White House's botched ‘op’  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama yesterday rolled out the red carpet — and handed out doctors' white coats as well, just so nobody missed his hard-sell health-care message.  —  In a heavy-handed attempt at reviving support for health-care reform …

Pelosi Rips McChrystal For Publicly Airing His Views On Afghanistan  —  This one should stir up Nancy Pelosi's critics on the right: Towards the end of an interview with Charlie Rose that ran late last night, Pelosi took a surprisingly hard shot at General Stanley McChrystal for publicly airing …

The Obamas' Ego Trip to Copenhagen  —  In the Niagara of words spoken and written about the Obamas' trip to Copenhagen, too few have been devoted to the words they spoke there.  Their separate speeches to the International Olympic Committee were so dreadful, and in such a characteristic way …

Sotomayor Takes Active Role on Court's First Day  —  The Supreme Court began its new term Monday with an inquisitive new justice and a case from Maryland about how long police must honor a suspect's request for an attorney.  —  Justice Sonia Sotomayor displayed no reticence …

MSNBC's Ratigan battles McCaughey  —  Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy  —  Anthony Weiner and Betsy McCaughey brought their act to MSNBC this morning, where Weiner — unlike last night — was a relatively mellow presence while host Dylan Ratigan tangled bitterly with McCaughey.

The demise of the dollar  —  In a graphic illustration of the new world order, Arab states have launched secret moves with China, Russia and France to stop using the US currency for oil trading  —  In the most profound financial change in recent Middle East history, Gulf Arabs are planning …

Pelosi says new tax is ‘on the table’  —  A new value-added tax (VAT) is “on the table” to help the U.S. address its fiscal liabilities, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Monday night.  —  Pelosi, appearing on PBS's “The Charlie Rose Show” asserted that “it's fair to look at” …

D.C. to Introduce Same-Sex Marriage Bill  —  Measure Is Expected to Pass Congress, but Its Viability May Depend on Tilt of Future Chambers  —  Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill said it appears unlikely that Congress will block a bill to be introduced Tuesday that would allow same-sex marriages in the District.

The joint Post/Obama defense of the Patriot Act and FISA  —  (updated below)  —  The Washington Post's Anne Kornblut today produces an extreme piece of government-serving, stenographic “journalism,” publishing a dubious administration press release masquerading as a lengthy news article …

Let's Remember That Letterman's a Clown, Not a Cleric or Congressman  —  One of many sad things about recent stanzas in the ballad of David Letterman is that now, in all media, Dave will be lumped in with other sexually misbehaving celebrities, even though he stands head and heart above most of them.

US funds dry up for Iran rights watchdog  —  Obama White House less confrontational  —  Without additional funding, the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center will shut down in May when its funding runs out, said Rene Redman, the group's executive director.

Video: CNN helps Obama out by ... fact-checking SNL's skit  —  Via Greg Hengler.  Heaven forbid that the average half-drunk late-night Saturday TV viewer be “misinformed” about our savior by a comedy show reminding them that health care's “not done” (which it isn't) and that Afghanistan's gotten worse this year (which it has).

Does Obama Get It?  —  The big question on the domestic front right now is whether President Obama understands the gravity of the employment crisis facing the country.  Does he get it?  The signals coming out of the White House have not been encouraging.  —  The Beltway crowd and the Einsteins …

How Israel Was Disarmed  —  News analysis from the near-future.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  Jan. 20, 2010  —  NEW YORK—When American diplomats sat down for the first in a series of face-to-face talks with their Iranian counterparts last October in Geneva, few would have predicted …

Conservative Bible Project Cuts Out Liberal Passages  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  Lo and behold, the Bible has gotten too liberal, according to a group of conservatives.  And it needs a little editing.  —  That's the inspiration behind the Conservative Bible Project …

Memo to Kevin Jennings: Your reputation is on the line  —  [Note: Kevin Jennings is the current “Safe Schools Czar” for the Obama administration.]  —  Mr. Jennings —  Please read my plea.  Your shining career may soon be tarnished.  You're about to be blindsided.  And I'd like to help you save your reputation.

Burden of Proof on Obama's Origins  —  A dentist and lawyer, Orly Taitz has plenty to keep her busy.  But a side passion is what consumes her these days: challenging Barack Obama's eligibility to be president.  —  RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif.  —  The dental office of Orly Taitz, DDS …

Today in Wild Overstatements  —  To may a long story short about a bad way to make the case for war in Afghanistan, if you take any situation (say the war in Afghanistan) then you assume that failing to apply maximum effort will lead to the worst possible consequences, then you assume …

Castle running for the Senate  —  Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) will be running for Vice President Joe Biden's old Senate seat in Delaware, according to two GOP sources connected to the congressman, instantly giving Republicans the opportunity to flip a traditionally-Democratic seat in their column.