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 …

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” …

PRESIDENT AND MICHELLE OBAMA APPEARING ON ‘THE OPRAH SHOW’  —  President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are heading back to the Windy City later this month to appear on “The Oprah Show.”  —  The first couple will be in Chicago to tape the show on April 27 (while in town to attend …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Frank Gaffney-Grover Norquist Islamophobia Feud Erupts In Public At Conservative Conference  —  ThinkProgress filed this report from The Awakening 2011 conference in Lynchburg, VA.  —  As the Tea Party continues to its quest to pull the Republican Party further and further to the right …