Exclusive BMG/Research 2000 poll: Coakley leads 49-41  —  The results are in from BMG's exclusive statewide poll in next week's special Senate election.  Research 2000 interviewed 500 likely voters on Tuesday and Wednesday (and we do mean “interviewed” — Research 2000 does live interviews, unlike robo-pollsters Rasmussen and PPP).

MA Senate moved to Toss-Up  —  Democratic desperation and other compelling evidence strongly suggest that Democrats may well lose the late Senator Edward Kennedy's Senate seat in Tuesday's special election.  Because of this, we are moving our rating of the race from Narrow Advantage for the Incumbent Party to Toss-Up.

Democrats, labor unions reach tentative deal on ‘Cadillac’ plans  —  Washington (CNN) - Congressional Democratic health care negotiators, working with the White House, have reached a tentative deal with labor unions on restructuring a tax on high-end insurance plans, a key proposal to pay …

Sex sting in Poconos nets former chief U.N. weapons inspector … A former chief United Nations weapons inspector is accused of contacting what he thought was a 15-year-old girl in an Internet chat room, engaging in a sexual conversation and showing himself masturbating on a Web camera.

Statement Regarding Pat Robertson's Comments on Haiti  —  On today's The 700 Club, during a segment about the devastation, suffering and humanitarian effort that is needed in Haiti, Dr. Robertson also spoke about Haiti's history.  His comments were based on the widely-discussed 1791 slave rebellion led …

Beck Calls ‘Bullcrap’ On Palin's Non-Answer About Favorite Founding Father (VIDEO)  —  During Sarah Palin's interview with Glenn Beck today, something extraordinary happened — Beck challenged Palin on a stock, noncommittal answer to a question.  Beck asked: “Who's your favorite Founder?”

Reid, Lieberman clash over letter  —  For the second time in a week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) finds himself at the center of a political imbroglio stemming from something that he said in private that was subsequently broadcast to the outside world by unnamed sources.

Obama administration seeks tax hike on financial firms to recoup cost of bailout  —  President Obama plans Thursday to propose a sharp increase in the taxes paid by the nation's largest financial institutions designed to raise $90 billion over the next decade while constraining the industry's ability …

What's the Journal doing on this list?  —  The Tea Party Convention put out a press release today announcing that they were packed and had space for just five news outlets:  —  Everyone from a small town newspaper in Iowa to Fox News has asked for press credentials.

Majority Would Vote Against Obama  —  A year into his tenure, a majority of Americans would already vote against Pres. Obama if the '12 elections were held today, according to a new survey.  —  The Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor poll shows 50% say they would probably or definitely vote for someone else.

Rep. Shadegg to retire  —  Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.), who briefly announced his retirement last cycle but then opted to seek another term, will not run for reelection in 2010, a GOP source confirms.  —  Shadegg becomes the third Republican to announce his retirement in recent weeks.

EXCLUSIVE: Obama wins more spending cuts than Bush  —  Congress accepts 60% of proposals  —  President Obama notched substantial successes in spending cuts last year, winning 60 percent of his proposed cuts and managing to get Congress to ax several programs that had bedeviled President George W. Bush for years.

What Do Sarah Palin and Jesus Christ Have In Common?  —  NOTE: I've intentionally closed the comments to this post.  I write this because I know exactly how the comments are going to go and that's the point of this post.  If you have a problem, question, or concern email me.

EX-ADVISER: ‘WE WERE NEVER READY’  —  Nicolle Wallace, former senior adviser to the McCain presidential campaign, did little to defend Sarah Palin at a panel discussion for Washington Post reporter Anne Kornblut's new book “Notes from the Cracked Ceiling” on Tuesday night.

Things to Remember While Helping Haiti  —  Today, the United States began surveying the damage inflicted by a devastating earthquake in Haiti this week.  In addition to providing immediate humanitarian assistance, the U.S. response to the tragic earthquake should address long-held concerns …

Morning Joe crew rips Limbaugh: ‘Deplorable,’ ‘insensitive,’ ‘mean-spirited.’  —  Yesterday, hate radio host Rush Limbaugh attempted to attack President Obama for responding to the devastation in Haiti.  “This will play right into Obama's hands — humanitarian, compassionate,” Limbaugh argued.

As Wallets Open For Haiti, Credit Card Companies Take A Big Cut  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  As a massive human tragedy unfolds in Haiti, relief organizations are soliciting credit-card donations through their hotlines and websites.  About 97 percent of these donations will actually …