Clashes Erupt in Cairo Between Mubarak's Allies and Foes  —  CAIRO — President Obama's calls for a rapid transition to a new order in Egypt seemed eclipsed on Wednesday as thousands of demonstrators for and against President Hosni Mubarak, some on horses and camels, fought running battles in and around Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Senate votes to repeal healthcare law's ‘1099’ tax reporting language  —  The Senate tonight voted to repeal controversial language in last year's healthcare bill that requires companies to report goods and services transactions worth $600 or more to the IRS.

White House reporters complain Obama is shutting them out  —  White House reporters criticized President Obama on Wednesday for providing too little information and access to the media during the crisis in Egypt.  —  In a letter to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs …

DCCC GETS TARGETS' ATTENTION.... The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, working under the assumption that spending cuts aren't nearly as popular as Republicans might think, launched an interesting ad campaign this week.  Today, we saw the first signs that the offensive has gotten the Republicans' attention.

Enviro Groups' Public Health Pivot in Support of EPA Regs Hitting Red States Too  —  The first signs of a shift came even before Election Day 2010, arriving as letters (pdf) and dramatic ads (pdf).  But as the 112th Congress gets to work, environmental groups are stepping up their transition toward …

Reagan's Solicitor General Charles Fried: ‘I Am Quite Sure That The Health Care Mandate Is Constitutional’  —  In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today on “The Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act,” President Ronald Reagan's former Solicitor General — Harvard Law Professor Charles Fried …

Obama administration threatens climate veto  —  The Obama administration Wednesday repeated its threat to veto legislation that would curb its ability to regulate greenhouse gases.  —  Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson said that the White House continues to oppose …

The Neocons Split with Israel Over Egypt  —  Well, this is interesting.  The neoconservative (or liberal interventionist) wing of American Jewish political thought (not that all neocons are Jewish, God forbid anyone should think that!) is cheering on the revolution in Egypt …

Paul: Should the Tea Party compromise?  —  Washington (CNN) - During his first speech on the Senate floor, Tea Party champion Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, brought up what may be a dirty word for some of his constituents: compromise.  —  “Many ask will the Tea Party compromise?

Mitch Daniels Playing With Fire  —  Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels may very well run for President.  If he does, he's got some work to do with social conservatives.  —  The other day on Laura Ingraham's radio show, Daniels re-iterated his call for a “truce” on social issues while America gets its economic house in order.

Republicans Vote To Repeal Obama-Backed Bill That Would Destroy Asteroid Headed For Earth  —  House Republicans say the bill, which was passed to stop the giant asteroid from hitting Earth, is ‘big government at its worst.’  —  WASHINGTON—In a strong rebuke of President Obama and his domestic agenda …

Will Boehner's be the shortest Speakership ever?  —  [UPDATE] In the comments, Boy Culture's Matthew Rettenmund leaves a link to photos of the National Enquirer story.  Can't quite make out the text, but it's a two-page spread.  —  Remember the videos at the bottom of this post?

A Toast to Your Health  —  Warning: Alcohol may increase your life expectancy and reduce dementia.  —  The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans on Monday.  There weren't many surprises in its recommendations to reduce fat and salt, eat whole grains, and cut the overall amount we eat.