Obama Poll Sees Doubt on Budget and Health Care  —  A substantial majority of Americans say President Obama has not developed a strategy to deal with the budget deficit, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll, which also found that support for his plans to overhaul health care …

Just Tell the World, ‘Go Hang’  —  Events in Iran catch President Obama flat-footed.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  “Wading into Iranian politics, President Barack Obama said on Tuesday there appeared to be few policy differences between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and rival Mirhossein Mousavi,” Reuters reports.

Obama on Iran, McCain on His High Horse  —  Here's Obama's response to events in Iran.  As Spencer Ackerman notes, just about pitch-perfect:  —  Now look at what John McCain said in contrast: … Take a moment to think about how the current government in Iran is going to react to this …

Hillary Clinton Fractures Her Elbow  —  The Secretary of State will undergo surgery to repair the damage next week  —  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fell down on her way to the White House late Wednesday afternoon, fracturing her right elbow, her Counselor and Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills …

Why are Iranian police markings written in English?  —  Post-election protests continued in Tehran for the fifth day on Wednesday.  In many photos, riot police wear uniforms with the English word police on them.  Ambulances, too, bear the word ambulance in English.

Outcry on Federal Same-Sex Benefits  —  WASHINGTON — The package of domestic partnership benefits that President Obama established for federal workers on Wednesday drew the loudest protests from some of those it was intended to help, gay men and lesbians who criticized the move as too timid.

ABC REFUSES OPPOSITION ADS DURING WHITE HOUSE SPECIAL  —  ABC is refusing to air paid ads during its White House health care presentation, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, including a paid-for alternative viewpoint!  —  The development comes a day after the network denied a request …

Bush takes swipes at Obama policies  —  Defends interrogations  —  Former President George W. Bush fired a salvo at President Obama on Wednesday, asserting his administration's interrogation policies were within the law, declaring the private sector not government will fix the economy and rejecting the nationalization of health care.

Out of Washington, Edwards Finds Worries Remain  —  John Edwards says he has few illusions.  He knows the picture many Americans hold of him is not a pretty one.  He also knows that even before he was engulfed in tabloid scandal, his electoral appeal had limits.

Barney Frank throws us under the bus.  Lauds incest brief.  Says language was appropriate.  —  Well, it seems a trip to the Oval Office is all openly gay congressman Barney Frank needs to stab his community in the back.  After criticizing the DOJ's anti-gay DOMA brief this morning …

Crying To God For Freedom  —  They may not have any cell-phones; or news.  They may be being squeezed off the web.  But they have their voices.  Through the darkness of the night, in the face of great force, sustained by unimaginable courage: listen to the audacity of hope:  —  God bless them.

Bachmann Boasts About Breaking The Law: I'm Refusing To Fill Out The Census  —  Next year, the 2010 Census will be sent to every American household, as required by the U.S. Constitution.  The far right has issued dire warnings of the Census; on a May 29th episode of Bill Bennett's radio show …

President Obama Announces Appointments to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships  —  Washington, DC - Today, President Obama appointed 28 members to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.  This accomplished group of citizens representing a broad range of backgrounds …

Bailout Costs vs Big Historical Events  —  It is exceedingly difficult to convey exactly how much we are spending on all these bailouts.  Whenever I start talking trillions (versus mere billions), I get puzzled looks from people.  Humans have a hard time conceptualizing any number that large.

Healthcare CEOs Shoot Themselves in the Foot  —  Yesterday the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations decided to investigate the practice of recission.  This is when you pay your premiums for years to a healthcare insurer, then get sick, and then have your insurance cancelled.

An Interview With Paul Samuelson, Part One  —  I've spent the last six months, off and on, trying to interview Paul Samuelson.  Samuelson has a long list of accomplishments — A John Bates Clark Medal, a Nobel Prize — that I won't try to recap here.  But by most accounts he is responsible …

Paul Krugman's Prophetic Prescience  —  Wow.  Just . . . wow. … As Arnold Kling says, there's a paragraph I'm sure glad I didn't write.

Report on Bush Interrogation Policy ‘Weeks’ From Release, Holder Says  —  Probe Is Focused On Interrogation Program's Approval  —  A Justice Department report focusing on possible ethics violations by Bush administration lawyers who approved waterboarding of terrorism suspects is still …

Election 2010: Pennsylvania Democratic Senate Primary  —  Pennsylvania Senate Primary: Specter 51% Sestak 32%  —  Senator Arlen Specter leads Congressman Joe Sestak by 19 percentage points in an early look at the 2010 Democratic Senatorial Primary in Pennsylvania.

Blair knew of secret policy on torture  —  Letter reveals former PM was aware of guidance to UK agents  —  Tony Blair was aware of the ­existence of a secret interrogation policy which ­effectively led to British citizens, and others, being ­tortured during ­counter-terrorism investigations, the Guardian can reveal.

Iran election turnouts exceeded 100% in 30 towns, website reports  —  At least 200 polling stations across Iran had participation rates of 95% or above, say sources of centrist Auyandeh site  —  Turnouts of more than 100% were recorded in at least 30 Iranian towns in last week's disputed …

Obama and the Fly  —  Well, I guess it can't be said that President Obama wouldn't hurt a fly.  The commander in chief was recently pestered by a fly during an interview.  He swatted at the insect and killed the little guy instantly.  —  Believe it or not, we've actually been contacted …

Clerics May Be Key to Outcome of Unrest  —  With Iran's political establishment at war with itself, a central question lurking behind the postelection tumult is which side the country's highly influential clerics will back.  —  So far the mullahs — a potentially critical swing vote …

‘Public Option’: Son of Medicaid  —  Lard atop lard that only a politician or bureaucrat could love.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  In his speech on health care to the American Medical Association, President Obama explained why the U.S. has “failed” (yet again) to provide comprehensive reform that “covers everyone.”

Hail to the Victors  —  A Special Message to the People of Iran  —  By Barack Obama  —  President of the United States  —  Greetings.  As president of United States — or, if you prefer, the Great Satan — I have have been following with keen interest the vigorous post-election debate …