Democrats spend big to lure Obama's minority and young voters back to the polls  —  As political gambles go, it's a big and risky one: $50 million to test the proposition that the Democratic Party's outreach to new voters that helped make Barack Obama president can work in an election where his name is not on the ballot.

An unexpected result for some census takers: the wrath of irate Americans  —  This is the scary season for the nation's census takers.  —  Since they began making follow-up house calls in early May, census takers have encountered vitriol, menace and flashes of violence.

Obama hits golf course with Biden on another hot, humid weekend  —  President Barack Obama hit the golf course Saturday with Vice President Joe Biden.  —  The White House pool report noted that Obama left at about 1 p.m. for the course at Andrews Air Force base, and his golfing parters …

The Useful Idiots Begin to Blubber  —  Instapundit » Blog Archive » PEGGY NOONAN: A Snakebit President: Americans want leaders on whom the sun shines.  “Mr. Obama is ...  You know, folks like Noonan and Mort Zuckerman whining about Obama, after they praised him, pushed him …

I asked Helen Thomas about Israel.  Her answer revealed more than you think.  —  On the night of May 26, I drove down to Washington from New York with my son, Adam, and his friend Daniel.  We arrived at 2:30 a.m. and crashed in a hotel.  A few hours later, we woke up and coaxed each other to prepare for a day at the White House.

Letter From Istanbul, Part 2  —  I leave Istanbul with four questions that Turks asked me echoing in my head.  Forget the answers, just these questions will tell you all you need to understand the situation here.  The four questions, which were asked of me by different Turkish journalists …

La. lawmakers: Prayer needed to stop oil disaster  —  You've seen the devastation.  Now it's your chance to help.  Tune in Monday night for a special “Larry King Live, Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help” telethon featuring an all-star panel of guests joining forces in the Gulf region.

Student pleased he's allowed to stay in U.S.  —  Harvard student from Texas won't be deported - for now  —  Immigration officials are currently not pursuing deportation proceedings against San Antonio's Eric Balderas, an unauthorized immigrant from Mexico who's been thrust into the national spotlight …

White House Chief: Yacht Trip Another Gaffe by BP  —  White House chief of staff says BP executive Hayward commits another gaffe by going yachting  —  President Barack Obama's chief of staff says BP chief executive Tony Hayward has committed yet another in a “long line of PR gaffes” …

25 Saudi Guantanamo prisoners return to militancy  —  (Reuters) - Around 25 former detainees from Guantanamo Bay camp returned to militancy after going through a rehabilitation program for al Qaeda members in Saudi Arabia, a Saudi security official said on Saturday.

Former watchdog Walpin loses suit over firing  —  A federal agency inspector general fired last year by President Barack Obama amid claims of bizarre and incompetent behavior, Gerald Walpin, has lost the first round in his legal bid to win back his job.  —  On Thursday, U.S. District Court …

Washington Post Alternate Reality: Public More Concerned About Deficit Than Jobs or Economy Overall  —  A stunning front-page article in Saturday's Washington Post moves the paper firmly into conservatives' dream universe on deficit policy.  “Stimulus plans run up against deficit fears” by Lori Montgomery serves up this whopper:

Violence Up Sharply in Afghanistan  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — With an average of an assassination a day and a suicide bombing every second or third day, insurgents have greatly increased the level of violence in Afghanistan, and have become by far the biggest killers of civilians here …