Justices Reject Sotomayor Position 9-0 — But Bigger Battles Loom  —  The Supreme Court's predictable 5-4 vote to reverse the decision by Judge Sonia Sotomayor and two federal appeals court colleagues against 17 white (and one Hispanic) plaintiffs in the now-famous New Haven, Conn. …

Video: Press corps now openly laughing at Obama's backtracking on taxes  —  It's a laugh riot, isn't it?  Actually, they might be laughing more at Gibbs's feeble way of ducking the question than The One's looming broken promise, but in Gibbs's defense, what's he supposed to say?

Terrific: Chavez accuses U.S. of having “a lot to do” with Honduras coup  —  From yesterday afternoon, a transparent attempt by the Evil Clown to bait The One into taking his side.  And darn if it didn't work. … At the risk of exploding what little right-wing blog cred I have left …

It Came from Wasilla  —  Despite her disastrous performance in the 2008 election, Sarah Palin is still the sexiest brand in Republican politics, with a lucrative book contract for her story.  But what Alaska's charismatic governor wants the public to know about herself doesn't always jibe with reality.

CNN Poll: Americans don't want to intervene in Iran election crisis  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - A new national poll suggests that that nearly three out of four Americans don't want the U.S. directly intervene in the election crisis in Iran even though most Americans are upset by how the Iranian government …

U.S. Withdrawal From Iraqi Cities Marked by Holiday  —  BAGHDAD — Iraq declared a public holiday Tuesday to celebrate the official withdrawal of American troops from the country's cities and towns, emptying the streets as many people stayed home because they feared violence.

Thoughts on this Term and the Next  —  It's always perilous to try and generalize about a Supreme Court Term.  Roughly 80 cases on diverse topics decided by nine different people don't collectively produce clear themes.  When they do appear to, it's often a mirage that reflects the coincidence …

Sanford: Staying is part of God's plan  —  In a written message to supporters Monday, Mark Sanford asserted that God's plan for him includes finishing his term as South Carolina governor.  —  Sanford is facing calls for his resignation after disappearing to Argentina then returning last week to admit an affair.

Arizona Moves to Oppose Obama's Expected Health Care Mandates  —  (CNSNews.com) - Voters in Arizona will decide next year whether residents will be subject to mandates in the pending health care reform that President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are promoting.

Enemies of the People  —  Writing in the New York Times, Paul Krugman has a Vyshinsky moment: So the House passed the Waxman-Markey climate-change bill.  In political terms, it was a remarkable achievement.  But 212 representatives voted no. A handful of these no votes came from representatives …

Uncertainty Clouds Recovery of U.S. Investment in GM  —  Carmaker's Shares Would Have to Hit A Historic High  —  If a new General Motors emerges from bankruptcy as planned, U.S. financial aid for the company will expand to nearly $50 billion, but neither the government nor the company …

Cheney Lays Down The Iraq Gauntlet  —  You could see this coming a mile off: having initiated the worst foreign policy decision in recent times, Cheney doesn't want the occupation to end any time soon.  More to the point, he is gearing up to blame Obama if the withdrawal leads to bloodshed or chaos.

‘It takes small people to stoop this low’  —  Says Professor William Jacobson regarding Wonkette's despicable treatment of Sarah Palin's year-old son, Trig.  And I would amend the professor's sentiments only to improve them by saying, “It takes gay men to stoop this low.”  —  Yeah, I just wrote that.

Iraq, the unraveling (XIII): a faith-based war policy continues  —  Here is my summary of where we are now:  —  Several times the Bush administration tried to transfer responsibility for security to Iraqi army and police forces, only to see them unable to handle the burden.

Street to Log Best Quarter Since Crisis  —  The securities firms still standing on Wall Street are about to close the most lucrative quarter since the credit crisis erupted.  —  And instead of relying on risk and leverage to drive profits, companies such as J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. …

Obama's Obsolete Iran Policy  —  The audacity of hope gives way to the timidity of realism.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  President Obama's Iran policy is incoherent and obsolete.  Maybe David Axelrod should take note.  —  On Sunday, Mr. Obama's consigliere was asked about Iran …

Vulnerable House Dems in GOP sights  —  Republicans believe a handful of junior House Democrats may have taken a career-ending vote by supporting the controversial energy bill last week and are planning to launch an ad campaign in targeted districts to try to seal their fate.

Video: Energy Czar hasn't read cap & tax, either  —  Barack Obama's energy czar appeared on Fox & Friends this morning to discuss the cap-and-tax bill passed by the House last week on a razor-thin margin.  Carol Browner got stumped by Fox's Steve Doocy while questioning her ability to speak to the subject …

Jackson Will From 2002 In Spotlight  —  A will drafted by Michael Jackson in 2002 which divides the singer's estate among his mother, three children and one or more charities could play a central role in determining how his tangled financial relationships will be unwound.

The Brevity Act: Time for a 28th Amendment  —  Earlier this year, Congress passed a “Stimulus” Bill.  It was 973 pages long.  This past Friday, the House passed a “Climate Change” Bill.  It was more than 1200 pages long.  —  This got me wondering: how long, exactly, is our Constitution?

High Court Boosts Remote DVR  —  Cablevision's Victory Could Lead to Wider Compromise on New Technology  —  The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a new type of digital-video recorder from Cablevision Systems Corp., setting the stage for wider use of the technology.