Hello, America, My Name Is Rielle Hunter  —  We've heard from former senator John Edwards, we've heard from his soon-to-be-ex-wife, Saint Elizabeth, and we've heard (bleh) from Andrew Young, the former Edwards aide and faux father.  But through it all—the affair and the cancer-stricken spouse …

Millions Spent to Sway Democrats on Health Care  —  WASHINGTON — The yearlong legislative fight over health care is drawing to a frenzied close as a multimillion-dollar wave of advertising that rivals the ferocity of a presidential campaign takes aim at about 40 House Democrats whose votes …

The Beck Factor at Fox: Staffers say comments taint their work  —  In just over a year, Glenn Beck's blinding burst of stardom has often seemed to overshadow the rest of Fox News.  —  And that may not be a good thing for the top-rated cable news channel, as many of its staffers are acutely aware.

J.D. Hayworth: Gay Marriage Law Could Produce Man-Horse Nuptials  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) primary challenger, former Arizona congressman J.D. Hayworth, warned this past weekend that the same-sex marriage decision handed down by the Massachusetts Supreme Court …

Pelosi: ‘I Have No Intention Of Not Passing This Bill’  —  At a roundtable meeting with several health care reporters and bloggers this morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi once again predicted final passage of a far-reaching heath care bill by week's end—but she insisted that success …

Rep. Paul Ryan on what real health reform should look like  —  Today, the House Budget Committee is to mark up a “reconciliation” vehicle, initiating the greatest expansion in government and entitlement spending in a generation through a partisan process to push “health-care reform” across the finish line.

Obama's Turn Against Israel  —  The U.S. makes a diplomatic crisis out of a blunder.  —  In recent weeks, the Obama Administration has endorsed “healthy relations” between Iran and Syria, mildly rebuked Syrian President Bashar Assad for accusing the U.S. of “colonialism,” …

COOCH GONE WILD  —  Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has been in the news a lot recently for his lawsuit against the EPA, his letter to colleges telling them to change their non-discrimination policies and his efforts to defund Planned Parenthood.  But he's not done making news yet!

What will the Supreme Court be like without its liberal leader?  —  Supreme Court Justices are remembered for their opinions, but they are revealed by their questions.  For many years, Sandra Day O'Connor chose to open the questioning in most cases, and thus show the lawyers—and her colleagues …

Social Security starts cashing in US debt  —  We've noticed the cash shortfalls at Social Security for more than a year, and now they appear to be permanent.  For the first time, the Social Security Administration will start cashing in its IOUs from the Treasury in order to meet its benefits obligations.

Contractors Tied to Effort to Track and Kill Militants  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — Under the cover of a benign government information-gathering program, a Defense Department official set up a network of private contractors in Afghanistan and Pakistan to help track and kill suspected militants …

Taking On China  —  Tensions are rising over Chinese economic policy, and rightly so: China's policy of keeping its currency, the renminbi, undervalued has become a significant drag on global economic recovery.  Something must be done.  —  To give you a sense of the problem …

Obama losing chance to reshape judiciary  —  Liberals had hoped he would counter a slew of conservative appointments in federal courts made by his Republican predecessors.  But that hasn't happened.  —  President Obama's appointment of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court is one high-profile success.

Your vote on health care is more important than your re-election. … - Why Are Humans Ticklish?  Are Animals Ticklish, Too?  - Wines Under $10 That Are Actually Pretty Good- Could You Go To Prison for Causing a Fatal NASCAR Crash?  - Jeffrey Gettleman: Why Africa's Bloodiest Wars Never Seem …

Gitmo's Indefensible Lawyers  —  Legal counsel to some of the detainees went far beyond vigorous representation of their clients.  Doesn't the public have a right to know?  —  On the evening of Jan. 26, 2006, military guards at Guantanamo Bay made an alarming discovery during a routine cell check.

Two Pictures Tell the Story on Health Care Debate  —  Gallup did something pretty cool in connection with their latest health care survey, which was to provide the verbatim responses (.xls) of the rationales given by people who would tell their Congressman to vote for or against the current health care bills, respectively.

NYT reminds freelancers of its ethics policies  —  To: FreelanceWriters1-NO_REPLY@nytimes.com  —  This is a reminder about The Times's ethics policies for journalists.  —  As you know, The Times takes very seriously the issue of conflicts of interest and other problems that might undermine the credibility of our journalism.