Busted.  Van Jones Linked to 9-11 Truther Movement Back in **January 2002**  —  Yesterday, news broke out that Barack Obama's communist Green Czar was a 9-11 Truther.  The administration much later in the day released a statement saying Van Jones was “not now or ever” involved in the 9-11 Truther movement.

Gates: AP decision ‘appalling’  —  Defense Secretary Robert Gates is objecting “in the strongest terms” to an Associated Press decision to transmit a photograph showing a mortally wounded 21-year-old Marine in his final moments of life, calling the decision “appalling” and a breach of “common decency.”

Sources: White House drafting health care bill  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — CNN has learned that the White House is quietly working to draft health care legislation after allowing Congress to work on its own for months.  —  Multiple sources close to the process tell CNN that while the plan is uncertain …

Franken Talks Down Angry Mob!!!  —  I got to witness something really special the other day.  About a dozen tea party activists had staked out Sen. Al Franken's booth at the Minnesota State Fair and confronted him loudly when he arrived.  But within minutes, he'd turned an unruly crowd into a productive conversation on health care.

Why ‘GQ’ Doesn't Want Russians To Read Its Story … text sizeAAA  —  For war journalist Scott Anderson, the most confounding part of his recent assignment for GQ magazine to explore the root of terrorist acts in Russia a decade ago wasn't the suggestion of treachery and subterfuge he found.

Chris Christie Accident  —  On July 26, 2002 Christie was driving a leased BMW in the city of Elizabeth.  —  He was on his way to a swearing in ceremony for the Union County Prosecutor.  But Christie apparently got a little lost.  When he got to the intersection of Murray street and Clinton …

Rep. Bachmann: Dems Want To Sabotage Me Because I Might Become President  —  On Mike Gallagher's radio program yesterday, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) offered a novel theory as to why Democrats want her out of office: They don't want her to become the first woman president.

Public Option Not Vital to Health Reform, Teamsters' Hoffa Says  —  Sept. 4 (Bloomberg) — Teamsters President James Hoffa said dropping the so-called public option wouldn't be a “deal killer” for health-care legislation, signaling a split among leaders of unions that are a core constituency of President Barack Obama.

Audi Chief Calls Chevy Volt “A Car For Idiots”  —  Bring on the war of words.  In a frank conversation with MSN writer Lawrence Ulrich, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen has said that the Chevy Volt will fail and that anybody who buys the car is an idiot.

Quote of the Day: Where Is America's Partisan Political Ugliness Heading?  —  Our political Quote of the Day comes from Time's Joe Klein, who attended a health care reform town hall in Arkansas and asks the question I've asked here at TMV many times: just where is America's accelerating trend towards political ugliness headed?

Let's Get Fundamental  —  If I were magically given an hour to help Barack Obama prepare for his health care speech next week, the first thing I'd do is ask him to read David Goldhill's essay, “How American Health Care Killed My Father,” in the current issue of The Atlantic.

Obama Regulation Czar Advocated Removing People's Organs Without Explicit Consent  —  (CNSNews.com) - Cass Sunstein, President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), has advocated a policy under which the government would “presume” …

The Coming Reset in State Government  —  My fellow governors and I are likely facing a permanent reduction in tax revenues.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  State government finances are a wreck.  The drop in tax receipts is the worst in a half century.  Fewer than 10 states ended …

Pawlenty sides with critics  —  Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty today gave his support to parents and schools wary about showing President Obama's televised back-to-school address in classrooms next week.  —  Pawlenty said that showing the address, slated to be telecast at 11 a.m. Central Time on Tuesday …

Could Texas' Gingrich-Based High School History Curriculum Go National?  —  While Republicans are busy gnashing their teeth over President Obama's imminent indoctrination of the nation's schoolchildren, there's an education story bubbling up in Texas that could have considerably more far-reaching consequences.

Drift  —  Charlie Cook is out with another ominous political analysis/forecast for the Democrats, particularly when it comes to continued Democratic control of the House.  The key issue for Cook is Obama's dramatic decline in support among political independents over the course of the summer.

The Money Problem  —  The loudest problem in health-care reform is the public plan.  But the biggest problem is finding the money to fund any plan.  The House bills didn't solve the problem, as deficits explode after the first 10 years.  The number $700 billion (over 10 years) …

John Murtha's Airport for No One  —  If you hate the hubbub of crowded airports, you might want to consider flying out of Johnstown, Pa. The airport sees an average of fewer than 30 people per day, there is never a wait for security, you can park for free right outside the gate …