GSA Chief Grilled on GOP Slide Show  —  Don't miss this.  —  Here's a clip from this morning's House government reform committee hearing, investigating General Services Administration Chief Lurita Doan.  —  In this clip, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) grills her on a PowerPoint presentation …

'Thanks for Everything'  —  Did Karl Rove have a hand in replacing the fired U.S. attorney in New Mexico?  An overlooked e-mail may provide a clue.  —  New Mexico Republican Sen. Pete Domenici's chief of staff sent a cryptic thank-you note to Karl Rove just as the senator was recommending replacements …

Dobson Offers Insight on 2008 Republican Hopefuls  —  Focus on Family Founder Snubs Thompson, Praises Gingrich  —  Focus on the Family founder James Dobson appeared to throw cold water on a possible presidential bid by former Sen. Fred Thompson while praising former House Speaker Newt Gingrich …

Saudi King Condemns U.S. Occupation of Iraq  —  The king of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah, condemned the presence of American forces in Iraq as an "illegitimate foreign occupation" in a speech today, and said the withholding of aid to Palestinians should end.  —  The king's speech …

CBS Poll: Most Support Edwards' Decision  —  57% Say He's Right To Stay In Presidential Race  —  (CBS) Americans support former Sen. John Edwards' decision to continue his bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination after his wife was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer — and by a margin of more than 2-to-1.

Democrats say McCain nearly abandoned GOP  —  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was close to leaving the Republican Party in 2001, weeks before then-Sen. Jim Jeffords (Vt.) famously announced his decision to become an Independent, according to former Democratic lawmakers who say they were involved in the discussions.

AS CATHY SEIPP LAY DYING, HER NEMESIS TOOK HIS PARTING SHOT ON THE WEB  —  Cathy Seipp was dying.  —  The 49-year-old newspaper columnist and conservative blogger, who had come from Manitoba, Canada, to become the sharp-tongued doyenne of the Los Angeles media scene, was only hours away …

How should we tackle Iran?  —  With 15 British service personnel still held in Iran, Tony Blair has warned that negotiations may soon move to a "different phase".  The sailors and Marines were seized after allegedly trespassing in Iranian waters, a claim that's been rejected by the British Government.

President Bush Discusses Economy, War on Terror During Remarks to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association  —  Washington, D.C.  —  THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for having me.  (Applause.)  Thank you, please be seated.  Not a bad introduction by a cowboy.  (Laughter.)  Thanks for having me.

White House withdraws ambassador nominee  —  WASHINGTON - President Bush on Wednesday withdrew the ambassadorial nomination of businessman Sam Fox after Democrats denounced Fox for giving money to a controversial conservative group that undermined Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.

In Which My Boss Responds to My Email  —  First, I want to say that we've come a long way from Henry Luce.  This kind of back and forth is something that is particular to this time and this technology and — just to peel back the curtain a bit — I had no idea my boss, Time Managing Editor Rick Stengel, would actually respond.

Burger King Shifts Policy on Animals  —  In what animal welfare advocates are describing as a "historic advance," Burger King, the world's second-largest hamburger chain, said yesterday that it would begin buying eggs and pork from suppliers that did not confine their animals in cages and crates.

Was it something we said?  —  If this report is true, then what an odd life choice to make (via Instapundit): … Two things.  First, I question the timing.  HA!  I've been looking forward for a chance to say that (My previous post on the subject may be found here).  —  Second, read on.

Americans Skeptical Recent Troop Surge in Baghdad Is Working  —  Only 29% say troop increase is making situation in Baghdad better  —  PRINCETON, NJ — A new USA Today/Gallup poll finds nearly two in three Americans believing the recent surge in U.S. troops in Baghdad has not made much difference …

BUSH REPEATS VETO THREAT ON SPENDING BILL THAT INCLUDES IRAQ WITHDRAWAL TIMETABLE  —  WASHINGTON — President Bush renewed his veto threat on an Iraq spending bill on Wednesday in the face of a defiant Senate that is set to pass legislation that includes an order for U.S. troops to withdraw …