California voters exercise their power — and that's the problem  —  Residents relish their role in the lawmaking process, but they share the blame for the state's severe dysfunction.  —  Californians are well known for periodic voter revolts, but on Tuesday they did more than just lash …

Advocates of Gun Rights Are Poised for a Victory  —  WASHINGTON — Advocates of gun rights are poised to win a Congressional victory that eluded them under a Republican president.  —  To the frustration and discouragement of many Democrats, House and Senate lawmakers and aides …

Democrats in Senate Block Money to Close Guantánamo  —  WASHINGTON — In an abrupt shift, Senate Democratic leaders said on Tuesday that they would not provide the $80 million that President Obama requested to close the detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

EXCLUSIVE: U.S., Israel forming working group on Iran  —  Set to assess progress of outreach, share intelligence  —  The United States and Israel are quietly forming a high-level working group to assess the progress of President Obama's outreach to Iran and to share intelligence …

Obama, Cheney plan dueling speeches  —  President Barack Obama will attempt to regain control of a boiling debate over anti-terrorism policy with a major speech on Thursday—an address that comes on the same day that former Vice President Cheney will be weighing in with his own speech on the same theme.

Why Pelosi Should Step Down  —  The case against Nancy Pelosi remaining Speaker of the House is as simple as it is devastating:  —  The person who is No. 2 in line to be commander in chief can't have contempt for the men and women who protect our nation.  America can't afford it.

Clinton-era hard drive missing from archives  —  A massive amount of sensitive, national security-related information from the Clinton administration has gone missing from the national archives.  —  The Inspector General of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) …

Washington Sketch: When Steele Talks, Republicans Check Their BlackBerrys  —  Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, working the room at a luncheon gathering of party officials yesterday, had the same parting words for each man he met: “Stay out of trouble.”

Cheney Grabs a Third Term  —  Dick and Rummy are at Cafe Milano in Georgetown, holding court.  The maître d' fawns.  Waiters hover.  Tourists snap pics on their digital cameras.  Cable chatterers stop by to ingratiate themselves.  —  It isn't so much that Dick and Rummy are back.

Democrats' Assault On the CIA  —  In a little over 100 days, the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress have delivered a series of blows to the pride and morale of the Central Intelligence Agency.  —  It began with the release of the Justice Department memos …

Arms Sent by U.S. May Be Falling Into Taliban Hands  —  KABUL — Insurgents in Afghanistan, fighting from some of the poorest and most remote regions on earth, have managed for years to maintain an intensive guerrilla war against materially superior American and Afghan forces.

America's Richest Givers Hold Secret Meeting  —  Oprah, Gates, Buffett Gather in NY to Compare Notes About Charity, Economy  —  Under a cloak of secrecy, some of the world's wealthiest people gathered in an unprecedented meeting early this month in New York City possibly to coordinate strategies …

Blogola: The FTC Takes On Paid Posts  —  The Federal Trade Commission wants bloggers to disclose when they've been wooed with cash or freebies from companies they cover  —  Readers of Adventures in Babywearing, a blog for parents, got an up-close look at the Ergo, a $135 embroidered baby carrier …

Why the U.S. should listen to India's voters  —  Last November 131, million Americans voted, and the whole world took notice.  Over the last month, about 700 million Indians voted, and most Americans, like most of the world, didn't much notice.  To be sure, American elections are more important …

U.S. May Add New Financial Watchdog  —  The Obama administration is actively discussing the creation of a regulatory commission that would have broad authority to protect consumers who use financial products as varied as mortgages, credit cards and mutual funds, according to several sources familiar with the matter.

Understanding the President's CAFE announcement  —  (Editorial note: I was doing so well moving to shorter posts.  I fail miserably in achieving that goal here.  I went the comprehensive route instead.  I promise to return to shorter posts in the future.  Buckle up - this is a long ride.

Christie Has 23-Point Lead In New Jersey GOP Primary, Quinnipiac University New Jersey Poll Finds; Corzine, With Low Approval, Gains No Ground On Christie  —  Two weeks before the primary in the New Jersey Governor's race, former federal prosecutor Christopher Christie leads former Bogota …

U.S. Weighs How to Let Banks Give Money Back  —  It began on Oct. 13, in an atmosphere of panic, with an ultimatum from Washington.  Now, the nation's largest banks see a chance to bring an end to the bailout era.  —  After so much bad news, it scarcely seems possible.

Air Force Boots Their 25 Million Dollar Aviator (He's Gay) VIDEO  —  ***SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO OF FEHRENBACK ON “THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW"***  —  New President.  New Congress.  No Change.  Here is the latest evidence of what our country is losing under the law that prevents gay men and women …