Roberts Shifts Court to Right, With Help From Kennedy  —  WASHINGTON — Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. emerged as a canny strategist at the Supreme Court this term, laying the groundwork for bold changes that could take the court to the right even as the recent elections moved the nation to the left.

Palin story sparks GOP family feud  —  A hard-hitting piece on Sarah Palin in the new Vanity Fair has touched off a blistering exchange of insults among high-profile Republicans over last year's GOP ticket - tearing open fresh wounds about leaks surrounding Palin and revealing …

Wal-Mart Backs Insurance ‘Mandate’  —  WASHINGTON — In a major break with most other large companies, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Tuesday told the White House that it supports requiring employers to provide health insurance to workers, a centerpiece of President Barack Obama's effort to provide near-universal coverage to Americans.

And The Story The MSM Still Won't Touch  —  Todd recounts it:  —  But there were ominous signs—indications of an erratic nature.  This is the third thing McCain could have discovered about Palin—a woman, after all, who kept a pregnancy secret for seven months, flew all the way home …

Nothing so shocking about this coup  —  The greatest tourist attraction in Central America has always been politics.  Diplomats stop by every few years, take a couple of snapshots of what's going on at the presidential palace, and then profoundly declare their opinions, devoid of context or history.

New sex revelations fuel calls for resignation  —  Latest details tip scales for many  —  Six of 27 members of the conservative Senate Republican Caucus Tuesday night issued a letter calling on Gov. Mark Sanford to resign.  —  Two additional senators considered among Sanford's staunchest allies …

6 Mousavi supporters reportedly hanged  —  Article's topics: Iran, Iran Elections, Mir Hossein Mousavi  —  As the Iranian authorities warned the opposition on Tuesday that they would tolerate no further protests over the disputed June 12 presidential elections, a report emerged of the hangings …

After Call From Senator Inouye's Office, Small Hawaii Bank Got U.S. Aid  —  Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's staff contacted federal regulators last fall to ask about the bailout application of an ailing Hawaii bank that he had helped to establish and where he has invested the bulk of his personal wealth.

More Americans See Democratic Party as “Too Liberal”  —  More believe Democratic Party's, rather than Republican Party's, views are about right  —  PRINCETON, NJ — A Gallup Poll finds a statistically significant increase since last year in the percentage of Americans who describe …

Panel Recommends Ban on 2 Popular Painkillers  —  ADELPHI, Md. — A federal advisory panel voted narrowly on Tuesday to recommend a ban on Percocet and Vicodin, two of the most popular prescription painkillers in the world, because of their effects on the liver.

Citi raises card rates on millions  —  Citigroup has sharply increased interest rates on up to 15m US credit card accounts just months before curbs on such rises come into effect, in a move that could fuel political anger at the treatment of consumers by bailed-out banks.

Another vote for card-check bill  —  Sixty senators will now caucus with the Dems in the upper chamber.  That is a much larger majority than when the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) first moved in June 2007 and failed to earn cloture, grabbing 51 votes out of the 60 needed.

A Forecast With Hope Built In  —  In the weeks just before President Obama took office, his economic advisers made a mistake.  They got a little carried away with hope.  —  To make the case for a big stimulus package, they released their economic forecast for the next few years.

Insured, but Bankrupted by Health Crises  —  Health insurance is supposed to offer protection — both medically and financially.  But as it turns out, an estimated three-quarters of people who are pushed into personal bankruptcy by medical problems actually had insurance when they got sick or were injured.

Key in Afghanistan: Economy, Not Military  —  CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — National security adviser James L. Jones told U.S. military commanders here last week that the Obama administration wants to hold troop levels here flat for now, and focus instead on carrying out the previously approved strategy …

Rep. Maloney vows to challenge Sen. Gillibrand for Senate seat in primary … Rep. Carolyn Maloney has decided to take on Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the 2010 Democratic primary, refusing to bow to party leaders who want her to stay out, the Daily News has learned.

Parsing the Health Reform Arguments  —  Some of the shibboleths we've heard in recent weeks don't make much sense.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  The health-care debate continues.  We have now heard from nearly all the politicians, experts and interested parties: doctors, drug makers …

CNN Poll: Americans worry Obama health care plan will increase costs  —  WASHINGTON (CNN)- A new national poll suggests that a bare majority of Americans support President Barack Obama's health care plan.  —  But the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Wednesday morning indicates …

RSSted Development  —  Tyler Cowen has written one of the most stimulating defenses of Internet information culture.  —  I liken my information consumption patterns to eating at a churrascaria restaurant, the Brazilian style steakhouse where passadors (meat waiters) circle your table …

11th-hour votes on state budget fail  —  The state Senate adjourns after the fiscal year ends without a deal that would have staved off IOUs.  —  Reporting from Sacramento — With a day to go until a cash crisis would force the state to stop paying its bills, lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger worked …