An Early Military Victory for Obama  —  It was one of the earliest tests of the new American president — a small military operation off the coast of a Third World nation.  But as President Bill Clinton found out in October 1993, even minor failures can have long-lasting consequences.

Tea Parties Forever  —  This is a column about Republicans — and I'm not sure I should even be writing it.  —  Today's G.O.P. is, after all, very much a minority party.  It retains some limited ability to obstruct the Democrats, but has no ability to make or even significantly shape policy.

A Reticent Justice Opens Up to a Group of Students  —  Justice Clarence Thomas has not asked a question from the Supreme Court bench since Feb. 22, 2006.  He speaks only to announce his majority opinions, reading summaries in a gruff monotone.  Glimpses of Justice Thomas in less formal settings are rare.

Obama's Cuba Policy Risks an Opportunity  —  While Obama lifts some restrictions on travel by Cuban Americans to the island, the administration remains firm on the US embargo.  —  Press speculation and reports this morning indicate that the President will lift travel restrictions …

Everyone Should Pay Income Taxes  —  It's bad for our democracy to exempt half the country.  —  If you thought Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme was bad, wait until you hear about the inverted pyramid scheme the federal government is working on.  While Mr. Madoff preyed on people who trusted …

The Jackson $5 million?  —  The Sun-Times has learned that 2 members of Chicago's Indian community sent word to Blagojevich's camp that Jesse Jackson Jr. would raise $5 million in exchange for Obama's Senate seat  —  Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's camp was told last year that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. …

Obama and the Pirates  —  It's better to be lucky than good.  It's even better to be lucky and good.  One can easily imagine all the different ways the rescue of Captain Phillips might have been screwed up—and the political firestorm that would have resulted.

Americans Most Confident in Obama on Economy  —  Democratic leaders in Congress fare better than Republican leaders  — USA - Congress - Government and Politics - Presidential Ratings - The Presidency - Americas - Northern America  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Over two-thirds of Americans …

Trillions for pork but nothing for the Raptors?  —  Has the world really changed that much since 1990?  —  When the Air Force first announced its planned procurement of the F-22 Raptors, the intended acquisition was for 750 of the fighters.  The Soviet Union was the enemy then, and soon thereafter the Soviet Union fell apart.

What Would a “Bipartisan” Obama Look Like?  (Hint: A Lot Like the One We're Seeing)  —  Over at RealClarPolitics, Jay Cost takes Obama to task for failing to live up to his promises of bipartisanship.  Cost writes: … What Cost accuses Obama of is acting in bad faith — he promised “bipartisanship” and hasn't delivered.

Realpolitik for Iran  —  For Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, “a combination of ignorance and arrogance” under the Bush administration squandered countless diplomatic opportunities with Iran and so allowed it to forge ahead with its nuclear program.

U.S. Military Considers Attacks on Somali Pirates' Land Bases  —  The U.S. military is considering attacks on pirate bases on land and aid for the Somali people to help stem ship hijackings off Africa's east coast, defense officials said.  —  The military also is drawing up proposals to aid …

Memo to the GOP: Go Gay  —  Blogs and Stories  —  Republican resistance to gay marriage goes against conservative values—and our own self-interests.  —  This week, I will be speaking at the Log Cabin Republicans' national convention in support of the gay community and its role in the future of the Republican Party.

WILL THE MAINE GIRLS SWING?  —  Last Friday, an alert reader linked Steve Benen to this The Bangor Daily News writeup of Olympia Snowe's health care listening session.  This quote, in particular, caught his eye: … Snowe's position is a bit of an odd one: She holds that we may require …

A Pirate Looks at Trial  —  The bad news for the so-far unnamed teenager qua pirate-hijacker captured Sunday during a now-famous firefight is that he'll almost certainly be convicted in an American court if and when he is brought to justice here in the States.

The latest NY 20 tally: Murphy by 25  —  According to the latest official count this morning in the special election, Democrat Scott Murphy holds a 25-vote lead over Republican Jim Tedisco in New York's 20th District.  —  The 10:30 a.m. tally shows Murphy with 77,907 votes and Tedisco with 77,882 votes.

Levi hasn't changed; the Palins have  —  It is amazing how quickly Palin Nation can turn on you.  Remember the outrage after I questioned how Levi Johnston was accepted into the coveted ASRC apprentice program without meeting the requirements?  —  Instead of addressing the issue …

Former WRAL reporter shines on Fox News  —  Bret Baier's ‘Special Report’ has viewers across the political spectrum  —  Bret Baier has been covering the White House and national politics for a decade.  Yet even he still experiences surreal moments with the most powerful people in Washington.