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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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.

Dalai Lama urges U.S. to address rich-poor issue  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Dalai Lama, accepting a human rights prize from a U.S. foundation Tuesday, chastised the United States for not fully addressing the economic divide between its poorest and richest citizens.  —  “Huge gap, rich to poor.

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.

Obama Team Says Zazi Case Illustrates Balanced Approach to Terror Threat  —  President Obama will make his first visit to the National Counterterrorism Center in McLean on Tuesday morning, telling intelligence officials that their recent successes have proved how effectively multiple agencies can perform when they work in concert.

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 …

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” …

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 …

Public Supports Military Action Against Iran to Prevent Nuclear Weapons  —  Diplomacy Favored, But Most Doubt Its Effectiveness  —  The public approves of direct negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, although most Americans are not hopeful the talks will succeed.

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 …

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.

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).

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.

Democrats frustrated with Obama hesitation over new Iran sanctions  —  Lawmakers grew increasingly frustrated with the Obama administration on Tuesday as a State Department official refused to endorse a new package of sanctions on Iran that is expected to speed through Congress this year.

A Texas-Sized Health Care Failure  —  THE Senate Finance Committee has for the moment rejected the idea of creating a public health insurance plan.  It's difficult to see how Americans will be able to find good, affordable health insurance without one.  But if we are to go forward without …

To Pay for Health Care Plan, 59% Say No New Taxes on Those Earning Under $250,000  —  Fifty-nine percent (59%) of U.S. voters favor putting a provision in the health care reform plan that would prohibit any new taxes, fees or penalties on families who make less than $250,000 a year.

Latimer blasts Lowry: National Review is MSM  —  National Review editor Rich Lowry raised questions yesterday about former Bush speechwriter Matt Latimer's unflattering White House memoir Speech-Less, suggesting — as have other critics — that Latimer's judgments have been skewed by the fact …