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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Kent Conrad to retire in 2012  —  North Dakota Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad is retiring.  Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post  —  North Dakota Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad announced today that he will not seek reelection, creating a potentially prime pickup opportunity for Republicans in a GOP-leaning state.

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 …

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.

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.

Boehner Favorability Jumps; Obama Back Above 50%  —  Ratings for Palin lowest since 2008 GOP convention  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans' opinions of House Speaker John Boehner have improved considerably since last fall, rising a total of 15 percentage points, including eight points since immediately after the midterm elections.

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 …