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 …

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Biden turns up the heat on Iran  —  Vice President Joe Biden used the Obama administration's sharpest rhetoric to date in its commitment to protecting Israel from its enemies in Tehran, saying that the window for diplomacy with Iranian officials was closing, and predicting that the country's president …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Fox News contributor laments ‘mistake’ of letting women vote  —  Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, a Fox News contributor, tea party activist and personal friend of Sean Hannity's said in a sermon recently published to YouTube that America's greatest mistake was allowing women the right to vote …

In surprise move, Netanyahu, Mofaz agree to form unity government, cancel early elections  —  PM, opposition leader reach dramatic late-night agreement to form national unity government, in which Kadima head Mofaz expected to be appointed deputy prime minister.  —  Get Haaretz on iPhone

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.

Top Obama donors witholding money over executive order punt  —  Some leading gay and progressive donors are so angry over President Obama's refusal to sign an executive order barring same sex discrimination by federal contractors that they are refusing to give any more money to the pro-Obama super PAC …