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 …

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 …

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 …

A Tale of Two Moralities  —  On Wednesday, President Obama called on Americans to “expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together.”

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.

Sanders warns Obama not to agree with GOP on Social Security benefit cuts  —  Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Independent from Vermont, is pressing President Obama to keep his campaign promise not to cut Social Security benefits in a possible deal with Republicans.

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.

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 …

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 …

Pentagon Official: King Would Support Iraq, Afghan Wars (VIDEO)  —  What's Your Reaction: … WASHINGTON — Although the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. is best remembered by the American public for fighting against racial discrimination, he was also an outspoken opponent of war and violence, most notably of the war in Vietnam.

White House touts payroll tax cut benefits  —  The payroll tax cuts President Obama negotiated and signed into law during the lame-duck session went into effect on Friday, and the White House wants to make sure the millions who will benefit from the law know it.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …