CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) - First lady Laura Bush will undergo outpatient surgery Saturday to relieve pressure on pinched nerves in her neck, the White House announced Friday.

The surgical procedure, called a posterior cervical foraminotomy, was described as minimally invasive.

The White House statement did not say where or when the first lady will undergo the procedure.

President Bush is in Australia for the APEC summit.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Days before Gen. David Petraeus testifies before Congress on the progress of the troop "surge" in Iraq, the Senate's number two Democrat is accusing the administration of manipulating information in its highly anticipated Iraq report that will be released next week.

"By carefully manipulating the statistics, the Bush-Petraeus report will try to persuade us that violence in Iraq is decreasing and thus the surge is working," Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said at a Washington think tank.

Durbin, a war critic, said that for a long period of time he has exchanged e-mail with civilian employees who were gathering data for the report and writing draft portions of the findings.

"Some of them I correspond with almost on a daily basis. And when they sent a discouraging report about things that were happening in Baghdad, they were reminded by their superiors that's unacceptable; we need a positive report. They were sent back for editing changes. Now that's a fact," Durbin said.

Petraeus is expected to testify next week that the troop buildup has produced progress on the ground.

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Romney greets a future voter in New Hampshire.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Mike Huckabee had a surprisingly strong showing in the Iowa straw poll last month and Fred Thompson finds himself second in most national polls, but according to rival Mitt Romney, it's all about the money.

The former Massachusetts governor told the Associated Press Friday the two Republican White House hopefuls each need to raise $20 million this quarter to be considered a first-tier candidate.

"If Huckabee raises $20 million this quarter, like we did in the [first] quarter, then he'll become a front-tier candidate," Romney said. "And I think from Thompson's standpoint, I think he certainly has to look at $20 million as sort of the - this is, if you will, the low hanging-fruit quarter for him."

Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, had raised $1.3 million for his presidential bid by the end of June, according to the latest FEC filing. Thompson, a former Tennessee senator who officially jumped in the race Thursday raised $3.4 million in the month of June.

Meanwhile, Romney has raised approximately $35 million so far this campaign season and has loaned himself an additional $8 million.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Bush will "very likely" speak to the nation about the latest developments and conditions in Iraq during a prime time address next week, a senior administration official tells CNN’s Ed Henry.

An exact date and location for the speech have not been chosen yet.

According to the official, the speech will summarize the findings of Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker's report, and attempt to re-frame the larger debate as Congress prepares to vote on timetables to withdraw U.S. troops from the country.

Hagel will announce his future political plans Monday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – After months of being guarded about his political future, Sen. Chuck Hagel will announce Monday whether he will retire from the Senate or seek a third term. The Nebraska senator has also refused to rule out a run for the Republican presidential nomination.

This will all be put to rest at 11 a.m. ET when Hagel discloses his decision at a news conference held at the Omaha Press Club.

Hagel, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, was first elected in 1996.

The Rothenberg Political Report describes Hagel as having a “Clear Advantage” if he chooses to seek re-election. But if Hagel decides to run, he will be opposed in the primary by Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning.

The state attorney general formally announced in June that he would challenge Hagel for the GOP Senate nomination. Meanwhile, Democrats are actively recruiting former Sen. Bob Kerrey to run for the seat. Kerrey retired in 2000 and is currently the president of The New School in New York City.

– CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

Barack and Michelle Obama at the Iowa fair last month.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Americans historically like to know personal details about their presidential candidates, but the latest insight into Sen. Barack Obama from his wife Michelle may be a bit more insight than needed.

In an interview with Glamour Magazine, Mrs. Obama details her two girls' morning ritual, a time, she says, when her husband Barack is often "snore-y and stinky."

“We have this ritual in the morning," Michelle Obama told Glamour. "They come in my bed, and Dad isn’t there — because he’s too snore-y and stinky, they don’t want to ever get into bed with him."

"But we cuddle up and we talk about everything from what is a period to the big topic of when we get a dog: what kind?” she added.

