Palin defends ‘blood libel’ description: 'That's exactly what was going on'  —  In her first interview since accusing critics of manufacturing a “blood libel” by linking her political rhetoric to the mass shooting in Arizona, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin defended her recent video response to critics, vowing she will not be silenced.

Palin Defends Use of ‘Blood Libel’ Phrase  —  WASHINGTON - Sarah Palin said in a television interview on Monday evening that she agreed with bipartisan calls for civility in the wake of the Arizona shooting rampage, but she vowed to not be deterred from political debates while deciding whether to run for president.

Cheney Considering Heart Transplant  —  Former Vice President Dick Cheney said he has not decided whether to seek a heart transplant for what he called his “end-stage heart failure” but said he will make that decision “at some point.”  —  In his first interview since major surgery to implant …

CNN Poll: Obama's job approval rating on the rise  —  Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama's approval rating is up five points since December as a growing number of Americans consider him a strong leader who is tough enough to handle a crisis, according to a new national poll.