A G.O.P. Leader Tightly Bound to Lobbyists  —  WASHINGTON — House Democrats were preparing late last year for the first floor vote on the financial regulatory overhaul when Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio and other Republican leaders summoned more than 100 industry lobbyists …

Obama: U.S. not at war with Islam; ‘sorry band of men’ hit us on 9/11  —  President Obama stressed that America was not at war with Islam as he decried the “sorry band of men” who attacked the nation nine years ago in memorial ceremonies at the Pentagon on Saturday.

If the ‘Mosque’ Isn't Built, This Is No Longer America  —  What's Your Reaction:  —  I am opposed to the building of the “mosque” two blocks from Ground Zero.  —  I want it built on Ground Zero.  —  Why?  Because I believe in an America that protects those who are the victims of hate and prejudice.

Saudi diplomat seeking asylum: ‘My life is in danger’  —  Envoy says he fears persecution if he leaves the U.S. and returns home  —  A ranking Saudi diplomat told NBC News that he has asked for political asylum in the United States, saying he fears for his life if he is forced to return to his native country.

Six Christians rip pages from Koran in White House stunt  —  WASHINGTON (AFP) - A small group of conservative Christians tore some pages from a Koran in a protest outside the White House Saturday to denounce what they called the “charade of Islam” on the anniversary of 9/11.

2 Local Men Burn Quran Despite Protest  —  Local Religious Leaders Follow Through With Plans  —  SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. — Despite multiple pleas to reconsider, two local religious leaders held a private Quran burning in a Springfield backyard Saturday afternoon.

Clinton claim in Whitman ad is false, state says  —  The California Department of Finance says overall state taxes went down when Brown was governor, not up.  Whitman campaign says it won't halt the ad featuring video of the former president.  —  A claim in a Meg Whitman television ad …

Capitol Quran reading Saturday to ‘counter the forces of ignorance’  —  A Virginia man has organized a Quran reading on the Capitol's west lawn Saturday afternoon, an event planned to counter Florida pastor Terry Jones' threat to burn the Muslim holy text.  —  The reading will proceed even though Jones has backed off.

Florida Republicans get political on 9/11 anniversary  —  Rick Scott is the Republican nominee for governor in Florida.  —  Sarasota, Florida (CNN) - Saturday marked the ninth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, typically a day when politics are put aside to honor the memory …

‘It looks like a war zone’  —  The aftermath: 4 dead, 37 homes destroyed - crews seek answers  —  A full day after the natural gas explosion and inferno that turned a San Bruno neighborhood into ash, the wreckage was still too hot for people to be let back in - but families of some of four people killed …

Scientists Find Thick Layer Of Oil On Seafloor … Scientists on a research vessel in the Gulf of Mexico are finding a substantial layer of oily sediment stretching for dozens of miles in all directions.  Their discovery suggests that a lot of oil from the Deepwater Horizon didn't simply evaporate …

Dan Abrams To Write Book Proving That Women Are Better Than Men.  Yes, Really.  —  NY Post's Page SIx column reports today that Mediaite founder and NBC/MSNBC Chief Legal Analyst Dan Abrams has a deal with Abrams Books to publish a book that makes the case for the superiority of woman …