Michelle Obama often discusses more intimate details about her husband on the campaign trail - even her annoyances with the Illinois Democrat.

"There's the Barack Obama who lives in my house," she said when introducing her husband earlier this year. "That guy's not as impressive. He still has trouble ... putting his socks actually in the dirty clothes, and he still doesn't do a better job than our 5-year-old daughter Sasha at making his bed, so you'll have to forgive me if I'm a little stunned at this whole Barack Obama thing."

Though some have criticized her for expressing such gripes, Mrs. Obama defended the practice to Glamour.

"People have notions of what a wife’s role should be in this process, and it’s been a traditional one of blind adoration. My model is a little different—I think most real marriages are," she said.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Clinton cabinet member Federico Peña announced Friday he will endorse Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's presidential bid and serve as his National Campaign Co-Chair.

Despite working in the Clinton administration, Peña decided to back Obama over his former boss’ wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton.

“I have spent years working with presidential administrations and world leaders, and what I see in Barack Obama is the kind of judgment this country needs to usher in a new era of global leadership," Peña said in a statement. "The challenges we are facing in Colorado, in the Hispanic community and across the country are formidable and it is time for bold and thoughtful leadership in the White House.”

Peña was the mayor of Denver before President Clinton tapped him to be his Secretary of Transportation, and later, his Secretary of Energy. He was Denver's first Hispanic Mayor.

“I look forward to working with Federico to bring about the transformation this country desperately needs," Obama said in a statement. "His vision for change as mayor of Denver and his strong record on energy and transportation issues brings invaluable experience to our team."

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Giuliani wants to redefine the war on terror, he said Friday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said that the current “War on Terror” should be called the “Islamic Terrorist War on Us” at an event Friday in Florida commemorating victims killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“I don’t think we should call it the ‘War on Terror,’’ Giuliani told the audience. “I think we should call it the ‘Terrorist War on Us’ or if we want the ‘Islamic Terrorist War on Us,’ because that’s what it is. Whether we like it or not, whether it’s politically correct or not to say that.”

Giuliani went on to say that the country has had problems recognizing threats.

“America has had more problems underestimating the dangers that we face,” Giuliani said, “We’ve never really overestimated.”

Related video: CNN's Bill Schneider looks at the politics of the war on terror.

Related: Edwards calls Bush terror policy a 'failure'

-- CNN Political Ticker Producer Xuan Thai

Watch part of John Edwards' speech on Friday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - In a speech delivered only steps away from New York City’s "Ground Zero," Democratic White House hopeful John Edwards declared President Bush's terror policy a "failure" Friday and proposed a new multilateral organization to combat future threats.

"Today, terrorism is worse in Iraq, and it’s worse around the world," Edwards said in a speech at Pace University, four days before the six-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. "So what does all this mean? It means the results are in on George Bush’s so-called 'global war on terror,' and it’s not just a failure. It’s a double-edged failure."

The former North Carolina senator also charged the Bush administration has "rigidly stuck to outdated approaches that are ineffective against the modern terrorist threat," and proposed a new multilateral organization that will seek to "create connections between a wide range of nations on terrorism and intelligence."

Edwards said countries from every continent would be part of the organization and would be "required to commit to tough criteria about the steps they will take to root out extremists, particularly those who cross our borders."

In April, Edwards indicated during a presidential debate that he did not believe there was a “global war on terror” and later declared the term "a bumper sticker, not a plan."

Several GOP presidential candidates slammed the comments and President Bush called Edwards "naïve."

Related video: CNN's Bill Schneider takes a look at the politics of the war on terror

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

President Bush will give his progress report on Iraq next week, based on information from Gen. David Petraeus.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - When President Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq last weekend, he made clear he was pleased with what he saw.

"The security situation is changing," Bush told reporters during the visit. "There's more work to be done. But reconciliation is taking place."

But according to the Sydney Morning Herald of Australia, the president gave a more-to-the-point assessment to Australia Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile.

"We're kicking ass," Bush said to Vaile Tuesday, according the Herald, after the deputy prime minister inquired about his trip to Iraq.

