Despite Assurances, McCain Wasn't in a ‘Cone of Silence’  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Senator John McCain was not in a “cone of silence” on Saturday night while his rival, Senator Barack Obama, was being interviewed at the Saddleback Church in California.  —  Members of the McCain campaign staff …

“Cross in the Dirt” story stolen from Solzhenitsyn (updated X3)  —  I was watching the forum last night and decided that since I hadn't eaten yet, I would try to listen to John McCain speak.  I was doing OK with the “my friends” and the evil chuckle when I heard him talk about his POW story of the cross in the dirt.

Musharraf Announces His Resignation  —  ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Under pressure over impending impeachment charges, President Pervez Musharraf announced he would resign Monday, ending nearly nine years as the head of one of the United States' most important allies in the campaign against terrorism.

Obama Facing Attacks From All Sides Over Abortion Record  —  WASHINGTON — When it comes to his abortion record in Illinois, Senator Obama is taking flak from all sides.  —  First, Senator Clinton accused him of lacking political backbone in voting “present” on a bill that …

Russia Vows Pullout as Troops Dig In  —  Occupied Georgian City Struggles With Aftermath  —  Russia pledged Sunday to begin removing its troops from Georgia on Monday, but the streets of this occupied city reflected a broadening, not a waning, of Russia's military incursion.

Bob Barr, the Master of a Curious Universe  —  “I still plan someday to do a book on Bob Barr's laws of the universe,” says Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate for president.  —  The rules of Bob Barr's universe are many and fascinating.  Several have to do with his libertarian principles …

Hillary Clinton's rich friend Lady de Rothschild ambushes Barack Obama  —  Diehard Hillary fans plan to protest at the party's crowning of Obama - and may even vote for John McCain  —  At the Democratic national convention next week, Lynn Forester, Lady de Rothschild, one of Britain's …

Obama likely to announce VP this week  —  Senator Barack Obama is expected to choose his running mate this week in a key decision about the direction and narrative of his bid for the White House.  —  A person familiar with the campaign's planning noted that Obama's schedule at the end of this week is open …

Iranian claims of jet range dismissed  —  Iran's claim of having increased the range of its fighter jets, allowing them to fly as far as Israel and back without refueling, did not signify any new operational abilities, an arms expert said on Sunday.  —  Iranian state TV quoted …

Obama: ‘I will win’  —  A confident Barack Obama raised an extraordinary $7.8 million Sunday at three California fundraisers.  —  “I will win.  Don't worry about that,” he said to the crowd of about 1,300 at his third event of the evening, according to the pool report.