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.

Right-wingers who hit ‘President Pantywaist’ have egg on their faces after U.S. forces killed pirates  —  You can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!  —  DOWNLOAD  —  PLAY  —  Before yesterday's remarkable success story on the high seas off the coast of Somalia …

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.

White House Announces Easing of Cuba Restrictions  —  WASHINGTON — The White House announced on Monday that it is abandoning longstanding restrictions on family travel, remittances and gifts to Cuba, and is also taking steps to open up telecommunications with the island …

Views of Income Taxes Among Most Positive Since 1956  —  PRINCETON, NJ — A new Gallup Poll finds 48% of Americans saying the amount of federal income taxes they pay is “about right,” with 46% saying “too high” — one of the most positive assessments Gallup has measured since 1956.

CNN Poll: Obama not making U.S. less safe  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - A new poll indicates Americans don't agree with former Vice President Dick Cheney's recent assertion that President Barack Obama's actions have increased the chances of a terrorist attack against the United States.

Palin's New Disaster  —  Blogs and Stories  —  The governor is reeling after nominating for attorney general a man who allegedly defended the right of men to rape their wives.  Now, Max Blumenthal reports, she may dump him to save herself.  —  While priming her political machine …

Court declares Franken winner; Coleman to appeal  —  After a trial spanning nearly three months, Norm Coleman's attempt to reverse Al Franken's lead in the recount of the U.S. Senate election was soundly rejected today by a three-judge panel that dismissed the Republican's lawsuit.

Phil Spector guilty in Lana Clarkson's death  —  Latest story: Phil Spector convicted of second-degree murder  —  Phil Spector has been convicted of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of actress Lana Clarkson six years ago.  An L.A. Superior Court jury reached its decision …

Rush & Me, Today  —  I'm not listening.  I have two pressing deadlines.  But I keep getting a lot of email about it.  For instance: Jonah, Apparently Rush is pointing out the absurdity in your praising Obama and not praising those who were directly responsible for the rescue by being absurd.

Memo to the GOP: Go Gay  —  Blogs and Stories  —  Republican resistance to gay marriage goes against conservative values—and our own self-interest.  —  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.

PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY AND THE RESCUE OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.  —  After foolishly setting up the hostage situation with Somali pirates as a test of Obama's mettle, the right has been really desperate to convince themselves that President Obama could not possibly have authorized the use of force …

The battle over the absentee ballots  —  Just like in the Minnesota Senate recount, the special election in New York's Twentieth District looks like it will be determined by disputed absentee ballots.  —  Both campaigns have already challenged the legality of around 600 absentee ballots …

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. …

MSNBC Developing a Weekend Politics Show for NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Chuck Todd  —  Get ready for more of the “Goateed Guru.”  —  According to multiple network sources, MSNBC is in the process of developing a weekend political show to be moderated by Chuck Todd …

Apologies to Glenn Greenwald.  —  I had accused him of being a partisan idiot.

OpenSecrets.org Goes OpenData  —  Award-winning website from the Center for Responsive Politics now provides 20 years of downloadable money-in-politics data—for free  —  WASHINGTON — Politicians, prepare yourselves.  Lobbyists, look out.  Today the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics …