Tucson Shooting Survivor: “It Looks Like Palin, Beck, Sharron Angle and the Rest Got Their First Target”  —  We speak with Tucson shooting survivor Eric Fuller.  A 63-year-old disabled veteran, Fuller had campaigned for Arizona Democrat Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in her reelection campaign …

Michael Steele bows out of RNC Chair race, endorses Maria Cino  —  Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele bowed out of his longshot bid for a second term, bringing an end to a two-year tenure more defined by gaffes than the electoral victories his party racked up.

Reagan Son Claims Dad Had Alzheimer's as President  —  2011 is a big year for Ronald Reagan fans, being the centennial of his February 6 birth in Tampico, Ill. But youngest son Ron Reagan is spoiling the good cheer with a new book that suggests the Gipper suffered from Alzheimer's disease …

What's Happening in Tunisia Explained  —  Reports just emerged around 12:30 p.m. Eastern time that the Tunisian dictator, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (Ben Ali), has fled the country and the Army has taken power.  (Also: We have a scoop about how Washington Media Group, the DC public affairs firm …

Police Describe Photos of Loughner Posing With Gun  —  TUCSON — Law enforcement officials said Friday they have multiple photos of Jared L. Loughner posing with a Glock 9mm pistol next to his naked buttocks and dressed in a bright red g-string.  It is the same model of weapon as the one the police …

Morning Joe: Palin's AZ Response ‘Probably Ended Her Political Career’  —  Joe Scarborough did invite folks to “rub it in my face if I'm wrong,” and there will surely be many who would like nothing better than to oblige him . . .  Today's Morning Joe saw considerable consensus around the view …

Maine governor says NAACP can ‘kiss my butt’  —  (CNN) - Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage is keeping up his reputation for blunt language, telling an unhappy NAACP chapter that they can “kiss my butt.”  —  The governor made the comments to CNN affiliate WCSH after being asked about criticism …

And The Award For Most Hypocritical “Blood Libel” Critic Goes To ...  Sarah Palin has come under criticism for using the term “a blood libel” to refer to the accusations that she incited Jared Loughner to murder in Tucson.  —  I previously explained why Palin's use of the term was consistent …

Why you should never, ever use two spaces after a period.  —  Last month, Gawker published a series of messages that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange had once written to a 19-year-old girl he'd become infatuated with.  Gawker called the e-mails “creepy,” “lovesick,” and “stalkery”; I'd add overwrought, self-important, and dorky.

Study: Climate change contributed to fall of Roman empire  —  Some House Democrats blamed their defeat in November's mid-term elections partly on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to force a vote on a climate change bill.  —  A new study suggests that climate change has claimed bigger political victims in the past.

House Republican aims to put brakes on repeal of 'Don't ask, don't tell'  —  A member of the House Armed Services Committee plans to introduce legislation next week designed to put the brakes on repeal of the military's ban on openly gay troops.  —  The measure by Rep. Duncan Hunter …

Sen. Mike Lee Calls Child Labor Laws Unconstitutional  —  Last week, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) posted a lecture on his YouTube channel where he explains in great detail his views on the Constitution.  As part of the lecture, which is essentially a lengthy defense of his radical tenther interpretation …

How the G.O.P. Can Cut and Survive  —  THE new Congress is less than two weeks old, but pundits from across the political spectrum are already urging the newly empowered Republicans to take on Medicare and Social Security.  —  Conservatives argue it's the only way to make good on the party's limited-government rhetoric.

After the shootings, Obama reminds the nation of the golden rule  —  President Obama gave a terrific speech Wednesday night.  He movingly mourned and honored the victims of Saturday's senseless atrocity outside Tucson, comforted and inspired the country, and encouraged those of us who have the privilege of serving America.

Political Gifts From Beyond the Grave: Dead Woman Donates Thousands of Dollars to Tea Party Express  —  For more than two years, the Tea Party Express' political war chest has been filled with thousands of dollars in donations from a dead woman.  —  According to the Center …

Tree of Failure  —  President Obama gave a wonderful speech in Tucson on Wednesday night.  He didn't try to explain the rampage that occurred there.  Instead, he used the occasion as a national Sabbath — as a chance to step out of the torrent of events and reflect.  He did it with an uplifting spirit.

Opinion: Elected Officials Flunk Constitution Quiz … When the Republican House leadership decided to start the 112th Congress with a reading of the U.S. Constitution, the decision raised complaints in some quarters that it was little more than a political stunt.

Monetary Morality  —  A further thought inspired by the meditations that led me to today's column: I think I now understand the otherwise weird resurgence of paleomonetarism in the midst of a prolonged liquidity trap.  It's not really about analysis, it's about morality.

The White House brings in Bruce Reed  —  I've not paid much attention to the resignation of Ron Klain, Chief of Staff to the Vice President.  But now that Biden has named Bruce Reed to replace him, I'm a bit more interested.  —  Reed — who is pictured at right, standing alongside Gene Sperling …

Italy PM in teenage prostitution case  —  Italian prime minister also suspected of abusing position by putting pressure on police  —  Silvio Berlusconi has been formally placed under investigation on suspicion of paying for sex with a 17-year old girl, according to a statement issued today by prosecutors in Milan.

Reading the tea leaves  —  Some time ago, I mentioned that I was speaking to some health insurance executives, who were not nearly the anti-reform group you'd expect them to be, given the rhetoric you hear on the TV.  They were planning, and well-equipped, to move forward with PPACA.

Changing the Tone  —  By request from Joseph Benaiah Cox: … I have definitely said some things over the years which I regret.  But I draw a distinction here.  I don't think people should pretend to like people they dislike or avoid saying what they mean.