Senate deals blow to 'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal in 56-43 vote  —  The Senate on Tuesday dealt a significant blow to the Obama administration's efforts to repeal the ban on openly gay people serving in the military.  —  In a 56-43 vote, Senate Democratic leaders fell short of the 60 votes …

Dana Bash: Sen. Collins' not so secret phone call  —  A couple of sources gave me a heads up that moderate Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins is considered such a crucial vote on the Defense bill, Vice President Joe Biden called her this morning to lobby her.

Woodward Book Portrays Obama Aides' Battles  —  WASHINGTON — Some of the critical players in President Obama's national security team doubt his strategy in Afghanistan will succeed and have spent much of the last 20 months quarreling with one another over policy, personalities and turf, according to a new book.

Fund-raiser: Jackson behind $6M Senate-seat scheme  —  Feds had questions about Senate-seat deal and flights for a Jackson acquaintance  —  Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. directed a major political fund-raiser to offer former Gov. Rod Blagojevich millions of dollars in campaign cash in return …

“All Faggots Must Die”  —  The above comment was left today by “Jimmy” on my post about the DADT cloture vote.  The IP address *appears* to resolve to the neighborhood of GOP U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss' Atlanta office.  The ISP is “United States Senate.”  I'm confident that the JMG internet sleuths can get to the source.

For immediate release  —  Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in August indicates that the pace of recovery in output and employment has slowed in recent months.  Household spending is increasing gradually, but remains constrained by high unemployment …