memeorandum: GOP-backed health care amendment removed from Florida ballot (Lee Logan/McClatchy Washington Bureau)

11:50 AM ET, July 31, 2010

Top Items:

Ethics Trial Expected for California Congresswoman — WASHINGTON — Representative Maxine Waters, Democrat of California, will face charges of misusing her office and is expected to contest the claims in a House trial, the second powerful House Democrat to opt for such a public airing in recent days …

Discussion: Washington Monthly, Los Angeles Times, Sister Toldjah, Taegan Goddard's …, JammieWearingFool and TPMMuckraker

Glenn Thrush / Ben Smith's Blog:

Obama: Time for Rangel to end career “with dignity” — President Barack Obama has kept mum on the fate of Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) for days — but he tells CBS News that it's time for the embattled 80-year-old former Ways and Means Chairman to end his career “with dignity.”

Discussion: Hot Air, Zandar Versus The Stupid, Outside the Beltway, Weasel Zippers, Denver Post, Pajamas Media, Power Line, DISSENTING JUSTICE, The Other McCain, Michelle Malkin and New York Post

Janie Lorber / The Caucus:

The Saturday Word: The Economy — President Obama criticized Senate Republicans on Saturday for blocking Democrats' attempt to expand loan programs and tax breaks for small businesses, while Republicans condemned Mr. Obama's policies as job-killers. — “I'm calling on the Republican leaders …

Discussion: iOwnTheWorld.com, Washington Post and The Huffington Post

Shane D'Aprile / The Hill:

Calls for Rep. Rangel to give up his seat in the House are on the rise — The calls for Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) to resign are piling up as the congressman's ethics trial threatens to loom large over campaign season. — The tally of House Democrats calling on Rep. Charles Rangel …

Discussion: Hot Air and New York Times

Jonathan Allen / The Politico:

Waters chooses ethics trial — Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) has chosen to go through an ethics trial, like the one lined up for New York Rep. Charles Rangel, rather than accepting charges made by an ethics subcommittee, a source familiar with the process tells POLITICO.

Discussion: THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS, Hot Air, CNN, Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog, Right Wing News, The Note and The Hill

Molly K. Hooper / The Hill:
Democrat apologizes for talking about Rangel reprimand

Discussion: Hot Air, Moe_Lane's blog, DaTechguy's Blog, TPMMuckraker, Washington Post, The Politico and The Washington Independent

The Politico: Obama pushes for Rangel exit

The Politico:
Why Charles Rangel is surviving

Discussion: Sunlight Foundation, MyDD and TPMMuckraker

Bridget Johnson / The Hill:
Rep. Waters chooses trial rather than accept ethics charges, reports say

Discussion: Weasel Zippers

Investor's Business Daily:

Will Washington's Failures Lead To Second American Revolution? — See Also

Discussion: Confederate Yankee and Questions and Observations

Elizabeth Scalia / The Anchoress:

Anne Rice Quits Christianity — Anne Rice, whose book Called Out of Darkness was a beautifully-written spiritual confession, has decided that she loves Christ but not Christians. — She's neither the first nor the last to feel that way. — Sometimes I do, too.

Discussion: Political Byline, Pajamas Media, Minnesota Independent, Hot Air, Speakeasy, The Huffington Post and DaTechguy's Blog

Reed Saxon / Newsweek:

Breitbart: I'd Like to Speak to Sherrod in Private — Conservative blogger says episode was ‘difficult for me as well.’ — Andrew Breitbart, the conservative blogger who posted the original video of Shirley Sherrod talking about race. — In the aftermath of the saga that thrust Shirley Sherrod …

Discussion: The Huffington Post, Balloon Juice, Hot Air, Classical Values, Rumproast, Mediaite and Riehl World View

Rich Noyes / NewsBusters.org:

Mea Culpa 360: CNN Anchor Says He Was Wrong to Let Shirley Sherrod Smear Andrew Breitbart Unchallenged — On Thursday's Anderson Cooper 360, anchor Anderson Cooper faulted himself for not pressing Shirley Sherrod when she appeared on the show back on July 22 and claimed that conservative Andrew Breitbart …

