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 …

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.

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:

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.

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.”

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 …

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?

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Memo to the DNC: What were you thinking?  —  The add essentially takes a non-issue for a vast majority of people and reminds the world how many czars Obama has.  Geez.  Talk about keeping a story alive.  The RNC should list the ad as an in-kind contribution.

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 …

First lady jumps into healthcare push with stories from women  —  First lady Michelle Obama jumped into the healthcare debate Friday, making an emotional plea to pass reform as her husband prepared for a media blitz to push legislation.  —  Mrs. Obama's voice was at times shaking as she reacted …

Tell Mike Ross and Blanche Lincoln to Act Like Democrats - Or We'll Find Someone Who Will  —  Blanche Lincoln says she opposes a public option because it's “too expensive.”  She doesn't mention that it will save individuals $2000 a year in medical costs.  —  Mike Ross says he opposes …

O'Reilly endorses the public option, which he previously called ‘socialism.’  —  Last night on Fox News, Bill O'Reilly actually told a Heritage Foundation scholar who was fear-mongering government-backed health care that he favors a public option: … Watch it: