As a Professor, Obama Enthralled Students and Puzzled Faculty  —  CHICAGO — The young law professor stood apart in too many ways to count.  At a school where economic analysis was all the rage, he taught rights, race and gender.  Other junior faculty dreamed of tenured positions; he turned them down.

More to the story: about my post on Obama canceling visit to troops in Germany  —  An item I posted July 25 about Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) canceling a visit to a U.S. military base in Germany has now become grist for the Republicans to attack Obama.  —  Some points:

One of Fournier's job options: McCain  —  Before Ron Fournier returned to The Associated Press in March 2007, the veteran political reporter had another professional suitor: John McCain's presidential campaign.  —  In October 2006, the McCain team approached Fournier about joining the fledgling operation …

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine cancels appearance at Baltimore fundraiser  —  By Politicker Staff  —  Category: President Tags: Tim Kaine Top Story: Breaking  —  Due to a “scheduling problem,” PolitickerMD.com has learned that Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine will not attend tomorrow night's Unity '08 Fundraiser …

Strong quake rattles buildings, nerves in S. Calif  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) - The strongest earthquake to strike a populated area of Southern California in more than a decade rattled windows and chandeliers, made buildings sway and sent people running into the streets on Tuesday.

Obama notes ‘tragic’ US past  —  American history's “sad” aspects require action, the senator tells cheering journalists  —  CHICAGO » Sen. Barack Obama, speaking to a gathering of minority journalists yesterday, stopped short of endorsing an official U.S. apology to American Indians …

Bush Meets 5 Dissidents From China Before Games  —  WASHINGTON — President Bush held private talks with five prominent Chinese dissidents on Tuesday, and urged China's foreign minister to relax restrictions on human rights, as part of an intensifying White House effort to put pressure …

Kerry's office: Sen. wasn't partying with women  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  An embarrassing gallery of photos showing Bay State Sen. John Kerry surrounded by young women partying on Nantucket was a dockside encounter and nothing more, the senator's office tells the Herald.

Aide to U.S. Senator Jim Webb found dead from apparent gunshot wound  —  Authorities in Botetourt County this morning discovered the body of a well-known Democratic operative and U.S. Senate aide along U.S. 220, dead from an apparent gunshot wound.  —  The body of Frederick W. Hutchins Jr. …

McClellan Backs Down To O'Reilly: ‘I Messed Up,’ 'You're The Big Kahuna At Fox News'  —  Interviewed on MSNBC last week, former White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Fox News pundits and commentators “were useful to the White House,” stating that they were given “talking points” to repeat on air:

When Extremists Attack  —  I have now been called antisemitic and intellectually unstable and a whole bunch of other silly things by the folks over at the Commentary blog.  They want Time Magazine to fire or silence me.  This is happening because I said something that is palpably true …

Obama Vindicated  —  Yesterday, I posted an item about an accusation from Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv that the Obama campaign had leaked a copy of his Western Wall note to the foreign press (rather than Ma'ariv having bought it from some yeshiva kid who stole it out of the wall).

Knoxville Tragedy Redeemed By Heroism  —  I don't tend to write about killing sprees, serial killers, snipers and whatnot.  Perhaps I'm a bit cold hearted, but I always figure that other than being spectacular, the emphasis on them misses the point - even as the Knoxville killings were happening …

McCain Goes Negative, Worrying Some in G.O.P.  —  SPARKS, Nev. — In recent days Senator John McCain has charged that Senator Barack Obama “would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign,” tarred him as “Dr. No” on energy policy and run advertisements calling him responsible for high gas prices.

10 Things to Scratch From Your Worry List  —  For most of the year, it is the duty of the press to scour the known universe looking for ways to ruin your day.  The more fear, guilt or angst a news story induces, the better.  But with August upon us, perhaps you're in the mood for a break …

MEDIA BASH BARACK (NOT A TYPO)  —  Study Finds Obama Faring Worse On TV News Than McCain  —  Barack Obama is getting more negative coverage than John McCain on TV network evening news shows, reversing Obama's lead in good press during the primaries, according to a new study by Center for Media and Public Affairs (CMPA).

Pushed by Liberal Hawks, a Rumsfeldian Idea Returns  —  Eighteen months after former secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld retreated from his post under heavy criticism for, among other things, mishandling the invasion of Iraq and legitimizing torture as an interrogation technique …

Statement from Alaska Senator Ted Stevens  —  I have proudly served this nation and Alaska for over 50 years.  My public service began when I served in World War II.  It saddens me to learn that these charges have been brought against me.  I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. Senator.