Top Items:
Mark Mazzetti / New York Times:
Senators Warned of Terrorist Attack on U.S. by July — WASHINGTON — The threat of a crippling attack on computer and telecommunications networks is growing, America's top intelligence official told lawmakers on Tuesday, as an increasingly sophisticated group of enemies has “severely threatened” …
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Matt Viser / Boston Globe:
Sen.-elect Scott Brown seeks to be sworn in Thursday — US Senator-elect Scott Brown this afternoon sent a letter to Governor Deval Patrick and Secretary of State William Galvin, requesting them to “certify without delay” the results of the Jan. 19 special election.
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Hillary Chabot / Boston Herald:
Brown demands to be sworn in earlier than planned
Brown demands to be sworn in earlier than planned
Discussion:
The Hill
Felix Gillette / New York Observer:
D-Day at CBS News — On the evening of Monday, Feb. 1, Katie Couric, anchor of the CBS Evening News, was wearing red. For the next half-hour, she tore through the headlines. There were allegations of bigotry among the federal air marshals in the U.S., an American church group accused …
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Drudge Report:
COURIC FACES PAY CUT; DEEP LAYOFFS HIT CBSNEWS — CBSNEWS anchorwoman and 60 MINUTES contributor Katie Couric faces a dramatic pay cut at the network, insiders tell the DRUDGE REPORT. — CBS boss Les Moonves is determined to save money and trim expenses — from top to bottom — at the former crown jewel of broadcasting.
Discussion:
Michael Calderone's Blog, TVNewser, The Lonely Conservative, NewsBusters.org and Left Coast Rebel
Chris Cillizza / The Fix:
Is the Senate majority now in play? — The victories in Illinois by Rep. Mark Kirk (R) and state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D) coupled with former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats' (R) decision to challenge Evan Bayh (D) in the fall is likely to stir chatter about the possibility that Republicans …
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Brian A. Howey / howeypolitics.com:
Former Sen. Coats to Challenge Sen. Bayh
Former Sen. Coats to Challenge Sen. Bayh
Discussion:
The Fix, The Atlantic Politics Channel, The Corner on National …, The Politico, The Plum Line, Hot Air, Commentary, USA Today, TPMDC, The Hill and MyDD
Peter Baker / The Caucus:
Powell Favors Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' — Gen. Colin L. Powell, who as the nation's top military officer in the 1990s opposed allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, switched gears today and threw his support behind efforts to end the “don't ask, don't tell” law he helped shepherd in.
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Dana Milbank / Washington Post:
Mullen deserves medal for Senate testimony backing open military service by gays
Mullen deserves medal for Senate testimony backing open military service by gays
Alexander Bolton / The Hill:
Republicans find loophole in budget ploy to push healthcare — As it turns out, Senate Democrats may not be able to force healthcare legislation through the chamber on a simple majority vote. — Republicans say they have found a loophole in the budget reconciliation process that could allow …
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New York Times:
Obama Acts to Engage G.O.P., Testing Party's Intentions — WASHINGTON — Emboldened by the response to President Obama's face-off with House Republicans last week, the White House is intensifying its push to engage Congressional Republicans in policy negotiations as a way to share the burden …
Discussion:
The Politico, The Hill, Associated Press, Sister Toldjah, AMERICAblog News and The Moderate Voice
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CNN:
Obama rips GOP ‘obstruction’ in front of home team — Washington (CNN) — President Obama tore into the Republican opposition on Capitol Hill Wednesday, blaming the GOP for what he called politically motivated opposition on virtually every issue. — Democrats have been willing …
Andrew Malcolm / Top of the Ticket:
Countdown begins for end of Keith Olbermann's ‘Countdown’? — Remember Keith Olbermann? — He was the one-time must-see anti-Bush ranter who helped rescue MSNBC (yes, it's still on at night) from even worse oblivion years ago. — Well, quietly last month while no one was looking …
Discussion:
TVbytheNumbers, Hot Air, Mediaite, DailyFinance, Gawker, TVNewser, Townhall.com and Real Clear Politics
Ezra Klein:
Obama: If Democrats don't pass health-care reform, 'I don't know what differentiates us from the other guys' — Today's televised session between Barack Obama and the Senate Democrats wasn't encouraging to those of us hoping the Democrats are spending their time worrying about how to pass the health care bill.
