G.O.P. Senators Block Debate on Iraq Policy  —  Republicans on Monday blocked Senate debate on a bipartisan resolution opposing President Bush's troop buildup in Iraq, leaving in doubt whether the Senate would render a judgment on what lawmakers of both parties described as the paramount issue of the day.

The Other Democrats Weigh In  —  The good news for the nation's Democrats is that neither of the supposed front-runners for the party's 2008 presidential nomination, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, stole the show when all 10 of the likely contenders spoke last weekend to the Democratic National Committee.

Haggard says he's not gay  —  The Rev. Ted Haggard emerged from three weeks of intensive counseling convinced he is "completely heterosexual" and told an oversight board that his sexual contact with men was limited to his accuser.  —  That is according to one of the disgraced pastor's overseers …

DESPITE THE RHETORIC, BUDGET WOULD MAKE NATION'S FISCAL PROBLEMS WORSE AND FURTHER WIDEN INEQUALITY  —  The President says he wants to promote fiscal responsibility and address growing inequality, but his budget fails on both counts.  In fact, it would make both problems worse.

NEXT UP: JOHN MCCAIN ON MY SPACE  —  The Mitt Romney campaign announced today that it has established a new beachhead in cyberspace: … Here is a partial screen shot of Romney's Facebook page; click to enlarge:  —  Romney's Facebook initiative is expected to increase his support among teenage and pre-teen girls.

Iraqi Gunmen Seize Iranian Diplomat  —  Officials: Iranian Diplomat Seized by Gunmen Wearing Army Uniforms in Central Baghdad  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq Feb 6, 2007 (AP)— Gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms seized an Iranian diplomat as he drove through central Baghdad, officials said Tuesday.

'RUNNIN' MATES' JUDI 'N' RUDY AIM FOR '08  —  Sexy Judi Giuliani is keeping a tight lip-lock on her hubby as he moved even closer yesterday to officially announcing his presidential bid.  —  As his loyal missus bared some of the secrets of her marriage to "America's Mayor" in a candid new interview …

Coming US challenge: a less literate workforce  —  A larger share of workers will have minimal reading skills in 2030 than today, according to a report released Monday.  —  US workers may be significantly less literate in 2030 than they are today.  —  The reason: Most baby boomers …

More on Rudy and Guns  —  I think this commenter may have it about right: … A lot of smart people have been saying this for a long time.  Gun control is a landmine for Rudy Giuliani.  When it comes to guns, Rudy's got a terrible track record to deal with.  So far, his message sucks.

Newsweek's Evan Thomas: 'Our Job Is To Bash the President'  —  On Friday night's edition of Inside Washington airing locally on Washington PBS station WETA, the first topic was whether the media's been unfair to President Bush, given his abysmal approval ratings.

Pandagon comes to John Edwards' blog  —  By this time, virtually all of the inhabitants of the political blogosphere know that vaginal supremacist Amanda Marcotte is now in charge of John Edwards' campaign blog, but I thought it interesting that we're beginning to see just what she brings to the table there.

Exclusive: Duke Lacrosse Grand Jurors Speak Out  —  Grand Juror Says "Would Have Made a Different Decision" If he Knew What he Knows Now  —  In the spring, a grand jury in Durham, N.C., indicted three Duke University lacrosse players on charges of rape, sexual offense and kidnapping of an exotic dancer.

Those Unguarded Moments Of Truth  —  We are not sure who to thank for the following moment of revelation, Freud or some higher authority, but it does provide a most interesting insight into the ongoing controversy over labor rights and card check unionization.

Libby's Grand Jury Tapes Are Heard in Court  —  Prosecutors in the perjury trial of I. Lewis Libby Jr. on Monday played audio tapes in which Mr. Libby was heard testifying under oath before a grand jury that he had not discussed the identity of a Central Intelligence Agency operative …

A.B.A. Panel Would Weaken Code Governing Judges' Conduct  —  A commission of the American Bar Association has recommended that the group weaken its code of judicial conduct by changing, from a mandatory rule to nonbinding advice, an instruction to judges to "avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety."