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 …

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.

GOP Rivals Pounce on Romney's ‘Assault on Religion’ Line  —  JOHNSTOWN, Colo. - Mitt Romney's Republican rivals pounced today on his accusations that President Obama has an “assault on religion” by forcing Catholic institutions to provide contraceptives and abortion services, suggesting it was a hypocritical statement.

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

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.

Michelle Obama in Tug of War at White House  —  The normally dignified Blue Room at the White House became a late-night show comedy set last month when first lady Michelle Obama engaged in a friendly game of tug of war with host Jimmy Fallon, according to a photo released by the White House today.

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.

Designer Gear for Obama Raising a Ruckus  —  Republicans Contend Relatively Low-Cost Items to Be Sold at Fund-Raiser May Amount to Campaign-Finance Violations  —  WASHINGTON—Move over, PACs.  The latest campaign-finance flap is about sacks.  —  At a New York fund-raising event Tuesday called …

Suspect recall signing could result in felony charges  —  RACINE — What started with a man noticing his friend's signature four times on recall petitions could result in felony charges.  —  The Racine County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate possible fraudulent recall signatures collected …

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.”

Fighting Gay Marriage, Minnesota Group May Have Skirted Law  —  Secret donations, through the National Organization for Marriage, Minnesota Family Council, and Catholic Church.  “What NOM and its allies are doing in Minnesota is shockingly bold,” charges Human Rights Campaign's Nix.  —  (AP / Jim Mone)

Bashar Assad emails leaked, tips for ABC interview revealed  —  In part one of the Haaretz expose of emails leaked from the account of the Syrian president's media adviser, Assad is told, ahead of interview with Barbara Walters, that the ‘American psyche can be easily manipulated.’

The Very Last World War I Veteran Has Died  —  A British woman who served with the Royal Air Force for the last two months of World War I was the last known veteran of the war when she died in her sleep Saturday night.  Florence Green joined the RAF at the age of 17 and died just before her 111th birthday …