Administration Official: “Sebelius Misspoke.”  —  An administration official said tonight that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius “misspoke” when she told CNN this morning that a government run health insurance option “is not an essential part” of reform.

Overhauling health-care system tops agenda at annual meeting of Canada's doctors  —  SASKATOON — The incoming president of the Canadian Medical Association says this country's health-care system is sick and doctors need to develop a plan to cure it.  —  Dr. Anne Doig says patients …

Telling Grandma ‘No’  —  When Democratic congressmen dream these days, they're tongue-tied in town halls, fumbling with their microphones while they're shouted down by slavering, pitchfork-wielding Limbaugh listeners.  —  But Barack Obama is wiser than most Democratic congressmen, and his nightmares are savvier.

Who are your Milk Carton Politicians?  —  Earlier today, I noted that New Hampshire's media had taken notice that their Congressional delegation had gone missing during the August recess, rather than hold town-hall meetings to face their constituents about the health-care reform package.

Obama Misread His Mandate  —  After a rough week for health care reform, Democratic leaders appear to be pulling back on their demand for a public option.  It remains to be seen whether liberal Democrats, especially in the House where they are more numerous, will go along with this.

Pentagon Worries Led to Command Change  —  McKiernan's Ouster Reflected New Realities in Afghanistan — and Washington  —  In mid-March, as a White House assessment of the war in Afghanistan was nearing completion, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen …

Iraq abandons nationwide census  —  Iraq has postponed indefinitely plans to hold its first nationwide census in 22 years over fears it could stoke ethnic and political tensions.  —  The population count in October would have settled arguments over the relative size of Iraq's religious and ethnic communities.

Why “Reading the Bill” Won't Matter  —  USA Today notes that even forcing legislators to read the health care legislation in the House probably wouldn't do much good.  The bill is so bogged down with bureaucrat-eze, few of them are likely to understand it.

Row over Afghan wife-starving law  —  An Afghan bill allowing a husband to starve his wife if she refuses to have sex has been published in the official gazette and become law.  —  The original bill caused outrage earlier this year, forcing Afghan President Hamid Karzai to withdraw it.

Aug. 16: Dick Armey, Tom Coburn, Tom Daschle, Rachel Maddow  —  MR. DAVID GREGORY: This Sunday: the August heat over health care.  —  Unidentified Man: One day, God's going to stand before you and he's going to judge you and the rest of your damn cronies up on the Hill.