Joe Lieberman to retire in 2012  —  Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) will not seek a fifth term in 2012, according two Democratic sources familiar with the decision.  —  Lieberman's office did not offer any comment on his plans, saying only that he would make an announcement tomorrow in Stamford, Connecticut.

Toward a 21st-Century Regulatory System  —  If the FDA deems saccharin safe enough for coffee, then the EPA should not treat it as hazardous waste.  —  For two centuries, America's free market has not only been the source of dazzling ideas and path-breaking products, it has also been the greatest force …

Palin Holds High Ground Over Harsh and Unfair Critics  —  As I see it, in the current battle for public opinion Sarah Palin has defeated her harsh and unfair critics.  —  After the January 8 shooting of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the murder of six others in Tucson, Arizona …

Government finds up to half of Americans under 65 have preexisting conditions  —  As many as 129 million Americans under age 65 have medical problems that are red flags for health insurers, according to an analysis that marks the government's first attempt to quantify the number of people …

Palin shoots herself in the foot  —  Sarah Palin might have really squandered an opportunity to improve her image last week.  —  Despite endless discussion in the wake of the Arizona shootings about whether Palin might bear any responsibility for fostering an atmosphere conducive to such an attack …

Why Does Roger Ailes Hate America?  —  An exclusive and unbiased investigation into the highly paid operative of a foreign-born tycoon, a man who reengineered political and media culture and fomented a revolt that threatens the very stability of our country  —  Today, here at Esquire …

Bill Frist: Health Care Is ‘Law Of The Land,’ GOP Should Drop Repeal And Build On It … WASHINGTON — As congressional Republicans ready themselves for a largely symbolic effort to repeal President Obama's health care reform law, at least one former GOP leader is urging them to drop the charade and build on the legislation instead.

The vindication of Dick Cheney  —  (updated below)  —  In the early months of Obama's presidency, the American Right did to him what they do to every Democratic politician: they accused him of being soft on defense (specifically “soft on Terror") and leaving the nation weak and vulnerable to attack.

Right wing's breathtaking bait and switch on Tucson  —  In the week since the Tucson, Ariz., massacre, pleas for “civility” have turned into accusations of incivility, and the whole, useful discussion of “civility” versus “vitriol” has turned into the usual argument over competitive victimhood.

Gov.-elect Robert Bentley intends to be governor over all, but says only Christians are his ‘brothers and sisters’  —  MONTGOMERY — Gov.-elect Robert Bentley in a speech at a Baptist church this afternoon said he plans to be the governor of all Alabamians and be color-blind …

Comcast-NBC Deal Wins Federal Approval  —  Updated The proposed combination of Comcast and NBC Universal was approved by the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department on Tuesday, smoothing the way for the deal to close by the end of January.  —  As expected, the approvals came with significant conditions attached.

Newt Gingrich to Sarah Palin: ‘Slow Down’  —  Former speaker of the House and potential 2012 presidential contender had some words of advice for Sarah Palin on “GMA” this morning.  —  “I think that she has got to slow down and be more careful and think through what she's saying and how she's saying it,” Newt Gingrich told me.

Eric Cantor dares Harry Reid to hold repeal vote  —  House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) isn't one to hold his feelings back — especially when it comes to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).  —  On Tuesday, he threw a little more flame on the fire, suggesting Reid was afraid …

Report: Pakistani spy agency rushed Mullah Omar to hospital  —  Mullah Omar, the elusive, one-eyed leader of the Afghan Taliban, had a heart attack Jan. 7 and was treated for several days in a Karachi hospital with the help of Pakistan's spy agency, according to a private intelligence network run …

Sargent Shriver, Peace Corps Founder and VP Candidate, Dies  —  Shriver, 95, Ran on McGovern Ticket in 1972, Founded Peace Corps, Special Olympics  —  Former Democratic vice presidential candidate and Peace Corps founder Robert Sargent Shriver Jr. died today at age 95, family sources told ABC News.

Study: Many college students not learning to think critically  —  NEW YORK — An unprecedented study that followed several thousand undergraduates through four years of college found that large numbers didn't learn the critical thinking, complex reasoning and written communication skills …

Seymour Hersh unleashed  —  DOHA, Qatar—David Remnick, call your office.  —  In a speech billed as a discussion of the Bush and Obama eras, New Yorker journalist Seymour Hersh delivered a rambling, conspiracy-laden diatribe here Monday expressing his disappointment with President Barack Obama …

Venerable Lefties at Harper's Divided by Union  —  James “Rick” MacArthur  —  Harper's, one of the last bastions of old-line liberalism and a lonely defender of a certain idea of what literary culture should be, has long been supported by the largesse of its owner and patron, John “Rick” …