Palin: 'Obviously, We've Got To Stand With Our North Korean Allies'  —  In recent days, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has hinted in her clearest language yet that she is seriously considering a run for the presidency in 2012.  Many observers have argued that Palin could never win …

Ex-House Leader DeLay Found Guilty in Texas Case  —  AUSTIN - A Texas jury Wednesday found Tom DeLay, the former House majority leader and Texas political powerhouse, guilty in a money-laundering trial involving contributions to political campaigns.  —  Jurors deliberated for 19 hours …

Woman: TSA Agents Singled Me Out For My Breasts  —  Travelers Plan To Boycott TSA's Latest Security Measure Aiming To Clog Security Lines  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — The head of the Transportation Security Administration said the agency will look further into allegations that two male TSA workers picked …

Anatomy of a journalistic smear job  —  (updated below - Update II)  —  One long-standing — and justifiable — progressive grievance is that whenever ordinary Americans allow their personal plight to enter the public sphere in a way that advances a liberal political goal …

11/24: Looking to 2012: 48% Plan to Vote Against Obama  —  If the 2012 presidential election were held today, President Barack Obama would have his work cut out for him. 48% of registered voters nationwide report they plan to definitely vote against Mr. Obama while 36% say they will definitely vote for him. 16% are undecided.

Cooley concedes to Kamala Harris in fight for attorney general  —  Steve Cooley conceded defeat today to Kamala Harris in the political slugfest for California attorney general.  —  The Republican called Harris today to congratulate her, and the two had a “brief and cordial conversation,” …

No. 1: Richard Cohen  —  The Washington Post's Richard Cohen has been a columnist since 1976.  He's good friends with Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn.  He works one day a week.  At a certain point, in that exceptionally privileged and cushy position, his brain disintegrated.

PROMISES, PROMISES: GOP leader reaps $200 million  —  WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans' ban on earmarks - money included in a bill by a lawmaker to benefit a home-state project or interest - was short-lived.  —  Only three days after GOP senators and senators-elect renounced earmarks …

Fliers Claim TSA Have Deactivated Body Scanners [Updated]  —  According to tweeting travelers, many backscatter and millimeter-wave AIT scanning machines at airports are not in use at all, making opting out impossible.  We've asked DHS/TSA for comment, but you can help us confirm.

Mr. Smut goes to Washington  —  While November's election brought a tsunami of change to Michigan policies, some incumbents are untouchable.  So untouchable, apparently, that they openly read girlie magazines on their trips to and from Washington.  Detroit Congressman John Conyers was caught …

Trust in Government  —  Matt Bai muses: … That broad-based skepticism of government is, of course, why the Obama Era has also witnessed a broad-based public backlash against unrestrained government surveillance powers, the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, public demands that Obama cut Medicare benefits more sharply.

JUST IN TIME FOR THANKSGIVING.... Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) thought he'd use some floor time on the U.S. House to share his understanding on Thanksgiving history and the travails of 17th-century Pilgrims.  There are, however, a few problems with his version of events.

Why is the Obama administration linking Israel and New START?  —  While the White House continues to negotiate with Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) in an attempt to convince him to allow a vote on the New START treaty this year, it is also undertaking a massive effort behind the scenes to rally foreign governments …

The Real Story Behind Those “Record” Corporate Profits  —  Corporate profits hit a new record in the U.S. in the third quarter of this year.  At least, that was the headline after the data were released Tuesday.  It was kind of a meaningless distinction: In a growing economy …