Taliban lackey's twisted mission  —  It was payback.  —  The Connecticut man charged yesterday with the botched Times Square car bombing confessed to trying to slaughter innocent people in retaliation for US drone attacks that wiped out the leadership of his beloved Taliban, The Post has learned.

Obey won't seek reelection  —  In a major blow to Democrats, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey announced that he will not seek reelection, saying he is “ready to turn the page” after a four-decade House career.  —  The Wisconsin Democrat faces tough poll numbers at home …

Here's how Joe Lieberman's citizenship-stripping bill would work  —  By now you've heard that Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) is proposing a new law that could potentially strip Americans of their citizenship if they're involved with foreign terrorist organizations.

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.

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.

Obama biggest recipient of BP cash  —  While the BP oil geyser pumps millions of gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico, President Barack Obama and members of Congress may have to answer for the millions in campaign contributions they've taken from the oil and gas giant over the years.

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.

Suns to wear ‘Los Suns’ uniforms to honor Phoenix's Latino community  —  In general, people in the sports world keep their political leanings to themselves.  Sure, there are a few guys who regularly speak out on political issues, but for the most part that's considered bad business.

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.

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.

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 …

GOP House candidate runs TV ad calling for racial profiling  —  You absolutely have to see this TV ad that a House GOP candidate hoping to take on Dem Rep. Alan Grayson (D) has run in Florida.  It not only supports racial profiling, but urges it as a matter of policy …

In Arizona, election reform's surprising consequences  —  “What's the matter with Arizona?” is the obvious question about the state's new immigration law.  There are a few obvious answers — and a not-so-obvious one that I was surprised to hear from observers across the political spectrum here.

Bank-Tax Shenanigans.  —  There is an extraordinary amount of confusion surrounding the proposed bank tax designed to recoup the losses associated with bailing out Wall Street in 2008, and the fee proposed to create a fund that would cover the costs of liquidating the banks in the event of a future crisis.