Kagan may get confirmed, but Thurgood Marshall can forget it  —  Oppo researchers digging into Elena Kagan's past didn't get the goods on the Supreme Court nominee — but they did get the Thurgood.  —  As confirmation hearings opened Monday afternoon, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee took …

In Ordinary Lives, U.S. Sees the Work of Russian Agents  —  WASHINGTON — They had lived for more than a decade in American cities and suburbs from Seattle to New York, where they seemed to be ordinary couples working ordinary jobs, chatting to the neighbors about gardening and schools, apologizing for noisy teenagers.

General Petraeus Faces Confirmation... Again  —  But Senators Will Still Want to Know if Petraeus Supports 2011 Pullout Date  —  After the dramatic downfall of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Gen. David Petraeus should have smooth sailing before the Senate Armed Services Committee today …

From Washington Post To NBCU: Dave Weigel Joins MSNBC As Paid Contributor  —  Team Weigel rejoice - it didn't take Dave Weigel very long to land on his feet after he resigned last week from The Washington Post.  —  Tonight at the end of Countdown, Keith Olbermann introduced new “MSNBC contributor” Dave Weigel.

Former Vice President Gore Visits San Diego  —  SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Convention Center was packed with more than 11,000 human resource professionals as former Vice President Al Gore made a rare public appearance Monday.  —  Little has been seen of Gore in the past several weeks since confirmed reports …

Steve Forbes celebrates Robert Byrd's death: ‘Good news’ for Wall Street.  —  News of Sen. Robert Byrd's (D-WV) death has been met with an outpouring of reverence for his distinguished career, with even political opponents, like Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), praising Byrd's …

Tennant Statement On Procedure To Fill Vacant Senate Seat  —  “Hello I am West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant.  —  “This is a sad time for our state.  I want to express my condolences to Senator Byrd's family.  I also want to express my condolences to the people of West Virginia.

In Ireland, a Picture of the High Cost of Austerity  —  DUBLIN — As Europe's major economies focus on belt-tightening, they are following the path of Ireland.  But the once thriving nation is struggling, with no sign of a rapid turnaround in sight.  —  Nearly two years ago …

Dems launch project to find 2010's ‘Macaca’ moment  —  Democrats launched a new project on Tuesday to find the “Macaca moment” during this year's election cycle.  —  The Democratic National Committee's (DNC) research office will unveil “The Accountability Project” on Tuesday …

Daley Vows New Gun Ordinances  —  As expected, Mayor Daley and Chicago's City Council are circling the wagons to defend against an unfavorable decision by the Supreme Court concerning the city's gun ban.  —  Daley said the city would have in place a new ordinance aimed at making it difficult to purchase and own a gun in Chicago.

Graham to skip White House energy and climate meeting  —  Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) will not attend a pivotal Tuesday meeting at the White House on energy and climate legislation between President Barack Obama and a bipartisan group of senators.  —  Graham cited conflicting hearings …

Sharron Angle, Camera-Shy Candidate, Shifts Coverage  —  RENO — There is a game in Nevada called “Where's Sharron Angle?” that the press is tired of playing.  —  Ms. Angle, a Nevada Senate candidate and Tea Party darling, has steadfastly refused to talk to reporters here …

Wonkbook: FinReg doesn't have the votes; Kagan's uneventful first day  —  With Scott Brown, Russ Feingold, Olympia Snowe, and Susan Collins all on the fence, and Robert Byrd's vote lost, FinReg's final passage is in doubt.  And that's not the only bad news for a major Obama priority …