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 …

Budget Cutting Ain't Easy  —  Composition of cuts in budget agreement shows the difficulties of reducing spending for the White House and Congress.  —  President Obama and congressional leaders needed some clever accounting to come up with nearly $40 billion in budget cuts.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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” …

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 …

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 …

Spending deal dismantles two more Obamacare programs  —  The fine print of a spending deal struck by Republican and Democratic leaders late Friday to avert government shutdown shows the final bill will dismantle two key parts of Obamacare.  —  “The bill terminates two programs funded in ObamaCare …