Administration Official: “Sebelius Misspoke.”  —  An administration official said tonight that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius “misspoke” when she told CNN this morning that a government run health insurance option “is not an essential part” of reform.

Overhauling health-care system tops agenda at annual meeting of Canada's doctors  —  SASKATOON — The incoming president of the Canadian Medical Association says this country's health-care system is sick and doctors need to develop a plan to cure it.  —  Dr. Anne Doig says patients …

Telling Grandma ‘No’  —  When Democratic congressmen dream these days, they're tongue-tied in town halls, fumbling with their microphones while they're shouted down by slavering, pitchfork-wielding Limbaugh listeners.  —  But Barack Obama is wiser than most Democratic congressmen, and his nightmares are savvier.

Who are your Milk Carton Politicians?  —  Earlier today, I noted that New Hampshire's media had taken notice that their Congressional delegation had gone missing during the August recess, rather than hold town-hall meetings to face their constituents about the health-care reform package.

Obama Misread His Mandate  —  After a rough week for health care reform, Democratic leaders appear to be pulling back on their demand for a public option.  It remains to be seen whether liberal Democrats, especially in the House where they are more numerous, will go along with this.

Pentagon Worries Led to Command Change  —  McKiernan's Ouster Reflected New Realities in Afghanistan — and Washington  —  In mid-March, as a White House assessment of the war in Afghanistan was nearing completion, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen …

Iraq abandons nationwide census  —  Iraq has postponed indefinitely plans to hold its first nationwide census in 22 years over fears it could stoke ethnic and political tensions.  —  The population count in October would have settled arguments over the relative size of Iraq's religious and ethnic communities.

Obama Pushes States to Shift on Education  —  Holding out billions of dollars as a potential windfall, the Obama administration is persuading state after state to rewrite education laws to open the door to more charter schools and expand the use of student test scores for judging teachers.

Why “Reading the Bill” Won't Matter  —  USA Today notes that even forcing legislators to read the health care legislation in the House probably wouldn't do much good.  The bill is so bogged down with bureaucrat-eze, few of them are likely to understand it.

Aug. 16: Dick Armey, Tom Coburn, Tom Daschle, Rachel Maddow  —  MR. DAVID GREGORY: This Sunday: the August heat over health care.  —  Unidentified Man: One day, God's going to stand before you and he's going to judge you and the rest of your damn cronies up on the Hill.