Don't topple economy by rejecting tax deal, Obama tells the Dems  —  President Obama warned his fellow Democrats on Wednesday that they risk plunging the country into a double-dip recession if they reject his tax-cut deal with Republicans.  —  As the White House intensified pressure …

Exclusive: Sarah Palin Under Cyber-Attack from Wikileaks Supporters in 'Operation Payback'*  —  The website and personal credit card information of former Gov. Sarah Palin were cyber-attacked today by Wikileaks supporters, the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate tells ABC News in an email.

LEAKED EMAIL: Fox boss caught slanting news reporting  —  At the height of the health care reform debate last fall, Bill Sammon, Fox News' controversial Washington managing editor, sent a memo directing his network's journalists not to use the phrase “public option.”

Collins Hands Reid A Final Offer On Don't Ask, Don't Tell  —  Here's what Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that she needs to support a full Senate debate on the defense authorization bill (the vehicle for Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal): 15 guaranteed votes on amendments …

Palin's Republican Problem  —  It's well documented that Sarah Palin has problems with Democrats and independents, but the first seven states where we've looked at the 2012 Presidential election make it clear that she has a Republican problem as well.  —  It's not that Republicans …

House of Representatives narrowly approves Dream Act; Senate must now vote on immigration bill  —  In a last-ditch showdown on immigration relief for illegal migrants, the Democratically-controlled House of Representatives on Wednesday narrowly approved the so-called Dream Act that would offer …

The night Chris Matthews told the truth  —  I was watching Hardball tonight and came up with this when Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer said Republicans are for the “wealthy rich,” as opposed — I suppose — to the wealthy poor.  —  I hope you like it.  The transcript follows:

Most Americans Say They're Worse Off Under Obama: Poll  —  More than 50 percent of Americans say they are worse off now than they were two years ago when President Barack Obama took office, and two-thirds believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, a Bloomberg National Poll shows.

GOP gets queasy over earmark ban  —  After agreeing to kill earmarks, some of the most conservative GOP lawmakers are already starting to ask themselves: What have we done?  —  Indeed, many Republicans are now worried that the bridges in their districts won't be fixed …

No Deficit of Courage  —  IS it, in fact, 1994-95 all over again?  The atmospherics are certainly familiar.  We have a Democratic president who appears to be tacking to the center to work with Republicans after being battered in the midterms.  Jilted liberals, meanwhile …

Michael Bloomberg: I'm Not Running for President.  Period.  —  New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg - who is often discussed as a potential third party candidate for the presidency in 2012 - told CBS News' Katie Couric Wednesday there is “nothing” that would compel him to enter the coming presidential race.

Netanyahu Forces an Obama Mideast Retreat  —  “I know what America is,” Benjamin Netanyahu, then an opposition politician, told Israeli settlers in 2002.  “America is something that can easily be moved.  Moved to the right direction.”  And in the last few months, Prime Minister Netanyahu …

Obama takes his case to the independent center  —  It took a month for Barack Obama to make clear what he has learned from the midterm election “shellacking,” but the time has not been wasted.  Future political historians are likely to trace his recovery - and reelection, if that's what happens - back to decisions made in December.

Examiner Editorial: Obama uses labor board to revive Card Check  —  When labor lawyer Craig Becker's nomination to the National Labor Relations Board was rejected by a bipartisan vote of the Senate in February, it was due to fears on both sides of the aisle that the former counsel for the AFL-CIO …

Why the “Liberals Can Mount Primary Challenge to Obama” Talk Makes No Sense  —  Beware, liberals!  Beware the specter of John Ashbrook.  As you “murmur” and “bubble” about the bright idea of challenging Barack Obama in the 2012 Democratic presidential primary, remember that there are worse fates than opposing a president and losing.

New Republican lawmakers are hiring lobbyists, despite campaign rhetoric  —  During his campaign to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate, GOP nominee Ron Johnson accused Democratic incumbent Russell Feingold (D) of being “on the side of special interests and lobbyists.”

Dems help Chinese firm chase stimulus  —  “It was helpful to Reid to say, 'We'll help you raise money.  We'll serve up victory on a silver platter for you.  We'll bring green jobs to the state,'” Krumholz said.  “It's like a ready-made campaign platform — and it was accompanied by real dollars.”