SEIU Chief: If Dems Pass Scaled-Down Health Bill, Labor Will Have Trouble Staying “Focused On National Politics”  —  SEIU chief Andy Stern took a hard shot at Dem leaders just now for considering a scaled-down health care bill, strongly hinting that labor might not work as hard for Dem candidates …

In U.S., Majority Favors Suspending Work on Healthcare Bill  —  Seven in 10 say Massachusetts election result reflects frustrations shared by Americans  —  PRINCETON, NJ — In the wake of Republican Scott Brown's victory in Tuesday's U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts, the majority of Americans …

Ayla Brown acknowledges it: She voted for Kerry  —  (NECN: Boston) - Her father is the talk of Washington Republicans, but Ayla Brown says she has an independent streak - and a voting record to prove it.  In an interview with Beth Shelburne of New England Cable News Friday, Ayla Brown …

Obama has suspicious number of letter-writing fans named ‘Ellie Light’  —  Ellie Light sure gets around.  —  In recent weeks, Light has published virtually identical “Letters to the Editor” in support of President Barack Obama in more than a dozen newspapers.Every letter claimed …

What's Worse, “Disingenuously waving the flag of the First Amendment,” or Burning it?  —  As I hinted at in my CNN.com column of yesterday, those self-identified free-speech champions who are crying in their Cheerios today over Citizens United v. the FEC are able to get to what many of us …

UK terror threat level ‘severe’  —  The UK terror threat level is being raised from “substantial” to “severe”, the Home Office has said.  —  The new alert level means a terrorist attack is considered “highly likely”.  It had stood at substantial since July.

Getting It Done: The Year In Obama-Led Health Care Reform (VIDEO)  —  Well folks, it's been one year since President Barack Obama took office.  And he spent a lot of that year working on health care reform.  —  But with the future of reform uncertain at best in the wake of the special election …

2012 Presidential Poll  —  For the first time in one of our monthly polls looking ahead to the 2012 Presidential election Barack Obama trails one of his hypothetical opponents, albeit by the smallest of margins.  —  Mike Huckabee has a 45-44 advantage over Obama, aided largely by a 44-38 lead with independents.

Alert: Female Suicide Bombers May Be Heading Here from Yemen  —  U.S. Agents Told Women Believed Connected to al Qaeda, May Have Western Appearance and Passports  —  American law enforcement officials have been told to be on the lookout for female suicide bombers who may attempt to enter the United States …

Opposition Grows Against Second Term for Bernanke  —  The confirmation of Ben S. Bernanke to a second four-year term as chairman of the Federal Reserve ran into further trouble on Friday as two more Democratic senators said they would vote against him.  —  The White House came to Mr. Bernanke's defense …

Who's Missing at the ‘Roe v. Wade’ Anniversary Demonstrations?  Young Women.  —  Today is the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case legalizing abortion, and droves of women are prepared to face rainy weather to support their positions during the annual Washington, D.C., demonstrations.

Filibuster reform bill headed for Senate floor, faces uphill battle  —  Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) intends to introduce legislation that would take away the minority's power to filibuster legislation.  —  Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) intends in the next few weeks to introduce legislation …

Obama Seen as Anti-Business by 77% of U.S. Investors  —  Buzz up!  —  Jan. 22 (Bloomberg) — U.S. investors overwhelmingly see President Barack Obama as anti-business and question his ability to manage a financial crisis, according to a Bloomberg survey.  —  The global quarterly poll …

U.S. government for sale  —  With no limits on campaign financing, corporations will take over the government  —  SPECIAL COMMENT  —  Finally tonight, as promised, a Special Comment on the Supreme Court's ruling today in the case titled “Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.”

No Love Lost  —  At 9:45 this morning, George H.W. Bush will open up his West Houston home to the press to make what is, for the octogenarian former president, a rare overtly political announcement: In the intra-Republican party fight for Texas governor, 41 has chosen U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison over Gov. Rick Perry.

Ex-Conservative Charles Johnson's Next Crusade  —  With many among the left having lately been bogged down in a wonkish debate over health care in general and the question of best-versus-possible in particular, it's easy to forget that the somewhat more fundamental conflict among conservatives regarding …

Senate Rankings: Post-Masspocalypse Edition  —  We are transitioning, a little earlier than I'd planned, into a more or less fully automated version of our Senate race rankings.  From now until November, our rankings will be based entirely on polling and other objective variables …

NOW: ‘Kill the Senate health bill entirely’  —  Share on Facebook Stumble This!  —  Group laments ‘fierce anti-abortion language,’ cites ‘male-dominated’ Democratic Party in Coakley loss  —  WASHINGTON — As Democrats weigh options for health reform following a major setback …