Coakley Takes Slap Shot At Fenway Fans  —  The Massachusetts special election continues to amaze.  Democratic candidate Martha Coakley has taken a swipe at Fenway Park fans: … Well yes, politicians go out to meet the voters even if it means standing out in the cold.

Robertson: Haiti ‘cursed’ since Satanic pact  —  The Rev. Pat Robertson, on his CBN broadcast today, offered his own explanation of the earthquake in Haiti:  —  “Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it,” he said.

Obama seizes reins in daylong House-Senate healthcare talks  —  President Barack Obama sought to muscle House and Senate Democrats to reach an accord on healthcare reform during a daylong White House meeting Wednesday.  —  With an eye toward sealing a deal on his signature domestic policy initiative …

Gillibrand Responds to Ford's Challenge, Calling Him Out of Touch With New York  —  Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, after days of ignoring the political threat posed by Harold E. Ford Jr., on Wednesday forcefully took him on, suggesting that his views “may be right for Tennessee,” but are out of step with the voters of New York.

Palin, Beck rail against ‘system’  —  Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin portrayed herself as a reluctant warrior for freedom on Tuesday during an hour-long interview with Fox News host Glenn Beck.  —  Despite having just signed a multi-year deal with Fox that will require her to spend time in New York …

Thousands feared dead in Haiti quake; many trapped  —  PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Haitians piled bodies along the devastated streets of their capital Wednesday after a powerful earthquake flattened the president's palace, the cathedral, hospitals, schools, the main prison and whole neighborhoods.

Prop. 8 trial TV blocked  —  Splitting 5-4, the Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked any television broadcast to the general public of the trial in a San Francisco federal court of the challenge to California's ban on same-sex marriage.  The stay will remain in effect until the Court rules on a coming appeal challenging the TV order.

American Red Cross Pledges Initial $1 Million to Haiti Relief  —  Send a $10 Donation by Texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999  —  Editorial note: You can make a donation by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or click on the Donate Now button.  —  The American Red Cross is sending money …

Sarkozy: full veil not welcome in France  —  Nicolas Sarkozy last night threw his weight behind moves to ban the full Islamic veil in France, calling for an “unambiguous” parliamentary resolution against an item of clothing he said was “not welcome” in a country which valued sexual equality.

Obesity Rates Hit Plateau in U.S., Data Suggest  —  Americans, at least as a group, may have reached their peak of obesity, according to data the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Wednesday.  —  The numbers indicate that obesity rates have remained constant …