In Today's Observer

Jason Horowitz reports on Iraq as rhetorical quagmire for New York's politicians. Anna Schneider-Mayerson reports on Andrew Cuomo's private sector dealings. Jason Horowitz and Nicole Brydson report on Bill Weld's withdrawal from the race for Governor. Joe Conason writes it's politics as usual, instead of security. Michael MacDonald writes in favor of public financing. Jason Horowitz reports on Weld's post-convention barbeque. Sheelah Kolhatkar asks where the marchers have gone. Nicholas von Hoffman writes about English as a second language. In the Editorials: Homeland Security and charter schools.