Taliban Leader in Secret Talks Was an Impostor  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — For months, the secret talks unfolding between Taliban and Afghan leaders to end the war appeared to be showing promise, if only because of the appearance of a certain insurgent leader at one end of the table …

North and South Korea Exchange Fire, Killing Two  —  SEOUL, South Korea — North and South Korea exchanged artillery fire on Tuesday after dozens of shells fired from the North struck a South Korean island near the countries' disputed maritime border, South Korean military officials said.

White House Fights Pat-Down Backlash  —  The administration is quietly and aggressively defending airport security policies against what they see as a media frenzy of distorted information.  —  The White House and the Department of Homeland Security indicated today that they won't yield …

Woman who told Obama her financial fears has lost her job  —  Nobody is safe.  —  Velma Hart, who burst onto the media scene after telling President Obama she was scared about her financial future, has been laid off.  Hart was let go as the chief financial officer for Am Vets, a nonprofit Maryland-based veteran services organization.

Sarah Palin's Mike Huckabee problem  —  1. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Monday that Sarah Palin might well “run away” with the Republican nomination for president.  —  It's funny Huckabee should say such a thing, because he's got a lot of say over whether she does just that.

BARBARA BUSH EXPLAINS MISCARRIAGE ANECDOTE  —  George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush appeared on CNN's “Larry King Live” Monday night, and George said that the two were “living a quiet life” (even though George said he still planned on sky-diving in 2014 to mark his 90th birthday, an endeavor he undertakes every year).

New poll undercuts GOP claims of a midterm mandate  —  WASHINGTON — A majority of Americans want the Congress to keep the new health care law or actually expand it, despite Republican claims that they have a mandate from the people to kill it, according to a new McClatchy-Marist poll.

Palin says she will ‘clean up’ journalism  —  Sarah Palin is vowing — in a FOX interview that will air later today — to “clean up” journalism, and says she will not speak to CBS's Katie Couric again, calling her “biased” and won't “waste my time.”  —  Couric conducted the interview in 2008 …

Business: Barack Obama's outreach not enough  —  After business leaders sunk millions into the midterms to defeat Democrats, a chastened Obama administration is seeking reconciliation with the corporate community.  —  But after two years of building frustration, the executives say they won't be won …

Empty promises on health care will haunt Obama  — TAGS: - aaron carroll - american medical association - Byron York - center for medicare and medicaid services - Gallup - indiana university school of medicine - New York Times - patient protection and affordable care act

Irish Debt Crisis Forces Collapse of Government  —  DUBLIN — The Irish government faced imminent collapse on Monday, only a day after it signed off on a $100 billion bailout, setting the stage for a new election early next year and injecting the threat of political instability …

Zogby Interactive: Obama Falls to 39%, As Support from Democrats Continues to Slide; He Trails Romney, J. Bush & Gingrich in '12  —  Those Saying U.S. on Wrong Track Hits High Under Obama of 69%  —  UTICA, New York - President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dropped to the lowest point …

The unholy (s)election of Bristol Palin  —  I feel for Bristol Palin.  Here's a plucky young woman who signed up for “Dancing With the Stars” knowing she had no chance to win but thinking it might be an adventure.  Bristol had never danced and was up against some world-class dancers.  That takes guts.

Schools Chancellor Should Have Education Experience, New York City Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; Bloomberg Approval At Lowest Point In 5 Years  —  New York City voters say 64 - 26 percent that a schools chancellor needs education experience more than management experience …

My TSA Anti-Rant  —  I am so going to regret writing this post.  For those of you who used to respect me, please just chalk it up to food poisoning or early onset Alzheimer's or whatever.  But here goes.  —  I hate the TSA screening process.  Everyone hates the TSA screening process.