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 …

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 …

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.”

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 …

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administration replaces controversial ‘conscience’ regulation for health-care workers  —  The Obama administration rescinded most of a federal regulation Friday designed to protect health workers who refuse to provide care they find objectionable on personal or religious grounds.

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.

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 …

Obama's Louis XV budget  —  Five days before his inauguration, President-elect Obama told The Post that entitlement reform could no longer be kicked down the road.  He then spent the next two years kicking - racking up $3 trillion in new debt along the way - on the grounds …

Poll: Public unions a hard sell  —  A new poll from the Washington-based Clarus Group asked:  —  Do you think government employees should be represented by labor unions that bargain for higher pay, benefits and pensions ... or do you think government employees should not be represented by labor unions?

Stunner!  Supremes to give eligibility case another look  —  Challenge to Obama getting 2nd conference before court  —  In a stunning move, the U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled another “conference” on a legal challenge to Barack Obama's eligibility to occupy the Oval Office …

Tomorrow Never Comes  —  Jonathan Alter wrote a book about Barack Obama's first year in office called “The Promise.”  That's a great title because it works on so many levels.  For example, over the past four years, Obama's career has been marked by a constant promise: He has continually …

Security Forces in Bahrain Open Fire on Mourners  —  MANAMA, Bahrain — Government forces opened fire on hundreds of mourners marching toward Pearl Square Friday, sending people running away in panic amid the boom of concussion grenades.  But even as the people fled, at least one helicopter sprayed fire …