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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Lady Gaga Strategy  —  CNN tells us about the latest GOP youth initiative, white dudes whining about taxes over Lady Gaga's beats: … What's interesting about this particular youth outreach angle is how detached it is from any actual opinions held by young people.  From David Madland and Ruy Teixeira:

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.

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.

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.

AP NewsBreak: Palin implicated in ethics probe  —  ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An independent investigator has found evidence that Gov. Sarah Palin may have violated ethics laws by accepting private donations to pay her legal debts.  —  The report obtained by The Associated Press says Palin …

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 …

Atheists choose ‘de-baptism’ to renounce childhood faith  —  Up until last summer, Jennifer Gray of Columbus, Ohio, considered herself “a weak Christian” whose baptism at age 11 in a Kentucky church came to mean less and less to her as she gradually lost faith in God.

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.

Gun Proposal Further Complicates Defense Bill  —  Vote Expected on Amendment to Let Gun Owners Bring Weapons Across State Lines  —  Another day, another contentious vote in the Senate.  —  A vote is expected today on a proposal that would allow certain gunowners to bring their weapons across state lines.