Pastor cancels Quran-burning, then reconsiders  —  GAINESVILLE, Fla. - An anti-Islamic preacher backed off and then threatened to reconsider burning the Quran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, angrily accusing a Muslim leader of lying to him Thursday with a promise to move an Islamic center …

Judge declares U.S. military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy openly banning gay service members unconstitutional [updated]  —  A federal judge in Riverside declared the U.S. military's ban on openly gay service members unconstitutional Thursday, saying the “don't ask, don't tell” …

Palin Endorses O'Donnell in Delaware  —  She called into Sean Hannity's radio show to make official what was hinted at in a late Tuesday night retweet: She backs Christine O'Donnell over Mike Castle in Delaware.  As Hannity describes, also on Twitter:

If Obama names Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic base erupts like a volcano and votes  —  Within hours and possibly minutes I expect the president will name Elizabeth Warren to lead the new consumer protection agency, and if he does, the Democratic base will erupt and turn out to vote …

More House Dems balking at ending Bush tax cuts for rich  —  Even as President Obama is mounting a strong stand in favor of letting the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire, and even as he's signaling that it will be a major campaign issue, more and more vulnerable House Dems are bolting in the other direction.

Palin-Beck 9/11 Profiteering Event Promotor Says Rally Date Is Just A Coincidence  —  Prominent conservatives and right-wing groups are making plans to use the 9/11 anniversary this weekend to rake in some cash.  Among them are Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck, who are teaming up for a rally in Anchorage, AK.

Goolsbee to be tapped for economic post  —  (CNN) - President Obama is planning to announce as early as Friday morning that Austan Goolsbee will be named chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, two senior administration officials familiar with the announcement tell CNN Thursday.

Pentagon Plan: Buying Books to Keep Secrets  —  WASHINGTON — Defense Department officials are negotiating to buy and destroy all 10,000 copies of the first printing of an Afghan war memoir they say contains intelligence secrets, according to two people familiar with the dispute.

Stem Cell Financing Ban Ends, for Now  —  WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court here ruled Thursday that federal financing of embryonic stem cell research could continue while the court considers a judge's order last month that banned the government from underwriting the work.

What qualifies as unacceptable for a major party nominee?  —  “What qualifies as over the line?  What qualifies as an unacceptable position for a major party nominee to hold in this year's elections?”  —  That quote comes from Rachel Maddow, framing the question very well during this segment …

Science scorned … The anti-science strain pervading the right wing in the United States is the last thing the country needs in a time of economic challenge. … “The four corners of deceit: government, academia, science and media.  Those institutions are now corrupt and exist by virtue of deceit.

Brown Campaign Fires Back At Meg Whitman Regarding Her Latest False Attack On Jerry Brown's Record  —  OAKLAND,  —  CA - The Brown for Governor Campaign today fired back at Meg Whitman's latest false attack against Attorney General Jerry Brown's record.  —  “This is just more of the same from Meg Whitman.

Taking Responsibility  —  Speaking just now on MSNBC James Zogby made a very good point — and pressed Andrea Mitchell on it.  His point was that sure, this Pastor Jones fool is one guy, who's managed to get worldwide attention for his stunt.  But you cannot separate him, as I noted below …

Massive Cache of Iraq War Docs to Be Published by WikiLeaks  —  A massive cache of previously unpublished classified U.S. military documents from the Iraq War is being readied for publication by WikiLeaks, a new report has confirmed.  —  The documents constitute the “biggest leak of military intelligence” …

Favre, Goodell Among NFL Notables Playing Political Football During 2010 Midterms  —  All-universe quarterback Brett Favre will wear Minnesota Vikings purple tonight against the New Orleans Saints during the opening game of the National Football League's 2010 season.

Marco Rubio Holds Double-Digit Lead in Senate Race  —  GOP candidate even beats Crist among independent voters, poll finds  —  Republican Marco Rubio, garnering surprising strength among independent voters, holds a double-digit lead over his two chief rivals in Florida's U.S. Senate race, a new Sunshine State News Poll reports.