Yom Kippur is a day for atonement -- something we all need more of, whether our mothers made us ham sandwiches for lunch or not. So here is a list of some of the folks I would like to see spend the day atoning for their transgressions. Any Yom Kippur wish list would have to start with newly-minted Member of the Tribe George Allen, who should make a beeline for the nearest shul to atone for his ham-fisted -- and ham-plated -- handling of the revelation that his mother was Jewish. Also due for some serious repenting is Rep. Mark Foley, for those kinky IMs he sent to a number of teenage pages, including the one in which he tells a boy that he's never too tired or busy to "spank it"...

Bob Woodward's personal state of denial deepened last night during his appearance on Larry King Live. How else to explain the total disconnect between the story he is reporting -- an administration that has repeatedly failed to tell the truth about the war in Iraq -- and his takeaway from that story. After spending much of his hour-long appearance presenting examples of the administration's dishonesty, Woodward was asked if the revelations in his new book had caused him to reconsider what he wrote in his previous two books about Bush. Woodward's reply? "No, because that's what happened." Even the usually unflappable King was taken aback, asking, "You don't change any opinions?" "No," said Woodward, "I don't." To which I say: Why the hell not?

If the Foley fallout hands control of the House to Democrats, it won't be because of Foley's perverted acts; it will be because of the GOP's perverted priorities.

The truth is, our electoral choices are frequently based on completely irrational feelings. And no one sought to exploit this truth any more brazenly than Newt Gingrich did in 1994.

If you removed every reference to poverty in the New Testament, the Good Book would be reduced to little more than a Not Bad Pamphlet. READ MORE

Republicans are Whistling Past the Foley Graveyard The truth is, our electoral choices are frequently based on completely irrational feelings. READ MORE

Bush's Direct-to-the-People Diplomacy: "We Cut Out the Middleman!" Bush claiming "The United States remains committed to diplomacy" is like Denny Hastert claiming the GOP leadership "remains committed to the safety and well-being of Washington pages." READ MORE

FDR and Fearlessness: How the Personal Became the Political Exploring FDR's life, I was struck by how much his "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" brio was a product of his own personal fearlessness. READ MORE Book Tour TV: Charlie Rose

Ned Lamont is in danger of blowing it. Ever since beating Joe Lieberman in the primary, he has grown overly cautious, allowing consultants to drain him of the passion and purpose that propelled him to victory. It's a truism in politics that candidates often give their best speech when they are conceding. After they lose, they're suddenly liberated from their advisors, from their fears of saying "the wrong thing," and from trying to appeal to everyone. To make sure that Lamont never has to grit his teeth and congratulate Joe Lieberman on his victory, why don't we help write his "concession speech" now and ask him to deliver it to a small group of his most trusted friends so he can be freed up to act as if there is nothing left to lose between now and the election? Post your ideas in the comments section below and we'll cobble the best ones together and send the speech to the Lamont campaign.

Yesterday, I asked for your help in writing Ned Lamont's concession speech. The response was tremendous. Maybe having Lamont look in the mirror and deliver this speech will be the political equivalent of that moment in Moonstruck when Cher slaps Nic Cage across the face and says, "Snap out of it!" Here's the speech: I stand before you tonight with a very heavy heart. Not because I lost, but because of the way I lost. And because I realize I didn't have to. Like Al Gore and John Kerry before me, I forgot how high the stakes were. And I played it safe. I turned my campaign over to hired guns who think that running to the middle is a winning strategy -- even though it's proven to be a loser time and time again. I lost because I forgot what Ned Lamont stood for...