House may try to pass Senate health-care bill without voting on it  —  After laying the groundwork for a decisive vote this week on the Senate's health-care bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested Monday that she might attempt to pass the measure without having members vote on it.

What Obama is Actually Trying to Do in Israel  —  There is much speculation that this kerfluffle over 1600 theoretical apartments on the wrong side of the green line in Jerusalem will lead to a rupture in American-Israeli relations, but analysts who suggest this are missing the point of President Obama's maneuverings.

Everything David Brooks says about reconciliation is wrong  —  Jon Chait did a very funny job taking apart David Brooks's column on reconciliation.  I want to do a serious job on it.  The factual statements Brooks uses in his argument are wrong.  Not arguable, or questionable, or suspicious.

THIS IS CNN?.... If I didn't get independent confirmation of this, I honestly would have assumed the announcement was some elaborate practical joke.  Alas, it's true. … This is easily the worst decision CNN has ever made.  That the network probably reviewed Erickson's work before hiring him …

New Health Care Whip Count: 190 Yes, 206 No (205-209 with Leaners)  —  The leadership says they have the votes, but projecting an aura of confidence has been a key to their pressure strategy.  Bart Stupak says Democrats are 16 votes short, but pessimism has been, well, part of his strategy.

Barack Obama threatens to withdraw support from wavering Democrats  —  Barack Obama has said he will not campaign for any Democratic congressmen who fails to support health care reform.  —  The president will refuse to make fund-raising visits during November elections to any district whose representative has not backed the bill.

Court rules Tea Party can proceed with effort to recall Sen. Robert Menendez … A state appellate panel today ruled New Jersey's secretary of state must accept a petition a citizens group filed to recall U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez.  —  The court stayed its decision to allow Menendez (D-N.J.) to appeal its ruling.

Tommy Thompson “50-50” on challenge to Sen. Russ Feingold  —  Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) is “50-50” on whether or not to challenge Sen. Russ Feingold (D) this fall and will almost certainly make a decision before the May 20 state party convention, according to a source familiar with his thinking.

DNC mocks tea party numbers  —  Tea Partiers planned to “flood the halls of Congress” to protest health care legislation, a plan that prompted Democratic leaders to instruct their members to respond with politeness and Twinkies.  —  The 10 a.m. Washignton, D.C. rally, though, wasn't quite on the scale of some earlier events.

Petraeus offers first public support for change to don't ask law  —  Gen. David Petraeus, the head of U.S. Central Command, said Tuesday the time has come to consider changing the controversial law banning openly gay people serving in the U.S. military.  —  It was the general's most direct answer to date on the issue.

Clyburn says health vote could push past Easter holiday  —  The House's healthcare vote could be delayed until as late as Easter, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said Tuesday.  —  Clyburn, in an interview with McClatchy Newspapers, said it is possible that the House vote …

Obama agencies invoking secrecy provision more often than under Bush  —  One day after being sworn into office, President Barack Obama instructed federal agencies to ensure government transparency by complying with the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act law.

Holding up the health care bill, Rep. Gohmert shouts, ‘I brought an abortion to show you today.’  —  As House Democrats prepare to vote on health care reform in the next few days, tea party activists protested outside the Capitol this morning, shouting cries of “kill the bill.”

Andrew Young Fires Back at Rielle Hunter  —  Former John Edwards Aide Doubts Former Politician and Ex-Mistress are Still in Love  —  (CBS/ AP) A former aide to John Edwards fired back at Rielle Hunter, the former mistress of the ex-Senator and vice presidential candidate, a day after her tell-all interview was published.