NPR CEO apologizes for handling of Williams firing  —  Vivian Schiller, the NPR CEO who has gotten criticism from all sides about NPR's decision to fire Juan Williams, apologized to her colleagues Sunday evening for the way the firing was handled.  —  Among the most problematic aspects …

America's Worst Politician  —  The short, ugly career of Alan Grayson.  —  ORLANDO—There are hundreds of plausible nominees for the title of America's Second-Smarmiest Politician, but surely the top spot is un-contested.  Americans of all political persuasions can come together in affirming …

Pro-Republican Groups Prepare Big Push at End of Races  —  OVIEDO, Fla. — The anonymously financed conservative groups that have played such a crucial role this campaign year are starting a carefully coordinated final push to deliver control of Congress to Republicans, shifting money among …

Early Voter ‘Enthusiasm Gap’ Appears Consistent With Polls  —  There's been a lot of discussion recently about early voting data, which is already available in a number of states.  In most parts of the country, indeed, a voter is already able to cast a ballot if she wants do.

Huckabee's gambit  —  Mike Huckabee has blasted Karl Rove and the “Republican Party establishment” for the “elitism” and “country club attitude” that he claims has driven Republican criticism of Christine O'Donnell.  Huckabee says that he too was the victim of the such elitism when he ran for president.

Companies that received bailout money giving generously to candidates  —  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) was a fierce critic of the federal bailout of General Motors and Chrysler last year, saying he could not “ask the American taxpayer to subsidize failure.”  —  But GM doesn't seem to hold a grudge.

Shocking Video: 60 Minutes Admits Unemployment is Actually 17%, 22% in California  —  I nearly fell out of my chair tonight when 60 Minutes admitted this.  Yes, 60 Minutes.  —  You can bet the White House and their lackeys will be all over them tomorrow.  This isn't news the Democrats need America …

Hendon calls Brady ‘idiotic, racist, sexist, homophobic’  —  Quinn: 'I don't associate myself with those comments'  —  Always-outspoken state Sen. Rickey Hendon on Saturday took aim at Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Brady at a “get out the vote” rally on the West Side.

Gay voters angry at Democrats could sway election  —  CHICAGO - Kate Coatar is seriously considering voting for Green Party candidates instead of Democrats, whom she normally supports.  James Wyatt won't cast a ballot at all because he no longer trusts anyone to fight for causes important to him.

Secret war at the heart of Wikileaks  —  Crisis in Haiti as cholera epidemic reaches the capital  —  An ungodly row at the Dawkins Foundation  —  Why don't they leak their funding?  Why don't they leak their staff and founders.  Why don't they leak their true intentions?

Democrats hold edge in two key House contests  —  But lead slim in 10th; GOP finds new vigor  —  With the election just a week away, Democrats lead in two of the state's most closely watched congressional races but are battling to hold on amid far greater enthusiasm among Republican voters, according to new Boston Globe polls.

The day after: leadership drama  —  Voters will do much more than decide control of Congress next week: They will determine whether the most powerful political figures in Washington are up, out or ousted from their leadership jobs.  —  Nancy Pelosi, the most powerful House speaker in decades …

AFL-CIO revs up mail effort for GOTV campaign  —  The AFL-CIO is sending out 10 million pieces of mail during the final week of the 2010 mid-term campaign.  —  Campaigning hard since the summer, the nation's largest labor federation is now moving towards revving up its massive get-out-the-vote …