In Health Care Fight, Defining Moment Nears for President  —  WASHINGTON — Six months into his administration, President Obama is at a pivotal moment.  He has pushed through a $787 billion economic stimulus package, bailed out Wall Street and, on Tuesday, managed to beat the defense industry in the Senate …

Dems Start To Push Back Hard To Prevent A ‘Waterloo’  —  A telling episode recounted by Senate Finance ranking member Charles Grassley reveals the Obama administration might be more worried than they are letting on that a Republican senator's comparison of the healthcare overhaul to Waterloo might be dangerously close to the truth.

Liz Cheney: No question on citizenship  —  Liz Cheney is taking some heat today for, amid a discussion on Larry King Live of the fringe movement that doubts Obama's citizenship, appearing to defend it.  —  “People are fundamentally uncomfortable, and they're fundamentally increasingly uncomfortable …

How to Make Health-Care Reform Bipartisan  —  In Washington, it seems history always repeats itself.  That's what's happening now with health-care reform.  This is an unfortunate turn of events for Americans who are legitimately concerned about the skyrocketing cost of a basic human need.

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 …

Democrats Defeat Concealed Weapons Amendment  —  In a 58-39 vote, supporters of the looser gun law — including all but two Republicans and 20 Democrats — fell two votes short of the 60 they needed under Senate rules to approve the measure.  The amendment, sponsored by Sen. John Thune …

Pelosi: Congress should work through recess  —  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Wednesday said she's open to keeping the House in session through the August recess to pass its healthcare overhaul.  —  “I think 70 percent of the American people would want that,” Pelosi said.  “I want a bill.”

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 …

Sarah Palin 2013: A Look Ahead  —  It is noon, Jan. 20, 2013.  Sarah Palin raises her right hand to be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.  —  Palin had won a decisive victory over the incumbent, Barack Obama.  The country was still trapped in economic rubble …

Republican Hatch Leaves Bipartisan Health-Care Talks  —  Republican Senator Orrin Hatch said he is ending his participation in bipartisan talks aimed at compromise health-care legislation, a setback in President Barack Obama's call for a measure lawmakers in both political parties might support.

Rep. Blackburn: “We're Not Going To Cry ‘Emergency’ Every Time We Have A Katrina” … THE MEANING OF “EMERGENCY”  —  While extolling the virtues of a balanced budget during a PAYGO debate on the floor of the House, Rep. Marsha Blackburn shamefully exclaimed: … This statement is shocking on many levels.

53% Now Oppose Congressional Health Care Reform  —  The health care reform legislation working its way through Congress has lost support over the past month.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of U.S. voters are at least somewhat in favor of the reform effort while 53% are at least somewhat opposed.

Why did Obama meet with the CBO?  —  The relevant clip comes at the three-minute mark, where Viera challenges Obama on the CBO scoring of the health-care reform bills:  —  Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy … Why is this important?

Callahan to challenge Dent, sources say  —  Bethlehem mayor's run for Congress vs. GOP incumbent seen as key race in 2010  —  Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan will run for Congress against Republican incumbent Charlie Dent in 2010, sources say, setting up a political battle the likes of which the Lehigh Valley hasn't seen in 17 years.

The remarkable vote to kill the plane and what it means for America's military future.  —  This is a big deal: The Senate today voted to halt production of the F-22 stealth fighter plane, and it did so 58-40, a margin much wider than expected.  —  Not only is this a major victory for Secretary …

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.