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 …

Pentagon Shooter: Anti-Bush Nut Case and 9/11 Truther  —  There was a shooting just outside the Pentagon today, at a security checkpoint.  Two cops were injured; breaking reports say the suspect, J. Patrick Bedell, has died. … And Internet research shows that the guy was a 9/11 Truther and an anti-Bush nut case.

McCain Bill Making Medicare Untouchable Via Reconciliation Contradicts His Record  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  In a direct challenge to Democratic leadership, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) introduced an amendment on Thursday night that would prohibit Congress from using reconciliation to make changes to Medicare.

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.

Statement on the Employment Situation in February  —  Although the labor market remains severely distressed, today's report on the employment situation is consistent with the pattern of stabilization and gradual labor market healing we have been seeing in recent months.

GOP Strategy: Bleed Reconciliation Fix To Death With Byrd Rule  —  Senior Senate GOP leadership aides have settled on a new strategy that, they hope, will stall or kill the Dem health reform push: They are going to use the arcane “Byrd rule” to try to bleed the reconciliation fix to death and ensure that it never passes.

Obama Retains More Trust Than Congress on Healthcare  —  Confidence in Obama and Democrats down since June; trust highest in doctors and hospitals  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans remain more confident in the healthcare reform recommendations of President Obama (49%) than in the recommendations …

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.

OBAMA TO APPEAR IN GRIDIRON VIDEO  —  President Barack Obama will be skipping this year's Gridiron Club dinner but he'll be there in spirit — or at least on video.  —  Sources tell POLITICO that there are plans for Obama — who will be in the middle of a weeklong jaunt to Guam …

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.

A shameful attack on the U.S. legal system  —  It never occurred to me on the day that Defense Department lawyer Rebecca Snyder and Lt. Cmdr.  William Kuebler of the Navy appeared in my law firm's offices to ask for our assistance in carrying out their duties as military defense lawyers …

Obama lauds ‘better than expected’ jobs numbers for February  —  President Barack Obama boasted Friday that his economic recovery efforts were showing results after the national unemployment rate stayed at a steady 9.7 percent for February.  —  Obama, touring a small business in Arlington …

State polls show gathering storm  —  Congress, it turns out, isn't the only institution held in low esteem by voters this year.  —  According to a POLITICO review of publicly available polling data, numerous state legislatures are also bottoming out, showing off-the-charts disapproval ratings accompanied …

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.

Hoyer: Dems could create abortion bill to satisfy Stupak qualms  —  House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Thursday that lawmakers could draft separate pieces of legislation with abortion language to earn the support of anti-abortion rights Democrats on healthcare reform legislation.

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 …