Barack Obama takes opportunity Sarah Palin missed  —  In the span of a single news cycle, Republicans got a jarring reminder of two forces that could prevent them from retaking the presidency next year.  —  At sunrise in the east on Wednesday, Sarah Palin demonstrated that she has little interest …

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison won't seek re-election in 2012  —  gjeffers@dallasnews.com  —  Kay Bailey Hutchison will not run for re-election to the U.S. Senate.  —  In a letter to supporters, Hutchison said she enjoyed serving Texas.  —  “I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate …

John Boehner turns down Air Force One ride to Tucson  —  Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) turned down an offer by President Barack Obama to travel on Air Force One to Arizona for a memorial service on behalf of the victims of Saturday's shooting, a decision that has upset some Democrats.

If Elected President, Pawlenty Tells Fischer He'll Reinstate Don't Ask, Don't Tell  —  There are few Religious Right leaders active today who can compete with the American Family Association's Bryan Fischer in terms of openly hostile bigotry against gays, Muslims, and all those who do not share his radical worldview:

S&P, Moody's Warn On U.S. Credit Rating  —  LONDON—Two leading credit rating agencies on Thursday cautioned the U.S. on its credit rating, expressing concern over a deteriorating fiscal situation that they say needs correction.  —  Moody's Investors Service said in a report Thursday …

Giffords' Eye Opening News  —  President Obama's dramatic news at last night's memorial service in Tucson that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' has just minutes before opened her left eye for the first time since the shooting has created some confusion in light of news from doctors that Giffords “could open her eyes” on Sunday.

Health law repeal on Tuesday agenda  —  The House will try to get back to normal next week, with the chamber coming back into session on Tuesday to re-ignite debate over repealing the health care reform law.  —  “As the White House noted, it is important for Congress to get back to work …

Why the Left Lost It  —  The accusation that the tea parties were linked to the Tucson murders is the product of calculation and genuine belief.  —  There has been a great effort this week to come to grips with the American left's reaction to the Tucson shooting.

GOP in a bind over healthcare repeal vote  —  House Republican leaders are eager to fulfill their promise to vote to repeal the legislation, but taking up the divisive issue could hurt the party at a time of calls for rejecting partisan rhetoric.  —  As lawmakers promise a new era of comity …

A Fifth Star for David Petraeus  —  The general clearly deserves to join the rank held by MacArthur, Marshall and Nimitz.  His promotion would also honor our troops and their mission in the war on terror.  —  On a cold December evening in 1783, at Fraunces Tavern in lower Manhattan …

Bipartisan State of Union Seating Urged By Sen. Mark Udall  —  The usual arrangement at the State of the Union, in which Republicans and Democrats sit on their separate sides of the aisle, would get a makeover if lawmakers heed the wishes of Sen. Mark Udall.

Sarah Palin's effort to defuse controversy backfires with ‘blood libel’ comment  —  The presidential-quality stagecraft was there: an American flag over Sarah Palin's left shoulder and another over her heart.  So was the rhetorical polish, with its invocations of the Founding Fathers and the Constitution, God and Ronald Reagan.

What violent rhetoric?  Another right-wing nutcase arrested for threatening congressman.  Was O'Reilly the inspiration?  —  Gee, and here I thought that all this talk about violent rhetoric was just a figment of our liberal imaginations:  —  One arrested in threats against Seattle congressman

Romney Locks in Beeson, Newhouse for '12 Bid  —  Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has secured both a pollster and a political director for his near-certain presidential bid this coming cycle, according to sources connected to Romney's 2008 presidential effort.

Subway Riding Rat Wakes Up Sleeping Man By Crawling Up His Face  —  It was only a matter of time before rats started riding the subway with us.  Some units have already annexed a park.  This one, on the 4 train near Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn on Tuesday, played out everyone's worst nightmare …

What the left did wrong  —  Why were the last four days a mini-disaster for the swampland of the left?  It boils down to: facts, response and time.  —  Members of the left pounced first and didn't much care about the facts.  Before it was clear just how crazy Jared Loughner is …

Obama Brings It Home  —  Maybe President Obama was saving the magic for a time when we really needed it.  —  We've been complaining for two years about the lack of music and passion in his big speeches.  But if he'd moved the country when he was talking about health care or bailing out the auto industry …

Your Zodiac Sign May Have Changed  —  Astronomers have restored the original Babylonian zodiac by altering its dates to accommodate for millennia of subtle shifts in the Earth's axis.  Prepare to have your mind blown, all you people with easily blowable minds.

Gingrich visits South Carolina as presidential decision looms  —  WASHINGTON — Newt Gingrich doesn't do coy.  —  When the former House speaker and Republican flamethrower addresses South Carolina business leaders Thursday night, he readily acknowledges the state's historic importance …