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.

A big hit against big government  —  As we approached the Tuesday night with the year's most significant senatorial primaries so far, I turned for guidance to a man who had already been through the fires that define the incendiary politics of 2010.  —  Ten days after he was barred from the ballot …

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.

Scientists Fault Lack of Studies Over Gulf Oil Spill  —  Tensions between the Obama administration and the scientific community over the gulf oil spill are escalating, with prominent oceanographers accusing the government of failing to conduct an adequate scientific analysis of the damage …

The New Free Speech Movement  —  Today is Everybody Draw Mohammed Day, a completely made-up satirical “holiday” dedicated to the concept of drawing Mohammed cartoons, as a way of making a statement about freedom of speech.  —  Not everyone agrees with this idea, however.

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 …

Election 2010: South Carolina Republican Primary for Governor  —  South Carolina GOP Primary for Governor: Haley Jumps Ahead  —  With South Carolina's Republican Primary for Governor less than three weeks away, State Representative Nikki Haley, coming off a fresh endorsement by Sarah Palin, now leads the GOP pack.

Stunning Drop in Whitman's Support Transforms GOP Race for Governor  —  Fiorina, Campbell in Dead Heat While DeVore's Support Doubles  —  Support for Meg Whitman has plummeted 23 points since March, and she is now in a far closer race with Steve Poizner to become the Republican nominee for governor.

Bring it on: Pelosi predicts ‘for sure’ that Dems will win House  —  Speaker Nancy Pelosi has a message for Republicans this fall: Bring it on.  —  A buoyant Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Wednesday basked in the Democrats' special-election triumph while bashing Republicans and expressing confidence …