CNN Poll: Trump tied for first in GOP horserace  —  Washington (CNN) - Donald Trump is now tied with Mike Huckabee for first place when Republicans are asked who they support for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012, according to a new national poll.  —  But while a CNN/Opinion Research …

Obama prevents budget cuts to favorite programs  —  WASHINGTON - A close look at the government shutdown-dodging agreement to cut federal spending by $38 billion reveals that lawmakers significantly eased the fiscal pain by pruning money left over from previous years, using accounting sleight …

Rand Paul says he's considering filibuster of budget agreement  —  Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he's considering a filibuster of the budget agreement to fund the government for the remainder of this fiscal year.  —  Paul, who said yesterday that he would vote against the agreement reached …

Obama turns to his bipartisan deficit commission's blueprint for reducing debt  —  Video: White House press secretary Jay Carney reiterated Monday that President Obama “regrets” his vote in 2006 as a senator against raising the debt ceiling.  (April 11)  —  President Obama plans this week …

Bad news for Congressional Republicans  —  PPP's newest national poll finds that after a little more than 3 months in charge House Republicans have fallen so far out of favor with the American public that it's entirely possible Democrats could take control of the House back next year.

AOL, Arianna Huffington Hit with Class Action Suit  —  Jonathan Tasini.  Image via Wikipedia  —  Huffington Post bloggers who think they ought to get paid for their volunteer writing have been litigating their case in the court of public opinion.  Now they're taking it to a real one.

Civil War still divides Americans  —  Washington (CNN) - It has been 150 years since the Civil War began with the first shots at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, and in some respects views of the Confederacy and the role that slavery played in the events of 1861 still divide the public, according to a new national poll.

There Is No Male-Female Wage Gap  —  A study of single, childless urban workers between the ages of 22 and 30 found that women earned 8% more than men.  —  Tuesday is Equal Pay Day—so dubbed by the National Committee for Pay Equity, which represents feminist groups including the National Organization …

Quotes: Michele Bachmann in her own words on marriage, judges, a stolen election  —  Here are some quotes from U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, a Republican potential presidential contender, during a 40-minute speech in Pella today:  —  ON A ‘STOLEN ELECTION’: “That's why an election …

Nick Ayers: The Big News You Might Not Have Noticed  —  I have done my best to ignore Tim Pawlenty.  He has never struck me as the most exciting politician.  His global warming position made me squeamish.  He's always had an okay record as Governor, but around the edges he struck me as not really a movement conservative.

Charlie Crist apologizes to Talking Heads' David Byrne over campaign song  —  Crist posted apology in video on YouTube  —  TAMPA, Florida — Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has settled a lawsuit filed by Talking Heads singer David Byrne after Crist used one of the group's songs without permission …

UN document would give ‘Mother Earth’ same rights as humans  —  PHOTOS ( 1 )  —  Bolivia is planning to table a draft United Nations treaty giving “Mother Earth” the same rights as humans.  —  UNITED NATIONS — Bolivia will this month table a draft United Nations treaty giving “Mother Earth” …

Hill leaders head to W.H.  —  The president will preview his deficit-containment speech for top congressional leaders Wednesday morning, a House Republican leadership aide confirmed.  —  The White House press office confirmed that President Obama will invite leading Republicans and Democrats …

Why Not A Public Option for Medicare?  —  So, people are always asking what I would do about health care costs.  One answer is that I would do all the things that are in the Affordable Care Act, and more.  —  But if you want a really radical proposal — but one that, unlike privatization …

US deficit up 15.7% in first half of fiscal 2011  —  WASHINGTON — The US budget deficit shot up 15.7 percent in the first six months of fiscal 2011, the Treasury Department said Wednesday as political knives were being sharpened for a new budget battle.  —  The Treasury reported a deficit …

Poll: GOP's Abandoned Policy Riders Were Terribly Unpopular  —  CNN asks voters* what they think of the policy riders Republicans were going to the mat over.  Surprise: None of them have majority support.  In descending order of unpopularity:  —  The discretionary spending fight is supposed to be the easy one, and so it is.