White House official: ‘Organized labor just flushed $10 million down the toilet’  —  A senior White House official just called me with a very pointed message for the administration's sometime allies in organized labor, who invested heavily in beating Blanche Lincoln, Obama's candidate, in Arkanas.

U.N. Security Council Passes New Sanctions Against Iran  —  UNITED NATIONS — The United States, moving firmly away from the Obama administration's previous emphasis on wooing Iran, pushed through a new round of United Nations sanctions against the nation on Wednesday, taking aim at its military …

Who Is Alvin Greene?  —  An unemployed 32-year-old black Army veteran with no campaign funds, no signs, and no website shocked South Carolina on Tuesday night by winning the Democratic Senate primary to oppose Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).  Alvin Greene, who currently lives in his family's home …

Reid Opponent Embraces Patriot Group That Warns Of ‘Giant Concentration Camps’  —  The peculiar ideology of Sharron Angle, the Republican nominee challenging Sen. Harry Reid in Nevada, is perhaps no better illustrated than by her embrace of the patriot group Oath Keepers …

The Alien in the White House  —  The distance between the president and the people is beginning to be revealed.  —  The deepening notes of disenchantment with Barack Obama now issuing from commentators across the political spectrum were predictable.  So, too, were the charges …

This is the Sound of Hope Dying  —  Yesterday afternoon, Lindsay Graham confirmed that he's bailing from efforts to pass a climate change bill.  The odds weren't looking good for this legislation, but now they're hard to distinguish from zero.  And the news gets worse after the midterms.

‘Lying face to face’  —  NEW BRITAIN — A member of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's staff, himself a former major and judge advocate in the U.S. Marines, is calling Blumenthal a liar and disgrace to the Marine Corps for representing himself repeatedly as having served in Vietnam.

Reuters Admits Cropping Photos of Ship Clash, Denies Political Motive  —  On the left, the uncropped photo.  On the right, Reuters' released photo.  (Reuters)  —  The British-based Reuters news agency has been stung for the second time by charges that it edited politically sensitive photos in a way that casts Israel in a bad light.

CA Voters Nix Baby Step on Public Financing, Pass Game-Changing Primary System  —  On June 8, California voters turned down campaign-finance reform but embraced an unusual new primary system.  The results last night were a mixed bag.  The biggest disappointment is that Prop.

The Climate Majority  —  ON Thursday, the Senate will vote on a resolution proposed by Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, that would scuttle the Environmental Protection Agency's plans to limit emissions of greenhouse gases by American businesses.  —  Passing the resolution might seem to be exactly what Americans want.

Looking ahead: Fiorina vs. Boxer  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and GOP candidate Carly Fiorina have already started sharply attacking each other and offering a preview of what could become one of the most compelling Senate races in the country this fall.

Nancy Pelosi, the liberal House speaker, is heckled by liberals  —  For 17 months, anger at President Obama and congressional Democrats has been pooling on the left.  On Tuesday morning, it spilled onto the floor of an Omni Shoreham ballroom and splashed all over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

TRENDING: Gore daughter separates from husband  —  Karenna Gore Schiff, the oldest daughter of former Vice President Al Gore and Tipper Gore.  —  (CNN) - Karenna Gore Schiff, the oldest daughter of former Vice President Al Gore and Tipper Gore, has separated from her husband, Dr. Andrew Schiff …

Afghanistan Strategy Focuses on Civilian Effort  —  KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The prospect of a robust military push in Kandahar Province, which had been widely expected to begin this month, has evolved into a strategy that puts civilian reconstruction efforts first and relegates military action to a supportive role.

American Jewish community ends support of Turkish interests on Hill  —  In October 2000, the government of Turkey had a problem.  —  House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert had promised to bring a resolution commemorating the Armenian genocide to the floor for a vote, a move that Ankara said would be a slap in the face to a NATO ally.

Concession Statement  —  Mickey Kaus claimed a form of victory Tuesday night after he apparently drew more than 5% of the Democratic primary vote against three-term incumbent Barbara Boxer:  —  STATEMENT OF MICKEY KAUS  —  I congratulate Senator Boxer on her primary victory.

Why aren't banks lending?  —  Because bureaucrats and politicians won't let them  —  Despite constant urging by Washington for banks to increase their lending, credit conditions remain tight.  Small-business lending continues to lag, and credit card issuers have slashed credit lines and canceled thousands of accounts.