Federal agency warns of radicals on right  —  9-page report sent to police  —  The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in “rightwing extremist activity,” saying the economic recession, the election of America's first black president and the return …

‘3 Rounds, 3 Dead Bodies’  —  Precision Volley by Navy SEALs Ended a Five-Day Ordeal For an American Seaman, but Piracy Off Somalia Continues  —  As dusk began to fall Sunday, the Somali pirates holding captain Richard Phillips had grown edgy.  —  As they bobbed in the ocean near the USS Bainbridge …

THE GOP'S SILENCE ON MN IS DEAFENING  —  From NBC's Mark Murray  —  While the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee released statements last night congratulating Al Franken and ratcheting up the pressure for Norm Coleman to bow out, we haven't heard a peep from national Republicans.

Goldberg tells Hannity, “I'm sorry, Sean ... but we have to stop going out of our way to find fault with every single thing he [Obama] does.”  —  Wow that is about the 4 or 5 time in the last few days that an Fox commentator has voiced support for Pres Obams.  Kirstin Powers , Mara Liasson, Bill O'Reilly, Bob Beckel and now Goldberg.

Easter With My Conservative Family  —  A reader writes: … It will get much much worse before it gets better.

Paterson Will Introduce Same-Sex Marriage Bill  —  Gov. David A. Paterson will announce on Thursday plans to introduce legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, according to people with knowledge of the governor's plans.  —  Mr. Paterson's move, which he first signaled last week …

The Case of the Missing Month  —  I blogged the Goldman Sachs call this morning, starting at 7 a.m. The newest posts are at the top.  —  7:50 a.m.|  Call Over: The call ended quietly with little additional talk about December.  —  7:45 a.m.|  How Quickly We Forget …

Poll: Obama earns nation's trust  —  Three months into his presidency, Barack Obama stands out as perhaps the most trusted figure in American politics.  —  In a new Public Strategies Inc./POLITICO national survey of 1,000 registered voters, Obama outdistances figures on both the left …

The Bush Six to Be Indicted  —  Blogs and Stories  —  Spanish prosecutors will seek criminal charges against Alberto Gonzales and five high-ranking Bush administration officials for sanctioning torture at Guantánamo.  By Scott Horton.  —  Spanish prosecutors have decided …

Four Questions about the Financial Crisis  —  I am pleased to have the privilege of speaking today to the students and faculty of Morehouse College, the only all-male historically black institution of higher learning in the United States.  It is sufficient to note that Martin Luther King, Jr., was a graduate of Morehouse.

NRSC formally backs Specter in 2010  —  National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman John Cornyn (R-Texas) penned a letter to Republicans in Pennsylvania urging them to support Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) in the state's looming primary battle.  —  Though the NRSC's support …

Pakistani Peace Deal Gives New Clout to Taliban Rebels  —  MINGORA, Pakistan — Thousands of Islamist militants are pouring into Pakistan's Swat Valley and setting up training camps here, quickly making it one of the main bases for Taliban fighters and raising their threat to the government in the wake of a controversial peace deal.

Glamour Dims as Hecklers Hit the Auto Show  —  Just a year ago, working as a product presenter at an auto show was a pretty straightforward job.  You stood next to a vehicle, you called it a marvel of engineering, style and comfort and then you fielded softball questions like, “What does this baby cost?”

THEY'RE GOING TO NEED A LOT MORE TEA BAGS.... As April 15 approaches, this is generally the time most Americans are inclined to complain about paying Uncle Sam.  It's supposed to be as American as apple pie — we all think we're paying too much in taxes.  —  At least, that's what we've been led to believe.

Taliban execute teenager, man for eloping  —  Afghan clerics impose death penalty after pair are accused of immoral acts  —  KABUL - Taliban gunmen executed a young couple in southern Afghanistan for trying to elope, shooting them with rifles in front of a crowd in a lawless, militant-controlled region, officials said Tuesday.

U.S. May Drop Key Condition for Talks With Iran  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration and its European allies are preparing proposals that would shift strategy toward Iran by dropping a longstanding American insistence that Tehran rapidly shut down nuclear facilities during the early phases …

Dean re-emerging to push healthcare  —  Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D), who used healthcare reform as a signature issue during his 2004 presidential campaign, is using a call for universal coverage to raise his profile once again.  —  Dean left his position as chairman …

Obama: ‘Instant gratification’ fueled bust  —  President Barack Obama acknowledges in a major economic speech Tuesday that “times are still tough” and warns that a culture of “instant gratification” had produced neglect of major national problems that wound up undermining the economy.

Guv candidate says he'd order halt to gay marriage  —  A Republican candidate for governor vowed today to stop gay marriage if he's elected, but several Statehouse officials say his proposed method would be illegal.  —  “If I have the opportunity to serve as your next governor,” …

Obama's Speech on the Economy  —  President Barack Obama on Tuesday discussed economic challenges to the U.S. in a major speech on the economy, following remarks last week in which he cited signs of progress.  Here, the full text of his speech as prepared for delivery.

Vermont Lawmakers Look To Legalize Teen ‘Sexting’  —  Under Current Law, Teens Who Text Message Explicit Photos Could Be Prosecuted As Sex Offenders  —  MONTPELIER, Vt. (CBS) ― Text messaging graphic pictures of yourself could soon be legal for teens in Vermont.

Angry taxpayers to rally at Tea Party protests  —  If things go as organizers plan, thousands of ordinary, hard-working Americans will hit the streets Wednesday in hundreds of Tea Party Protests called to oppose the high-tax and deficit spending policies of President Obama and the Democratic Congress.

Bank Vet Pegged to Run Bailout  —  WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is expected to tap Fannie Mae Chief Executive Herb Allison to head the government's $700 billion financial-rescue program, people familiar with the matter say.  —  In choosing Mr. Allison to head the Troubled Asset Relief Program …