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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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).

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.

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 …

Poll: Schedule fails to sway public  —  The White House has, for weeks now, rolled out popular health reform benefits well ahead of schedule, items like coverage for young adult children and tax credits for small business, hoping these early deliverables would shore up public support.

'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” …

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