Health bill boils down to August battle  —  Congress's failure to deliver major health care legislation by President Obama's deadline next month transforms the traditionally sleepy August recess into what could be the decisive moment in the battle to win support for the legislation …

Daley weighs in on Gates controversy  —  President Obama should have gathered the facts first before commenting on Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s encounter with Cambridge, Mass. police, Mayor Daley said Saturday, wading into the controversy.  —  Daley said Obama …

The evidence Bush tried to hide  —  Photos from US spy satellites declassified by the Obama White House provide the first graphic images of how the polar ice sheets are retreating in the summer.  The effects on the world's weather, environments and wildlife could be devastating

Clinton: Iran pursuit of nukes ‘futile’  —  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on NBC's “Meet the Press” on Sunday that Iran will never achieve its goal of a nuclear weapon, warning Tehran: “Your pursuit is futile.”  —  Clinton said the Obama administration might still engage with Iran's regime …

Why markets can't cure healthcare  —  Judging both from comments on this blog and from some of my mail, a significant number of Americans believe that the answer to our health care problems — indeed, the only answer — is to rely on the free market.  Quite a few seem to believe that this view reflects the lessons of economic theory.

Acorn Meets Their Waterloo in Commack!  They are NOT Happy Campers!  —  Another Outstanding Day for Tea Party Patriots!  —  ACORN and their new front group Act Now were pwned by Tea Party Patriots again on Long Island!  —  When they couldn't win their arguments with facts …

Sarah Palin leaving governor's post amid confusion, criticism  —  Supporters struggle to explain her departure, and some Alaska lawmakers say she has shown little interest in state business since returning from her failed vice presidential bid.  —  Reporting from Anchorage — Up here in Alaska …

What You Might Not Know About the Recovery  —  SIX months ago, when President Obama and I took office, we were confronted with an economic crisis unparalleled in our lifetime.  The nation was hemorrhaging more than 700,000 jobs a month, the housing market was in free fall, and the fate of the financial system hung in the balance.

The Great Preventer  —  LAST week Ben Bernanke appeared before Congress, setting off a discussion over whether the president should reappoint him as chairman of the Federal Reserve when his term ends next January.  Mr. Bernanke deserves to be reappointed.  Both the conventional …

Axelrod: I'm not thinking about Palin's next move  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - David Axelrod, one of President Obama's most trusted political advisers, said Sunday that he does not spend time thinking about what Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin might do next.  —  “I can tell you with absolutely honesty …

White House eases stimulus lobbyist restrictions  —  In a significant change, the Obama administration will now allow lobbyists to meet and have telephonic discussions with government officials regarding economic recovery projects.  —  The lifting of the ban comes after K Street has cried foul …

Sasquatchian  —  Is the only word to describe the carbon footprint of the Thomas Friedman estate:

Scientists Worry Machines May Outsmart Man  —  A robot that can open doors and find electrical outlets to recharge itself.  Computer viruses that no one can stop.  Predator drones, which, though still controlled remotely by humans, come close to a machine that can kill autonomously.

U.S. Command Considering Private Security on Afghan Front Lines  —  Firm Could Have Broad Protection Authority in Afghanistan  —  The U.S. military command is considering contracting a private firm to manage security on the front lines of the war in Afghanistan, even as Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates …