Hypocrisy: A Parliamentary Procedure  —  Any veteran observer of Congress is used to the rampant hypocrisy over the use of parliamentary procedures that shifts totally from one side to the other as a majority moves to minority status, and vice versa.  But I can't recall a level …

What Obama is Actually Trying to Do in Israel  —  There is much speculation that this kerfluffle over 1,600 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.

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 …

Opinions Harden on Health  —  Nearly half call plan a ‘bad idea’ in latest Journal/NBC poll, but Democrats who oppose it risk alienating base  —  Democratic lawmakers may be tempted to vote against the health-care overhaul plan pending in Congress because it remains unpopular with a broad swath of the public.

Could Airborne Bears Catch Bin Laden?  —  ARLINGTON, Va. — Could parachute-wearing bears sniff out Osama bin Laden?  —  That's one suggestion the Pentagon has received from someone who noted, quite correctly, that a bear's sense of smell is much more powerful than a bloodhound's.

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.

Dems Still Don't Have the CBO Score They Want  —  As Democrats have delayed releasing their final health care reconciliation bill, they've consistently tried to create the impression that they're essentially finished, but are merely waiting on the Congressional Budget Office.

Fineman Reports Kucinich to Vote “Yes”  —  Dennis Kucinich has called a press conference for tomorrow.  Howard Fineman is reporting that Kucinich will vote “yes” on health care.  —  Kucinich told Obama that he wants a full ERISA waver and a public option in exchange for his vote.

My Inflation Nightmare  —  RIGHT-WING TALK RADIO these days is carrying fewer commercials for second mortgages.  (Consolidate your debts, lower your monthly payments, and have enough left over for that dream vacation!)  They've been replaced by commercials for gold.

On the Matter of Karl Rove's Father  —  In his book and the various interviews and speeches surrounding publication, Karl Rove has made a point of attacking information Wayne Slater and I reported and published regarding Rove's background and the formative years of his political belief system.

Petraeus: 'I Believe The Time Has Come To Consider A Change To Don't Ask, Don't Tell'  —  “I believe the time has come to consider a change to Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” General David Petraeus told the Armed Services Committee today, in his most direct public comments about the policy.

‘Slaughter Solution’ not bulletproof  —  The so-called “Slaughter solution” for enacting health care reform without a conventional House vote on an identically worded Senate bill would be vulnerable to credible constitutional challenge, experts say.  —  No lawyer interviewed by POLITICO thought …

Limbaugh prompts healthcare calls, ties up House phone lines  —  The congressional switchboard was nearing overload Tuesday after Rush Limbaugh asked listeners to phone in their objections on healthcare.  —  The House e-mail system was also deluged on Tuesday in what the House's technology office called …

Napolitano scraps U.S.-Mexico fence  —  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has put the brakes on SBInet, the $3 billion plan to build a virtual fence along the U.S. border with Mexico.  —  “Not only do we have an obligation to secure our borders, we have a responsibility …

US forces not flying the flag in Haiti?  —  With apologies to Cole Porter — France does it, the UK does it, and even humanitarian Croats do it.  The only one who won't do it is the country that has sent the overwhelming majority of supplies and resources to Haiti after their devastating earthquake.

Christie Seeks Spending Cuts to Close Gap in New Jersey  —  Gov. Christopher J. Christie before a joint legislative session on Tuesday.  “Time has run out, and the bill has come due,” he said.  —  TRENTON — Christopher J. Christie, the first Republican elected governor of New Jersey in 12 years …