Harvard Prof Gates Is Half-Irish, Related to Cop Who Arrested Him  —  Two Men at Center of Controversy Linked by Irish Heritage  —  Henry Louis Gates Jr., the black professor at the center of the racial story involving his arrest outside his Harvard University-owned house, has spoken proudly of his Irish roots.

Andrew Sullivan is Right  —  It doesn't happen terribly often, but I'm with Andrew Sullivan on the need to lay Obama birther-ism to rest— a subject on which he's been blogging with some energy over the last day.  —  Indeed, it's almost as if birthers have allowed an intense …

Bill Kristol Says Things That Are The Opposite of True … “One reason the price of health care is going up so fast is because of government programs,” says Kristol.  “The price of Medicare and Medicaid have gone up faster than private insurance.  That's well-documented.”

Palin tests radio waters.  —  Alaska's now former Governor is coy about her future political plans, but radio is at least one option she's leaving on the table.  While not exactly shopping the GOP's 2008 vice presidential candidate, sources say Palin representatives have been quietly testing …

LET IT DIE?  —  In light of reports that Senate Dems may strip the public option and the employer mandate from the health-care bill, Steve M. asks a good question: “Is this even worth it?  Is it even worth fighting to pass a compromised, inadequate bill?”  —  I largely agree with his take on the politics.

Dean: 'What's the point of having a 60 vote majority' if you can't pass health reform?  —  According to the New York Times, three Democrats and three Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee have crafted a bipartisan agreement around a health care bill that replaces the employer mandate …

Democrats Say House May Miss Deadline on Health Care  —  U.S. House Democratic leaders, struggling to reach an accord with party dissidents on health care, said they're likely to miss President Barack Obama's August deadline for legislation overhauling the medical system.

The Health Care Bill Dies? … Well, as the French would say... Quelle surprise!  —  It's funny, earlier this summer I was watching the Federer-Roddick Wimbledon Final.  Great match in a way, final set was 30 games long, one of the all-time epic battles.  And yet, as I watched it …

Iowa caucuses move to Saturday in '10  —  The Iowa Republican and Democratic parties together announced Tuesday that they will hold the state's 2010 primary caucuses on a Saturday, a move that party leaders say is designed to increase turnout in a non-presidential year.

Axelrod's Son Hired by Huffington Post  —  David Axelrod's son is following his father's career path — that is, the one he had before becoming a political strategist.  —  Ethan Axelrod is joining the Huffington Post, the liberal Web site that has been largely supportive of President Obama.

Keyes and Birthers, Buckley and Birchers … I've held fire for the last several months as I've watched the so-called “Birther” movement gain steam.  —  At first it was amusing, like playing a drinking game — you know, like taking a shot every time Chris Matthews explains why he insists …

Memo: No health vote before recess UPDATE  —  Democratic leaders may have thrown in the towel — telling their Republican counterparts that there will be no health care vote on the House floor before the August recess starts this Friday, according a Republican memo obtained by POLITICO.  —  The memo:

Chicago Sees Coldest July In 67 Years  —  Average Temperature Only 68.9 Degrees  —  CHICAGO (CBS) ― Have you left your air conditioner in the closet this summer, and worn long pants more often than shorts?  If so, you may not be surprised to find out that Chicago is seeing its coldest July in more than 65 years.

Police use Taser on deaf, disabled Alabama man  —  MOBILE, Alabama (AP) — Police in Mobile, Ala., used pepper spray and a Taser on a deaf, mentally disabled man who they said wouldn't leave a store's bathroom.  —  The family of 37-year-old Antonio Love has filed a formal complaint over the incident on Friday.

Feds Push Mortgage Companies to Modify More Loans  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration, scrambling to get its main housing initiative on track, extracted a pledge from 25 mortgage company executives to improve their efforts to assist borrowers in danger of foreclosure.

The Birth of Lunacy - Birthers and health care reform … Home  —  On Air  —  Featured  —  Popular  —  Networks  — Create My Talk Show - Register - Sign In  — Browse Categories: - Entertainment, - Sports, - Music, - Family, - Politics, - Business - See All  —  The Rick Moran Show

CSI: Watergate  —  Has an amateur historian found the key to the lost 18 ½ minutes?  —  Post Comment  —  ON JUNE 20, 1972, President Richard Nixon and his chief of staff, H.R. “Bob” Haldeman, met in Nixon's hideaway office at the Old Executive Office Building.

Political consultant Jack Shaw found dead in Jersey City  —  JERSEY CITY — Jack Shaw, a Jersey City political consultant who was among 44 people charged in a federal corruption probe, has died.  —  Two officials with knowledge of the investigation said Shaw was found at home with several bottles of pills nearby.

Israel moves towards “normal” relations with Obama  —  U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell was in Israel today.  He met one-on-one for two-and-a half hours Prime Minister Netanyahu.  —  According to this report, Mitchell failed to obtain any agreement from Israel regarding the total freeze …

A Long, Long Post About My Reasons For Opposing National Health Care  —  I know, most of you have already figured out why I oppose national health care.  In a nutshell, I hate the poor and want them to die so that all my rich friends can use their bodies as mulch for their diamond ranches.

Senate Panel Endorses Sotomayor  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, moved closer to taking her seat on Tuesday as the Senate Judiciary Committee overwhelmingly approved her nomination and sent it on to the full Senate.

Y'feeling alright?  —  I had a rough day in the dentist's chair.  Okay, it wasn't a whole day, but it felt like it.  —  Lambert has been saying for some time that we should stop saying “Single-Payer” and start saying “Medicare for All”.  Paul Krugman has proof that he's right …

Paralysis by Analysis  —  Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf stalled health care reform recently by questioning the fiscal impact of Congressional proposals already far down the legislative road.  The CBO's perceived authority and expertise reinforces the impact of such pronouncements.

Cabinet Will ‘Retreat’ to Blair House to Hand Out Report Cards  —  Aides promise that there will be no trust circles or “sharing” exercises, but President Obama's Cabinet will gather Friday and Saturday to mark the administration's sixth month in office with a high-level retreat.