CBO Sees No Net Federal Cost Savings in Dem Health Plans  —  ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf reports:  —  Here's a blow to President Obama and Democrats pressing health care reform.  —  One of the main arguments made by the President and others for investing in health reform now is that it will save …

CBO Chief Criticizes Democrats' Health Reform Measures  —  Director Says Proposed Changes Would Weaken Economy  —  Instead of saving the federal government from fiscal catastrophe, the health reform measures being drafted by congressional Democrats would worsen an already bleak budget outlook …

Baucus: Bipartisan health deal close  —  Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus(D-Mont.) said Thursday that he hopes to have a bipartisan deal on a health care reform bill by the end of the day.  —  He made the remarks after huddling for about two hours with five Finance Committee members …

Black Chamber head slams Boxer words as ‘racial,’ ‘condescending’ and ‘God awful’  —  The President and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) tore into Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) Thursday for what he said were “condescending” and “God awful” racial statements at a hearing.

Rosen Was Right  —  After two days of Sotomayor testimony I thought of Jeffrey Rosen's piece on Sotomayor back in May (before he had to backpedal and support her so as not to embarrass the “team").  I don't think much of his temperament criticism, but his analysis of her legal and intellectual capabilities seems exactly on the money:

Sessions: GOP Won't Block Vote on Sotomayor Nomination  —  Witnesses Testify Following Nominee Questioning  —  Judge Sonia Sotomayor ended four days of testimony this afternoon with prospects of rapid confirmation to the Supreme Court improved, as a conservative Republican …