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Jordan Fabian / The Hill:
Lincoln presses Obama on party ‘extremes’ at Q and A — Centrist Sen. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) on Wednesday asked arguably the most contentious question during a discussion between Senate Democrats and President Barack Obama, hitting at conservatives and liberals.
Discussion:
TalkLeft
Mackubin Thomas Owens / Wall Street Journal:
The Case Against Gays in the Military — Open homosexuality would threaten unit cohesion and military effectiveness. — As expected, President Obama pledged during his State of the Union address to “work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans …
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Felix Salmon:
Shorting reserves — Michael Pettis does a good job of systematically dismantling this idiotic line from Tom Friedman: … In fact, if you decided to short only countries whose foreign exchange reserves reached some large proportion of gross world product, you'd be batting 2 for 2 right now as you started shorting China.
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Tom Jensen / Public Policy Polling:
Warning sign in Illinois — I think last night's Illinois primary results indicate some difficulties ahead in the state for Democrats that have nothing to do with who the winners and losers were. — Based on the current numbers 885,268 voters were cast in the Democratic primary for Senate compared to 736,137 on the Republican side.
Discussion:
The New Republic, Chicago Sun Times, Firedoglake, Commentary, Ben Smith's Blog and RedState
Sarah Palin / USA Today:
Why I'm speaking at Tea Party convention — Later this week I'll head to Nashville, where I'll have the honor of speaking with members of the Tea Party movement. I look forward to meeting many Americans who share a commitment to limited government, common sense and personal responsibility.
Amanda Terkel / Think Progress:
Rush Limbaugh: 'I love the women's movement — especially when walking behind it.' — Last week, hate radio host Rush Limbaugh judged the Miss America pageant. Today he went on Fox and Friends and spoke to host — and former Miss America winner — Gretchen Carlson to respond to the criticism he has been receiving.
Discussion:
Washington Monthly, Crooks and Liars, The Hill, The Atlantic Politics Channel and Jezebel
Max Blumenthal / Salon:
James O'Keefe's race problem — A photo of the righty stuntman at a white-nationalist confab illustrates a career marked by racial resentment — Many of the conservatives who gleefully promoted James O'Keefe's past political stunts are feigning shock at his arrest on charges …
Newsdesk / Clout St:
Obama calls Quinn to congratulate him on governor's contest — Posted by Monique Garcia, Rick Pearson, Ray Long and Christi Parsons at 5 a.m.; last updated at 1:11 p.m. — President Barack Obama called Gov. Pat Quinn to congratulate him on his win in the Democratic primary …
Mike Allen / The Politico:
Left, right want Obama ‘question time’ — A politically diverse group of bloggers, commentators, techies and politicos on Wednesday will launch an online campaign, Demand Question Time, urging President Barack Obama and GOP congressional leaders to hold regular, televised conversations …
Discussion:
The Note, Ben Smith's Blog, Politics Daily, New York Magazine, Mediaite, 24Ahead, JoeTrippi.com, Open Congress, Hot Air, The Hill, The Nation, The Awl and Althouse
Adam Serwer / American Prospect:
Eric Holder Joins Administration Pushback On Abdulmutallab. — Attorney General Eric Holder has just sent a letter responding to the concerns of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been critical of the administration's handling of the alleged underwear bomber, Umar Abulmutallab.
Erin McPike / Hotline On Call:
Romney To Fundraise For Thune — Get out the long lenses in South Dakota: Ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney (R) is making one of his first high-profile fundraising stops of the 2010 midterm cycle later this month for none other than Sen. John Thune (R-SD), chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee.
Discussion:
GOP 12