Rand Paul, telling the truth  —  If we use “gaffe” in its proper, Kinsleyan form, that's what U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul issued to NPR yesterday, and that's what he defended on Rachel Maddow's show last night.  He told the truth about his stance on the Civil Rights Act.

Exclusive: President Obama To Replace Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair*  —  ABC News has learned that President Obama will replace the Director of National Intelligence, Admiral Dennis Blair (ret.) His resignation will come as soon as tomorrow, sources tell ABC News.

GOP lawmaker blasts Mexican pres. comments as inappropriate  —  Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) blasted Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Thursday, calling the visiting dignitary's remarks on Arizona's recently implemented immigration law “inappropriate.”  —  Earlier Thursday …

Critics weigh Blumenthal's words  —  “I wore the uniform in Vietnam and many came back & to all kinds of disrespect.  Whatever we think of war, we owe the men and women of the armed forces our unconditional support.”  —  The occasion was the Stamford Veterans Days parade: Nov. 9, 2008.

Bill to Overhaul Financial Rules Clears Hurdle in Senate Vote  —  WASHINGTON — The Senate voted on Thursday afternoon to close debate on a far-reaching financial regulatory bill, putting Congress on a glide path to approving a broad expansion of government oversight of the increasingly complex …

Gibbs mum on Sestak job offer  —  Don't ask the White House if Obama aides tried to force Joe Sestak out of the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary by offering him a job.  They are keeping mum on the controversy.  —  Press Secretary Robert Gibbs deflected a barrage of questions about reports …

Everybody Draws Mohammed Day — By: Mark Steyn  —  Veronique, I initially had mixed feelings about Everybody Draws Mohammed Day.  Provocation for its own sake is one of the dreariest features of contemporary culture, but that's not what this is about.  Nick Gillespie's post reminds us …

Mother of student who questioned Michelle Obama will not face action  —  Your Browser DoesNot Support IFrames.  —  The mother of a Maryland second-grader who questioned First Lady Michelle Obama about the Obama administration's immigration policy will not be deported, federal officials said Thursday.

Salahis Stopped by Secret Service Near White House Last Night  —  The Salahis were stopped by the U.S. Secret Service last night at around 8 p.m. ET during the State Dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon as their stretch limousine ran a red light and seemed to be trying to turn …

Scientists make ‘artificial life’  —  The synthetic cell looks identical to the “wild type”  —  Scientists in the US have succeeded in developing the first synthetic living cell.  —  The researchers constructed a bacterium's “genetic software” and transplanted it into a host cell.