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 …

Big Day for Santorum?  —  Rick Santorum could be headed for a big day in today's contests in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri.  Missouri looks like a probable win for Santorum.  He's at 45% there to 32% for Mitt Romney and 19% for Paul.  Minnesota provides an opportunity for a win as well.

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.

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.

Santorum: Romney contraceptive decision ‘trumped employees’ religious consciences'  —  Rick Santorum has written an op-ed that firmly tethers Mitt Romney to President Obama on the issue of contraception, using a quote he attributes to the former governor from December 2005 about a requirement …

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 …

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.

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

This Is So Classy: ‘Yellow Girl’  —  Thanks to TPM for a tip to what you see if you examine the HTML code* of the Pete Hoekstra / Fred Davis “we take your jobs” video.  —  The image of the “Chinese” girl in the video, who speaks American-accented English, is labelled as ... well, see for yourself:

U.S. Planning to Slash Iraq Embassy Staff by Up to Half  —  BAGHDAD — Less than two months after American troops left, the State Department is preparing to slash by as much as half the enormous diplomatic presence it had planned for Iraq, a sharp sign of declining American influence in the country.

BREAKING VIDEO: Tim Tebow and Tom Brady Register to Vote in Minnesota  —  On the day of the Minnesota caucus, shocking video from James O'Keefe's Project Veritas - broken here first at PJ Media - shows how easy it is to register NFL stars Tim Tebow, Tom Brady and practically anybody else to vote in that state.

Banks Paying Cash to Homeowners to Avoid Foreclosures  —  Banks, accelerating efforts to move troubled mortgages off their books, are offering as much as $35,000 or more in cash to delinquent homeowners to sell their properties for less than they owe.  —  Lenders have routinely delayed …

TPMDC  —  Are Republicans About To Commit Medicare Suicide?  —  It's shaping up to be spring 2011 redux.  Just under a year ago, Republicans — euphoric after a midterm election landslide, and overzealous in their interpretation of their mandate — passed a budget that called for phasing …

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 …