McCain blasts Afghanistan withdrawal date as ‘political decision’ by Obama  —  Sen. John McCain blasted President Barack Obama's stated goal of beginning troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in July 2011, saying Obama made a “political decision” not based on military strategy.

Biden Calls Manager Who Told Him To Lower Taxes A “Smartass”  —  Joe Biden calls a custard store manager a “smartass” after he asks the Vice President to lower taxes.

No skimmers in sight as oil floods into Mississippi waters  —  Scores of similar demonstrations were held around the United States, including one at Anna Maria Island, Fla. |  GULFPORT, Miss. — A morning flight over the Mississippi Sound showed long, wide ribbons of orange-colored oil …

Geraldo Rivera Compares Rolling Stone's Michael Hastings to Al Qaeda  —  Geraldo Rivera goes after Rolling Stone reporter Michael Hastings for his reporting which led to the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal and goes so far as to compare him to al Qaeda.

Court to rule on Sarbanes-Oxley and gun rights  —  (Reuters) - The Supreme Court could strike down a key part of a 2002 corporate reform law and extend gun rights in the United States on Monday when the justices issue their final rulings of the term.  —  In eagerly awaited rulings …

Learning the rules of an unengaged president  —  What do Gen. McChrystal and British Petroleum have in common?  Aside from the fact that they're both Democratic Party supporters.  —  Or they were.  Stanley McChrystal is a liberal who voted for Obama and banned Fox News from his HQ TV.

Transit and Density  —  From an LA Times writeup of a light rail extension into the San Gabriel Valley that's just getting under way: … I don't know the details of these plans, but I certainly hope that when they say “some” of the transit-oriented development will be denser …

Civil rights organizations question nominee Elena Kagan's record on race  —  On the eve of Elena Kagan's Senate confirmation hearings, her record on race in the Clinton White House and at Harvard Law School is producing discomfort among some leading civil rights organizations …

Huckabee says polling shows he's best Republican to take on Obama in 2012  —  Mike Huckabee said Sunday he's the strongest Republican to take on President Obama in 2012.  —  “I end up leading a lot of the polls,” the former Arkansas governor told “Fox News Sunday.”

Patrick leads, but Baker surging  —  Support slumps for Cahill in poll; tighter race reflects uneasy electorate  —  Governor Deval Patrick has improved his political standing in recent months but still faces major hurdles in his bid for reelection, according to a new Boston Globe poll …

America Speaks in LA - They Want Economic Recovery, No Social Security Cuts  —  The America Speaks meetings held in 19 cities across the country today, funded to the tune of $1 billion dollars by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, were a study in how subtle messaging and deficit hyping can mold …

Cal State Stanislaus dinner patrons cheer Sarah Palin  —  Protesters chant outside before her arrival.  In her speech, she chides Jerry Brown and jokes about the controversy surrounding her contract.  —  Sarah Palin, left, is escorted to the dinner by Cal State Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani.