GOP to rebrand Dems as ‘socialists’  —  A member of the Republican National Committee told me Tuesday that when the RNC meets in an extraordinary special session next week, it will approve a resolution rebranding Democrats as the “Democrat Socialist Party.”  —  When I asked if such a resolution …

U.S. Eyes Bank Pay Overhaul  —  Administration in Early Talks on Ways to Curb Compensation Across Finance  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has begun serious talks about how it can change compensation practices across the financial-services industry, including at companies …

Source: Aide told Pelosi about waterboarding  —  CNN Congressional Producer  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — A source close to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi now confirms that Pelosi was told in February 2003 by her intelligence aide, Michael Sheehy, that waterboarding was actually used on CIA detainee Abu Zubaydah.

Analysis: Cheney attacks may not help GOP  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — To the chagrin, perhaps, of Republicans looking to rebuild the tattered party, Dick Cheney has grabbed the spotlight.  —  The recurring theme of the once-reclusive and largely unpopular former vice president …

Reid: Johnsen Doesn't Have Votes for DOJ Post  —  As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) moves to ease a backlog of executive branch nominations, he suggested on Tuesday that he does not have the votes to bring up President Barack Obama's pick to run the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel.

Former Official: Treatment of Terror Suspects a ‘Collective Failure’  —  Former State Department counselor Philip Zelikow told the first congressional panel convened to address allegations of torture that the Bush administration officials engaged in a “collective failure” on detention and interrogation of suspected terrorists.

Chrysler and the Rule of Law  —  The Founders put the contracts clause in the Constitution for a reason.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  The rule of law, not of men — an ideal tracing back to the ancient Greeks and well-known to our Founding Fathers — is the animating principle of the American experiment.

The Right Person for the High Court  —  If President Obama nominates to the Supreme Court a highly qualified individual with a distinguished record that demonstrates judicial restraint, integrity and a commitment to the rule of law, his nominee will be welcomed in the Senate and by the American people.

Ire Over a Columnist, an Author of Torture Memos  —  When The Philadelphia Inquirer hired as its new opinion columnist, John C. Yoo, an author of the Bush administration's widely criticized legal memos on harsh interrogation techniques, it was probably inevitable that the decision would draw complaints.

Palin has book deal, memoir to come next year  —  NEW YORK - You knew it was coming: Sarah Palin is ready to tell her side, agreeing to publish a memoir with HarperCollins.  The book comes out in Spring 2010 — the year she is up for re-election.  —  “There's been so much written …

Foreclosures: ‘April was a shocker’  —  A record number of foreclosure filings took place during April, but the number of repossessions fell 11%.  —  NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Foreclosures in April exceeded even March's blistering pace with a record 342,000 homes receiving notices of default …

Radio rage  —  The assassination jokes and “liberal” conspiracy theories on talk radio could be an ominous sign of things to come.  Plus: Madonna vs. Daniela, gay men's favorite divas, a charming TV show for kids and more.  —  In John Frankenheimer's taut 1964 film, “Seven Days in May,” …

Waxman, Markey Announce Breakthrough on Climate Change Bill  —  Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have reached a deal on the most contentious aspects of cap-and-trade legislation for carbon emissions and plan to unveil the bill on Thursday, Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) said Tuesday night.

N.Y. Assembly Passes Gay Marriage Bill  —  ALBANY — The State Assembly approved legislation on Tuesday night that would make New York the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage — a pivotal vote that shifts the debate to the State Senate, where gay rights advocates and conservative groups alike are redoubling their efforts.

Cheney in Manhattan: ‘A giant conspiracy’ on Iran  —  Former Vice President Dick Cheney swung quietly through New York City Tuesday night to watch his daughter, Elizabeth, a former State Department official, argue the conservative side in a debate over American policy toward Iran …

FDA Blasts General Mills Over Cheerios Claim  —  Cereal Makers Scolded Because Claim Of Lowering Cholesterol 10 Percent In Month Makes It A “Drug”  —  Company Fires Back: This Is About Language, Not Science  —  NEW YORK (CBS) ― The Food and Drug Administration scolded the makers …

Records Show Billions Withdrawn Before Madoff Arrest  —  About $12 billion was pulled out of accounts at Bernard L. Madoff's firm in 2008, according to several people briefed on an analysis of Mr. Madoff's business records.  —  About $6 billion, or half, was taken out in just the three months …

Court orders could shut down Gitmo task force, gov't says  —  The Obama Administration is making a full court press to undo court orders requiring that lawyers for Guantanamo detainees receive full access to information being used by a task force President Barack Obama set up in January …

Report: One-fourth of overseas votes go uncounted  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - One out of every four ballots requested by military personnel and other Americans living overseas for the 2008 election may have gone uncounted, according to findings being released at a Senate hearing Wednesday.

Murtha rival says aide threatened him  —  The Republican who challenged Rep. John Murtha in 2008 says a top aide to the embattled Pennsylvania Democrat threatened to have him recalled to active duty in the U.S. Army so he could be court-martialed for engaging in politics while serving in the armed forces.