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Tell us again why you're retiring, Senator

What the headline in the New York Times says: "Lawyer Battling for Katrina Payments Is Indicted."

What the first paragraph says: "Richard F. Scruggs, a prominent trial lawyer who has been fighting insurance companies over payments for damage from Hurricane Katrina, was indicted yesterday by federal authorities on charges of offering a bribe of $50,000 to a Mississippi state judge in a dispute over fees with another lawyer."

What you'll find if you read all the way down to the eighth paragraph of the story: "Mr. Scruggs, who has negotiated settlements worth more than $100 million this year with State Farm and other insurers, is a brother-in-law of Senator Trent Lott."

What you'll find if you read down to the 11th paragraph of the story: "Mr. Scruggs represented Mr. Lott and Representative Gene Taylor, Democrat of Mississippi, in settlements with State Farm after the insurer refused to pay claims for the loss of their homes in Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Lott, who said earlier this week that he was planning to retire from the Senate before his term expires, and Mr. Taylor pushed through federal legislation to investigate the claims handling of State Farm and other insurers after Hurricane Katrina. The investigation is under way."

VoteVets targets McCain with new ad
In the spot, a veteran of the Iraq war says, "'freedom' means when the Iraqi people and their Prime Minister ask us to make a plan to leave, we do."
Who'll be the Republicans' Obama now?
Bobby Jindal, who'd been discussed as a potential running mate for John McCain, says he doesn't want to be nominated for the vice presidency.
More bad news for McCain on Iraq
A new poll shows Americans favor a timeline for withdrawal, which McCain's campaign has argued against.
Republicans lose a major financial backer
T. Boone Pickens, who gave millions to support the Swift Boat Veterans, among other GOP causes, is now focusing on energy independence instead.

Current Salon Politics Stories

’08 Update

19:00 EDT, July 23, 2008
VoteVets targets McCain with new ad In the spot, a veteran of the Iraq war says, "'freedom' means when the Iraqi people and their Prime Minister ask us to make a plan to leave, we do."
War Room
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17:41 EDT, July 23, 2008
Who'll be the Republicans' Obama now? Bobby Jindal, who'd been discussed as a potential running mate for John McCain, says he doesn't want to be nominated for the vice presidency.
War Room
19
15:31 EDT, July 23, 2008
More bad news for McCain on Iraq A new poll shows Americans favor a timeline for withdrawal, which McCain's campaign has argued against.
War Room
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14:22 EDT, July 23, 2008
Republicans lose a major financial backer T. Boone Pickens, who gave millions to support the Swift Boat Veterans, among other GOP causes, is now focusing on energy independence instead.
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28
12:37 EDT, July 23, 2008
Obama camp debuts Spanish-language radio ad Highlighting Obama's personal history, the spot concludes, "It's time we had a president who understands we all deserve a chance to make our own way."
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7

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Who'll be the Republicans' Obama now?
Bobby Jindal, who'd been discussed as a potential running mate for John McCain, says he doesn't want to be nominated for the vice presidency.
More bad news for McCain on Iraq
A new poll shows Americans favor a timeline for withdrawal, which McCain's campaign has argued against.
Republicans lose a major financial backer
T. Boone Pickens, who gave millions to support the Swift Boat Veterans, among other GOP causes, is now focusing on energy independence instead.
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