Paul Calls White House Pressure On BP ‘Un-American,’ Says That ‘Sometimes Accidents Happen’  —  In an interview on ABC News' Good Morning America today, host George Stephanopoulos pressed GOP Kentucky Senate candidate Rand Paul on “how far” he would “push” his anti-government views.

Major Parts of the Financial Regulation Overhaul  —  The Senate on Thursday approved a far-reaching financial regulatory bill, 59 to 39.  Democratic Congressional leaders and the Obama administration must now reconcile it with the House bill that was passed in December.  —  Effect Notable differences between

Rodent scurries by as Obama lauds Wall Street vote  —  WASHINGTON - In his battle with the titans of Wall Street, President Barack Obama almost got upstaged by a rat.  —  But he didn't even seem to notice.  Assuming that's what it was, scurrying in front of his podium Thursday in a sun-drenched Rose Garden.

Mayor Daley offers his argument for gun control; Update: Video added  —  Today must be Irony Day in the Western Hemisphere.  First we have Cuba calling immigration enforcement “brutal,” and now we have gun-control politicians demonstrating why the founders passed the Second Amendment in the first place.

The Story of an Angry Voter  —  Let's imagine a character named Ben.  A couple of decades ago, Ben went to high school.  —  It wasn't easy.  His parents were splitting up.  His friends would cut class to smoke weed.  His sister got pregnant.  But Ben worked hard and graduated …

Lost Decade Looming?  —  Despite a chorus of voices claiming otherwise, we aren't Greece.  We are, however, looking more and more like Japan.  —  For the past few months, much commentary on the economy — some of it posing as reporting — has had one central theme: policy makers are doing too much.

Why I Won't Be Participating in ‘Draw M******* Day’ (PBUH)  —  One of the most frustrating things that comes with being one of Eastern Iowa's top 500 political satire bloggers is dealing with readers who presume to know where I stand on the issues.  Worse yet, some even seem to think they can dictate the content of my posts.

Washington Times Debuts Dale ‘N-Word Sign’ Robertson as Tea Party Columnist  —  According to a press release, self-described “Tea Party Founder” Dale Robertson has joined the Washington Times' “Tea Party Report” blog.  Robertson, you may recall, was thrust back into the limelight in March …

Another Case of Blumenthal Misstating Service  —  WASHINGTON — Broader newspaper archival searches continue to turn up instances in which Attorney General Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut portrayed himself as a Vietnam War veteran even though he did not serve in the war.

The Fruits of Weakness  —  WASHINGTON — It is perfectly obvious that Iran's latest uranium maneuver, brokered by Brazil and Turkey, is a ruse.  Iran retains more than enough enriched uranium to make a bomb.  And it continues enriching at an accelerated pace and to a greater purity (20 percent).

German Lawmakers Approve Rescue Package  —  BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany narrowly pushed the country's share of the nearly $1 trillion stabilization package for the euro through Parliament Friday in the face of significant public opposition.  —  It was an uncomfortably close call for Mrs. Merkel.

Unions to spend $100M in 2010 campaign to save Dem majorities  —  At least two influential unions will spend close to $100 million on the 2010 election, with most of those funds going to protect incumbents.  —  Union officials told The Hill they plan to help endangered members …

'I'm a Marxist' says Dalai Lama, but agrees capitalism has helped China  —  TIBETAN spiritual leader the Dalai Lama says he's a Marxist, yet credits capitalism for bringing new freedoms to China, the communist country that exiled him.  —  “Still I am a Marxist,” the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader …

GOP fingers culprit in Pa. election  —  In the wake of Tuesday's Pennsylvania special election loss, disappointed House Republican leaders have engaged in a round of soul-searching to determine the causes behind the defeat and put an end to what they view as a potentially damaging campaign narrative.

Leaked Spanish Report: Obama's Model ‘Green Economy’ a Disaster (PJM Exclusive)  —  Following PJM's exclusive story on a leaked Spanish government report, a newspaper in Spain confirms that the country's “green economy” policies — the model for the Obama administration's “green jobs” …

Infrastructure matters  —  I gave up my car yesterday.  Today I'll head to the Department of Motor Vehicles to turn in my tags.  It's a sad milestone for a native Californian like myself.  The years between birth and 16 were pretty much spent waiting until I get my driver's license.

Mojave Cross replaced, then removed  —  Download story podcast  —  The Press-Enterprise  —  The Mojave Cross saga took yet another unexpected turn Thursday, when the contested symbol that vanished last week reappeared briefly before being taken down by federal officials.  —  Story continues below