Republicans are losing the spending argument  —  For the past several years, congressional Republicans have focused relentlessly on a single message: Washington — led by President Obama — is spending too much money, and it needs to stop.  —  But according to new Washington Post-ABC News polling …

The Real Reason Why Chris Christie Wasn't Invited to CPAC  —  ACU Chairman Al Cardenas criticizes New Jersey's Republican governor for supporting Sandy aid bill, Medicaid expansion.  —  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was not invited to speak at the annual CPAC conference this year …

Brief Supporting Same-Sex Marriage Gets More Republican Support  —  More than two dozen Republicans — including a top adviser to Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, and a former congresswoman who made banning same-sex marriage her signature issue — have added their names …

Reason for mass release of illegal immigrants “hard to believe,” Boehner says  —  House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, Tuesday in an interview with CBS News blasted the “outrageous” move by federal immigration officials to OK the release of hundreds of illegal immigrants as a way to save money ahead …

As Budgets Face Cuts, Austerity Kills Government Jobs  —  WASHINGTON — The federal government, the nation's largest consumer and investor, is cutting back at a pace exceeded in the last half-century only by the military demobilizations after the Vietnam War and the cold war.

Sequester: A secret plan  —  President Obama's massive and voluble campaign against the sequester has a deep political motivation that is not apparent on the surface.  He is engaging in a battle he knows he'll lose.  Republicans are not going to budge on agreeing to tax hikes to avoid …

This Charming Man: An Interview With Morrissey  —  I don't think I really need to introduce you guys to Morrissey, but just in case: He's been an icon for, oh, more than three decades now.  He began his career in the early '80s as the frontman (and heart) of the Smiths before going solo in 1987 …

Pope speaks of “rough seas” of papacy at emotional farewell  —  (Reuters) - Pope Benedict bid an emotional farewell at his last general audience on Wednesday, acknowledging the “rough seas” that marked his papacy “when it seemed that the Lord was sleeping.”  —  In an unusually public outpouring …

A matter of principle  —  What the Hagel fight did  —  Now that President Obama will finally have the defense secretary he wanted in Chuck Hagel, the question arises: Was the anti-Hagel fight worth it?  Why did Republicans decide to fight it if they weren't going to win?

The Sequester Revelation  —  Obama has the legal power to avoid spending-cut damage.  —  And when the Republicans opened the seventh seal of the sequester, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black and the stars fell unto the Earth; and our nation's ability to forecast severe weather …

Republicans: CIA nominee involved in Benghazi talking points  —  President Obama's pick to head the CIA was involved in crafting controversial talking points about last year's attack in Benghazi, Republicans said Tuesday after viewing intelligence documents.

U.P. State Senator Tom Casperson Is Some Kind Of Birther  —  State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, was on Michael Patrick Shiels' Lansing radio program today and had some fun and interesting things to say about where President Obama was born.  —  Casperson, whose name might sound familiar …

Rand Paul Explains His Surprise Vote For Chuck Hagel  —  “The president gets to choose political appointees,” Paul says.  —  Image by Gary Cameron / Reuters  —  WASHINGTON — Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said his support for a filibuster against Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel never meant that he would vote against Hagel's confirmation.

House expected to pass Senate version of VAWA bill this week  —  After a year-long fight over how to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), House Republicans are now prepared to allow a vote this week on the Senate-passed language.  —  The House Rules Committee on Tuesday evening approved …

A political DUI  —  Some of us can recall the helpless feeling of being in a vehicle driven by someone who is intoxicated.  If you're like me, you don't want to cause a scene unless the driving is really erratic.  But there comes a moment when you need to say: Stop the car.  You're going to hurt someone.

ABC strengthens political coverage  —  Memo to Washington: ABC News is serious about politics.  —  In recent weeks, ABC News president Ben Sherwood has been courting political reporters from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other outlets in an effort to strengthen the network's D.C. bureau …

Jim Messina to open consulting firm  —  Jim Messina, campaign manager for President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection bid and one of the most influential figures in Obama world, is opening a consulting firm to represent progressive groups and Democratic campaigns.