‘DROPPING LIKE FLIES’?.... Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) is retiring.  So is Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.).  And before anyone could catch their breath, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) announced he's not seeking re-election, either.  —  It led ABC News to report that “Democrats are dropping like flies.”

“Sick” Of The Israelis And The Palestinians  —  Ben Rhodes has denied that Rahm said this to the Israelis.  Well, it sure sounds like Rahm.  —  More to the point, who wouldn't be sick of the Israelis and the Palestinians at this point?  —  I too am sick of the Israelis for their contempt …

The C-SPAN Lie?  See Eight Clips of Obama Promising Televised Healthcare Negotiations  —  “One of my jobs as President will be to guide this process...”

The First Senator From the Tea Party?  —  Charlie Crist's perma-tanned face bears none of the strain you would expect from the archetype of the embattled Republican.  Politicians are supposed to keep up appearances, but Crist is especially convincing, one of the more earnest politicians you will see, whether or not he means it.

White House budget director ditched pregnant girlfriend for ABC News gal  —  President Obama's budget guru has a secret love child — with the woman he jilted for his hot new fiance, The Post has learned.  —  White House budget director Peter Orszag's ex, shipping heiress Claire Milonas …

An opening for Arnold?  —  Here's the best rumor I've heard today, inspired in part by the fact that Arnold Schwarzenegger has, of late, been saying nice things about the president at every turn and by the announcement that Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is retiring.

‘You Are a Bad, Bad, Bad Journalist’  —  I couldn't believe I was having this conversation.  It felt like a scene from a movie that conveniently ties plot points together when two critical characters in the storyline share a moment of implausible significance - where the intrepid reporter finally runs his target to ground.

Blanche Lincoln Rips Nebraska Health Care Deal  —  LITTLE ROCK - U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln on Tuesday said a political deal that benefits Nebraska and may have clinched a lawmaker's support for health care legislation should be removed from the bill.  —  The Democratic senator from Arkansas …

Arnold blasts health care bill: ‘Trough of bribes, deals and loopholes’  —  So scratch that thing about cozying up to the White House.  Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in California's perpetual budget hell, blasted the elements of health care legislation that impose new burdens on the states in his State of the State speech today:

RE-NOMINATIONS.... Conservative obstructionism has blocked votes on a wide variety of key presidential nominees in the Senate over the last year.  All of the qualified nominees would be approved of given a vote, so the right has done everything possible to abuse procedural rules to prevent up-or-down consideration.

Worst RNC cash flow in a decade  —  A 2009 spending spree has left the Republican National Committee (RNC) with its worst election-year cash flow this decade.  —  A 2009 spending spree has left the Republican National Committee (RNC) with its worst election-year cash flow this decade.

Another Iranian Revolution?  Not Likely  —  THE Islamic Republic of Iran is not about to implode.  Nevertheless, the misguided idea that it may do so is becoming enshrined as conventional wisdom in Washington.  —  For President Obama, this misconception provides a bit of cover …

Without a movement, progressives can't aid Obama's agenda  —  Every Democratic president since Lyndon Johnson — Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama — has raised the hope that he would bring with him a new era of progressive reform.  The legislative torrents of the New Deal and the Great Society …

Election 2010: Arkansas Senate Race  —  2010 Arkansas Senate Race Still A Referendum on Lincoln  —  As 2010 begins, the numbers for Senator Blanche Lambert Lincoln are pretty much the same as last year's while she prepares to face Arkansas voters in November.

Top 20 Democrats Who Could Lose Their Seats over Health Care Vote  —  Embattled Democratic Rep. Vic Snyder (AR-02)  —  I've been going over the list of Republican challengers, to try and figure out which present the most serious threats to those who voted “yes” on the health care bill the first time it went through the House.

‘Frozen Gore’ sculpture returns in Fairbanks to fuel climate change debate  —  FAIRBANKS - In what might become an annual tradition, an ice sculpture of former Vice President Al Gore has taken its place in front of Thrifty Liquor along Airport Way.  —  The two-ton “Frozen Gore” sculpture isn't exactly a tribute.

GOP Congress members wade into same-sex marriage debate  —  Thirty-nine congressional Republicans, including House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.), have filed an amicus brief in D.C. Superior Court calling for a voter referendum on whether to legalize same-sex marriage in the District.

14 terror suspects mistakenly kill themselves  —  Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) — Fourteen suspected terrorists died Tuesday night when the bus they rigged with explosives blew up prematurely, police said.  —  The explosion occurred as the suspects were riding the bus in the province of Kunduz, said police chief Abdul Raziq Yaqobi.

Where's Martha Coakley?  —  If you're a registered voter in Massachusetts, your friendly Democratic Senate candidate, Martha Coakley, is sticking her thumb in your eye.  —  Coakley, in exquisitely diva-like form, is refusing all invitations to debate her Republican opponent in the race …