A Note To My Readers  —  One of the things I've always tried to do at the Dish is to be up-front with readers.  This sometimes means grotesque over-sharing; sometimes it means I write imprudent arguments I have to withdraw; sometimes it just means a monthly update on our revenues and subscriptions …

Romney began building expensive homes after 2012 loss  —  LA JOLLA, Calif. - On a recent weekday, a half dozen construction workers were crammed onto a small plot of land in this pricey community, banging away on an 11,000-square-foot house with expansive oceanfront views that will soon replace an old one a fraction of the size.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: January 2015  —  Bianca DiJulio, Jamie Firth, and Mollyann Brodie … The Public's Views Of King V. Burwell And Exchanges  —  The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case, King v. Burwell, in March about whether the health care law says people in all states …

You Betcha I Was Wrong About Sarah Palin  —  It's time to admit that, whatever their motivation was at the time, the Alaska governor's critics always had a point.  —  Has conservative genuflection at the altar of Sarah Palin finally come to a halt?  —  In case you missed it …

The New Air Force One is Coming, But Not Soon Enough for Obama  —  It's one of the most recognizable symbols of American power, a gleaming fixture in numerous Hollywood political action films, and, when it comes right down to it, a darn cool ride.  —  But soon, Air Force One will be getting a makeover.

Exclusive: Spending- why ‘red’ states shoulder the deepest cuts under Obama  —  As Washington has tightened its belt in recent years, the budget cuts have sliced most deeply in states where President Obama is unpopular, according to an analysis of federal spending by Reuters.

House leaders may boot dissenters from whip team  —  It's yet another sign that top Republicans are looking to ostracize troublemakers in the Capitol.  —  House Republican leadership's crackdown against dissenters is continuing.  —  Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 3 House Republican …

Koch donors give Marco Rubio early nod  —  Straw poll at donor summit rates 5 GOP hopefuls.  —  Getty  —  The Koch brothers' conservative network is still debating whether it will spend any of its massive $889-million budget in the Republican presidential primaries, but the prospect …

Mike Huckabee complains of ‘trashy’ women at Fox News  —  Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said in a recent radio appearance that while in New York for his Fox News show, he experienced significant culture shock from all the “trashy” women swearing in a professional setting.

Cruz praises first lady on headscarf  —  Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) praised Michelle Obama on Twitter Wednesday for not wearing a head covering while visiting Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.  —  “Kudos to @FLOTUS for standing up for women &refusing to wear Sharia-mandated head-scarf in Saudi Arabia.

U-Va. sorority sisters ordered to stay home Saturday night for their own safety - while fraternity brothers party  —  Sorority sisters at the University of Virginia were ordered by their national chapters to avoid fraternity events this weekend — a mandate that many of the women said was irrational …

Republican leaders look for escape plan on immigration  —  Republican leaders in the House and Senate are boxed in on immigration and searching for a way out.  —  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) are struggling to find a way to fund the Department …

Students forced to expose underwear for inspection  —  elementary students in Gustine Texas were forced to lower their pants for inspection after feces were found on the school gym floor  —  GUSTINE, Texas — Here in Gustine, population 457, what happens at the schoolhouse affects nearly everyone.

Scott Walker's “Our American Revival” PAC Uses Foreign Stock Videos In Debut Ad  —  “America stands on the brink.”  —  Republican Gov. Scott Walker announced Tuesday the creation of a political action committee to help him raise money as he mulls a presidential run.  The PAC, “Our American Revival,” debuted with this video:

For Republicans, Medicaid and Medicare Are Mirror Images  —  Yesterday, Indiana governor and possible presidential candidate Mike Pence—a conservative's conservative by any measure—announced that he had come to an agreement with the federal government to accept the Affordable Care Act's expansion of Medicaid.

This is how a police state protects “secrets”: Jeffrey Sterling, the CIA and up to 80 years on circumstantial evidence  —  Sterling's conviction should chill anyone who believes in investigative reporting in a free society  —  The participants in the economy of shared tips and intelligence …

Anti-tank missile fired at Israeli military vehicle on Lebanon frontier: army  —  (Reuters) - An anti-tank missile was fired at an Israeli military vehicle near the Lebanon border on Wednesday, wounding four soldiers, a military source said.  —  The incident came several hours after Israel launched …

The Petulant Entitlement Syndrome of Journalists  —  As intended, Jonathan Chait's denunciation of the “PC language police” - a trite note of self-victimization he's been sounding for decades - provoked intense reaction: much criticism from liberals and praise from conservatives (with plenty of exceptions both ways).

Young Utah Family Poisoned Themselves; Feared ‘Pending Apocalypse’: Police … The mysterious deaths of five Utah family members in their Springville home baffled authorities at first.  —  Benjamin and Kristi Strack were found dead on their bed on September 27.

Loretta Lynch, in Confirmation Hearing, Defends Legality of Obama Immigration Action  —  WASHINGTON — Loretta E. Lynch, the nominee to become attorney general, on Wednesday defended the legality of President Obama's immigration policy at the start of a confirmation hearing …

Perry: Legal case won't change '16 calculus  —  Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) said Wednesday that a judge's decision to allow the criminal case against him to continue will not affect his decision on running for president in 2016.  —  “No, we're going to continue on,” he said at a press conference.