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 …

Senate clears way to vote on financial reform  —  The Senate voted Thursday afternoon to end its three-week debate on a bill to rewrite the nation's financial regulations, paving the way for a final vote on the landmark legislation.  —  The 60-to-40 vote — the minimum required to end debate …

And The Winner of The Everybody Draw Mohammad Contest is...  To remind readers of the stakes: In recent months, a Swedish cartoonist that sketched Mohammed as a “roundabout dog” as part of a planned street installation was assaulted during a lecture and, the following week, two extremists attempted to burn his house down.

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.

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.

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 …

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 Day parade Nov. 9, 2008.

EPA demands less toxic dispersant  —  The Environmental Protection Agency informed BP officials late Wednesday that the company has 24 hours to choose a less toxic form of chemical dispersants to break up its oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to government sources familiar with the decision …