A Scandal-Scarred G.O.P. Asks, 'What Next?'  —  Scott Reed, a Republican strategist, was at a dinner in Philadelphia on Monday night when his cellphone and Internet pager began beeping like crazy.  Only later did he learn why.  His party was buzzing with news of a sex scandal involving a Republican United States senator — again.

Carlson claimed that after incident in a public bathroom, he assaulted the man who "bothered" him  —  On the August 28 edition of MSBNC Live, hosted by MSNBC general manager Dan Abrams, Tucker Carlson, host of MSNBC's Tucker, asserted, "Having sex in a public men's room is outrageous.

Democratic fundraiser is a fugitive in plain sight  —  California authorities have sought businessman Norman Hsu for 15 years.  Since 2004, he has carved out a place of honor raising cash for such candidates as Hillary Rodham Clinton.  —  WASHINGTON — For the last 15 years …

Al-Sadr suspends militia activity in Iraq  —  BAGHDAD - Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered a six-month suspension of activities by his Mahdi Army militia in order to reorganize the force, and it will no longer attack U.S. and coalition troops, aides said Wednesday.

Edwards: Americans should sacrifice their SUVs  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards told a labor group he would ask Americans to make a big sacrifice: their sport utility vehicles.  —  The former North Carolina senator told a forum …

WYOMING TO HEAD OF PACK, FOR NOW  —  From NBC's Domenico Montanaro  —  In another sign the presidential selection process may be headed for 2007, Wyoming Republicans voted to move their conventions to Jan. 5, leapfrogging Iowa and New Hampshire.  —  "We're first in the nation," …

2 years after Katrina, pace of rebuilding depends on who pays  —  NEW ORLEANS — It's hard to imagine the 7-foot wall of muddy water that muscled into Denise Thornton's house two years ago, swallowing half her home and belongings.  —  Today, the two-story brick home in the Lakewood neighborhood of New Orleans appears good as new.

Anatomy of a Tribal Revolt  —  Some aspects of the war in Iraq are hard to fit into "classical" models of insurgency.  One of these is the growing tribal uprising against al Qa'ida, which could transform the war in ways not factored into neat "benchmarks" developed many months ago and thousands of miles away.

When Condi went nuclear  —  Condoleezza Rice may be willing to compromise at a Middle East negotiating table - but not at a jewelry counter.  —  Coit Blacker, a Stanford professor who is one of the secretary of state's closest friends, recalls going into a shop where Rice asked to see earrings.

Soros-linked group hit with huge fine  —  Federal Election Commission fines America Coming Together $775,000, the third-largest fine in FEC history.

Bush Wants $50 Billion More for Iraq War  —  Planned Request Signals Confidence That Congress Won't Prevail on Pullout  —  President Bush plans to ask Congress next month for up to $50 billion in additional funding for the war in Iraq, a White House official said yesterday …

WEARING THE BLACK FLAG (3)  —  The story began here.  Latest chapter here.  —  Speaking of the Petraeus report....  It seems that those who routinely feed from the various toilets along the left wing information sewer are currently being feel about said upcoming report.  (Not think, mind you, but feel.

BREAKING: Sens. Coleman And McCain Call For Craig To Resign  —  Sens. Norm Coleman (R-MN) and John McCain (R-AZ) have become the first members of the Senate to call for Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) to resign over his arrest for alleged "lewd conduct" in an airport bathroom.

The Big Picture(s)  —  In the midst of the still-lingering controversy over the truthiness of The New Republic's "Baghdad Diarist," more than a few people suggested that war supporters, unable to discredit the real bad news coming from Iraq, targeted the Scott Thomas Beauchamp stories as a weak link.

Bush May Fight for New Attorney General  —  President Seeks Agreement With Policies  —  A half-dozen or so lawyers are being discussed among administration officials as possible candidates to replace Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, but no clear favorite has emerged …