Obama Puts Taxes on Table  —  President Barack Obama will lay out his plan for reducing the nation's deficit Wednesday, belatedly entering a fight over the nation's long-term financial future.  But in addition to suggesting cuts—the current focus of debate—the White House looks set to aim …

A Debt Ceiling Hostage Rescue Strategy  —  As Jon Chait and Josh Marshall write this morning, the way the tax cut deal and the appropriations deal went down makes it clear that the White House needs a better hostage rescue strategy heading into the debt ceiling fight.  Fortunately, I think one is available.

The President Is Missing  —  What have they done with President Obama?  What happened to the inspirational figure his supporters thought they elected?  Who is this bland, timid guy who doesn't seem to stand for anything in particular?  —  I realize that with hostile Republicans controlling the House …

What's Really Going On With Gabby Giffords?  —  The untold story of the congresswoman's struggle, her husband's faith, and their long, hard road to recovery.  —  PHOTOS: According to doctors, Sen. Gabrielle Giffords has made significant advances.  But they caution that injuries to the brain …

Chicago school bans some lunches brought from home  —  To encourage healthful eating, Chicago school doesn't allow kids to bring lunches or certain snacks from home — and some parents, and many students, aren't fans of the policy  —  A Little Village Academy student cringes at an enchilada dish served at his school.

Republican lawmakers sour on 2012 field  —  A presidential primary favorite is emerging among the ranks of congressional Republicans: none of the above.  —  The dissatisfaction with the likely GOP field — long whispered among party activists, operatives and elected officials — is growing more audible in the House and Senate.

The Ayers campaign  —  There's an oft-broken rule of self-effacement among political staffers, one Nick Ayers and the Pawlenty campaign smashed it resolutely this morning with an email that was rather more about Ayers than his candidate, and an item suggesting his move was a death knell for Haley Barbour, his former boss.

Private Manning's Humiliation  —  Bruce Ackerman and Yochai Benkler  —  Bradley Manning is the soldier charged with leaking US government documents to Wikileaks.  He is currently detained under degrading and inhumane conditions that are illegal and immoral.

Peter Thiel: We're in a Bubble and It's Not the Internet.  It's Higher Education.  —  Fair warning: This article will piss off a lot of you.  —  I can say that with confidence because it's about Peter Thiel.  And Thiel - the PayPal co-founder, hedge fund manager and venture capitalist …

Revolver  —  Why do some of the most capable public servants in America, people like economist Peter Orszag, keep circling back from Washington to Wall Street?  One guess.  —  When Peter Orszag left his post as White House budget director last summer, it made perfect sense, on several levels …

Health care law anniversary puts Romney in spotlight  —  Washington (CNN) - A top aide to Mitt Romney is pushing back against Democrats attempts to highlight Tuesday's fifth anniversary of the signing by the former Massachusetts governor of a universal health care law in the Bay state.

Ex-senator Hiram Monserrate, accused of slashing girlfriend, now working at pizza joint  —  Hiram Monserrate is serving the public again — one slice at a time.  —  The shamed former state senator is getting rid of his aggression these days by pounding the dough at a pizza shop in Queens.

WHAT PAUL RYAN'S CONSTITUENTS THINK, AND WHY IT MATTERS.... Rep. Paul Ryan's (R) Wisconsin district isn't competitive.  Over the last decade, his most competitive race was the one he won by “only” 26 points.  Last year, the margin was 38 points.  —  But when the Associated Press checked …

Appeals court upholds Justice challenge on Ariz. immigration law  —  A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a lower court decision that blocked the most contested provisions of Arizona's immigration law from taking effect.  —  A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals …

REPORT: U.S. Military Spending Has Almost Doubled Since 2001  —  A new report released today by SIPRI, a Swedish-based think tank, reveals that U.S. military spending has almost doubled since 2001.  The U.S. spent an astounding $698 billion on the military last year, an 81% increase over the last decade.

Couric's Rocky Path to a Likely Parting With CBS  —  For Katie Couric, the offer in 2006 to become the anchor of “CBS Evening News” came with another incentive, one she prized almost as highly, according to two of her friends: the chance to report for “60 Minutes,” the newsmagazine …

How Donor Disclosure Hurts Democracy  —  As a candidate, I learned how much potential campaign contributors fear incumbent retribution.  —  In the debates about campaign-finance regulation and the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision of last year, there seems to be widespread agreement on one thing …

The Wall Street Mind: Oblivious  —  At Davos, the Champagne is flowing again—a rain dance to keep the money flowing their way.  —  Wall Street is run by multimillionaires—billionaires, sometimes—with very privileged and comfortable lives.  The only thing that could conceivably threaten …