Secret U.S. Endorsement of Severe Interrogations  —  When the Justice Department publicly declared torture "abhorrent" in a legal opinion in December 2004, the Bush administration appeared to have abandoned its assertion of nearly unlimited presidential authority to order brutal interrogations.

On Stump, Low-Key Thompson Stirs Few Sparks  —  Twenty-four minutes after he began speaking in a small restaurant the other day, Fred D. Thompson brought his remarks to a close with a nod of his head and an expression of thanks to Iowans for allowing him to "give my thoughts about some things."

Clear Channel Rejects VoteVets Ad Because It 'Conflicts' With Listeners Who Tune Into Rush  —  Rush Limbaugh's hometown radio station that broadcasts his show — WJNO AM in Palm Beach, Florida — has refused to air a VoteVets ad by Brian McGough, the Iraq war veteran who was compared by Limbaugh to a suicide bomber.

Another Dimension Of The Thomas Smear  —  I spent some time last night reviewing some of the transcripts from the "high-tech lynching" delivered by the Senate Judiciary Committee to Clarence Thomas, just to refamiliarize myself with the actual testimony and evidence.

Ron Paul's Impressive Haul  —  Young, Rabid Internet Supporters Boost Congressman's Fundraising  —  Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, the outspoken libertarian White House hopeful often dismissed by his rivals and the punditocracy as a fringe candidate, was all smiles Wednesday as he bandied …

Republicans Grow Skeptical On Free Trade  —  WASHINGTON — By a nearly two-to-one margin, Republican voters believe free trade is bad for the U.S. economy, a shift in opinion that mirrors Democratic views and suggests trade deals could face high hurdles under a new president.

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain al-Qaeda financier, one other  —  Multi-National Corps - Iraq  —  Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory  —  APO AE 09342  —  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  —  RELEASE No. 20071004-02  —  Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain al-Qaeda financier, one other

Iraqis to Pay China $100 Million for Weapons for Police  —  Experts Fear More Will Go to Insurgents  —  Iraq has ordered $100 million worth of light military equipment from China for its police force, contending that the United States was unable to provide the materiel and is too slow …

The Democratic Economist  —  CHICAGO — In his curriculum vitae, Austan Goolsbee lists as his "other interests" — other than teaching at the University of Chicago — two activities: triathlons and improv comedy.  Evidently he is a masochist with a sense of humor, so he is suited to participate …

In Ballot Fight, California Gets a Taste of '08  —  Ballot measures in California have long been proxies for local politicians' hopes and dreams — just ask Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who rode a recall petition to the Statehouse.  —  But now a statewide initiative has become the unusual battleground …

Romney's Religion  —  When Mitt Romney appeared last week (via closed circuit from California) before the Council of Retired Chief Executives meeting in Washington, he faced kindred souls: rich Republicans who had managed big enterprises.  Yet the second question from the audience inquired …

. . . Or Safeguards?  —  The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider the Free Flow of Information Act today.  This bill aims to establish standards under which federal courts can balance the public's interest in keeping journalists' sources confidential against its interest in requiring disclosure …

Bush Veto Gives Democrats Legislative Defeat, Political Opening  —  Oct. 4 (Bloomberg) — For Democrats, President George W. Bush's veto yesterday of a measure expanding children's health care is a legislative setback — and a political opportunity.  —  Democrats have delayed for two weeks …