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.

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 …

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 …

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.”

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 …

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.

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 …

Thank you former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush  —  We know absolutely no one in Bush family circles and have never met former President George W. Bush or his wife Laura.  —  If you have been reading us for any length of time, you know that we used to make fun of …

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 …

Pelosi: Jail time “very fair” for failing to buy your patriotic ObamaCare coverage  —  It's very fair to send people who disregard the federal mandate to buy health insurance to prison, Nancy Pelosi says, because otherwise they'll assault citizens ... with a bill for medical services ... or something.

The Eikenberry memo and the leak war: more pushback against a nudgey Pentagon?  —  In September, an assessment by Obama's Afghanistan commander Gen. Stanley McChyrstal justifying the urgency of his troop surge request was leaked to the Washington Post's Bob Woodward, temporarily putting heat …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Dems jam GOP with Franken vote  —  When Al Franken ran for the Senate last year, the former “Saturday Night Live” star had to reassure skeptics that the fierce partisan attacks he lobbed at Republicans as an author and radio host wouldn't define his style as a legislator.