Palin's Dollar, Zoellick's Gold  —  An unlikely pair elevate the monetary policy debate.  —  It would be hard to find two more unlikely intellectual comrades than Robert Zoellick, the World Bank technocrat, and Sarah Palin, the populist conservative politician.

Tax Cut Timing Is Proving Problematic for Democrats  —  WASHINGTON — When one party controls the White House and Congress, it controls the calendar for what gets done and when.  So how is it that Democrats ended up in such a fix over what to do about the expiring Bush-era tax cuts?

A New Bush, a Lot Like the Old One  —  He said he still felt sickened that no weapons of mass destruction were ever found in Iraq.  Yet former President George W. Bush said that his worst moment in the Oval Office came when the rap star Kanye West claimed that the president didn't care about black people.

In Alaska, a preview of the GOP's future  —  Alaska is darker in winter, colder all year and less densely populated than any other state.  Alaskans are unique, too: They enjoy a higher level of per capita federal spending than anyone else in the union, as well as a state constitution …

Grief counseling after the wipeout  —  A staffer for a congressional Democrat who came up short on Tuesday reports that a team of about five people stopped by their offices this morning to talk about payroll, benefits, writing a résumé, and so forth, with staffers who are now job hunting.

Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Faces Struggle in Congress  —  WASHINGTON — Prospects for Congress to authorize repeal of the “don't ask, don't tell” policy face new uncertainties as time runs out for the Senate to act and strong objections remain among Republicans and the most senior ranks of the military.

Fimian will concede defeat to Connolly in 11th district  —  This post has been updated to include a statement on Rep. Connolly's health.  —  Republican Keith Fimian will concede defeat Tuesday in the congressional race in Virginia's 11th district, paving the way for Rep. Gerald Connolly (D) to serve a second term in the seat.

Johnny Dollar takes Rachel Maddow to school  —  It's becoming clearer by the hour that the hallowed halls of MSNBC are in utter chaos.  Johnny Dollar provides further proof via the simple method of repeating their own words back to them:  —  You tell 'em, Keith!  Much more at Johnny Dollar's Place.

GOP leadership creating new post for freshmen GOPers — may be occupied by Tea Partyer  —  Now this is interesting: With many wondering how the House Republican leadership will accommodate the newly elected House GOPers who are soon to arrive in Washington, many of whom are Tea Party-backed …

The absurdity of Olbermann's sin  —  My first job as an editor was at the Washington Monthly, then, as now, a small, lovable, money-losing magazine that counts the editor-in-chief of POLITICO himself as one of its more distinguished alumni.  The Monthly's editor, Charlie Peters …

TRENDING: Schwarzenegger admission: Who cares if you smoke pot?  —  (CNN) - With only a couple months left in office, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger apparently feels free to speak his mind - at least when it comes to marijuana.  —  Appearing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Monday …

5th Circuit Rules That High School Cheerleader Is Required To Cheer For Her Alleged Rapist  —  Fifth Circuit Judge Priscilla Owen and former President George W. Bush  —  The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, one of the most right-wing courts in the country …

Olbermann Apologizes to Viewers, But Not to MSNBC  —  6:15 p.m. |  Update In an aggressive statement questioning the legitimacy of his two-day suspension from MSNBC, Keith Olbermann addressed his fans Monday night, saying that they were responsible for his scheduled return to the air on Tuesday …

New GOP governors will affect health law  —  Republicans' consolidation of power in state capitols is likely to expand the number of states that employ a far more limited, free-market-oriented approach to implementing the nation's new health-care law than the robust regulatory model favored by its supporters.

Challenger Wiggins pulls closer to Justice Sanders  —  Incumbent Justice Richard Sanders watched his lead over challenger Charlie Wiggins shrink in Monday's vote-counts for a contested seat on the state Supreme Court.  —  Meanwhile, in an e-mail headlined “Don't Let Wiggins Steal This Election …

Obama arrives in Indonesia; volcano may shorten stay  —  JAKARTA - President Obama arrived in Indonesia Tuesday for a short stay that may be made shorter by the erupting Mount Merapi volcano.  —  Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, told reporters traveling aboard Air Force …

Wife of terrorism convict pleads guilty; will have to leave U.S.  —  Alexandria, Virginia (CNN) — The Ugandan wife of an American-born man who pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists entered her own guilty plea on Monday.  —  Proscovia Kampire Nzabanita …

Volcano may shorten Obama's Indonesia stop  —  Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) — President Barack Obama might have to shorten his already brief stop in the Indonesian capital because of the ash clouds from a powerful volcano, but he had enough time to fondly glimpse parts of the Asian land where he lived for part of his boyhood.

Rubio's party loyalty is clear: GOP not tea  —  Marco Rubio's winning Senate campaign message got early traction with tea party backers, but he appears to be firmly linked to the Republican Party leadership.  —  WASHINGTON — When a French TV station set out to understand the American phenomenon known …

At Legal Fringe, Empty Houses Go to the Needy  —  NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Save Florida Homes Inc. and its owner, Mark Guerette, have found foreclosed homes for several needy families here in Broward County, and his tenants could not be more pleased.  Fabian Ferguson, his wife and two children …

Rep. Alec Baldwin?  Maybe, if Bishop Loses  —  Actor Alec Baldwin may be mulling a run for Congress.  —  America's favorite fictional mogul could be looking to move his office from 30 Rock to Capitol Hill, MSNBC reported today.  —  The network is quoting sources close to actor Alec Baldwin …

Saudi Man Gets Five-Year Prison Term, 500 Lashes for Gay Sex, Okaz Reports  —  A Saudi Arabian court sentenced a man to five years in prison and 500 lashes for having sexual relations with another man, Jeddah-based Okaz reported.  —  The 27 year-old man, who was arrested by the kingdom's religious police …

Fed Global Backlash Grows  —  China and Russia Join Germany in Scolding; Obama Defends Move as Pro-Growth  —  NEW DELHI—Global controversy mounted over the Federal Reserve's decision to pump billions of dollars into the U.S. economy, with President Barack Obama defending the move as China …

Manchin Fights Rumors of Deal to Switch Parties  —  West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) on Monday evening batted down any suggestion that he is considering a party switch following his scheduled swearing-in next week as the Mountain State's junior Senator.  —  Additionally, a Senate Republican …

‘Arizona Style’ Immigration Law Proposed in Texas  —  conservative lawmaker files bill in first hour of filing period for 2011 session  —  Less than an hour after the period began for filing bills for consideration in the 2011 Legislative session, State Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball) …

Matthews Confuses Cummings With Clyburn  —  What is it with MSNBC hosts and their inability to keep prominent African-Americans straight?  As NewsBuster Kyle Drennen noted, last year Contessa Brewer confused Jesse Jackson with Al Sharpton.  —  Tonight it was Chris Matthews' turn.

Oklahoma Shariah Ban Is Blocked  —  A federal judge blocked Oklahoma officials Monday from implementing a voter-approved referendum that singles out Islamic religious law, or Shariah, as a threat to the state.  —  Chief Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange, of U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City …