Obama to Progressives: 31 Million People—And My Presidency—Are On The Line If Health Care Fails  —  President Obama's message to progressives who are dissatisfied with the Senate health care bill is two fold: First: Don't forget about the uninsured.  Second: Don't forget what failure to pass …

Pentagon gunman sought ‘truth’ about 9/11  —  Police describe shooting suspect as ‘a single individual who had issues’  —  Pentagon police stand guard after two colleagues were shot in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.  —  Web posts may show motive in Pentagon shooting

Obama advisers set to recommend military tribunals for alleged 9/11 plotters  —  President Obama's advisers are nearing a recommendation that Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, be prosecuted in a military tribunal, administration officials said …

Delahunt will not seek reelection  —  William Delahunt in his Quincy office.  (Bill Greene / Globe Staff)  —  By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff  —  WASHINGTON — Representative William Delahunt will not seek re-election to Congress, the seven-term Democrat will announce tomorrow …

Anatomy of a Rumor: The Story Behind Chief Justice John Roberts's ‘Retirement’  —  Everyone is wondering: Where did that erroneous rumor of an imminent retirement by Chief Justice John Roberts come from?  The gossip spread like wildfire, triggering thousands of texts, blog posts, and emails …

Obama Takes Health Care Deadline to Democrats  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama, beginning a full-court press for his health care overhaul, met Thursday with insurance industry executives and House Democrats as party leaders on Capitol Hill struggled to figure out whether they could meet …

Keep'n It Foxy  —  Proud day for CNN.  See the chyron about right-wing complaints about the Obama Department of Justice ...

Michigan Lawmaker Steps Up at Ways and Means  —  WASHINGTON — Representative Sander M. Levin, a liberal Democrat from Michigan and a bookish expert on trade policy, stepped into the powerful post of chairman of the Ways and Means Committee on Thursday as Democrats averted an internal battle over replacing Charles B. Rangel of New York.

Senator Bunning's Universe  —  So the Bunning blockade is over.  For days, Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky exploited Senate rules to block a one-month extension of unemployment benefits.  In the end, he gave in, although not soon enough to prevent an interruption of payments to around 100,000 workers.

The Wal-Mart Hippies  —  About 40 years ago, a social movement arose to destroy the establishment.  The people we loosely call the New Left wanted to take on The Man, return power to the people, upend the elites and lead a revolution.  —  Today, another social movement has arisen.

Vatican hit by gay sex scandal  —  Vatican chorister sacked for allegedly procuring male prostitutes for papal gentleman-in-waiting  —  The Vatican was today rocked by a sex scandal reaching into Pope Benedict's household after a chorister was sacked for allegedly procuring male prostitutes for a papal gentleman-in-waiting.

Heads of 12 Fed Districts Press to Keep Central Bank, and Their Role, in Place  —  WASHINGTON — As Congress haggles over a broad overhaul of the nation's financial regulations, officials at the Federal Reserve have mounted a highly public effort to maintain, and perhaps even expand, the central bank's regulatory powers.

MANUFACTURED CONTROVERSY OF THE DAY.... Oh please. … Rep. Matheson's spokesperson called the question “patently ridiculous.”  A White House official called the question “absurd.”  There's no reason in the world to think the Scott Matheson nomination is based on anything …

Pelosi annoyed on abortion  —  Speaker Nancy Pelosi got exasperated when asked at her weekly news conference about the unwillingness of some Democrats - including Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) - to support the health bill because of abortion language.  —  “Let me say this: This is not about abortion!

Closing of Rest Stops Stirs Anger in Arizona  —  PHOENIX — The people of Arizona kept their upper lips stiff when officials mortgaged off the state's executive office tower and a “Daily Show” crew rolled into town to chronicle the transaction in mocking tones.  They remained calm as lawmakers pondered privatizing death row.