Palin Bus Tour Takes Extended Pit Stop  —  Less than a month after she appeared poised to shake up the Republican presidential campaign, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has once again receded from the 2012 limelight.  —  When Palin launched her “One Nation” bus tour on Memorial Day amid …

Climate of Denial  —  Can science and the truth withstand the merchants of poison?  —  AL GORE  —  The first time I remember hearing the question “is it real?” was when I went as a young boy to see a traveling show put on by “professional wrestlers” one summer evening in the gym …

Huntsman Finishes Opening Day with Big Money Haul  —  Jon M. Huntsman Jr. opened his day on Tuesday by formally declaring his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination.  He closed it by accomplishing an equally important task: collecting $1.2 million for his campaign.

CBO'S 2011 LONG-TERM BUDGET OUTLOOK  —  ABSTRACT  —  This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report presents the agency's projections of federal spending and revenues over the coming decades.  Under current law, an aging population and rapidly rising health care costs will sharply increase federal spending …

Americans Worse Now Than When Obama Inaugurated by 44%-34% Margin in Poll  —  Two years after the official start of the recovery, the American people remain pessimistic about their current economic circumstances and longer-term prospects.  —  Fewer than a quarter of people see signs …

Michele Bachmann's Holy War  —  The Tea Party contender may seem like a goofball, but be warned: Her presidential campaign is no laughing matter  —  Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and, as you consider the career and future presidential prospects of an incredible American phenomenon named Michele Bachmann, do one more thing.

My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant  —  One August morning nearly two decades ago, my mother woke me and put me in a cab.  She handed me a jacket.  “Baka malamig doon” were among the few words she said.  ("It might be cold there.")  When I arrived at the Philippines' Ninoy Aquino International Airport …

Staff quit because “I'm different,” Gingrich says  —  (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich on Wednesday attributed the mass resignations among his campaign staff to the fact that he is “very different” from mainstream politicians.  —  “Philosophically …

John Boehner not swayed by John McCain  —  Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) isn't swayed by movement in the Senate to back U.S. military involvement in Libya, saying Wednesday that the House is leaning against authorizing President Barack Obama's actions in the North African dictatorship.

Florida Lawmaker Faces Ethics Review  —  WASHINGTON—A congressional ethics panel is investigating allegations that Florida Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings sexually harassed a member of his staff, according to people familiar with the matter.  —  The investigation of Mr. Hastings is being conducted …

Tobey Maguire Sued Over Multi-Million Dollar Illegal Poker Game; DiCaprio, Affleck & Damon Involved  —  Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire is among more than a dozen high-profile Hollywood celebrities being sued in connection with a mega-millions illegal gambling ring that ran high-stakes underground poker games …

NBC gives Donald a Trump-sized raise to $160M  —  Playing the presidential card has paid off for Donald Trump.  —  The real-estate mogul and reality-TV host — who kept viewers and the NBC network guessing until the last minute whether he would make a serious run at the Oval Office …

Left Party  —  Related articles, background features and opinions about this topic.  —  A Map without Israel  —  Germany's Left Party Faces Charges of Anti-Semitism  —  Left Party floor leader Gregor Gysi is concerned that the term “anti-Semitism” is used too often.

Six GLAAD board members resign amid AT&T flap  —  Six board members of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation have resigned amid the fallout over the organization's letter in support of AT&T's proposed bid for wireless rival T-Mobile, a person familiar with the matter told POLITICO.

Barack Obama and Pentagon split on Afghanistan pullout  —  US president set to reject military advice by withdrawing more troops from Afghanistan  —  Barack Obama is set to reject the advice of the Pentagon by announcing on Wednesday night the withdrawal of up to 30,000 troops from Afghanistan …

Feds crack down on campus flirting and sex jokes  — TAGS: - 1950s - colleges - Department of Education - Duke lacrosse team - foundation for individual rights in education - greg lukianoff - Iowa State University - Kangaroo courts - Kentucky - Marsupial justice - Michael Barone …