Democrats to let offshore drilling ban expire  —  WASHINGTON - Democrats have decided to allow a quarter-century ban on drilling for oil off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to expire next week, conceding defeat in a months-long battle with the White House and Republicans set off by $4 a gallon gasoline prices this summer.

What is the McCain Camp Hiding?  —  If Sarah Palin becomes vice president, she will presumably have meetings with people who are scarier than Michael Cooper, the Times reporter who seems to have the misfortune of covering her today.  I know Michael Cooper; he's a good reporter, but not very mean at all.

Palin press may boycott UN conference  —  NEW YORK - Journalists, displeased with Sarah Palin's efforts to restrict their access to her, are threatening not to cover her events surrounding the United Nations conference here unless they're allowed more access.

Paulson: I Didn't Suggest Oversight In The Bailout Plan Because That Would Be ‘Presumptuous’  —  This morning, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson testified before the Senate Banking Committee on the current financial crisis.  Nearly every senator on the panel criticized the $700 billion bailout …

There Is No Crisis—Summary  —  Things are getting a little suspicious about this “crisis.”  — Why did the Bush administration suddenly declare a “crisis” during the final two weeks when Congress would be in session during his presidency?  Is it maybe because, after the election …