Hillary Edges Out Oprah as Most Admired Woman in '07  —  PRINCETON, NJ — For the sixth year in a row, President George W. Bush is the most admired man and Sen. Hillary Clinton the most admired woman in Gallup's annual survey.  But neither winner had a very decisive win this year …

Praise for Liberal Fascism  —  Charles Murray declares: “'It is my argument that American liberalism is a totalitarian political religion,' Jonah Goldberg writes near the beginning of Liberal Fascism.  My first reaction was that he is engaging in partisan hyperbole.  That turned out to be wrong.

Would you, could you, vote McCain?  —  Here's some straight talk about John McCain from New Hampshire voters, via the Boston Globe.  The voters' main concerns: He's a Ted Kennedy shamnesty supporter and he's too old:  —  The Manchester Union Leader attacks Romney as a Johnny-come-lately …

Goodbye, Cruel Jews  —  I did not come to this site to fight in the Jew Wars.  —  I came to join with MSOC, in her words, to rage against the lying of the right, against injustice and cruelty.  Instead, I found injustice, cruelty and hate directed at me.  —  I left, then, earlier this year …

Top Ten Myths about Iraq 2007  —  10. Myth: The US public no longer sees Iraq as a central issue in the 2008 presidential campaign. … 9. Myth: There have been steps toward religious and political reconciliation in Iraq in 2007.  Fact: The government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki …

Romney symbolizes GOP's problems  —  It's doubtful that anyone needs any more reasons to explain why Americans are fed up with politics as usual.  Nevertheless, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has given us one more.  —  Apparently when Romney said, “I saw my father march …

Huckabee still gives paid speeches  —  Breaking with tradition for presidential candidates, Mike Huckabee is continuing to accept paid speaking engagements in the thick of his insurgent presidential campaign, although churches get a break from his usual fee of up to $25,000.

Obama ups the ante in Iowa  —  MASON CITY, Iowa — One week before Iowans gather for the first-in-the-nation caucus, Sen. Barack Obama said Wednesday that his message of change has already been “vindicated."  —  Obama made the declaration at the outset of a critical final push in Iowa …

At 60% of Total, Texas is Bucking Execution Trend  —  This year's death penalty bombshells — a de facto national moratorium, a state abolition and the smallest number of executions in more than a decade — have masked what may be the most significant and lasting development.

Edwards' Closing Argument: I'm The True Fighter For Middle Class  —  In a new internal memo to supporters, Edwards deputy campaign manager Jonathan Prince has laid out the campaign's closing argument in Iowa.  —  The closing slogan is, “America Rising: Fighting for the Middle Class,” …

Favorite quotes of 2007  —  One of the few things I dislike more than end-of-the-year “looking back” lists is the incessant chatter and worthless speculation over the upcoming primaries.  But that chatter and speculation is inundating everything.  Thus, I offer some of my favorite quotes of 2007:

FORGET ABOUT BUSH—AND THE MIDDLE GROUND.  —  Here's a thought for progressives: Bush isn't the problem.  And the next president should not try to be the anti-Bush.  —  No, I haven't lost my mind.  I'm not saying that we should look kindly on the Worst President Ever …

The Villainy of Non-Rape  —  Remember, intellectual sophistication and penetration is best indexed by the depth of perversity: … Here's hoping Columbia snap this one up.  Cupid Stunt.

Dem voters no longer fighting battle of Iraq  —  The successes of President Bush's troop surge in Iraq are quieting things down in another, unexpected place: the Democratic campaign trail in Iowa and New Hampshire.  —  When asked, voters in the early presidential states all say the war in Iraq is important to them.

Giuliani doctor: All tests normal  —  Manchester, N.H. - Not surprisingly, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's doctor says all is well with the Republican presidential candidate.  —  Last week, Giuliani was en route to New York when his plane turned around and returned to St. Louis.