FRIENDS PUSH AILES FOR PRESIDENT  —  Friends and associates are encouraging Fox News chief Roger Ailes to jump into the political arena for real by running for president in 2012, top sources tell POLITICO.  —  “Ailes knows how to frame an issue better than anybody, and that's what we need now …

Sources: White House Pushing Back Against Senate Public Option Opt Out Compromise  —  Multiple sources tell TPMDC that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is very close to rounding up 60 members in support of a public option with an opt out clause, and are continuing to push skeptical members.

Pawlenty ‘Concerned’ About NY GOP Candidate; Plans Endorsement Soon  —  ABC News' Rick Klein reports:  —  With the Republican Party splintering over a House race in upstate New York, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said on ABCNews.com's “Top Line” today that he has significant concerns …

When Asked Where the Constitution Authorizes Congress to Order Americans To Buy Health Insurance, Pelosi Says: ‘Are You Serious?’  —  (CNSNews.com) - When CNSNews.com asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday where the Constitution authorized Congress to order Americans to buy health insurance …

CNN Poll: GOP favorable rating lowest in a decade  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Republican Party's favorable rating among Americans is at lowest level in at least a decade, according to a new national poll.  —  Thirty-six percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday …

Annie Leibovitz takes first family photo — Friends encourage Roger Ailes to seek GOP nom in 2012 — Geithner: ‘A big week’ — Endgame: Look for a trigger in final health bill  —  Annie Leibovitz takes first family photo — Friends encourage Roger Ailes to seek GOP nom in 2012 — Geithner …

Top employees leave financial firms ahead of pay cuts  —  Grass is greener where bonuses are sky-high  —  NEW YORK — Even before the Obama administration formally tightened executive compensation at bailed-out companies, the prospect of pay cuts had led some top employees to depart.

Former governor calls for party reform  —  Jeb Bush argues Republicans need to be more welcoming  —  Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, unveiled a six-point plan to help strengthen the Republican Party Wednesday night - including shedding the image of being the “old white guy party” and advocating for limited government.

Suicide bomber strikes suspected nuclear weapons site in Pakistan  —  ISLAMABAD — A suspected nuclear weapons site in Pakistan was hit by a suicide bomb attack, raising fears about the security of the nuclear arsenal, while two other terrorist blasts made it another bloody day in the country's struggle against extremism.

J Street's Ben-Ami On Zionism and Military Aid to Israel  —  Jeremy Ben-Ami of the liberal lobbying group J Street is the man of the moment: The group's upcoming conference in Washington has become a source of great controversy for many reasons.  I interviewed Ben-Ami yesterday by telephone …

Graydon AWOL as Vanity Fair cuts staff  —  VANITY Fair yesterday took some of the deepest staff cuts at Condé Nast, but Editor  —  Graydon Carterdidn't deliver the bad news himself.  —  Although Carter was said to have been at his restaurant, The Monkey Bar last night, he was a no-show at the office during the day.

The Chinese Disconnect  —  Senior monetary officials usually talk in code.  So when Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, spoke recently about Asia, international imbalances and the financial crisis, he didn't specifically criticize China's outrageous currency policy.

Former Sen. Hagel: GOP being ‘irresponsible’ on healthcare  —  Republican senators trying to kill healthcare reform have acted irresponsibly, one of their former colleagues asserted.  —  Former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) chided some of his former colleagues who have suggested …

Soupy Sales dies at 83; slapstick comic had hit TV show in 1960s  —  The comedian acquired a cult-like following among adults with a show ostensibly meant for children.  His signature routine, which he elevated to an art form, was pie-throwing.  —  Soupy Sales is embraced backstage …