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Sarah Palin displays her pitch-perfect populism — The snows that obliterated Washington in the past week interfered with many scheduled meetings, but they did not prevent the delivery of one important political message: Take Sarah Palin seriously. — Her lengthy Saturday night keynote address …
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Poll finds most Americans are unhappy with government — Two-thirds of Americans are “dissatisfied” or downright “angry” about the way the federal government is working, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. On average, the public estimates that 53 cents of every tax dollar they send to Washington is “wasted.”
Discussion:
TPMDC, Outside The Beltway, Ben Smith's Blog, AMERICAblog News, Truthdig and The Claremont Conservative

Voters Divided Over Obama vs. Republican Candidate in 2012 — Republicans most often mention Romney, Palin as preferred candidate — PRINCETON, NJ — Registered voters are about equally divided as to whether they would more likely vote to re-elect Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election, or vote for the Republican candidate.

Will Tea Parties End Up Hurting Sarah Palin? — 35 Percent of Americans Express a Favorable Opinion of the Tea Party Movement — The Tea Party movement has the potential for significant political clout, but with challenges: high negatives, a fuzzy image and broader-than-ever skepticism …


New and improved Romney — He's more fiscal, less social.
Discussion:
Talking Politics


Joe Biden update: Iraq one of Obama's ‘great achievements’ — Who knew? — Thank goodness, Vice President Joe Biden went on CNN to chat with Larry King Wednesday night. So many think things are not going so well for the Democrat administration, as The Ticket chronicled here.
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Protests in Iran - LIVE — The Iranian opposition movement is planning to hijack official celebrations to mark the 31st anniversary of the revolution, despite threats of a widespread crackdown and restrictions on phone and internet networks. Follow live updates — 2.30pm:
Discussion:
The Jawa Report, The Daily Dish, The Moderate Voice, The New Republic, Wall Street Journal, Barcepundit and Harry's Place
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Iran is now a ‘nuclear state’ says Ahmadinejad as thousands take to the streets — Iran is now a ‘nuclear state’, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced this morning. — He spoke as tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Tehran to mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
Discussion:
RedState


Anti-Palin Faux-troversy of the Day: The Black Bracelet — I thank Yale Graduate School student Eric Robinson for his service to the country in Iraq and Afghanistan. — But Robinson's hit piece on Sarah Palin, Palin's bigger blunder, leads me to believe Robinson has succumbed to the New Haven funny water …
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Sarah Palin's Bracelet: I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means **UPDATED — Chalk up yet another tick on the board of things that Palin doesn't understand: … As a mother, I am flabbergasted by the symbolism of this on many levels. I understand wanting to keep something close …

Palin's bigger blunder — Last weekend, the former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate gave the keynote speech at the first National Tea Party Conference. It was a speech carried by many news channels and one that is still receiving a lot of attention.


Obama Takes Several Gambles in Bid to Defuse Nuclear Standoff With Iran — WASHINGTON — As President Obama adds economic pressure and military containment to force Iran's leadership to negotiate on its nuclear program, he is taking three big bets on his ability to defuse an increasingly tense confrontation.
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Iran to Suspend Google's Email — Iran's telecommunications agency announced what it described as a permanent suspension of Google Inc.'s email services, saying a national email service for Iranian citizens would soon be rolled out. — It wasn't clear late Wednesday what effect the order …
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My Story of John Edwards's Mess — Please remember the people of Haiti, who need us now more than ever. Go to HopeForHaitiNow.org to do your part. — The truth has a way of finding us in the strangest of places. I found out that former Senator John Edwards was finally going to admit …
Discussion:
Ben Smith's Blog


Left frets over fate of 'Don't Ask' — Congressional liberals were heartened when Barack Obama pledged to repeal “don't ask, don't tell,” but their initial elation has given way to concerns the repeal will stall in the penalty box of presidential promises: the U.S. Senate.

Sept. 11: New Photos of Dark Day — Newly Released Sept. 11 Pictures Offer New Perspective on Attacks — Twelve images newly released by the government of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists' attacks on the World Trade Center provide a fresh look at the tragedy and its impact on New York City.

2 ex-employees say Blackwater billed government for prostitute — Two former employees of Blackwater Worldwide have accused the private security contractor of defrauding the government for years with phony billing, including charging for a prostitute, alcohol and spa trips.

Clearing Up the Bonuses Issue — We wanted to clear up some confusion about where the President stands on bonuses and excessive executive compensation. A recent headline from an interview the President did with Bloomberg yesterday inaccurately made it sound like the President brushed off …
Discussion:
Gothamist, Washington Post, DealBook, Washington Wire, Liberal Values, NPR Blogs, TPMDC, The Atlantic Business Channel, Reuters, Bloomberg and Taegan Goddard's …


Pelosi Aide: Health Care Summit a Trick, Strategy on Pro-Abortion Bill Decided — Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — President Barack Obama has proposed a bipartisan health care summit for later this month that Republican detractors bill as a publicity stunt designed to generate more support …


Once Stigmatized, Food Stamps Find Acceptance — Patrons line up grocery carts to wait for the opening of a food pantry in Harlem. Since Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg took office, city food stamp rolls have doubled. More Photos > — A decade ago, New York City officials were so reluctant …


Senate jobs bill buried in snow — Plans to move a jobs bill through the Senate this week are like just about everything else in Washington — buried under a big pile of snow. — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) vowed last week to have a bill on the floor by Monday.
Discussion:
TPMDC

MI5 complicit in torture - top judge — Legal defeat plunges Security Service into crisis over torture evidence, and it is revealed that judge removed damning verdict after Foreign Office QC's plea — • Breakdown of David Miliband's Commons statement — • Read the letter that reveals the draft ruling