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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.”

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) …

Obama's biggest critic: Krauthammer  —  The dinner guest that night at George Will's house in Chevy Chase was intellectually nimble, personally formidable and completely baffling, recalled columnist Charles Krauthammer - who was getting his first up-close look at President-elect Barack Obama.

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 …

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 …

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.

Coloradan may be considered for high court  —  DENVER - A new Hispanic judge who grew up in modest circumstances in Southern Colorado said Monday she has been approached by White House intermediaries about being considered to fill a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Japan's economy in record plunge  —  Japan's economy during the first three months of 2009 shrank at its quickest pace since records began, as exports slumped, officials figures have shown.  —  Output in the world's second largest economy contracted by 4% during the period, or by 15.2% on an annual basis.

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.