Bachmann won't take Fox host's apology  —  Via POLITICO's Jennifer Epstein, Michele Bachmann isn't accepting an apology from Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace for asking her yesterday, “Are you a flake?”  —  ABC News' Jon Karl, who's been getting face-time with Bachmann in Waterloo in advance …

U.S. Plans Stealth Survey on Access to Doctors  —  WASHINGTON — Alarmed by a shortage of primary care doctors, Obama administration officials are recruiting a team of “mystery shoppers” to pose as patients, call doctors' offices and request appointments to see how difficult it is for people to get care when they need it.

Gay Marriage: Where's Mr. Obama?  —  On Thursday night, when same-sex marriage in New York State was teetering on a razor's edge, President Obama had a perfect opportunity to show the results of his supposed evolution on gay marriage.  —  Unfortunately, he did not take it, keeping his own views in the shadows.

Inside Nancy Pelosi's drive to win the House majority back for Democrats  —  View Photo Gallery —  It has been almost six months since the California congresswoman relinquished the speakership of the House.  Now, as minority leader, she is focused on winning back Democratic control.

Disgraced former pol Anthony Weiner, ‘miserable’ wife Huma Abedin spotted dining in Chelsea  —  Sexting ex-pol Anthony Weiner and wife Huma Abedin stroll up Fifth Ave.  Saturday after brunch with a couple of cones from a pit stop at Baskin Robbins.  Below, they head off hand-in-hand.

At Gay Pride Parade, Cuomo Is Center of Attention  —  Two days after the State Senate voted to legalize same-sex marriage, participants in New York's 42nd annual gay pride parade on Sunday came to shout, dance, cheer, strut, hug and shed tears of joy, knowing that on July 24, when the law takes effect …

Congressional Week Ahead: Obama Enters Budget Talks  —  WASHINGTON - Budget talks aimed at striking an agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling move to the presidential level this week as President Obama is scheduled to hold separate meetings Monday with Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader …

TSA stands by officers after pat-down of elderly woman in Florida  —  (CNN) — The Transportation Security Administration stood by its security officers Sunday after a Florida woman complained that her cancer-stricken, 95-year-old mother was patted down and forced to remove her adult diaper while going through security.

Several States Forbid Abortion After 20 Weeks  —  Dozens of new restrictions passed by states this year have chipped away at the right to abortion by requiring women to view ultrasounds, imposing waiting periods or cutting funds for clinics.  But a new kind of law has gone beyond such restrictions …

Perry's Predicament: Does He Have Time to Build a National Campaign?  —  Texas Gov. Rick Perry is still weeks away from a decision on joining the 2012 Republican presidential race, but his camp has already made some key decisions about how he would run if he does, according to his top political adviser.

In Response To Prosser Choking Allegations, Fox's Van Susteren Calls On Female Chief Justice To Resign  —  Over the weekend, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that Justice David Prosser “grabbed fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley around the neck in an argument in her chambers last week …

Google's War on Nonsense  —  Imagine a sci-fi universe in which every letter, word and sentence is a commodity.  Companies make money off chunks of language.  Bosses drive writers to make more words faster and for less pay.  Readers then pay for exposure to these cheaply made words in the precious currency of their attention.

Haley poised to act on state budget  —  ‘Place where presidents are chosen’ may be left with only a caucus  —  Win $100 of Free Gas!  —  and save BIG!  —  Web Search powered by YAHOO! SEARCH  —  thestate.com archives web  —  News - S.C. Politics