On Thursday, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino would not confirm or deny the reported comment. (Related Video: Jack Cafferty reads your e-mails on Bush's blunt talk)

This isn't the first blunt comment Bush was overheard making to a world leader. At last year's G8 summit, a live microphone picked up the president telling then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair that the United Nations needs to "get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this s**t."

– CNN's Elaine Quijano contributed to this report

CNN's John King reports on Fred Thompson's first day.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - How did former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson do on his first day as an official presidential candidate? CNN Chief National Correspondent John King takes a look.

Go behind the scenes with CNN's Elaine Quijano.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – CNN White House Correspondent Elaine Quijano shows you what it's like to cover the president.

CNN's Abbi Tatton takes a look at the newest way Hillary Clinton is seeking to raise money.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - CNN Internet Correspondent Abbi Tatton reports Bill and Hillary Clinton are giving campaign donors the chance to join the two of them for lunch at their Washington, DC home.

Edwards' campaign manager David Bonior said Clinton "failed" at health care reform.

MCCORMICK, South Carolina (CNN) – As John Edwards and Hillary Clinton compete for major union endorsements, the two campaigns are trading barbs over which candidate is more qualified to serve American workers.

David Bonior, the former congressman and labor advocate who is now John Edwards’ campaign manager, told the South Carolina AFL-CIO annual convention Thursday that Edwards has populist credentials that Hillary Clinton lacks.

Speaking to about 60 union members here three days after Edwards picked up national endorsements from the United Mine Workers and the United Steelworkers of America, Bonior said “no presidential candidate in the history of the country” has worked harder than Edwards has for unions and striking workers.

“We’re a populist campaign,” said Bonior, who was the House Democratic whip from Michigan before he left Congress in 2003 after 26 years. “Senator Obama has a populist campaign. Senator Clinton doesn’t have a populist campaign. There’s a difference here. How much change do you want?”

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WASHINGTON (CNN) - Fresh off the news that Osama bin Laden is planning an imminent address to the American people, a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll indicates that, for the first since 9/11, a majority of Americans thinks the U.S will be unable to capture or kill the al-Qaeda leader.

The poll reports 54 percent of Americans do not have confidence bin Laden will be killed or captured, while 42 percent do.

The percentage of Americans who think the U.S. will capture or kill bin Laden has steadily decreased since the 9/11 attacks.

In 2001, 78 percent of Americans were confident bin Laden would be captured or killed, compared to 66 percent in 2004 and 58 percent in 2006.

The poll, conducted on August 6-8, interviewed 1,029 Americans and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Compiled by Stephen Bach, CNN Washington Bureau

Fresh off the news that Osama bin Laden is planning an imminent address to the American people, a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll indicates that, for the first time since 9/11, a majority of Americans thinks the U.S will be unable to capture or kill the al-Qaeda leader.

The poll reports 54 percent of Americans do not have confidence bin Laden will be killed or captured, while 42 percent do. Full story

At least two presidential candidates will be talking terrorism on the trail today:

John Edwards gives a "major policy speech on global terrorism" today at 12 noon at Pace University in New York City, and Rudy Giuliani speaks at a 12:05 pm ET "9/11 Remember Our Fallen Heroes" luncheon at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

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Political Hot Topics
(Today's top political stories from news organizations across the country)

PETRAEUS MAY RECOMMEND SMALL TROOP REDUCTION: Army Gen. David H. Petraeus has indicated a willingness to consider a drawdown of one brigade of between 3,500 and 4,500 U.S. troops from Iraq early next year, with more to follow over the next months based on conditions on the ground, according to a senior U.S. official. Washington Post: Petraeus Open to Pullout of 1 Brigade

TOO CAUTIOUS? General Petraeus's view is considered overly cautious by some other senior military officials and some members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, officials said. But they said it reflected his concern that the security gains made so far in Baghdad, Anbar Province and other areas were fragile and easily reversed. New York Times: Petraeus, Seeing Gains in Iraq as Fragile, Is Wary of Cuts

