RNC insurance plan covers abortion  —  The Republican National Committee's health insurance plan covers elective abortion - a procedure the party's own platform calls “a fundamental assault on innocent human life.”  —  Federal Election Commission Records show the RNC purchases its insurance from Cigna.

Palin: Couric was “Badgering” and Biased  —  Sarah Palin Writes in Book That There Were Tensions With McCain Aides; Criticizes “Evening News” Anchor Over Interview  —  (AP) The rumors are true, according to Sarah Palin: The McCain-Palin campaign was not a happy family.

Gates Angry About Defense-Related Leaks  —  OSHKOSH, Wis. — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is normally a mild-mannered man, at least in public, but he unleashed a torrent on his plane on Thursday morning about leaks during the investigation of the Foot Hood shootings and President Obama's deliberations …

Major Hasan: Soldier of Allah; Many Ties to Jihad Web Sites  —  Officials Say Accused Fort Hood Shooter Used Multiple Hotmail, AOL Accounts for Overseas Contacts  —  United States Army Major Nidal Hasan proclaimed himself a “soldier of Allah” on private business cards he obtained over the Internet …

UPDATED: So, what really happened to Lou Dobbs?  —  So, what really happened to Lou Dobbs?  According to The New York Times: “Months ago the president of CNN/U.S., Jonathan Klein, offered a choice to Lou Dobbs ...  [he] could vent his opinions on radio and anchor an objective newscast on television, or he could leave CNN.”

Recanvassing shows NY-23 race tightens even as Rep. Bill Owens is sworn into House seat … Washington — Conservative Doug Hoffman conceded the race in the 23rd Congressional District last week after receiving two pieces of grim news for his campaign: He was down 5,335 votes with 93 percent …

Sen. Akaka Says 'I'm Not Aware' of Constitution Giving Congress Authority to Make Individuals Buy Health Insurance  —  (CNSNews.com) - Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) says he is “not aware” of the Constitution giving Congress the authority to make individuals purchase health insurance …

At Fort Hood, Witness Credits Second Officer  —  KILLEEN, Tex. — Sgt. Kimberly D. Munley has been applauded as a hero across the nation for shooting down Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan during the bloody rampage at Fort Hood last week.  The account of heroism, given by the authorities …

Catholic Church gives D.C. ultimatum  —  Same-sex marriage bill, as written, called a threat to social service contracts  —  The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change …

We Have A President  —  The news that Obama has refused to sign off on any of the four major options presented to him in Afghanistan reminds me of why he was elected president.  This critical decision - arguably the most critical of his young presidency - is one that will not be rushed the way such decisions often are.

Get Us to 500 Donors, Or That's the Last You'll See of Lobster Girl  —  Take a good long look at this blog post.  Do you notice a woman kissing a lobster?  For longtime readers of the site, Lobster Girl is a familiar, even comforting presence.  Now move your eyes to the upper right-hand corner of the main blog page.

Irish priest kidnapped in Philippines released by MILF  —  Filipino militants released an elderly Irish priest late on Wednesday night after holding him in captivity for 32 days.  Father Michael Sinnott had worked in the Philippines for nearly 33 years when six armed gunmen kidnapped …

Levi Johnston at Fleshbot awards: Sarah Palin ‘smart’ for not trashing me on Oprah  —  “She knows what I got on her.  It's a smart move on her part,” Johnson said of Palin's interview with Oprah.  —  Levi Johnston, the hunky baby daddy of Sarah Palin's grandson, called …

Top White House Lawyer Pushed Out  —  TOKYO (CNN) - In the first major shakeup among President Obama's senior staff, CNN has learned that White House Counsel Greg Craig is being pushed out in favor of veteran Democratic lawyer Bob Bauer because of a dispute over the struggle to close the U.S. Military prison at Guantanamo.

My solemn meeting on Veterans Day with President Obama at my friend's resting place in Arlington  —  ARLINGTON, Va. - He didn't introduce himself.  He didn't have to.  —  President Obama simply stuck out his hand and asked for my name as he stepped toward me amid a bone-chilling drizzle in the Gardens of Stone.

Chavez's Economic Problems Turn Nasty  —  For a long time I have been saying (along with a lot of other people), that Hugo Chavez was running his country into the ground.  He diverted investment funds from PDVSA, Venezuela's state-run oil company, into social programs.

2010 COMPETITIVE HOUSE RACE CHART  —  Likely: These seats are not considered competitive at this point but have the potential to become engaged.  —  Lean: These are considered competitive races but one party has an advantage.  —  Toss-Up: These are the most competitive; either party has a good chance of winning.

For immediate release  —  The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced final rules that prohibit financial institutions from charging consumers fees for paying overdrafts on automated teller machine (ATM) and one-time debit card transactions, unless a consumer consents, or opts in …