Announcement  —  I regret to say that I have also resigned from the Edwards campaign.  In spite of what was widely reported, I was not hired as a blogger, but a part-time technical advisor, which is the role I am vacating.  —  I would like to make very clear that the campaign did not push me out …

Al Sadr Fled Iraq, Fearing U.S. Bombs  —  Insurgent Leader Reportedly Moved to Iran With Members of Mahdi Army  —  The story tonight in Iraq is not the arrival of more U.S. troops, but the departure of one of the country's most powerful men, Moqtada al Sadr and members of his army.

House Begins Full Debate on the Iraq War  —  The House opened a full-throated debate on Tuesday over the Iraq war as lawmakers began considering a resolution to denounce President Bush's plan to add troops.  Democratic leaders said the debate was the first step in using Congressional authority to intervene in the conflict.

Truly 'inappropriate' behavior  —  Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged.  —  It is, of course, unimaginable that the penalties proposed by one of our most admired presidents …

The Davy Crockett defense of escalation.  —  During today's House debate on Iraq, Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) debuted the Davy Crockett defense: … UPDATE: From commenter Mike:

HOUSE HEARING ON 'WARMING OF THE PLANET' CANCELED AFTER SNOW/ICE STORM HEARING NOTICE  —  The Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building has been postponed due to inclement weather.

Shooter, Say It Ain't So!  —  When Ted Wells came back from lunch today and announced that he had released Dick Cheney as a witness I was damn near brokenhearted.  After all that, and Shooter lets me down.  Did he not want to testify on Libby's behalf, did Team Libby decide he could do more harm than good …

Army Giving More Waivers in Recruiting  —  The number of waivers granted to Army recruits with criminal backgrounds has grown about 65 percent in the last three years, increasing to 8,129 in 2006 from 4,918 in 2003, Department of Defense records show.  —  During that time …

Senate agrees to move '08 vote to Feb.  —  Legislators say shifting the primary would give California more clout in the presidential race.  But if more states follow, the benefit may be nil.  —  SACRAMENTO — The California Senate voted Tuesday to move the state's presidential primary …

The Ever-'Present' Obama  —  Barack has a along track record of not taking a stand.  —  Finally and officially, Barack Obama is running for president.  His symbolic announcement, in the Land of Lincoln, called for a new era in politics.  Obama downplayed his thin federal experience …

Poll shows Clinton, Giuliani pull ahead ias campaigns kick off  —  WASHINGTON — New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani have widened leads over their rivals in recent weeks as they began to openly campaign for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations …