochairman of John McCain's presidential campaign to end the “distraction” caused by his remarks the nation was filled with “whiners” who complain about the economy.