Humility and Honesty About Iraq Can Inspire Trust  —  Later today, President Obama will speak to the American people about Iraq.  No doubt he will laud the “end of major combat operations” by the date he randomly selected some 18 months ago.  His press secretary Robert Gibbs also gave us …

Oval Office gets a makeover  —  While President Obama was on vacation, his West Wing office got a bit of a face lift, complete with a new rug, fresh wallpaper and paint, and new furniture — all done at no taxpayer expense, the White House says.  —  Details of the renovation were released to the pool reporter this morning.

The “nobody-could-have-known” excuse and Iraq  —  (updated below - Update II)  —  The predominant attribute of American elites is a refusal to take responsibility for any failures.  The favored tactic for accomplishing this evasion is the “nobody-could-have-known” excuse.

Obama declares it's time to turn page on U.S. mission in Iraq  —  President Obama officially declared an end to Operation Iraqi Freedom Tuesday night, saying the time has come to “turn the page” on a war that has lasted almost eight years.  —  “Tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended,” Obama said.

Murkowski campaign: We could know tonight  —  Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is currently trailing political newcomer Joe Miller in the race for the Alaska GOP Senate nomination.  —  Anchorage, Alaska (CNN) - Sen. Lisa Murkowski could concede the GOP Senate primary as early as Tuesday night …

Joe Miller Set to Win Alaska Senate Primary  —  Sources in Alaska have informed Big Government that the trend in the count of absentee ballots makes it virtually impossible that Sen. Murkowski will overtake Joe Miller in the GOP Senate Primary.  A trusted and well-placed operative told BG:

The Democrats' New Normal  —  I don't usually like to comment on individual polls.  Most of the time, when a poll produces an “unusual” result, it simply reflects random noise and the best advice is to wait for the next edition of the poll to come along, when more often than not it will revert to its previous position.