Baucus and the Threshold  —  So Senator Max Baucus, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has released his “mark” on proposed legislation — which would normally be the basis for the bill that eventually emerges from his committee.  And serious supporters of health care reform will soon face their long-dreaded moment of truth.

Obama: Legalize illegals to get them health care  —  Republicans see a backdoor move toward ‘amnesty’  —  President Obama said this week that his health care plan won't cover illegal immigrants, but argued that's all the more reason to legalize them and ensure they eventually do get coverage.

Latest Updates on Protests in Iran  —  To supplement coverage of new opposition protests on Friday in Iran by our Times colleagues Alan Cowell and Robert Worth, The Lede is tracking reports of the events online.  Readers who are in Iran or in touch with people there are encourage to use …

Bankers Face Sweeping Curbs on Pay  —  Fed Plans to Limit How Lenders Can Structure Compensation for Executives, Traders, Loan Officers; 5,000 Firms Affected  —  Policies that set the pay for tens of thousands of bank employees nationwide would require approval from the Federal Reserve …

Washington Sketch: Michelle Obama Gets Her Farmers Market  —  Let's say you're preparing dinner and you realize with dismay that you don't have any certified organic Tuscan kale.  What to do?  —  Here's how Michelle Obama handled this very predicament Thursday afternoon:

No, It's Not About Race  —  You wouldn't know it to look at me, but I go running several times a week.  My favorite route, because it's so flat, is from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol and back.  I was there last Saturday and found myself plodding through tens of thousands of anti-government “tea party” protesters.

Duo in ACORN Videos Say Effort Was Independent  —  Duo in Sting Video Say Their Effort Was Independent  —  The proposition was outrageous, outlandish, and right up James E. O'Keefe III's alley.  Hannah Giles was on the phone from the District, and she was asking him to dress like her pimp …

Mandatory Insurance Is Unconstitutional  —  Why an individual mandate could be struck down by the courts.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  Federal legislation requiring that every American have health insurance is part of all the major health-care reform plans now being considered in Washington.

Irving Kristol, 1920-2009  —  Irving Kristol, writer, editor, and social philosopher, has died in Washington at the age of 89.  His wisdom, wit, good humor, and generosity of spirit made him a friend and mentor to several generations of thinkers and public servants.  —The Editors

Shock Video... Obama 2007 Revelation: Health Care Reform Requires Tax Hikes— Savings Are Just a Theory  —  SHOCK VIDEO— Barack Obama in April 2007 told a group of supporters: Health Care Reform Requires Tax Hikes — Savings Just a Theory.  —  “Initially you may need another $90-100 billion each year.”

Conservatives use liberal playbook  —  Conservatives are coming for the Democrats on their blind side — the left.  —  The evidence is everywhere.  —  At tea parties and town halls, conservative demonstrators oppose health care reform with signs bearing the abortion-rights slogan …

Miss California Wows Conservatives  —  ABC News' Teddy Davis and Brittany Crockett Report:  —  The Value Voters Summit heard from potential Republican presidential candidates and GOP congressional leaders on Friday morning.  —  But it was Carrie Prejean—former Miss California—who stole the show.

DNC promises ‘rain of hellfire’  —  The increasingly aggressive Democratic National Committee on Friday launched a new “Call 'Em Out” website targeting prominent Republicans for statements they have made about President Barack Obama's health reform plans.  —  “Help debunk the outrageous lies …

Analysis: ‘Racist’ claims defuse word's power  —  With the word being used so often, it's harder to define its meaning  —  Everybody's racist, it seems.  —  Republican Rep. Joe Wilson?  Racist, because he shouted “You lie!” at the first black president.  Health care protesters, affirmative action supporters?

Sources: Transit hub likely target of terror plot  —  (CNN) — A terror plot that came to light this week following raids in New York may have been targeting a major transportation center, sources close to the investigation told CNN on Thursday.  —  There was planning and preparation for an attack …

Olympic-sized boondoggle: What Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama are up to  —  In Culture of Corruption, I spotlight the intimate relationship between Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's crony lawyer Valerie Jarrett and First Lady Michelle Obama.  —  Jarrett's slum lord record in Chicago …

Former CIA Directors Urge Torture Prosecution Reversal  —  The Justice Department investigation into CIA torture allegations may have already jeopardized American intelligence capabilities, seven former CIA directors told President Obama have claimed.  In a letter, the spy chiefs urge …

Pagan ‘King’ Has Council GOP Nod  —  Dan Halloran, the Republican candidate for City Council facing primary winner Kevin Kim in the 19th District, already has a leadership role in a vast community that very few people know about - or understand.  —  Halloran is the “First Atheling,” or King …