Carville: Dems wasting first night  —  (CNN) — Have the Democrats wasted the first night of the convention?  —  Yes, says Democratic Strategist and CNN contributor James Carville.  —  Speaking on CNN, Carville said the party was too soft in its attacks on John McCain Monday night …

Denver drama: Can Clintons get over it?  —  Hillary Rodham Clinton is over it — at least when people are watching.  —  Within days of losing the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama, her aides said she was all business, returning to her Senate duties, telling people she would do whatever …

The Truth About Russia in Georgia  —  TBILISI, GEORGIA - Virtually everyone believes Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili foolishly provoked a Russian invasion on August 7, 2008, when he sent troops into the breakaway district of South Ossetia.  “The warfare began Aug. 7 when Georgia launched …

Fighting back against Obama's thugs  —  Here is the ad Barack Obama doesn't want you to see.  Pass it on.  —  I cannot stress how outrageous the Obama campaign's attempt to silence the creators of the Ayers ad is.  Mr. Hope and Change is applying Chicago-style mafia tactics to intimidate …

Biden's Blink on Iran  —  In selecting Joseph Biden as his running mate, Barack Obama acknowledged the importance of foreign affairs to this year's election.  His Web site trumpeted Biden as “an expert on foreign policy” and a man “who has stared down dictators.”

Gallup Daily: No Bounce for Obama in Post-Biden Tracking  —  PRINCETON, NJ — It's official: Barack Obama has received no bounce in voter support out of his selection of Sen. Joe Biden to be his vice presidential running mate.  —  Gallup Poll Daily tracking from Aug. 23-25 …

Hit with ‘houses’ on Leno, McCain cites POW experience and more  —  A largely lighthearted turn on Jay Leno took a more serious turn when McCain was asked about how many houses he owns.  He offered his most expansive answer yet on the matter, including a new shorthand twist at the end.

McCain ad: “3 AM”  —  We knew this was coming, didn't we?  With John McCain essentially recycling Hillary Clinton's questions about Barack Obama's experience, the 3 AM question runs as the subtext of all of these ads.  Why not make it explicit? … Presidential candidates have plenty …

Gergen: Michelle Obama rescued the night  —  The Democrats should be enormously grateful to Michelle Obama: after a very slow start to the convention, punctuated by a moving tribute to Teddy Kennedy and his own rousing speech, the first evening was in danger of becoming an entirely lost opportunity.

Rove Blasts Michelle Obama's Patriotism: 'I Don't Think She Did Well On Saying I Love America'  —  In a speech last night at the Democratic convention, Michelle Obama “began a weeklong effort to present her husband — and his entire family — as embodiments of the American dream.”

No Joke: Jon Stewart Takes Aim At 24-Hour Cable News ‘Beast’  —  Jon Stewart ripped the cable news networks Monday as a “brutish, slow-witted beast” and castigated Fox News in particular as “an appendage of the Republican Party.”  —  Wearing a gray T-shirt, khaki pants and a healthy stubble …

For Those From Swing States, The Watchword Is . . . Worry  —  The anxiety comes in several forms, but particularly common is the pained look, followed by the quick glance away and the lengthy pause, in the face of a simple question: How is Barack Obama doing?

Republicans set up “war room” near downtown … Great Quote!  —  “Just consider this the Ministry of Truth,” quipped Dick Wadhams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party.  —  Is everyone falling down laughing at this quote?  This guy just said “Yeah, just consider us one of the four ruling Ministries in George Orwell's ‘1984.’”

Video Exclusive: Michelle Malkin Attacked at DNC; “Kill Michelle Malkin”  —  Michelle Malkin was attacked by protesters and conspiracy nut Alex Jones during the “Shake Your Money Maker” event while Recreate68 attempted to levitate the Denver Mint.  Another protester began shouting “Kill Michelle Malkin.”

The 21st-Century Man  —  I flew into the airport here on Sunday and the pilot could barely land because of the fog of bad advice.  Democrats are nervous because Barack Obama's polling lead has evaporated.  And when Democrats are nervous, all the Santa Monica Machiavellis emerge from their fund-raisers offering words of wisdom.

Annals of idiocy  —  I am resigning from the human race.  I don't want to be associated with this: … We live in degenerate times, my friends.  Our ancestors got into ships that would hardly do for a weekend sail on the lake, crossed stormy oceans, fought mountain cats and drought …