BREAKING: Wisconsin Dems Hiding At Best Western in Rockford, IL ...Update: TEA PARTY WINS!  Chases WI Dems Out of Rockford ...Update: WI Dem Says They're Still in IL (Video)  —  The Wisconsin senate democrats fled the state today rather than vote on a budget repair bill.

Palin talks 2012, mocks Michelle Obama  —  Woodbury, New York (CNN) - Sarah Palin addressed a variety of issues Thursday at a gathering of business officials in Long Island, New York including her 2012 plans, first lady Michelle Obama, President Obama's proposed budget, the crisis in Egypt, and her feelings on the media.

GOP activists in Iowa divided on whether Palin can carry 2012 banner  —  WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - A group of Republican activists was sorting out the field of prospective 2012 presidential candidates on a cold night here recently when talk turned to Sarah Palin.

GOP votes to defund Obama's policy ‘czars’  —  The House GOP approved an amendment to a government-spending bill that would block funding for the Obama administration's so-called policy “czars,” appointed advisers to the president that have been much-criticized by Republicans.  —  The vote was 249-171.

Willie Sutton Wept  —  There are three things you need to know about the current budget debate.  First, it's essentially fraudulent.  Second, most people posing as deficit hawks are faking it.  Third, while President Obama hasn't fully avoided the fraudulence, he's less bad than his opponents …

Dem Rep Receives Threat Over NASCAR Proposal (DOCUMENT)  —  Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) alerted Capitol Police Thursday after a threatening fax arrived at her office attacking her proposal to strip Pentagon sponsorship from NASCAR teams.  —  McCollum's staff tells TPM this is the first time they've alerted …

Mmilitary to secure Qaradawi's access to Tahrir Square  —  Banned Qaradawi returns to lead Friday prayers in Egypt  —  For the first time since he was banned from leading weekly friday prayers in Egypt 30 years ago, prominent Muslim scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi will lead thousands in the weekly prayers …

Rand Paul on Sarah Palin, Dostoevsky and dad  —  Rand Paul may still be green to the ways of the U.S. Senate (he only assumed office in January) but he's got a lot to say about the political state of the country.  Most of his new book, “The Tea Party Goes to Washington,” …

How House Democrats plan to take advantage of Republican overreach on abortion. … Like This Story  —  Follow Slate's Politics … - What's the Best Kind of Movie To Watch on TV?  (Hint: It Helps if Cameron Diaz Is in It.)  - Cell Phone Taxes Are Insanely, Indefensibly High- Frank …

Great Firewall father speaks out  —  The father of the Great Firewall of China (GFW) has signed up to six virtual private networks (VPNs) that he uses to access some of the websites he had originally helped block.  —  “I have six VPNs on my home computer,” says Fang Binxing, 50 …

K St. holding cards on 2012 primary  —  Many K Street insiders are close to several of the likely contenders and are waiting to see who will officially jump into the race before showing their cards.  —  Lobbyist support for a candidate can be key to a White House hopeful because of their help …

Clinton tells Bahrain of concern about unrest  —  WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday urged Bahrain to show restraint, bolster reform efforts and “hold accountable” those who used deadly force against anti-government protesters.  —  Clinton delivered the message …

Labor Unions Seen as Good for Workers, Not U.S. Competitiveness  —  Unions' Favorability Still Low, But Mirrors Business Rating  —  The favorability ratings for labor unions remain at nearly their lowest level in a quarter century with 45% expressing a positive view.