What to Do When ObamaCare Unravels  —  Health insurance should be individual, portable across jobs, states and providers, and lifelong and renewable.  —  The unraveling of the Affordable Care Act presents a historic opportunity for change.  Its proponents call it “settled law,” …

CNN Poll: GOP has edge in early midterm indicator  —  Washington (CNN) - Democrats have lost their advantage and Republicans now have a slight edge in the battle for control of Congress, according to a new national poll.  —  A CNN/ORC International survey released Thursday also indicates …

A&E's Duck Dynasty Dilemma  —  It had never happened before.  When big, powerful TV executives ask a star to apologize for what they deem inappropriate comments or behavior, the star simply complies.  A team of publicists is assembled, the star does the obligatory apology tour for the press …

Michelle Obama at 50  —  Trailblazing first lady is ‘American superwoman,’ championing causes, raising a family  —  First lady Michelle Obama will be the guest of honor at a White House dance party next month when she turns “50 and fabulous,” as she put it recently.

Why the Tea Party Isn't Going Anywhere  —  The demise of the Tea Party was loudly announced right after Congress voted on October 16 to lift the debt ceiling and reopen the federal government.  “Finally!  The Republican Fever Is Broken,” exulted Jamelle Bouie atThe Daily Beast …

GOP, Business Recast Message  —  Republican Leaders, Allies Aim to Diminish Clout of Most-Conservative Activists  —  Republican leaders and their corporate allies have launched an array of efforts aimed at diminishing the clout of the party's most conservative activists and promoting legislation instead of confrontation next year.

Kidnapped American asks U.S. to negotiate with al-Qaeda for his release  —  A U.S. government contractor kidnapped by al-Qaeda militants in Pakistan in 2011 has recorded a video message calling on the Obama administration to negotiate with his captors, saying he feels “totally abandoned and forgotten.”

Katy man charged with hate crime for attack  —  KATY, TX (KTRK) — A Katy man has been charged with a federal hate crime for allegedly assaulting a 79-year-old African-American man in a knockout game-style attack, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.  —  According to investigators …

The Francis factor: Pope's economic ideas rattle GOP  —  “He's entitled to his opinion, but I think we should look carefully at what he's saying,” Toomey said.  “It's easy to draw I think what could be mistaken, superficial conclusions from some of the things that he said.

Should Ginsberg Retire?  —  Facebook Twitter Digg Reddit StumbleUpon Delicious  —  I've got to disagree with Emily Bazelon's take on Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  Bazelon is defending Ginsburg's right to stay on the Supreme Court from a number of legal and political critics who are urging her to resign …

Time to Stock Up on Incandescent Bulbs Before They Go Out Permanently  —  If your New Year's resolution is to change your light bulbs, don't worry—the federal government's here to help.  —  Beginning January 1, 2014, the federal government will ban the use of 60-watt and 40-watt incandescent light bulbs.

The 13 most memorable quotes of 2013  —  The year started with a deal on the fiscal cliff and ended with a deal on a two-year budget accord.  —  In between, there were fights over the Benghazi, Libya terrorist attack, National Security Agency surveillance programs, immigration reform …