Moving past right-wing rhetoric  —  We get it, Sarah Palin.  You're not morally culpable for the tragic shooting in Tucson, Ariz. All of us around the “Morning Joe” table agree, even if we were stunned that you would whine about yourself on Facebook as a shattered family prepared to bury their 9-year-old girl.

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 …

Obama Approval Rises, But Hazards Remain  —  Obama's Job Approval Has Matched his Highest in More Than a Year  —  Aided by his response to the Tucson shootings, popular lame-duck legislation and a hint of economic relief, Barack Obama has matched his highest job approval rating in more than a year …

Kent Conrad to retire  —  North Dakota Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad plans to announce his retirement today, according to two informed Democratic sources, creating a potentially prime pickup opportunity for Republicans in a GOP-leaning state.  —  Conrad, who currently chairs the Senate Budget Committee …

Cheney: Obama has learned that Bush policies were right  —  President Obama has “learned from experience” that some of the Bush administration's decisions on terrorism issues were necessary, according to former Vice President Dick Cheney.  —  In his first interview since undergoing major heart surgery …

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 …

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 …

Arizona statute could endanger Gabrielle Giffords's hold on seat  —  TUCSON - Even as Rep. Gabrielle Giffords shows signs of a near-miraculous recovery, with doctors on Sunday upgrading her condition from critical to serious, a little-known statutory provision in Arizona state law could endanger …

Shooting victim apologizes for ‘misplaced outrage’ at Tea Party leader  —  Tucson, Arizona (CNN) — Arizona shooting victim James Eric Fuller sent his apologies Monday for telling a Tea Party leader, “you are dead.”  —  Dorothy DeRuyter, a companion of Fuller's, provided CNN with a statement.

For Chinese Leader's Visit, U.S. to Take a Bolder Tack  —  WASHINGTON — President Hu Jintao of China is coming to town Tuesday, and American officials say President Obama will be taking a far more assertive stance as he greets his biggest global economic rival.

Bysiewicz declares for U.S. Senate  —  Susan Bysiewicz today declared herself a candidate for U.S. Senate, trying to put the disasters of 2010 behind her by getting an early jump on 2012, when U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman is up for re-election.  —  Bysiewicz, 49, a Democrat whose career derailed …

Pirates seized record 1,181 hostages in 2010 - report  —  Somali pirates are now operating further offshore, the IMB says  —  Pirates took a record 1,181 hostages in 2010, despite increased patrolling of the seas, a maritime watchdog has said.  —  The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) …

State Sen. Thomas Duane to push gay marriage bill as hopes rise that Gov. Cuomo will live up to vow  —  ALBANY - The battle over same-sex marriage is about to heat up again in the state Senate.  —  Sen. Thomas Duane (D-Manhattan), the Senate's biggest booster of gay marriage …

Pawlenty to meet with Iowa social conservatives Feb. 7  —  A social conservative organization in Iowa plans to host former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty in Pella next month for what local GOP leaders say is the first in a series of appearances by prospective presidential candidates.

Michele Bachmann's real test  —  Rep. Michele Bachmann can grab national headlines by flirting with a 2012 presidential run.  That's easy.  —  Becoming a force inside the new GOP House majority in 2011 will be the real test of her power.  —  The Minnesotan emerged as a political rock star early …

Democrats losing too many white voters, says civil rights leader  —  A leading civil rights leader in Congress believes the Democratic Party is losing too many white voters.  —  In an interview, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) said Democrats need to “go all out” to win back white, Southern voters before the next election.

What Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill could teach Washington today  —  A vigorous debate over the role of government is always at the heart of our democracy.  Since the shootings in Arizona, however, many have said that our partisan ferocity is unhealthy.  —  So it seems like a good time to reflect on Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill.

Big health bucks roll in for K St.  —  K Street expects to reap a new bonanza from the healthcare law even as House Republicans move to repeal the measure on Wednesday.  —  Lobbying firms are adding healthcare specialists and new boutique firms are opening to court clients interested …

Wonkbook: Health-care debate, round two  —  Health-care reform isn't getting repealed this week.  It's getting re-debated.  The GOP's control of the House — and thus of at least some of the agenda — gives them a second opportunity to make their case against the bill.

Palin needs to ‘be more careful’ Gingrich says  —  (CNN) - Sarah Palin is getting more advice from fellow Republicans - this time from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich who says the former Alaska governor needs to “slow down.”  —  Speaking on ABC's Good Morning America Tuesday …