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Text of Tuesday's news conference by President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions: BUSH: Thank you all. Please be seated. Mr. Prime Minister, welcome to the White House. I just had a very constructive meeting with the leader of a government that has been chosen by the Iraqi people in free and fair elections. I appreciate your vision for a free Iraq, and I appreciate your briefing me on a strategy to reduce violence and to rebuild your country. You have a strong partner in the United States of America, and I'm honored to stand...

WILKES-BARRE - Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani called Sen. John Kerry's criticism of the Bush administration regarding 380 tons of missing explosives in Iraq "shameful." Speaking before about a crowd of about 150 packed into the Republican campaign headquarters Thursday afternoon, Giuliani said that by attacking President Bush, Kerry is impugning the performance of American troops. "What's he's saying by inference is that our troops didn't do their jobs. He's blaming it on the president, but the people that were there, the people on the ground, were our military. "He's talking about at most 380 tons of explosives...

This is a brief response and note to Kathryn's bringing to our attention Jay Costs points (below). I also think that Bush is doing much better in Ohio than the MSM gives him credit for; the MSM are spinning. And this explains why Bush was able to stay away from the state for ten days; he has a chance to take Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, and still hold Ohio. Rove isn't an idiot and they haven't given up on Ohio. Jay mentions many good reasons for thinking this and he is essentially correct. I want to emphasize a few things,...

If I heard Fred right, he said that whoever has 50 or greater in the last Gallup Poll historically has won the election. He also said that since Bush was at 52 in the last Gallup poll he has a good shot at it... I wonder if that has historically been the case? It will be interesting to see where the Gallup number fall tomorrow...

Daily Recycler has the clip of tonight's Scarborough Country. You have to see it to believe it. A little over three minutes.

Per Zogby: “It's still neck and neck, folks, and targeting is intense. With Bush and Kerry now tied among seniors, small wonder that Kerry is pushing hard on social security. Recall that in 2000 when Gore faced the same dilemma, he closed out the race winning seniors pressing the social security button. Bush’s lead among armed forces’ families is strong—maybe Sinclair hears the call to reinforce. Similarly, Kerry’s growing young voter appeal can only be helped by the ‘draft.’ Two new items to note: Among newly registered voters Kerry leads 52% to 38%; among those who have already voted, Bush...

You just wanted to hug the man (even if you don't normally hug men)

As any American could plainly see, Zell Miller spoke the truth. This is so important. Do not misunderestimate it, as President Bush might say. Zell Miller began his speech and ended it with a simple premise. His family is his dearest treasure. Who will best protect it? In his speech, he leads us through America's history as to who have come together from both parties to meet this criteria. He also takes us through John Kerry's past to show us Kerry would have denied the tools of war to those who are directly responsible for the protection of our country,...