Obama Requests That Paterson Drop New York Campaign  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama has sent a request to Gov. David A. Paterson that he withdraw from the New York governor's race, fearing that Mr. Paterson cannot recover from his dismal political standing, according to two senior administration officials …

In Edwards Scandal, a Chapter Winds Down  —  CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The story of the spectacular rise and fall of John Edwards, with its sordid can't-look-away dimensions, is moving slowly but deliberately to its conclusion here in North Carolina.  —  Mr. Edwards, the one-term senator …

Independent prosecutor for ACORN  —  ACORN is in very deep, very public trouble, and the U.S. attorney general should appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate.  What we know so far is due entirely to two amateur reporters, James E. O'Keefe III, 25, and Hannah Giles, 20 …

Coprophagia watch  —  There was much warmist trumpeting last week, led by The Independent and the BBC, over a German businessman's claim that two of his ships had managed to sail round the Arctic coast of Russia, writes Christopher Booker in today's column.  —  Indeed there was, with even Time magazine joining the fray last Friday.

Even Glenn Beck Is Right Twice a Day  —  IF only it were just about the color of his skin.  —  With all due respect to Jimmy Carter, the racist component of Obama-hatred has been undeniable since the summer of 2008, when Sarah Palin rallied all-white mobs to the defense of the “real America.”

CIA expanding presence in Afghanistan  —  The buildup coincides with new warnings that the Taliban has continued to gain territory and strength.  McChrystal wants to improve intelligence on the Taliban and focus on reducing the number of bombi  —  A special operations plane is readied for a mission in Afghanistan.

Poll Finds Deeds Gaining on McDonnell  —  More in N.Va., Women Describe McDonnell As Too Conservative  —  Dramatic shifts among independent female voters and Northern Virginians over the past month have propelled Democrat R. Creigh Deeds to within four points of Republican Robert F. McDonnell …

A Better Missile Defense for a Safer Europe  —  THE future of missile defense in Europe is secure.  This reality is contrary to what some critics have alleged about President Obama's proposed shift in America's missile-defense plans on the continent — and it is important to understand how and why.

Gov. Perry laughs off recession: 'We're in one?'  —  Speaking to the Houston Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) discounted the fact that Texas is in a deep economic downturn.  In an anecdote to the assembled business leaders, Perry quipped that when he was approached …

Feds Take Denver Man and Father into Custody in Alleged al Qaeda Plot  —  Authorities Say Najibullah Zazi Lied to the FBI, Admitted Ties to Terror  —  Federal agents arrested Najibullah Zazi and his 53-year-old father, Wali Mohammed Zazi, in connection with an investigation into an alleged al Qaeda plot …

Brezinski Calls for Obama to Shoot Down Israeli Jets; “A Liberty in Reverse”  —  In a little noticed interview with the Daily Beast (presumably little noticed because serious people don't read the Daily Beast), Zbigniew Brzezinski suggests that Barack Obama do more than just refuse to support …