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Consumer advocate Ralph Nader's decision to run as an independent presidential candidate stirs consternation among Democrats hoping to unseat President Bush in November. Many Democrats blame Nader for siphoning votes away from Al Gore in the 2000 election and helping to send Bush to the White House. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne and NPR News Analyst Cokie Roberts.

The U.S. administrator for Iraq says it could take up to 15 months for a full transfer of power to an Iraqi goverment. Paul Bremer's remarks conflict with the wishes of Iraq's leading Shia cleric, who wants U.N. officials to establish a deadline for general elections. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and NPR's Deborah Amos.

Reports suggest former Vermont governor Howard Dean will suspend his campaign for president Wednesday. Dean was once the perceived frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, but he's failed to win any of the 17 primaries and contests held so far. Dean may leave open the prospect of returning to the race. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and New York Times reporter Jodi Wilgoren.

Iraq's governing council debates issues surrounding the handover of power from U.S. forces to Iraqis, scheduled to take place by July 1. Prominent members of the council now oppose the U.S. plan to create an interim administration through caucuses. Instead, many want the council to retain sovereignty until elections can be held. Hear NPR's Deborah Amos.

President Bush is expected to name a nine-member commission Friday charged with comparing the pre-war intelligence on Iraq with information learned since. On Thursday, CIA director George Tenet vigorously defended his agency's work, hours before a Senate panel began reviewing a draft report of its own probe into Iraq intelligence. Hear NPR's David Welna.

This past week, former U.S. weapons investigator David Kay told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Iraq did not possess weapons of mass destruction before last year's war. Kay also called for an investigation into U.S. intelligence in Iraq. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and Joseph Cirincione of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean makes an online entreaty for $700,000 to fund advertising in Wisconsin, calling the state's Feb. 17 primary a "must win." Dean's candidacy has suffered since he took an early lead in polls, building support and a large war chest by relying on the Internet and the ardent support of his campaign workers. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and Dean.

War planners say the ability of Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard to resist the allied ground assault and aerial bombardment will determine the length of the conflict in Iraq. The guard is considered intelligent and adaptive, but some analysts say that without air support, the units are no match for U.S. forces. Hear military analyst Anthony Cordesman.

Rescued American POW Pfc. Jessica Lynch is being treated at a military hospital in Germany. The supply clerk was captured when her unit was ambushed in Nasiriyah more than a week ago. The military has not released any information on 11 bodies found when Lynch was rescued. Jeff Young of West Virginia Public Radio reports.

The Supreme Court hears arguments on two related lawsuits that challenge a policy at the University of Michigan that considers race in admitting new students. The cases test whether the university is allowed to discriminate because it values diversity in its student body, or whether discrimination is only justified to reverse past racial injustice. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.