Security Lapses Let Bomb Suspect Board Plane  —  WASHINGTON — Why was Faisal Shahzad permitted to board a flight for Dubai some 24 hours after investigators of the Times Square terrorism case learned he might be connected to the attempted bombing?  —  Though Mr. Shahzad was stopped …

Obey won't seek reelection  —  In a major blow to Democrats, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey has told close associates that he will not seek reelection.  An announcement of his plans is expected as early as Wednesday.  —  The Wisconsin Democrat faces tough poll numbers at home …

Black Hopefuls Pick This Year in G.O.P. Races  —  Among the many reverberations of President Obama's election, here is one he probably never anticipated: at least 32 African-Americans are running for Congress this year as Republicans, the biggest surge since Reconstruction, according to party officials.

Dem Turnout Falls Off A Cliff  —  Turnout among Dem voters dropped precipitously in 3 statewide primaries on Tuesday, giving the party more evidence that their voters lack enthusiasm ahead of midterm elections.  —  In primaries in NC, IN and OH, Dems turned out at far lower rates than they have in previous comparable elections.

Wyden, Grassley want end to secret holds as part of Wall Street reform bill  —  The two senators have offered an amendment to the Senate's financial reform legislation.  —  Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) are moving to end senators' ability to place secret holds as part of Wall Street legislation.

Washington Post Co. to Sell Newsweek  —  Chairman Donald E. Graham cites multi-year losses.  ‘We are exploring all options to fix that problem,’ he said.  —  Newsweek Web Exclusive  —  The Washington Post Co. announced today that it has retained Allen & Company to explore the possible sale of NEWSWEEK magazine.

Why Charter Schools Fail the Test  —  THE latest evaluation of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, the oldest and most extensive system of vouchers and charter schools in America, came out last month, and most advocates of school choice were disheartened by the results.

Three killed in Greece protests  —  Trouble erupted as a group of protesters tried to storm the Greek parliament  —  At least three people have been killed in the Greek capital as protesters set fire to a bank during a general strike over planned austerity measures.

Wash Post shifts leftward online  —  The once-cautious Washington Post has begun to invest heavily in the liberal blogosphere, transforming its online presence - a combination of accident and design - into a competitor of the Huffington Post and TalkingPointsMemo as much as the New York Times.

To replace John Paul Stevens, an atheist  —  It's something Thomas Jefferson might have done: nominate a nonbeliever to the Supreme Court  —  As President Obama considers nominees to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, a debate bubbles as to whether religion should play a role in his choice.

Time for some oil spill perspective  —  Eleven people died when BP's Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform exploded nearly two weeks ago in the Gulf of Mexico, 53 miles southwest of the Louisiana coast.  It's a sad measure of how much of the subsequent commentary on this disaster …

Fox refuses climate ad  —  Fox News last week refused to carry an advertisement from the liberal group VoteVets on the grounds that it was “too confusing,” a spokesman for the group said.  —  The ad, above, seeks to make the familiar case that climate legislation would have national security benefits …

Meet Geo, The Male Prostitute Hired By NARTH Member & Family Research Council Co-Founder Dr. George Rekers  —  I was going to withhold the identity of the male prostitute hired by Dr. George Rekers, the virulently anti-gay NARTH board member and Family Research Council co-founder.