Sanford met in Atlanta after returning from South America  —  Governor says he never hiked Appalachian Trail; says he cruised along the coast of Buenos Aires to unwind after stressful legislative session  —  ATLANTA — Gov. Mark Sanford arrived in the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport this morning …

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. contacted Iran's ayatollah before election  —  Administration overture to Khamenei ridiculed in sermon  —  Prior to this month's disputed presidential election in Iran, the Obama administration sent a letter to the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei …

Stay Tuned for More of ‘The Obama Show’  —  In his first daytime news conference yesterday, President Obama preempted “All My Children,” “Days of Our Lives” and “The Young and the Restless.”  But the soap viewers shouldn't have been disappointed: The president had arranged some prepackaged entertainment for them.

McCain Won't Say Obama Is On Iran Reformers' Side  —  Either Sen. John McCain didn't hear Joe Klein tell him to “be quiet” or he doesn't care, because the former presidential candidate went right back at his ex-rival Tuesday afternoon for President Obama's decision not to insert himself into the Iranian crisis.

He Thinks You're Stupid  —  In his press conference today, President Obama talked about the cap-and-trade energy tax that the Democrats are trying to ram through Congress.  Obama's nose grew a couple of inches as he uttered this howler: … The idea that the energy tax will come to rest with …

Baucus Grabs Pacesetter Role on Health Bill  —  WASHINGTON —As President Obama's effort to overhaul the health care system seems to hit one roadblock after another in Congress, he is counting on Senator Max Baucus, a political shape-shifter and crafty deal maker who is not fully trusted by either party …

Update |  8:19 a.m. According to an update on Twitter posted one minute ago, apparently by the Iranian blogger Mojtaba Samienejad, there have been clashes in front of Iran's Parliament:  —  Conflict in Baharestan Sq.  They even attack to people walk on sidewalk and use Tears GAS

Romney's Image Improves; Palin Well Regarded by Republican Base  —  Favorability of Leading Republicans  —  Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has seen his favorability ratings improve and now enjoys a positive balance of opinion among the general public: 40% rate him favorably, 28% unfavorably.

Tapes Reveal Nixon's View of Abortion  —  WASHINGTON — On Jan. 23, 1973, when the Supreme Court struck down state criminal abortion laws in Roe v. Wade, President Richard M. Nixon made no public statement.  But privately, newly released tapes reveal, he expressed ambivalence.

A Republican comeback?  —  For the first time since their 2006 election drubbing, top Republicans see signs — however faint — of a political resurgence over the next year.  —  At first blush, this sounds absurd.  After all, polls show the GOP more unpopular than ever …

Live blog: Iran crisis  —  How will Iran react to Barack Obama's condemnation of the brutal suppression of street protests?  And can the opposition movement maintain momentum in the face of the crackdown?  Follow live updates on Iran's disputed elections  —  5.07pm:

Most Americans Want Health Reform but Worry About Costs, Quality  —  A majority of Americans see government action as critical to controlling runaway health-care costs, but there is broad public anxiety about the potential impact of reform legislation and conflicting views about the types …

Documents Back Saudi Link to Extremists  —  WASHINGTON — Documents gathered by lawyers for the families of Sept. 11 victims provide new evidence of extensive financial support for Al Qaeda and other extremist groups by members of the Saudi royal family, but the material may never find …