Dems at odds on how to turn tide on health  —  House Democrats' drive to overhaul the nation's healthcare system sputtered Tuesday, fueling doubts that the complex legislation can be passed before lawmakers leave town for the August recess.  —  If Democrats in the lower chamber do not pass …

Obama White House breaks another promise to reject Bush secrecy  —  Well, at least it's bipartisan.  —  The still sort-of new Barack Obama Democratic administration has again adopted yet another policy straight out of the administration of his much-criticized Republican predecessor George W. Bush.

Should The GOP Take The Birther Threat Seriously?  Rush Does....  That's the thesis of the First Readers of NBC News, after viewing this astonishing clip from a town hall meeting that Rep. Mike Castle held in Delaware for his constituents.  What's most notable, to me, at least …

Toomey Ties Specter In Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; More Say New Democrat Does Not Deserve Another Term  —  Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter's 2010 reelection lead over Republican challenger Pat Toomey has shrunk to a tie with 45 percent for Specter and 44 percent for Toomey …

Senator: Democrats “baffled” by president's health care stance  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - As the prospects for passing health reform by the time Congress leaves for its August recess look bleaker, Democratic grumbling about President Obama is growing louder.  One Democratic senator tells CNN …

DEMOCRAT CARNAHAN DISMISSES BLACK MAN AT TOWNHALL  —  Yesterday, I attended a townhall meeting on healthcare with Representative Russ Carnahan, where he dissed this black constituent.  For those of you unfamiliar with Missouri politics, the new breed of Carnahans are those who are riding …

Obama's Ominous Implication: Euthanasia of the Elderly May Be Necessary  —  Gee, socialized medicine sounds great — don't you think so, grandma and grandpa? … In other words, faceless bureaucrats in Washington — not your family — will decide whether your grandparents live or die.

RATHER'S SUIT AGAINST CBS COMES BACK TO LIFE  —  If you believe Dan Rather's lawsuit against CBS is close to finished, folks, you'll believe rocks can grow.  —  The anchor's $70 million lawsuit against his former employers got a new lease on life today when a Manhattan judge restored …

Conrad: A thorn in Obama's side  —  Sen. Kent Conrad (N.D.) has emerged as one of the most effective Democratic critics of President Obama's agenda, despite their close friendship and the fact that Conrad was one of Obama's earliest supporters for the White House.

Rapper Feud Mirrors World Politics  —  Listen Now  —  Some of the greatest minds in national security have turned their attention to a classic problem: When there is one dominant power, the rest of the world tries to challenge it.  That's what happened to Britain in the 19th century and to the United States today.

Fox News: Surgeon General Too Fat  —  In what has to be among Fox News' all-time lowlights, Neil Cavuto had a segment a short while ago on whether the new surgeon general nominee, Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, is “too fat” for the post.  Seriously.  In support of this argument …

Obama's birth: ‘Appeasing the nut-cases’  —  Listen to the cheers for the woman holding up her birth certificate and asking why the president won't share his.  —  Listen to the boos when a Republican congressman asserts rather assuredly that the president of the United States, a Democrat …

Health Insurance Lobby Cherry-Picks Data in Fight Against Public Plan  —  The industry that helped scuttle health reform 15 years ago with its “Harry and Louise” ads is back, voicing support for a central element of the Obama administration's plans: making sure everyone is covered.

Abortion roils tense health debate  —  TAGS: - Health Care, - Health Care Reform, - Anti-Abortion Groups, - Christian Conservatives, - James Dobson, - Family Research Council, - Southern Baptist Convention, - Richard Land, - Focus On The Family, - Tony Perkins

Opposition to state budget deal mounts  —  L.A. County threatens to sue, a state workers' union considers a strike, and a GOP leader protests release of prison inmates.  —  Reporting from Sacramento — Less than 24 hours after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders announced …

GOP's new youth ambassador: Lady Gaga?  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - Politics may make for strange bedfellows — but even for this town, this may be the oddest couple to ever make beautiful music together: House Republicans...and pop diva Lady Gaga.  —  At Tuesday morning's weekly GOP conference meeting …

Individual Mandate Has Broad Support Among Health-Care Reformers  —  A Proposed Requirement That All Americans Have Policies Has Broad Support Among Reformers  —  President Obama's dream of dramatically remaking the nation's health-care system is still a long way from reality.