Debt debate: No easy path to avoid chaos  —  If you thought the fiscal cliff was bad, just wait for the triple threat.  —  The White House and Congress are facing three critical deadlines — the country hits its debt limit as early as mid-February, $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts …

Harry Reid: The Assault Weapons Ban Is Probably Doomed  —  The Democratically-controlled U.S. Senate will not be a free-for-all of new gun regulations following the shooting at Sandy Hook, according to Majority Leader Harry Reid.  Instead, Senators will focus on passing legislation …

After 2010 campaign, Gov. Rick Scott gave back dog Reagan  —  What happened to Reagan, the Scotts' rescued Labrador?  —  TALLAHASSEE — Shortly after winning the GOP nomination in 2010, Rick Scott announced to the world through Facebook that his family had rescued a Labrador Retriever.

In Gun Control Debate, Several Options Draw Majority Support  —  Gun Rights Proponents More Politically Active  —  OVERVIEW  —  While the issue of gun control remains divisive, there are clear areas of agreement when it comes to a number of gun policy proposals.

Jodie Foster Stops Lying  —  Full transcript here.  Her date last night, believe it or not, was wife-abusing, homophobic anti-Semite, Mel Gibson.  Would you entrust your young sons to a man with Gibson's violent and vile history?  A highlight of her narcissistic, self-loving speech:

Jon Huntsman Can't Stop Talking About The Republican Party  —  The Republican gadfly and No Labels crusader says he's only trying to help.  “I'd say we take about 2 percent of the media requests that come in.  Really.”  —  Jon Huntsman speaks to BuzzFeed staff Monday.  —  Image by Macey Foronda for BuzzFeed

Clarence Thomas breaks long silence during Supreme Court oral arguments  —  Justice Clarence Thomas broke his nearly seven-year silence at Supreme Court oral arguments Monday.  But no one is sure exactly what he said.  —  Thomas seemed to be making a light-hearted joke about lawyers trained …

Armstrong Admits Doping, and Says He Will Testify Against Cycling Officials  —  In an interview with Oprah Winfrey that is scheduled to air on her network on Thursday, Lance Armstrong confessed that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career, according to two people briefed …

Column: Obama owns the debt now  —  The debt is up about 60% since Obama took office.  This can't go on forever. … President Obama, the Democrats, and plenty of Republicans in Congress, would like it if you'd spend the next few weeks talking about gun control.

Why Chuck Hagel is the wrong choice to lead the Pentagon  —  The bitter tone of gridlock in Washington has left many Americans hoping for a more collaborative environment to face the country's most pressing challenges.  Changes in the president's Cabinet presented a prime opportunity for coming together.

THE PRESIDENT'S PRIORITIES ARE NOT IN ORDER  —  The president gave the White House press corps a chance to ask him questions today in what was purported to be the wrap-up press conference of his first term.  —  The president gave the White House press corps its 37th chance to ask …

Palazzo Urges Sandy Relief Opponents To Reverse Their Votes  —  A little more than a week ago, Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS) was one of only 67 Republicans to vote against a bill to provide $9.7 billion in relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy that easily passed the House of Representatives.

Colin Powell Calls Out The GOP's Racism Problem: There Is ‘A Dark Vein Of Intolerance’  —  Without mentioning names, Powell singled out former Mitt Romney surrogate and New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu for calling Obama “lazy” and Sarah Palin, who, Powell charged, used slavery-era terms to describe Obama:

Scientists: Backing Keystone pipeline would ‘undermine’ Obama's climate legacy  —  A group of prominent climate scientists say President Obama's legacy is on the line as he mulls whether to approve the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline.  —  “We hope, as scientists, that you will demonstrate …

Egypt's Leader, Morsi, Made Anti-Jewish Slurs  —  CAIRO — Nearly three years ago, a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood delivered a speech urging Egyptians to “nurse our children and our grandchildren on hatred” for Jews and Zionists.  In a television interview around that time …

Indiana GOP Lets Glenn Beck Set Legislative Agenda: Introduces Bill To Fight U.N. Conspiracy Theory  —  You'd be forgiven for having not heard of Agenda 21.  Developed at a summit in Brazil in 1992 with support from President George H.W. Bush, Agenda 21 is a series of non-binding UN recommendations …