Sarah Palin on Barack Obama speech: ‘WTF’  —  Former Alaska GOP Gov. Sarah Palin said Wednesday night that President Barack Obama's call for “winning the future” during his State of the Union address is best framed by the acronym it shares with a much different phrase — “wtf.”

SOTU not exceptionalist enough?  —  If there's one thing President Obama did go on about a bit about in the State of the Union, it was American exceptionalism — as the National Journal's Ron Fournier noted at some length.  —  Two who didn't entirely notice were Speaker John Boehner and Kathleen Parker.

O, Mark Salter!!  —  McCain wordsmith revealed as “anonymous” author of “O” the novel.  —  Confirmed by sources, but there were lots of in-plain-sight clues that led to Salter's Maine door.  —Simon and Schuster topper Jonathan Karp was Salter's editor on books he did with Senator McCain.

Henry in the House: Obama expected to name Carney next press secretary  —  Washington (CNN) - Vice President Joe Biden's communications director Jay Carney is expected to be named the new White House Press Secretary, likely on Friday when a series of other big staff moves will be announced by President Obama …

Reid, McConnell swear off changes to filibuster  —  The top Democrat and top Republican in the Senate agreed Thursday to swear off seeking major changes to rules in the chamber in this Congress — and the next one.  —  Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced a series of rules changes …

Mike Pence announcement expected today  —  Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) is expected to announce late Thursday whether he is running for president, POLITICO has learned.  —  The announcement will appear first in The Indianapolis Star, an aide said.  —  Pence has been deliberating over his political future …

Sens. Paul, Vitter introduce citizenship resolution  —  Two Republican senators are introducing a resolution that would end the constitutional right to citizenship that comes with being born on U.S. soil.  —  Rand Paul (Ky.) and David Vitter (La.) are introducing a resolution this week …

Uganda gay rights activist David Kato killed  —  David Kato led condemnation of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill  —  A Ugandan gay rights campaigner who last year sued a local newspaper which outed him as homosexual has been beaten to death, activists say.  —  Police have confirmed the death …

Airport bans toy soldier's three-inch rifle from plane... because it's a safety threat  —  Airport officials ordered a holidaymaker carrying a toy soldier onto a plane to remove its three-inch gun - because it was a safety threat.  —  Ken Lloyd was stunned when he was told he could not go on the plane …

To target Fox News over ‘Nazi’ label, rabbis make use of Murdoch's other media  —  A coalition of rabbis wants Fox News chief Roger Ailes and conservative host Glenn Beck to cut out all their talk about Nazis and the Holocaust, and it's making its views known in an unusual place.

Iranian Book Celebrating Suicide Bombers Found in Arizona Desert  —  EXCLUSIVE: A book celebrating suicide bombers has been found in the Arizona desert just north of the U.S.- Mexican border, authorities tell Fox News.  —  The book, “In Memory of Our Martyrs,” was spotted Tuesday …

Jon Huntsman's Inner Circle  —  Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman is seriously considering a run for president in 2012.  —  U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman (R) appears to be leaning toward a run for president in 2012 and a team of political operatives and fundraisers have begun informal talks …

Snow gridlock traps commuters for up to 13 hours  —  Stuck.  —  On the George Washington Parkway.  On 16th Street NW.  Interstate 66, too.  —  Buses, cars, people - just plain stuck as snow, sleet and ice covered roadways and knocked down trees across the region, turning the evening commute into a seemingly endless nightmare.

DeMint open to 2012 presidential bid, advisers say  —  Washington (CNN) - News that South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint will travel to Iowa on March 26 to address a conservative forum organized by Rep. Steve King is sparking another round of chatter that DeMint might launch a dark horse bid for the White House in 2012.

Better off bankrupt  —  States should have the option of bankruptcy protection to deal with their budget crises.  —  During the 2008 financial crisis, the federal government reacted in a frantic, ad hoc fashion, tapping taxpayers for bailouts galore, running roughshod over the rights …

When the politically fueled murder of a 9-year-old girl in Arizona is NOT national news  —  All of America continues to mourn the unbelievably tragic loss of Christina Green, the 9-year-old granddaughter of former Phillies' manager Dallas Green who was killed, along with five adults …

CNN exclusive: FBI misconduct reveals sex, lies and videotape  —  Editor's note: Some content in this report may be offensive to readers.  For more on this CNN exclusive story, watch Kyra Phillips' full report on “The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer” tonight starting at 5 p.m. ET.

Mitch Daniels Gets 2012 Plug — From Students  —  Gov. Mitch Daniels is about to hit the airwaves in Iowa, New Hampshire and his home state of Indiana, months before any other potential 2012 candidate.  —  Except the Republican governor isn't behind the TV spots, and is still a long …

California Lawmaker Receives Racist Death Threat Warning ‘Rush Limbaugh Will Kick Your Ch-nk Ass’  —  Last week, California State Sen. Leland Yee (D) called on right-wing hate radio host Rush Limbaugh to apologize for mocking Chinese President Hu Jintao and the Chinese language by speaking gibberish …

Palin to speak at Reagan Ranch Center  —  ABC News' John Berman reports: Sarah Palin will deliver a speech at Ronald Reagan's former ranch to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.  On February 4th the former Alaska Governor will be the keynote speaker at the “Reagan 100 Opening Banquet” …

50% Now Oppose President's New Spending Proposals  —  The president's Tuesday night State of the Union speech had little impact on support for his new spending proposals in areas like education, transportation and technological innovation.  —  Rasmussen Reports asked voters the same three questions …

Bomb strikes funeral, killing 48 in Baghdad  —  BAGHDAD - A car bomb exploded outside a funeral tent Thursday in a mainly Shiite area of Baghdad, killing at least 48 people — the latest in a wave of attacks that has triggered fury over the government's inability to stop the bloodshed.

GOP Image Net-Positive for First Time Since 2005  —  Democratic Party's favorable rating is improved from last year  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans' opinions of the Republican Party have improved to the point where now more have a favorable than unfavorable opinion of the party.