U.S. Military Says Its Force in Afghanistan Is Insufficient  —  BAGRAM, Afghanistan — American military commanders with the NATO mission in Afghanistan told President Obama's chief envoy to the region this weekend that they did not have enough troops to do their job, pushed past their limit by Taliban rebels who operate across borders.

Senator to actor: ‘Make my day’  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Democrat Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut has a simple message for Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin: bring it on.  —  Asked Sunday on CNN's State of the Union about Baldwin's recent comments that he might move to Connecticut and mount …

Justice Dept. Report Advises Pursuing C.I.A. Abuse Cases  —  WASHINGTON — The Justice Department's ethics office has recommended reversing the Bush administration and reopening nearly a dozen prisoner-abuse cases, potentially exposing Central Intelligence Agency employees and contractors …

Less Than Half of Top Obama Appointees Are in Place  —  WASHINGTON — As President Obama tries to turn around a summer of setbacks, he finds himself still playing without most of his own team.  Seven months into his presidency, fewer than half of his top appointees are in place advancing his agenda.

Don't Blame Obama  —  Throughout the 2008 campaign, Barack Obama's most loyal constituencies were the national press corps and the left wing of the Democratic Party.  —  Those on the left loved him because they thought he was one of them.  They tolerated all the happy talk about bipartisanship …

All the President's Zombies  —  The debate over the “public option” in health care has been dismaying in many ways.  Perhaps the most depressing aspect for progressives, however, has been the extent to which opponents of greater choice in health care have gained traction — in Congress …

The risk of a double-dip recession is rising  —  The global economy is starting to bottom out from the worst recession and financial crisis since the Great Depression.  In the fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009 the rate at which most advanced economies were contracting was similar …

Paul Krugman on “This Week”: “The Argument Against the Public Option is Sheer Nonsense”  —  Really great points made here, both by Robert Reich and Paul Krugman.  —  Reich notes that alienating your base while negotiating with yourself is a losing strategy (true, unless the administration's goal …

In control?  Think again.  Our ideas of brain and human nature are myths  —  The notion of individual autonomy underpins our society, yet new research suggests this guiding principle is an illusion  —  It was browsing in a bookshop that got me started.  I was confronted by a bank …

Conyers looks vulnerable in 2010 reelection poll  —  House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) could face a tough reelection race in 2010, according to a new, independent poll released this weekend.  —  40 percent of Conyers's constituents said he deserved reelection …

Outed blogger blames model for ‘skank’ stink  —  Sorry seems to be the hardest word for the blogger who anonymously scorned a model as a “ho” and a “skank,” igniting a legal and media maelstrom.  —  Speaking out for the first time since a court order forced Google to reveal her identity …

Goldman's Trading Tips Reward Its Biggest Clients  —  Goldman Sachs Group Inc. research analyst Marc Irizarry's published rating on mutual-fund manager Janus Capital Group Inc. was a lackluster “neutral” in early April 2008.  But at an internal meeting that month, the analyst told dozens …

Obama Approves New Team to Question Key Terror Suspects  —  Move Shifts Interrogation Oversight From the CIA to the White House  —  President Obama has approved the creation of an elite team of interrogators to question key terrorism suspects, part of a broader effort to revamp U.S. policy …

PEEVED OBAMA TRUMPS PATERSON'S RACE CARD  —  By FREDRIC U. DICKER in Albany and MAGGIE HABERMAN in New York  —  President Obama's aides were so furious that Gov. Paterson dragged him into a rant about racism that they sent a message sharply criticizing the governor's comments just hours after he made them, The Post has learned.

The Competition Cure  —  A better idea to make health insurance affordable everywhere.  —  Washington Wire  —  Obama Has Message for Press Corps: ‘Relax’  —  President Barack Obama, his family and First Dog Bo left Washington for Martha's Vineyard this afternoon, after delaying their flight …

THE REAL REASON AMERICANS ARE ANGRY  —  IT'S THE BIG GOVERNMENT, STUPID  —  It's been a hilarious August, watching media supporters of President Obama's health care package puzzle over the obscure motivations of the noncompliant Americans rallying against it.  —  “Racial anxiety,” guessed New York Times columnist Paul Krugman.