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 …

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 …

Pentagon gunman sought ‘truth’ about 9/11  —  Suspect is fatally wounded after 2 officers are shot at checkpoint  —  Pentagon police stand guard after two colleagues were shot in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.  —  Suspect shoots military police near Pentagon

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 …

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 …

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

All In  —  Don't look now, but Obama is finally living up to his promise.  —  President Obama began his remarks in the East Room on Wednesday with a reminiscence.  Almost exactly one year before, he noted, he had stood in the very same spot, formally launching his initiative to reform America's health care system.

Sander Levin, chair of Ways and Means, forms powerful brother duo  —  Sander Levin is now part of one of the most powerful brother acts in Washington since the Kennedys.  He was named the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Thursday.  His brother, Carl, is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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.

Howard Dean: Health bill hangs Dem incumbents and Obama out to dry in elections  —  Passing the healthcare proposals before Congress will “hang out to dry” every Democratic incumbent running for reelection this fall, Howard Dean said Thursday.  —  Dean, a physician by training who's …

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 …

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.

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!

Bush Official Defends Lawyers Under Attack for Detainee Work  —  A former Justice Department official who led the Bush administration's courtroom defense against lawsuits filed by Guantanamo detainees is denouncing attacks on Obama administration appointees who previously helped …

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.