An Incoherent Truth  —  Right now the fate of health care reform seems to rest in the hands of relatively conservative Democrats — mainly members of the Blue Dog Coalition, created in 1995.  And you might be tempted to say that President Obama needs to give those Democrats what they want.

Palin resigns, blasts press, ‘starlets’  —  FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin resigned here Sunday with a blast at the media that reflected the frustrations that led her to leave office a year-and-a-half before her term expired.  But speaking in a style that her fans see as plain talk …

Gates caller says she didn't cite race  —  Woman laments media accounts  —  The woman whose report of a possible house break-in led to the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. said she never mentioned race during her 911 call and is “personally devastated” …

Pelosi unpopular?  'I don't care'  —  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is one of the most despised political figures in the country.  —  And, frankly, she doesn't give a damn.  —  “No, I don't care,” Pelosi told POLITICO last Thursday, laughing heartily as she walked beneath the Capitol dome and plunged into a crowd of tourists.

GOP headache: The birther issue  —  So far, Hoekstra hasn't faced any such questions.  —  “When you're in a state with 15.2 percent unemployment,” he said, “most people have other things on their mind than this.”  —  But as if to illustrate the touchiness of the subject, Hoekstra quickly added: “Not that this isn't important.”

Amid New Scrutiny, John Yoo Rebuts Critics of Detainee Memos  —  Quietly but Forcefully, Author of Detainee Memos Rebuts Critics  —  Some public figures, if their judgment and ethics come under fire, retreat into solitude.  Then there is John C. Yoo.  —  The former Justice Department official …

GOP headache: The birther issue  —  When lawmakers return home for recess in August, they can expect to hear tough questions from constituents on the economy, health care and government spending.  —  But Republicans are preparing for something else: the birthers.

What the NYT's 8,100-word Valerie Jarrett profile didn't tell you  —  Here is a perfect example of why I wrote Culture of Corruption (officially out today — I'll be launching on Hannity radio and TV.)  —  Over the weekend, the New York Times published a massive, 8,100-word profile …

Interview with Senator John Thune  —  RCP: Let me start by asking you about the (conceal and carry) amendment yesterday.  Was that a surprise, did you think you had the votes?  —  Senator Thune: Well, they were whipping it hard.  I mean, those guys were really breaking arms on it.

US Senator mistakenly calls India a security threat, apologizes  —  WASHINGTON: Just how bad is the economic pain and job loss in the United States?  Bad enough for an Indophile Senator to get New Delhi and Beijing mixed up in his mind.  ( Watch )  —  A key US Senator who has extensively …

It's Shepard Smith time  —  With his ratings soaring, the Fox News anchor enjoys his moment - and becomes a lightning rod  —  NEW YORK - Commercial break.  The cameras have stopped rolling on the set of “Studio B,” the 3 p.m. newscast on the Fox News Channel.

Anti-Obama Rally in Jerusalem  —  Follow Israel news on and .  —  (IsraelNN.com) For the first time in years, the nationalist camp will hold a large scale rally against United States policies vis-à-vis Israel.  —  The protest will be held in downtown Jerusalem …

Climate study puts Incas' success down to 400 years of warm weather  —  Supreme military organisation and a flair for agricultural invention are traditionally credited for the rise of the Incas.  However, their success may have owed more to a spell of good weather — a spell that lasted for more than 400 years.

Sorry to State the Obvious, But ...  For all the obvious reasons, I hesitate to even enter this discussion.  But (famous last words) I can't help myself.  —  As you know, high on the list of current right-wing conspiracy theorizing (and sort of a stalking horse for underlying beliefs …

‘Impeach Obama’ bumper stickers spark a shopping mall protest  —  CHARLOTTE, N.C. — While protesters rallied in his support, the owner of a Concord Mills kiosk that sells conservative merchandise said he met with the mall's manager Sunday to see what arrangements can be made for him to remain after his lease expires Friday.

Finally, Action on Gay Soldiers  —  Blogs and Stories  —  The Daily Beast has learned that the Senate, prompted by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, will hold hearings on “Don't Ask, Don't Tell”—a first since 1993, despite Obama's campaign promises.  —  After determining she didn't have enough votes …

The hidden hand  —  The wave of publicity for the Birther movement hasn't yet crested, with the dentist who's the movement's leading legal light, Orly Taitz, saying she's taping the Colbert Report tomorrow, and popping up elsewhere in the mainstream media.  —  This isn't necessarily a bad thing …

If You're Reading This, You're Probably a Federal Criminal: Radley Balko has an interesting post discussing the ever-expanding reach of federal criminal law.  As he points out, the problem is not just that federal criminal law has expanded to cover many areas that are better left to state or local governments.

‘Insecurity,’ not satisfaction, with heath care system?  —  The point is often made that one of the trickiest elements of health care reform to navigate is that a majority of Americans routinely tell pollsters that they're actually satisfied with their care, and don't want it taken away in the name of helping the uninsured.