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 …

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 …

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 …

Pelosi and Pickens, investment partners  —  It is difficult to imagine a more unlikely pair of investors than House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens.  Pelosi, the San Francisco Democrat, is among the most liberal and pro-environmentalist politicians in Congress …

It's the Economy Stupor  —  By rights, John McCain should be getting hammered on economics.  —  After all, Mr. McCain proposes continuing the policies of a president who's had a truly dismal economic record — job growth under the current administration has been the slowest in 60 years …

“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.

Attending RNC may be difficult for embattled candidates  —  St. Paul, Minn. — Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman says he'll be active and involved during next month's Republican National Convention in St. Paul.  —  Coleman said his exact schedule, including a convention speaking slot, have not been decided.

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 …

McCain OK with aide's lobbying past  —  ORLANDO — John McCain told USA TODAY on Sunday that he has no problem with his top foreign policy adviser Randy Scheunemann's past lobbying work.  —  The fighting between Russia and Georgia has brought renewed attention to Scheunemann and the lobbying firm …

Russians Melded Old-School Blitz With Modern Military Tactics  —  WASHINGTON — Russia's victorious military blitz into the former Soviet republic of Georgia brought something old and something new — but none of it was impromptu, despite appearances that a long-frozen conflict had suddenly turned hot.