Prop.  8: Gay-marriage ban unconstitutional, court rules  —  A federal appeals court Tuesday struck down California's ban on same-sex marriage, clearing the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on gay marriage as early as next year.  —  The 2-1 decision by a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court …

February PRRI Religion and Politics Tracking Poll  —  ▶ Read the news release here.  —  ▶ Read the Topline Questionnaire including the survey methodology here.  —  Majority Support Requirement that Employer Health Care Plans Include Contraception Coverage

Romney's lead dips despite wins: Reuters/Ipsos poll  —  (Reuters) - Despite his strong showing in early state contests in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney's support nationwide has dipped slightly during the past month, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday.

Karen Handel resigns from Komen for the Cure  —  Karen Handel, the former GOP candidate for governor, just announced her resignation as a senior vice president for public of Susan G. Komen for the Cure - one week after the breast cancer charity reversed itself on a decision to sever financial ties with Planned Parenthood.

We Will Not Play by Two Sets of Rules  —  In 2010, the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case opened the door to a new wave of so-called Super PACs—non-candidate political committees that can receive and spend unlimited money from special interests.

This Friday and Saturday, Occupy CPAC: Liberate Discourse  —  On February 9th through February 11th, a who's who of dastardly politicians will be holding the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel at 2660 Woodley Road, NW.

Rep. Myrick announces she'll retire this year  —  Rep. Sue Myrick (R-N.C.) will not run for reelection in November, the nine-term congresswoman announced Tuesday.  —  First elected in 1994, Myrick was one of the first Republicans to join the Tea Party Caucus in the House …

Just Gets Better  —  What's the latest on the Pete Hoekstra “Chinese” ad that's been generating all the controversy?  A follower on Twitter points out that in the html code on Hoekstra's site the woman in the ad is identified as “yellowgirl.”  I checked and sure enough he's right.

Photo of the Day: Shock and Awe at the White House  —  President Obama gets a thrill after inviting young scientists and inventors to his home.  —  Playing with your food?  Shooting things at the White House?  It seems like a recipe for disaster and/or arrest, but somehow Joey Hudy managed …

Administration names official advocate for illegal immigrants  —  The Obama administration on Tuesday announced a new “public advocate” charged with listening to immigrants' concerns about its law enforcement policies — but Republicans said the position amounts to an official mouthpiece for illegal immigrants being deported.

Tilting the Budget Process to the G.O.P.  —  Bruce Bartlett held senior policy roles in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and served on the staffs of Representatives Jack Kemp and Ron Paul.  He is the author of “The Benefit and the Burden: Tax Reform - Why We Need It and What It Will Take.”