Discussion: Classical Values, Weasel Zippers and Mediaite

The Note:

Democrat Ben Nelson Opposes Kagan — ABC's Matthew Jaffe reports: — Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson announced late Friday he would vote against the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. — In a statement released this evening, Sen. Nelson said, “I have heard concerns …

Discussion: Townhall.com, Swampland and Outside the Beltway

Ben Nelson, U.S. Senator for Nebraska:
NELSON STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT NOMINEE ELENA KAGAN

Discussion: Crooks and Liars, msnbc.com, Daily Kos, Salon and TPM LiveWire

Fhardingj / CNN:
Nelson, Gregg announce Kagan votes

Discussion: The Hill

Kenneth P. Vogel / The Politico:

The new tea party bible — “Rules for Radicals,” the iconic liberal organizing manifesto by Saul Alinsky, was an unlikely bible — for tea party activists as they tried to mobilize their movement last year. Now, as they struggle to demonstrate their impact and staying power …

TMZ.com:

Snooki Arrested in Jersey — Disorderly Conduct — Snooki from “Jersey Shore” was just arrested in Seaside Heights, NJ ... TMZ has confirmed. — Law enforcement sources tell us the Seaside Heights PD busted Snooki moments ago for disorderly conduct. The details of that conduct are unclear.

Discussion: TalkLeft, MichiganLiberal, The Hollywood Reporter, TVbytheNumbers, Gawker and The Atlantic Online, more at Mediagazer »

Michael O'Brien / The Hill:

GOP could control House without majority, says senior Republican — Republicans could pick off enough support from wayward Democrats to take control of the House, even if they don't win an outright majority, a member of the GOP leadership suggested this weekend.

Discussion: Tulsa World and Prairie Weather

Jillian Rayfield / TPMDC:

Peter King And Anthony Weiner Shout Their Way Through A Fox News Interview (VIDEO) — Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) went on an apoplectic rant on the House floor last night, and apparently he hasn't cooled off much since then. — Earlier this morning, Weiner and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) …

Discussion: Talking Points Memo, The Moderate Voice, Doug Ross, Azi Paybarah, Shakesville, Wonkette, MyDD and The Hill

Greg Sargent / The Plum Line:
Anthony Weiner's rant captures Dem impotence

Discussion: Real Clear Politics, Hit & Run, Balloon Juice, TPMDC and The Blast

Fay Schlesinger / Daily Mail:

My duty is to save the world: Prince Charles believes he was born for a purpose — The Prince of Wales says he believes he has been placed on Earth as future King ‘for a purpose’ - to save the world. — Giving a fascinating insight into his view of his inherited wealth and influence …

Discussion: Weasel Zippers and JammieWearingFool

Helen Jung / Oregonian:

Prosecutors will not pursue criminal case against Gore in alleged sex abuse of massage therapist — Prosecutors said today they will not pursue a criminal case against former Vice President Al Gore for allegedly groping a Portland massage therapist in 2006, citing a “lack of credible evidence.”

Discussion: Hot Air, Wonkette and Guardian

CNN: Al Gore won't face prosecution in sexual assault allegation

Amy Spitalnick / J Street's Blog:

Statement on Cordoba House Controversy — The principle at stake in the Cordoba House controversy goes to the heart of American democracy and the value we place on freedom of religion. Should one religious group in this country be treated differently than another? We believe the answer is no.

Discussion: Firedoglake, DownWithTyranny!, blogs.alternet.org, Taylor Marsh, AMERICAblog News, The Telegraph, American Prospect, Daily Kos and TPMMuckraker

Myglesias / Matthew Yglesias:
Today in Mosque Madness

Discussion: Questions and Observations, The New Republic, Outside the Beltway, Gawker, A plain blog about politics and Obsidian Wings

Kevin Drum / Mother Jones:

Majority Rule is Good for Liberals — Oh well, let's talk more about the filibuster. News is slow today. Over at TalkLeft, BTD takes Chris Bowers to task for suggesting that ending the filibuster would be good for liberals: … Actually, I don't think this is right.

Discussion: A plain blog about politics