Wisconsin: The Hemlock Revolution  —  Revolutions everywhere—in the middle east, in the middle west.  But there is a difference: in the middle east, the protesters are marching for democracy; in the middle west, they're protesting against it.  I mean, Isn't it, well, a bit ironic …

House votes to defund Planned Parenthood  —  The House just approved Rep. Mike Pence's amendment to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, checking off a hot-button social issue even as it set up a bigger showdown over defunding the health care law.  —  The vote was 240-185 with 11 Democrats voting …

Obama, DNC Fuel State Employee Protests  —  Boehner Blasts White House for Spreading ‘Disinformation, Confusion’ in Wisconsin Budget Battle  —  The state employee protests that have surged in Wisconsin and spread to Ohio and Indiana this week bear some similarities to grassroots displays …

Government shutdown is likely, Pelosi aide says  —  A high-ranking aide to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told chiefs of staff of Democratic lawmakers that a government shutdown is more likely than not, according to attendees.  —  Speaking at a regular meeting of the top aides to House Democrats …

Hillary Clinton: Israeli Settlements ‘Illegitimate’  —  Secretary of State Calls Working Toward Mideast Peace Her ‘Highest Priority’  —  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Israeli settlements “illegitimate” shortly before the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council …

Democrat suggests ‘ObamaCare’ rhetoric should be banned from House floor  —  House Republicans and Democrats started Friday morning's debate over whether to defund last year's healthcare law, and as part of this debate sparred over whether members should be allowed to call that law “ObamaCare.”

Governor Walker meets the press  —  I think one of our readers expresses the feeling of a lot of Wisconsin citizens today.  She certainly expresses my admiration for Governor Walker: … The battle for Wisconsin really raises in extreme form the question whether the people rule here.

Americans Say Reagan Is the Greatest U.S. President  —  Lincoln and Clinton next on the list; Washington fifth  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Ahead of Presidents Day 2011, Americans are most likely to say Ronald Reagan was the nation's greatest president — slightly ahead of Abraham Lincoln and Bill Clinton.

Obama administration replaces controversial ‘conscience’ regulation for health-care workers  —  The Obama administration rescinded most of a federal regulation Friday designed to protect health workers who refuse to provide care they find objectionable on personal or religious grounds.

Jeff Bingaman to retire  —  New Mexico Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman is expected to announce his retirement today, according to a source close to the decision, a move that further complicates his party's efforts to hold their Senate majority in 2012.  —  Bingaman had been mulling whether …

Libya protests: massacres reported as Gaddafi imposes news blackout  —  Opposition says 61 killed as diplomats report use of heavy weapons in Benghazi and rumours sweep the country  —  Libyans have taken to the streets and buried their dead, accusing government forces of perpetrating massacres …

Firefighter refused call to Tucson shooting spree scene  —  A veteran city firefighter's refusal to respond to the Jan. 8 shooting spree, citing “political bantering,” may have slowed his Tucson Fire Department unit's response to the incident that left six dead and 13 wounded, city memos show.