Opinions turn favorable on health care plan  —  WASHINGTON — Americans by 9 percentage points have a favorable view of the health care overhaul that President Obama signed into law Tuesday, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds, a notable turnaround from surveys before the vote that showed a plurality against it.

On Health Care Day, Obama Skips Signing Executive Order on Abortion; Stupak, on Defense, Compares Order to Emancipation Proclamation  —  President Obama signed the Senate health care bill into law Tuesday.  He did not sign the executive order on abortion negotiated with Michigan Democratic …

Patrick Kennedy leaves note for Ted on gravesite: “Dad, the unfinished business is done.”  —  The political odyssey of health care reform in many ways is the story of Ted Kennedy, and as President Obama signed the historic bill into law Tuesday, Kennedy's gravesite was a place of quiet celebration and poignant reflection.

NRSC's Cornyn: We Won't Call For Repealing All Of Health Care  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  In the wake of the passage of health care reform, nearly the entire slate of Republican senatorial candidates seems ready to run on a repeal of the bill.  But now, the lawmaker overseeing their election strategy is softening the message.

At White House, Biden's Expletive Caught on Open Mike  —  Beyond the ebullient atmosphere, shout-outs and cheers at the White House signing ceremony of the health care bill, there's another moment that is being rewound and played again and again: Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s overheard, overly effusive aside to President Obama.

Court Rules That Mississippi School Violated First Amendment Rights Of Lesbian Student  —  Alternative MSSC Prom Open To All Students Will Be Held May 8  —  CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org  —  ABERDEEN, MS - A Mississippi federal court today ruled that school officials violated …

Discovery expected to land “Sarah Palin's Alaska”  —  Sarah Palin to Discovery?  You betcha.  —  Discovery Communications is expected to announce that it has won the Sarah Palin tourney.  The cabler had been a front-runner to land the untitled Alaska-themed series, to be produced by Mark Burnett Prods., along with A&E.

Vandals hit at least five Dem offices nationwide, threaten to ‘assassinate’ children of pro-reform lawmakers.  —  Yesterday, ThinkProgress reported that several Democratic offices around the nation had been vandalized in the days surrounding the House health care vote.

Protesting Health Reform, GOP Attempts To Bring Senate Hearings To A Standstill By Blocking All Proceedings  —  There is a little-known rule in the Senate stating that hearings can't happen after 2:00 p.m. each day without unanimous consent.  However, every day, at the start of business …

Health bill may exempt top Hill staff  —  The health care reform bill signed into law by President Barack Obama Tuesday requires members of Congress and their office staffs to buy insurance through the state-run exchanges it creates - but it may exempt staffers who work for congressional committees …

Having insurance ‘going to be like Christmas’  —  DURHAM, N.C. — Uninsured Triangle residents said Monday that they eagerly await the overhaul of the nation's health care system.  —  “It's just going to be like Christmas,” said DeCarlo Flythe, who lost health coverage for his family when he was laid off almost three years ago.

ABC's choice of Amanpour for ‘This Week’ has critics inside the network and beyond  —  If being the moderator of “This Week,” ABC's Sunday morning news-talk show, required Senate approval, then journalist Christiane Amanpour — recently named by ABC News President David Westin to take over the job — would already be in big trouble.

No Viagra for sex offenders  —  Republicans are doing their best to use Senate procedure to derail the reconciliation bill.  And true to form, Republican Sen. Tom Coburn has introduced a few amendments that will be very hard for Democrats to vote against, including no Viagra for sex offenders.

An open letter to conservatives  —  The years have not been kind to you.  I grew up in a profoundly Republican home, so I can remember when you wore a very different face than the one we see now.  You've lost me and you've lost most of America.  Because I believe having responsible choices …

A note from Congressman Randy Neugebauer  —  Congressman Neugebauer sent along the note below and asked if I'd post it.  Gladly.  I also sent him $30.00 yesterday.  — Erick

How the bill will evolve  —  Many Americans will receive subsidies for insurance, from what I understand roughly in the range of 6k to 12k.  Many other Americans — namely those who already have health insurance — will not receive direct subsidies of this nature.

New East Jerusalem homes approved hours before Netanyahu-Obama meet  —  The Jerusalem municipality has given final approval to a group of settlers construct 20 apartments in a controversial hotel in East Jerusalem, Haaretz learned on Tuesday.  —  The announcement comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu …

Marine charged in Haditha killings wins key ruling from judge  —  The defense for the last Marine facing criminal charges in the fatal shooting of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha in 2005 won a key ruling Tuesday that could lead to the case being dropped.  —  Lt. Col. David Jones, the military judge …