Why I don't back Ryan Medicare plan  —  As part of the 2012 budget discussions, Congress is dealing with Medicare reform.  This debate is long overdue, since its increasing cost must be addressed if we are serious about the nation's growing $14 trillion debt and $1.6 trillion annual deficit.

Supreme Court orders California to release tens of thousands of prison inmates  —  The 5-4 decision represents one of the largest prison release orders in U.S. history.  The court majority says overcrowding has caused ‘suffering and death.’ In a sharp dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia warns ‘terrible things are sure to happen.’

The Next President Isn't Currently Running (Updated)  —  There's no GOP operative for whom I have higher regard than former RNC chair and senior Bush advisor Ed Gillespie.  He deserves to be taken seriously when he says (according to Politico): “For all intents and purposes, the field is set.

The best-protected car in the world... defeated by an Irish ramp: Obama's limo ‘The Beast’ gets stuck at U.S. Embassy  — Red faces all round as President and First Lady forced to swap vehicles for trip to ancestral home  —  It's supposed to protect him from terror attacks but President Barack Obama …

Death Toll Rises Above 100 From Missouri Tornado  —  JOPLIN, Mo. — Much of this southwestern Missouri city lay in ruins on Monday after a massive tornado, the latest storm to ravage the Midwest and South this spring, tore through the area, killing more than 100 people.  Officials say they expect the death toll to climb.

Biden tells donors: Keep me in mind for 2016  —  Vice President Joe Biden surprised a gathering of donors in Cincinnati last week when he floated the prospect of his succeeding President Barack Obama in the White House.  —  Biden, who started in the Senate young and would be just 70 in 2012 …

Wisconsin Orders Recall Election For Three GOP State Senators  —  Despite massive protests, procedural obstacles, and restraining orders, the Wisconsin GOP hustled Gov. Scott Walker's (R) anti-union bill into law in March.  Now, they're paying a steep political price.

Pawlenty: ‘We may lose our country’  —  DES MOINES, Iowa - Tim Pawlenty formally launched his campaign for president on Monday with a straight talk message explicitly geared to tackle sacred cows in Iowa, Florida, New York and Washington.  —  “Politicians are often afraid that if they're too honest …

Americans Still Split Along “Pro-Choice,” “Pro-Life” Lines  —  Majorities believe abortion is morally wrong, legal access to it should be restricted  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans are closely divided between those calling themselves “pro-choice” and those who are “pro-life,” now 49% and 45% …

‘Blind Allegiance to Sarah Palin,’ by former staffer Frank Bailey  —  By Frank Bailey with Ken Morris & Jeanne Devon  —  Howard.  383 pp.  $26  —  Frank Bailey joined Sarah Palin's campaign for governor of Alaska in its earliest days, showing up at her shabby headquarters in Anchorage with a paintbrush …

DNA samples confirm sperm traces on maid's dress  —  DNA samples taken in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case have confirmed traces of sperm on the maid's dress, according to reports.  —  Mr Strauss-Kahn has been indicted on seven charges.  If he is convicted, he would face up to 25 years in prison

Special Election Warrants Caution for Forecasters — and for Republicans  —  Two new polls of Tuesday's special election in New York's upstate 26th Congressional District show similar results — and both suggest that the Democrat, Kathy Hochul, is the slight favorite in the traditionally Republican-leaning district.

New Polling Says Overwhelming Majority Wants Social Security Left Alone  —  Ask the voters and they'll tell you: Social Security cuts are off the table when it comes to cleaning up the budget mess in Washington.  —  Fresh polling from Ohio, Missouri, Montana and Minnesota published …

Fox News Executives Dispute Quote About Palin  —  Fox News Channel executives are disputing a quotation made by an unnamed Republican in the latest issue of New York magazine saying that the network's chairman, Roger Ailes, thinks former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska is “an idiot.”

Codename ‘smart alec’: British police label Obama with ‘mildly offensive’ Punjabi word for visit to UK  —  More than one person has wanted to call Barack Obama a ‘smart alec’, and now British police will get the chance to do so without getting reprimanded.  —  That's because Scotland Yard …

If I Take Down Fox, Is All Forgiven?  —  David Brock has spent the last decade apologizing to liberals for his role in creating the vast right-wing conspiracy.  Now he's trying something more ambitious and hoping it gains him the respect he craves from the White House.

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