Reid says Obamacare just a step toward eventual single-payer system  —  In just about seven weeks, people will be able to start buying Obamacare-approved insurance plans through the new health care exchanges.  —  But already, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is predicting those plans …

President Obama weighs in on information-gathering  —  EVER SINCE Edward Snowden leaked a series of documents on the National Security Agency (NSA) information-gathering programs, President Obama has praised the notion of more debate on what information — and when — the government can collect about Americans.

Death Panels and the Apparatchik Mindset  —  Aaron Carroll reads the Wall Street Journal, which is outraged, outraged, at the prospect that Oregon's Medicaid system might seek to limit spending on treatments with low effectiveness and/or patients who aren't going to live much longer in any case.

Fox May Produce Clinton Biopic Reviled by G.O.P.  —  The script for the proposed mini-series on the life of the possible presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton hasn't even been written but we may already have a plot twist.  —  While NBC has come under heavy fire, especially from Republican critics …

In Leaked Audio, Cuccinelli Affirms Support For E.W. Jackson  —  Ken Cuccinelli, the attorney general and Republican nominee for governor in Virginia, told supporters recently they should have no question about his support for E.W. Jackson, the GOP's polarizing nominee for lieutenant governor in that state.

Jay Leno's Last ‘Tonight Show’ to Air Feb. 6  —  NBC to pull latenight host on the eve of Olympics coverage  —  Jay Leno's last “Tonight Show” on NBC will air Feb. 6, sources confirm to Variety.  —  “Tonight Show” exec producer Debbie Vickers made the announcement today to employees of the show …

Cleta Mitchell: The IRS scandals, part 3  —  Cleta Mitchell is the prominent Washington attorney whose practice has given her a front row seat on the IRS scandals.  On the just completed NR cruise Cleta gave one of the most compelling presentations involving topical matters of current interest.

Scott uses GOP address to exploit Dem energy divisions  —  Republicans are seeking to regain the political offensive by exploiting divisions in the Democratic Party over President Obama's energy policies.  —  Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) slammed Obama in the weekly GOP radio address Saturday …

Detroit's misplaced $1M check bares inefficiency  —  In late February, cash-strapped Detroit received a $1 million check from the local school system that wasn't deposited.  The routine payment wound up in a city hall desk drawer, where it was found a month later.

Know Thine Enemy  —  On December 7, 1941, the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor was attacked.  Three years, eight months, and eight days later, the Japanese surrendered.  These days, America's military moves at a more leisurely pace.  On November 5, 2009, another U.S. base, Fort Hood …

Cantor: ‘No One Is Advocating a Government Shutdown’  —  As the fall's fiscal drama nears, a group of conservative lawmakers are urging Republican leaders to use Obamacare as a bargaining chip.  Behind the scenes, they're warning Speaker John Boehner and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell …

LePage says he'd like to blow up Press Herald  —  Maine's governor makes the comment during an event Friday at Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick, and later says it was a joke.  —  Gov. Paul LePage made his dislike of the Portland Press Herald abundantly clear Friday while sitting in a fighter jet simulator …