ANTIWAR DEMS COMPLAIN OF LOST MOMENTUM DURING RECESS: Rank-and-file Democrats in Congress are criticizing the party's leaders for allowing the White House to sap momentum from the antiwar movement during the August recess. Washington Times: Antiwar drive stalls on Hill

BUSH HAS RARE, ON CAMERA BACK-AND-FORTH EXCHANGE WITH S. KOREAN PRES.: In a rare public exchange highlighting the delicacy of political diplomacy, President Bush told South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun a formal end to the Korean war begins when North Korea halts its secretive nuclear weapons program. CNN: Bush spars with Roh on Korean war

OUTCRY OVER BUSH INVITATION TO '08 GAMES: President Bush has accepted an invitation from President Hu Jintao of China to attend the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing, a move that drew condemnation from human rights advocates and a Republican member of Congress, who are calling for a boycott of the Games. New York Times: Bush, After Talks With China's Leader, Accepts Invitation to Beijing Olympics

JUDGE CALLS PATRIOT ACT PROVISION "LEGISLATIVE EQUIVALENT OF BREAKING AND ENTERING": A federal judge struck down controversial portions of the USA Patriot Act in a ruling that declared them unconstitutional yesterday, ordering the FBI to stop its wide use of a warrantless tactic for obtaining e-mail and telephone data from private companies for counterterrorism investigations. Washington Post: Judge Invalidates Patriot Act Provisions

CRAIG EXPECTS TO RESIGN: The likelihood that U.S. Sen. Larry Craig would resign at month's end grew Thursday as the prospect of a timely legal defense dimmed, and no new supporters emerged. Craig expects to step down Sept. 30 after all, spokesman Dan Whiting said. Idaho Statesman: Staff: Craig likely to resign

IDAHO REP. KNOCKS McCONNELL FOR HANDLING OF CRAIG MATTER: Rep. Mike Simpson (R) condemned Senate GOP leaders on Thursday for their treatment of fellow Idahoan Sen. Larry Craig (R), accusing them of hypocrisy. "I hope I never stub my toe and they throw me under the bus," Simpson said of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and other Republican leaders. The Hill: Lashing out at McConnell

GILLMOR'S WIFE WON'T RUN TO REPLACE HIM: Karen Gillmor (R), widow of Cong. Paul Gillmor (R), has decided to forego a run for her late husband's seat, according to normally reliable Republican sources. State Rep. Bob Latta (R) is now likely to get in the race. Rothenberg Political Report: Ohio 5: Karen Gillmor Out, Latta In

NO GOV. RUN FOR NOLA'S NAGIN: New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, the controversial leader of the Crescent City during Hurricane Katrina, will not seek the governorship of Louisiana. Nagin... did not file the necessary paperwork to seek the state's highest office. The deadline to do so has passed. The Ticker: Nagin not running for governor

HSU ARRESTED IN COLORADO: Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu... was on an eastbound Amtrak train about noon when he fell ill, and Amtrak personnel took him to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo. Los Angeles Times: Democratic donor Hsu caught in Colorado

PA'S RENDELL GIVES NEARLY $38K IS HSU DONATIONS TO CHARITY: For two weeks, Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell stood by big-time political fund-raiser Norman Hsu, insisting the fugitive California businessman is still his friend and going so far as to call him "one of the best 10 people I've met." But there are limits even to Mr. Rendell's political loyalty. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Rendell gives away fugitive's donations

RUNNING TO BE THE NEXT REAGAN: Fred D. Thompson had one central strategic goal as he formally began his presidential campaign on Thursday: to win over conservatives who are disheartened at their current choice of Republican candidates by positioning himself as the ideological and stylistic heir of Ronald Reagan. New York Times: For Thompson, Goal Is to Don Reagan Mantle

