WH communications director: Fox News operates as ‘a wing of the Republican Party.’  —  This morning on CNN's Reliable Sources, White House communications director Anita Dunn defended her recent comment to Time magazine that Fox News is “opinion journalism masquerading as news.”

McCain weighs in on Palin in 2012  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain is openly admitting that there were tensions between his former campaign manager Steve Schmidt and those close to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's one-time White House running mate.

Daughter saves mother, 80, left by doctors to starve  —  AN 80-year-old grandmother who doctors identified as terminally ill and left to starve to death has recovered after her outraged daughter intervened.  —  Hazel Fenton, from East Sussex, is alive nine months after medics ruled …

U.S. SENATE SEAT: Two could beat Reid, poll finds  —  Lowden, Tarkanian tied atop GOP challengers  —  Nevadans say they're ready to replace longtime Democratic incumbent Sen. Harry Reid with an untested Republican.  —  Which Republican?  Undecided.  —  But of their top two picks …

Democrats Heed Dole's Objection and Kill TV Ad  —  At the request of former Senator Bob Dole, Democrats are scrapping plans to broadcast a new commercial that touted Republicans like Mr. Dole speaking in support of overhauling the health-care system.  —  Mr. Dole lodged a complaint …

The Peace (Keepers) Prize  —  The Nobel committee did President Obama no favors by prematurely awarding him its peace prize.  As he himself acknowledged, he has not done anything yet on the scale that would normally merit such an award — and it dismays me that the most important prize in the world has been devalued in this way.

Feinstein: Obama Should Approve McChrystal's Recommendations  —  Senator Dianne Feinstein told me this morning that President Obama must approve General McChrystal's recommendations for an additional 40,000 troops on the ground in Afghanistan.  —  “I don't know how you put somebody in …

IF IT'S SUNDAY, IT'S PRESIDENT MCCAIN.... A couple of days ago, Atrios tweeted, “Huzzah!  President John McCain will be on my teevee on Sunday.”  I hoped he was kidding.  He wasn't.  —  On today's episode of CNN's “State of the Union,” viewers can tune in to find yet another Sunday interview …

Much Worse Than I Expected  —  All I can say is: the president gave a speech he could have given at any point in the last three years.  No one in that room could disagree with any of the things he said.  I sure don't (with the exception of the hate crimes hooey).  And he said it well and movingly.

In Today's Viral World, Who Keeps a Civil Tongue?  —  Late last month, Charisse Carney-Nunes fired up the computer at her home in Northeast Washington to check her e-mail.  Her brain already was on morning drive time: breakfast for the kids, her day's work at a government agency.

An Inconvenient Journalist  —  Al Gore notoriously refuses to debate the scientific merits of his book and movie about global warming, both titled An Inconvenient Truth.  At a conference of environmental journalists, however, he briefly deigned to answer questions.

Smith sends e-mail detailing opposition  —  NFL Players executive director DeMaurice Smith on Saturday made a move to solidify the union against a bid by conservative talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh as part of a group that aims to purchase the St. Louis Rams.

Parents of “chunky” infant weigh in on health insurance reform  —  Frustrated parents of a big infant who is being denied insurance view the system as “absurd.”  —  GRAND JUNCTION — Alex Lange is a chubby, dimpled, healthy and happy 4-month-old.  —  But in the cold, calculating numbered charts of insurance companies, he is fat.

Yes We Can (Pass Climate Change Legislation)  —  CONVENTIONAL wisdom suggests that the prospect of Congress passing a comprehensive climate change bill soon is rapidly approaching zero.  The divisions in our country on how to deal with climate change are deep.

Obama's big gay speech: Heard it all before.  —  (John's take on the speech is here.)  Just watched the Obama speech at a party for the Maine campaign.  He was quite proud of his Lady Gaga joke.  —  Obama told us, “I'm here with you in that fight.”  He told us that during the campaign, too.

Barack Obama ready to pay Afghan fighters to ditch the Taliban  —  The Obama administration is considering outbidding the Taliban to persuade Afghan villagers to lay down arms as it struggles to find a new approach to a war that is fast losing public and congressional support.

Gays, lesbians march on Washington, calling for full equality  —  Thousands take part in the National Equality March, one day after President Obama pledges to end the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.  —  Reporting from Washington …