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 …

Steele drops out of race; Priebus is the new Republican Party chairman  —  Reince Priebus is the new chairman of the Republican National Committe.  —  Priebus won with 97 votes in the seventh round of voting.  Priebus, the chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party, was the leader from the first ballot.

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 …

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 …

Police Describe Busy Hours Before a Gunman's Attack  —  TUCSON — Investigators revealed that Jared L. Loughner appeared to pull a frantic all-nighter last week to prepare for the shooting that killed six people, including a federal judge.  —  The judge, John M. Roll, was honored Friday at an emotional funeral Mass.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

A Modest Proposal: What If We Required Mandatory Gun Insurance?  —  First of all, this isn't my idea.  It's my oldest son's, and he told me about it a few years ago when he was trying to figure out a way he could make money.  (Did I mention the kid is a genius?  If you use this idea, you owe him.)