"ANOTHER CHANCE AT FALLING IN LOVE" FOR GOP: Republicans enter the 2008 campaign without a consensus candidate to rally around. It's nobody's turn to win the nomination in the traditionally hierarchical party. And voters are facing a field of flawed candidates, with no single candidate providing the consistent conservatism that the GOP base demands. Chicago Tribune: GOP fatigue could give Thompson boost

BUT IS HE "DOOMED" BY LATE ENTRY? Fred Thompson joined the Republican field yesterday already vying for the lead in one early presidential primary state, but analysts say as a first-time national candidate, he may have entered too late. Washington Times: Late entry could doom Thompson

PLENTY OF ELBOW ROOM AT THOMPSON KICKOFF: Judging by the crowd (or lack thereof) at the Polk County Convention Complex yesterday, it seems clear that the once fever pitch excitement about a Thompson candidacy has cooled significantly. New York Sun: Thompson Comes In With a Whimper

STEPPING "IMMEDIATELY INTO THE FIRING LINE": Rival campaigns have already prepared thick dossiers of "opposition research" chronicling the former Tennessee senator's zigzags on such key issues as abortion rights, immigration, a gay marriage ban, and campaign finance reform. Boston Globe: Thompson's next steps critical for his viability

ROMNEY STANDS APART IN RELIGION POLL: Just 14% who offer an opinion see Rudy Giuliani as very religious... nearly half (46%) of those who express an opinion say Romney is very religious. Pew Research Center: Clinton and Giuliani Seen as Not Highly Religious; Romney's Religion Raises Concerns

BLOOMBERG AGAIN OFFERS DENIAL ON '08 ("WITH A LITTLE WINK"): Mayor Bloomberg revved up the buzz on his White House aspirations again yesterday – announcing on his Web site, "It's time for something real."... The mayor said he's not interested in the job – but as with his past denials, his words came with a little wink. New York Daily News: Mayor Bloomberg generating Presidential buzz on Web

EDWARDS AND GIULIANI ONLY MAJOR CANDIDATES WHO'VE NEVER BEEN TO IRAQ: Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), who has criticized the Democratic-led Congress for its funding of the Iraq war, has never been to Iraq. And in a move that left him politically exposed, Edwards on Monday lambasted President Bush for making a surprise trip to the Middle Eastern country. The Hill: 2008 and counting: Anti-war Edwards hasn't visited Iraq

HILLARY "IN ALL HER WALNUT-CRUNCHING GLORY"...: Beware, sugarplum fairies of the political world, there's a new nutcracker in town – and her name is Hillary. The Hillary Nutcracker, which sells for $19.95, is quickly becoming the most Hill-arious joke of the campaign trail. New York Post: NUT BUSTER

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On the Political Radar:

* The CA Republican party begins its Fall Convention at the Renaissance Esmeralda Hotel in Indian Wells, CA (through 9/9).

* Fred Thompson holds town hall meetings at the convention center in Sioux City, IA (11 am ET), and Mason City's Music Man Square (7 pm ET).

* After a noon event in Orlando, Giuliani later delivers 7:35 pm ET remarks at the Pinellas County Reagan Day Dinner at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg, FL.

* Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) speaks at a California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting at 1:15 pm ET in Dana Point, CA. At 4 pm ET, McCain holds a town hall meeting at VFW Post 1622 in Lomita, CA.

* Mitt Romney holds "Ask Mitt Anything" events in North Conway (9 am ET) and Berlin, NH (10:45 am ET). He later tours the Littleton Coin Company in Littleton, NH (2:45 pm ET), and finally holds a 5 pm ET "Ask Mitt Anything" session in Lebanon, NH.

* Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) gives 12 pm ET remarks at the New Jersey Democratic Convention in Atlantic City, NJ. She later speaks at AARP's "Life @ 50+" event at 3:30 pm ET in Boston, MA.

* Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) attends a 3:30 pm ET Women for Obama luncheon at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, CA. He later heads North to Portland, OR, for a 12 am ET Countdown to Change event at the Oregon Convention Center.

* The Senate Radio-Television Correspondents' Gallery Daybook

* The House Radio-Television Correspondents' Gallery Daybook