N.H. becomes sixth state where gays can marry  —  Governor Lynch makes history with the stroke of a pen.  —  By Eric Moskowitz and Martin Finucane, Globe Staff  —  Traditionally conservative New Hampshire today became the sixth state in the nation — and the fifth state in New England …

RED ALERT: Did White House order FBI to “back off” anti-terror investigations of radicalized Muslim converts?  —  Today's update from Stratfor Research describes the background of a recent attack on U.S. soldiers in Little Rock, Arkansas.  One soldier was killed and another critically wounded …

A sheep in Wolffe's clothing?  —  It was Barack Obama himself who first proposed that Newsweek reporter Richard Wolffe make a play to be this generation's Theodore White—the legendary journalist whose insider account of the 1960 election painted John F. Kennedy in heroic light.

Experts: Prognosis grim as Coleman runs out of legal options  —  Al Franken Photo: Paul Demko, Minnesota Independent  —  The end is near in the U.S. Senate contest.  That might seem difficult to believe given that the fight has now dragged on for nearly seven months, but the bottom line …

What Socialism Looks Like  —  Have you heard that the United States is headed toward socialism?  Jonah Goldberg says it is.  Alabama Senator Richard Shelby says it is.  Phyllis Schlafly says it is.  Richard Viguerie says it is.  The Republican National Committee says it is.  We must be getting pretty close.

Sotomayor's Supporters May Spin Her Out Of A Job  —  The White House explanation for Sonia Sotomayor's 2001 “wise Latina” statement was that Sotomayor used a “poor” choice of words and certainly would “restate” the language.  This spin made no sense, as the full text of the 2001 speech …

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO  —  Dear Senator Kennedy and Senator Baucus:  —  The meeting that we held today was very productive and I want to commend you for your leadership — and the hard work your Committees are doing on health care reform, one of the most urgent and important challenges confronting us as a Nation.

SELF-PARODY WATCH.... During a visit with Saudi King Abdullah today, President Obama briefly responded to praise by saying, “Shukran,” which is “thank you” in Arabic.  It was only a matter of time before we saw a post like this one from Michael Goldfarb.  The headline readers, “Does Obama Speak Arabic?”

This is what feminism looks like  —  This is what feminism looks like: Bitter, clingy, and effete.  —  Oh, sorry, Mizzzz Erbe.  Didn't mean to spew my venom all over yours: … Translation: It's not okay to talk about “hatef**king” conservative women...unless they are rowdy …

Graham on Sotomayor: ‘There is a character problem.  There is a temperament problem.’  —  Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) met with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor today and during a press conference after the meeting, Graham didn't hold back.  “I was very direct,” he said.

Israelis Say Bush Agreed to West Bank Growth  —  JERUSALEM — Senior Israeli officials accused President Obama on Wednesday of failing to acknowledge what they called clear understandings with the Bush administration that allowed Israel to build West Bank settlement housing within certain guidelines …

Hoffa: Sorkin and Morning Joe Show Complete Failure To Understand  —  New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin went on MSNBC this morning and set off the entire labor movement.  —  “Name a successful unionized company.  Think.  You're going to go to [commercial] break before you come up with one.

“Brotherhood” Invited To Obama Speech By U.S.  —  A sign that the Obama administration is willing to publicly challenge Egypt's commitment to parliamentary democracy: various Middle Eastern news sources report that the administration insisted that at least 10 members of the Muslim Brotherhood …

Operation Rescue adviser helped Tiller suspect track doctor's court dates  —  KANSAS CITY — When Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller stood trial in March on charges he violated state law in providing late-term abortions, the man now accused of killing him made a point of attending the hearings.

Kerry says $819,848 tax lien is IRS clerical error  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service has filed a $819,848 tax lien against Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign, but Kerry on Wednesday blamed an IRS clerical error for the claim and said his campaign owes no tax penalties.

Judge Tosses Telecom Spy Suits  —  SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed lawsuits targeting the nation's telecommunication companies for their participation in President George W. Bush's once-secret electronic eavesdropping program.  —  In his ruling, U.S. District Judge …