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.

Byrd, 92, ‘seriously ill’ in Washington hospital  —  Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) was admitted to a Washington-area hospital in “seriously ill” condition, his office said a news release Sunday.  —  The statement said that Byrd, 92, “was admitted to the hospital late last week suffering …

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.

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 …

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 …

Senator's concern may complicate Wall Street bill vote  —  (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's efforts to win final approval of a historic financial regulatory reform bill looked more complicated on Saturday after a Republican senator threatened to oppose it.

Obama's race-rant Rev. rages on  —  CHICAGO — He's been keeping such a low profile since nearly derailing Barack Obama's campaign for president in 2008 — is it possible that the controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright has mellowed?  —  Hardly.  —  During a five-day seminar Wright taught …

Intelligence Committee chairwoman open to delaying Afghan deadline  —  The chairwoman of the Select Intelligence Committee said she is “absolutely” open to delaying the July 2011 date for a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.  —  Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said on Fox News Sunday …

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 …