Half of Americans Support Legal Gay Marriage  —  Democrats and independents in favor; Republicans opposed  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Fifty percent of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages — down slightly from 53% last year …

Maurice Sendak, Children's Author Who Upended Tradition, Dies at 83  —  Maurice Sendak, widely considered the most important children's book artist of the 20th century, who wrenched the picture book out of the safe, sanitized world of the nursery and plunged it into the dark …

Mitt Romney: 'I'll Take A Lot Of Credit' For Auto Industry Recovery … REACT:  —  FOLLOW:  —  Elections 2012, Mitt Romney, Auto Bailout , Auto Bailout , Barack Obama 2012 , Elections 2012, Barack Obama , Video, Politics News, Mitt Romney 2012, Mitt Romney Auto Bailout, Photo Galleries, Politics News

Cruel irony in Elizabeth Warren's Cherokee saga  —  Throughout her career and political campaign, Elizabeth Warren has found victims everywhere she looked, including when she looked in the mirror and saw an alleged descendant of one of the most historically victimized groups, Native Americans.

Dick Lugar is going to lose.  Did he have to?  —  Indiana Republican Sen. Dick Lugar will almost certainly lose his bid for a seventh term Tuesday at the hands of state Treasurer Richard Mourdock.  —  FILE - In this April 24, 2012, file photo, Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington.

RNC official: Romney still deciding position on immigration reform  —  The Republican National Committee attempted to walk back a potentially bruising botched response Tuesday after an official said Mitt Romney is still making up his mind on immigration.  —  “As a candidate, to my understanding …

Obama up 7 in Ohio  —  Barack Obama continues to have the upper hand in Ohio, even if Mitt Romney puts one of the Buckeye State's leading politicians on his ticket.  —  Obama leads Romney 50-43.  That 7 point margin is unchanged from late January when he was ahead by a 49-42 spread.

7 Possible Explanations for the Israeli Political Revolution  —  The largest opposition party in Israel, Kadima, just joined Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's coalition, obviating the need for elections in September, and turning Bibi into something akin to what only Iran has previously had: a Supreme Leader.

Presidential Perks: Paying for Carter's postage, Bush's bills, and Clinton's rent  —  Spinners and Winners  —  You could call it welfare for former Presidents.  —  It's a little-noticed part of the federal budget: Each year U.S. taxpayers pick up the tab for the expenses of our former Presidents.

Bank of America Starts Mortgage Reduction Effort  —  Bank of America has started sending letters to thousands of homeowners in the United States, offering to forgive a portion of the principal balance on their mortgages by an average of $150,000 each.  —  The reduction for qualifying homeowners …

Student loan bill blocked in Senate  —  Another of President Barack Obama's top domestic priorities was stymied in the Senate Tuesday when lawmakers rejected a bill to stop student loan interest rates from doubling in July.  —  The legislation failed to muster the 60 votes needed to break a GOP-led filibuster.

Liberals Steer Outside Money to Grass-Roots Organizing  —  After months on the sidelines, major liberal donors including the financier George Soros are preparing to inject up to $100 million into independent groups to aid Democrats' chances this fall.  But instead of going head to head …

Gov. Christie's approval rate highest ever amongst N.J. residents  —  TRENTON — Fifty-six percent of New Jersey voters approve of Gov. Chris Christie, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll this morning.  —  That's Christie's highest ever rating in a Fairleigh Dickinson poll.

Three-Way Race: Romney 44%, Obama 39%, Ron Paul 13%  —  Texas Congressman Ron Paul appears more interested in influencing the direction of the Republican Party than in running as an independent presidential candidate.  But perhaps Democrats should be careful what they wish for …

Clinton addresses ‘au naturale’ moment  —  (CNN) - Hillary Clinton laughed off the perpetual conversation over her appearance that landed in the spotlight once again Monday when a picture of her sporting glasses sans make-up made the rounds on the internet.  —  “I feel so relieved …

Stephens: To the Class of 2012  —  Attention graduates: Tone down your egos, shape up your minds.  —  Dear Class of 2012:  —  Allow me to be the first one not to congratulate you.  Through exertions that—let's be honest—were probably less than heroic, most of you have spent …

VIDEO: Sacha Baron Cohen's dictator likes Mitt Romney  —  Sacha Baron Cohen, who plays a dictator in his upcoming movie, dressed in character yesterday and told reporters at a press conference that he liked “Mitchell Romney.” … If Santorum were running, though, Cohen …

Sheik turned away by Fifth Avenue co-op board — because of too many kids: sources  —  He's got the dough and the pedigree — just too many damn kids for the co-op board at one of Manhattan's toniest buildings.  —  Sheik Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani — prime minister …