NPR's Firing of Juan Williams Was Poorly Handled  —  Juan Williams once again got himself into trouble with NPR for comments he made at his other job, at Fox News.  And NPR's reaction has unleashed an unprecedented firestorm of criticism directed not at Williams - but at NPR.

Lillian McEwen breaks her 19-year silence about Justice Clarence Thomas  —  For nearly two decades, Lillian McEwen has been silent — a part of history, yet absent from it.  —  When Anita Hill accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his explosive 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearing …

GOP says compromise not on the agenda if they retake the House  —  Republicans aren't interested in compromising with President Obama on major issues if they retake the House or Senate, a senior GOP lawmaker said.  —  “Look, the time to go along and get along is over,” said Rep. Mike Pence …

GOP congressional candidate Stephen Broden says violent overthrow of government is ‘on the table’  —  mmason@dallasnews.com  —  WASHINGTON - Republican congressional candidate Stephen Broden stunned his party Thursday, saying he would not rule out violent overthrow of the government if elections did not produce a change in leadership.

Hickenlooper Bombshell: ‘Backwards Thinking in Rural, Western Areas’  —  Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper was interviewed by Eden Lane on the establishment of the Matthew Shepard Foundation offices in Denver, Colorado late in 2009: … Here is a transcript of the exchange:

‘Call Me Senator’: Let This Video Be My Apology for Once Supporting Sen. Boxer  —  I'd like to thank Right Change (who sponsored and are planning an ad campaign to support the spot) and all the wonderful actors and crew who volunteered for the “Call Me Madam” video.

Former president Clinton on mission to rescue Democratic Party in fall elections  —  Bill Clinton is baffled.  The former president's friends say he is in disbelief that in the closing weeks of the midterm campaigns Democrats have failed to articulate a coherent message on the economy and …

It Gets Better  —  Dan Savage should be beaming with pride about what he started.  Here is the president of the United States reaching out to gay kids being bullied in their teenage years.  —  It's beautifully crafted and gently put.  I think it's the first time in history that a US president …

George W. Bush Reveals His Biggest Failure Was Not Privatizing Social Security  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION? … Read More: Bush Privatizing Social Security, Bush Social Security, Bush Social Security Privatization, George Bush Social Security, George W. Bush, George w.  Bush Social Security, Politics News

Repeal the 17th Amendment?  —  One popular idea making the rounds among some conservatives and Tea Partiers is a call for the repeal of the 17th Amendment.  From the LA Times: … There's a lot of truth to the argument that the enactment of the 17th Amendment undermined federalism.

British Fashion Victims  —  In the spring of 2010, fiscal austerity became fashionable.  I use the term advisedly: the sudden consensus among Very Serious People that everyone must balance budgets now now now wasn't based on any kind of careful analysis.  It was more like a fad …

Illegal Aliens Canvass for Votes in Wash. State  —  SEATTLE — When Maria Gianni is knocking on voters' doors, she's not bashful about telling people she is in the country illegally.  She knows it's a risk to advertise to strangers that she's here illegally — but one worth taking in what she sees as a crucial election.

The Rape Accusation Against Meg Whitman's Son That Got Hushed Up  —  As a student at Princeton University, the son of California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman—one of the school's most celebrated donors—was accused of sexually assaulting a classmate.  This is the story of the explosive accusation and its quiet aftermath.

Joe Miller's Extreme Anti-Gay Adviser  —  One of the consultants on the the tea party-backed candidate's payroll heads a group that's so anti-gay it blasted Rush Limbaugh for hobnobbing with Elton John.  —  Post Comment  —  Joe Miller, the Sarah Palin-endorsed, tea party-backed GOP Senate candidate …

Campaign's Big Spender  —  Public-Employees Union Now Leads All Groups in Independent Election Outlays  —  The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is now the biggest outside spender of the 2010 elections, thanks to an 11th-hour effort to boost Democrats that has vaulted …

Judges told to step down in Wilders trial  —  Geert Wilders says freedom of speech in the Netherlands is on trial  —  Judges in the hate speech trial of Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders have been ordered to step down by an independent appeals panel.  —  The move follows a request …

Dispute over New Black Panthers case causes deep divisions  —  On Election Day 2008, Maruse Heath, the leader of Philadelphia's New Black Panther Party, stood in front of a neighborhood polling place, dressed in a paramilitary uniform.  —  Within hours, an amateur video showing Heath …

Tea Party to the Rescue  —  How the GOP was saved from Bush and the establishment.  —  Two central facts give shape to the historic 2010 election.  The first is not understood by Republicans, and the second not admitted by Democrats.  —  The first: the tea party is not a “threat” …