The New Republic

-- As Steven Benen puts it, "Try to contain your surprise": News Corporation gives $1 million to the Republican Governors Association. -- Roger Simon has some fun with the idea of "Obama the one-term president." -- Robert Walker suggests climate advocates can learn from the NRA. READ MORE >>

Last week, USA Today published a story about all the "ordinary folks" who might get hit with the estate tax. A $1 million exemption would affect a lot of families that are well out of Steinbrenner's league. "You take a home, an IRA or 401(k) retirement account, some other savings and you get to $1 million pretty easily," says Richard Behrendt, senior estate planner for Robert W. Baird and a former IRS attorney. READ MORE >>

--New York Magazine profiles John McCain --Ezra Klein on how the Democrats could improve the economy quickly --Marc Ambinder tries to figure out what exactly Sarah Palin is up to READ MORE >>

[Guest post by James Downie] Jon has blogged at length about pundits trying to come up with other reasons besides the economy for Obama's decline, but, unfortunately, the trope shows no signs of dying. Look at First Read's reasons why the GOP could take back the House: READ MORE >>

Best Goal: By miles (which, ironically, seemed like the distance the ball traveled), Giovanni van Bronckhorst against Uruguay. Simply unstoppable. READ MORE >>

[Guest post by James Downie] David Brooks's latest science column takes on the great "Internet vs. Books" debate: READ MORE >>

--Bob Bennett thinks Harry Reid will win out in Nevada. --Conflict of interest news: Chamber of Commerce renting to Fox News --What would voters change about the Constitution? READ MORE >>

--Stephen Moore wants to finance tax cuts for the rich with tax hikes for the poor. --Sharron Angle is having a bad day. A very bad day. READ MORE >>

[Guest post by James Downie] A few days ago, the New York Times ran a profile of Scott Nicholson, "24, a graduate of Colgate University, winner of a dean’s award for academic excellence," and a man without a job.  READ MORE >>

When Landon Donovan finally slammed the Jabulani into the net, 91 minutes after the kickoff, there was one part of me that wondered “Will it count? Will it count?” And not, Alex, because I think there’s been a massive anti-American conspiracy, but simply because the refs in this group stage have been terrible. READ MORE >>