Ann Romney's Birthday Party to Be Hosted by a Dude Arrested for Barbecuing a Dog [Mitt Romney]  —  Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, who once strapped his dog to the roof of the family station wagon before embarking on a road trip, has again chosen to thumb his nose at the all-important dog vote …

Americans Favor “Buffett Rule” by 60% to 37%  —  Majorities of Democrats, independents in favor; Republicans opposed  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Six in 10 Americans favor Congress' passing the so-called “Buffett Rule,” which would mandate a minimum 30% tax rate for Americans with a household income of $1 million or more per year.

Morning Jay: Obama's Troubled Reelection Strategy  —  Karl Rove had a spot-on column in the Wall Street Journal yesterday.  He wrote, in part: … Exactly.  If I had to offer a brief summary of Obama's campaign strategy this year, it would be this:  —  Clearly, this is not an ideal strategy, for any candidate.

“I Despise These People”  —  Some of you may recall that two years ago Republican U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett of Utah was unceremoniously dumped at a state GOP convention, not even qualifying for his party's primary.  This was in many respects the high point of Tea Party Fever in 2010 …

If Health Insurance Mandates Are Unconstitutional, Why Did the Founding Fathers Back Them?  —  In making the legal case against Obamacare's individual mandate, challengers have argued that the framers of our Constitution would certainly have found such a measure to be unconstitutional.

Romney no straight shooter on NRA  —  When it comes to gun rights, Mitt Romney is anything but a straight shooter.  And when the presumptive Republican nominee speaks to the National Rifle Association's annual convention on Friday, he's going to have a tough time explaining …

Newark Mayor Cory Booker taken to hospital after rescuing woman from house fire  —  NEWARK — Newark Mayor Cory Booker was taken to a hospital tonight for treatment of smoke inhalation he suffered trying to rescue his next-door neighbors from their burning house.

Roger Ailes: Soledad O'Brien Was ‘Named After A Prison’ … REACT:  —  FOLLOW:  —  Roger Ailes, Soledad O'Brien, Roger Ailes Soledad o'Brien, Soledad o'Brien Roger Ailes, Media News  —  Roger Ailes made a jaw-dropping comment about CNN's Soledad O'Brien during a college lecture on Thursday night.

Shovel Ready in San Fran: $205,075 to ‘Translocate’ One Shrub from Path of Stimulus Project  —  (CNSNews.com) — The government spent at least $205,075 in 2010 to “translocate” a single bush in San Francisco that stood in the path of a $1.045-billion highway-renovation project that was partially funded …

Nazis Get Their Own Lobbyist  —  So Rep. Allen West thinks the Democratic Party is full of communists?  Wait until he gets a load of the new Nazi lobbyist.  No, seriously.  —  On Tuesday, the same day that West was fantasizing about 80 members of Congress being card-carrying members …

Tennessee Senate Approves Bill To Warn Students That Hand-Holding Is A ‘Gateway Sexual Activity’  —  Like any state legislature dealing with 8 percent unemployment and thousands of its residents facing disenfranchisement, the Tennessee Senate is targeting the menace of underage hand-holding.

Six Rules for Dining Out  —  How a frugal economist finds the perfect lunch  —  A BAD OR MEDIOCRE meal is more than just an unpleasant taste, it is an unnecessary negation of one of life's pleasures—a wasted chance to refine our palates, learn about the world, and share a rewarding experience.

Rick Santorum Signed Up 3-Year-Old Daughter For A Lifetime NRA Membership  —  The former candidate speaks to the National Rifle Association convention and brags of Bella's new membership.  She is three.  —  by  —  Rosie Gray  · added an hour ago  · 22 responses

Catholic group criticizes Paul Ryan  —  Nearly 60 progressive Catholic leaders released a statement Friday condemning Budget Chairman Paul Ryan's assertion that his budget proposal was shaped by his Catholic faith.  —  “When a high-profile Catholic congressman is mangling church teachings …