House and Senate in Deal on Financial Overhaul  —  WASHINGTON — Nearly two years after the American financial system teetered on the verge of collapse, Congressional negotiators reached agreement early Friday morning to reconcile competing versions of the biggest overhaul of financial regulations since the Great Depression.

An apology to my readers  —  I'm a member of an off-the-record list-serv called “Journolist,” founded by my colleague Ezra Klein.  Last Monday, I was deluged with angry e-mail after posting a story about Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) that was linked by the Drudge Report with a headline intimating …

House ‘shreds our constitution for raw, ugly, partisan gain’ by vote of 219-206  —  The DISCLOSE Act is the Democrats big legislative “fix” to pushback against the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision that eliminated a number of campaign finance restrictions on first amendment grounds.

The Culture of Exposure  —  The most interesting part of my job is that I get to observe powerful people at close quarters.  Most people in government, I find, are there because they sincerely want to do good.  But they're also exhausted and frustrated much of the time.

Dem county supervisor: Arizona's law might have been justifiable if it was a border state  —  Via Innocent Bystanders, high drama from today's board hearing in Milwaukee about whether to boycott the new reich in Phoenix.  Meet Peggy West: … Yeah, that's a gallant try at damage control …

In 2010, Conservatives Still Outnumber Moderates, Liberals  —  Last year's increase in conservatism among independents is holding  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Conservatives have maintained their leading position among U.S. ideological groups in the first half of 2010.

Afghanistan: The 7/11 problem  —  President Obama was fully justified in dismissing Gen. Stanley McChrystal.  The firing offense did not rise to the level of insubordination — this was no MacArthur undermining the commander in chief's war strategy — but it was a serious enough show …

National Enquirer says it decided not to pay for Gore sex story interview  —  The executive editor of the National Enquirer says that the Oregon masseuse who made a sexual assault allegation against Al Gore asked the tabloid for $1 million but that the Enquirer did not pay her or anyone else in reporting the story.

Florida Rep. Meek gets fundraising assist from President Clinton  —  The Senate campaign of Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) sent out a fundraising appeal via email Friday from one powerful Democratic surrogate: former President Bill Clinton.  —  In the email, Clinton appeals to donors …

Across From White House, Coffee With Lobbyists  —  WASHINGTON — There are no Secret Service agents posted next to the barista and no presidential seal on the ceiling, but the Caribou Coffee across the street from the White House has become a favorite meeting spot to conduct Obama administration business.

Judge won't relent on drilling decision  —  NEW ORLEANS - The Obama administration's efforts to suspend deepwater oil drilling were dealt another setback in court Thursday when the federal judge who struck down the administration's six-month moratorium refused to delay the decision's effects.

Senate Democrats pull jobs bill  —  A Democratic-backed jobs and economic relief bill collapsed in the Senate Thursday after failing for the third time to break through a wall of Republicans who rejected repeated entreaties to join in advancing the $100 billion-plus package, including aid for cash-strapped states and the unemployed.

Barack Obama is refusing to listen to reason on economic policy  —  President Barack Obama could learn from the old-fashioned German habit of saving money before spending it, argues Jeremy Warner.  —  Rarely has the dismal science of economics inflamed such passions.

The Renminbi Runaround  —  Last weekend China announced a change in its currency policy, a move clearly intended to head off pressure from the United States and other countries at this weekend's G-20 summit meeting.  Unfortunately, the new policy doesn't address the real issue …

10-Year-Old Grand Marshal at Gay Rights Parade Sparks Controversy Across U.S.  —  When the Fayetteville, Ark., Gay Pride Parade steps off on East Street Saturday on its way to the Wal-Mart parking lot, it will be led by a young man who has made a career out of fighting for gay rights.

Pakistan Is Said to Pursue an Afghan Foothold  —  ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan is exploiting the troubled United States military effort in Afghanistan to drive home a political settlement with Afghanistan that would give Pakistan important influence there but is likely to undermine United States interests …

I like Obama... and he's right to have a go at us for polluting his country  —  THE shocking images of oil-covered wildlife and ruined beaches across the Gulf of Mexico have horrified millions.  —  But passionate green campaigner Sir Paul McCartney believes the environmental disaster …