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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

Chuck DeVore has a staunch conservative record  —  The Senate candidate is a veteran of politics who portrays himself as an outsider.  —  Chuck DeVore argues that his military experience gives him an edge over his primary rivals.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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 …

GOP House and Senate committees best Dems in April fundraising  —  Senate and House GOP committees raised more money in April than their Democratic counterparts.  —  The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) outraised the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) …

'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 …

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).

5/21: “Stay Out of Politics, Spitz,” Says Majority of NYS Voters  —  Nearly two-thirds of registered New York State voters — 66% — do not want former Governor Eliot Spitzer to run for statewide office this year.  Only 28% want him to throw his hat into the political ring. 6% are unsure.

Constitution is this year's big best-seller  —  Demand for copies of the U.S. Constitution is skyrocketing.  —  The increased interest comes amid the rise of the Tea Party movement and as both parties cite the Constitution to advance their agendas.  —  The pocket edition of the Constitution …

Mayor Daley Threatens to Shoot the Messenger—Namely, Me  —  Mayor Daley loves to bag on the local media, and given my recent line of inquiry into his politics and policies, I've never expected to be greeted with a fruit basket at City Hall.  —  But even I was a bit taken aback this morning …

Cuomo's Message: Don't Cross Me  —  Democrat Warns Legislators as He Readies Bid for Governor  —  As Democrats in Albany prepare to celebrate the kickoff of Andrew Cuomo's campaign for governor next week, Mr. Cuomo is quietly putting out the word that if he's elected lawmakers who resist his agenda will be punished.

Payback Time: Padded Pensions Add to New York's Fiscal Woes  —  In Yonkers, more than 100 retired police officers and firefighters are collecting pensions greater than their pay when they were working.  One of the youngest, Hugo Tassone, retired at 44 with a base pay of about $74,000 a year.