Senators Warned of Terrorist Attack on U.S. by July  —  WASHINGTON — The threat of a crippling attack on computer and telecommunications networks is growing, America's top intelligence official told lawmakers on Tuesday, as an increasingly sophisticated group of enemies has “severely threatened” …

D-Day at CBS News  —  On the evening of Monday, Feb. 1, Katie Couric, anchor of the CBS Evening News, was wearing red.  For the next half-hour, she tore through the headlines.  There were allegations of bigotry among the federal air marshals in the U.S., an American church group accused …

Is the Senate majority now in play?  —  The victories in Illinois by Rep. Mark Kirk (R) and state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D) coupled with former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats' (R) decision to challenge Evan Bayh (D) in the fall is likely to stir chatter about the possibility that Republicans …

Powell Favors Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'  —  Gen. Colin L. Powell, who as the nation's top military officer in the 1990s opposed allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, switched gears today and threw his support behind efforts to end the “don't ask, don't tell” law he helped shepherd in.

Republicans find loophole in budget ploy to push healthcare  —  As it turns out, Senate Democrats may not be able to force healthcare legislation through the chamber on a simple majority vote.  —  Republicans say they have found a loophole in the budget reconciliation process that could allow …

Brown demands to be sworn in earlier than planned  —  U.S. Sen.-elect Scott Brown has demanded his official swearing-in ceremony be pushed up to tomorrow afternoon saying there are upcoming vital votes in Congress - and the governor's office said today he'll get his wish.

Obama Acts to Engage G.O.P., Testing Party's Intentions  —  WASHINGTON — Emboldened by the response to President Obama's face-off with House Republicans last week, the White House is intensifying its push to engage Congressional Republicans in policy negotiations as a way to share the burden …

Obama: If Democrats don't pass health-care reform, 'I don't know what differentiates us from the other guys'  —  Today's televised session between Barack Obama and the Senate Democrats wasn't encouraging to those of us hoping the Democrats are spending their time worrying about how to pass the health care bill.

Countdown begins for end of Keith Olbermann's ‘Countdown’?  —  Remember Keith Olbermann?  —  He was the one-time must-see anti-Bush ranter who helped rescue MSNBC (yes, it's still on at night) from even worse oblivion years ago.  —  Well, quietly last month while no one was looking …

The Case Against Gays in the Military  —  Open homosexuality would threaten unit cohesion and military effectiveness.  —  As expected, President Obama pledged during his State of the Union address to “work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans …

Shorting reserves  —  Michael Pettis does a good job of systematically dismantling this idiotic line from Tom Friedman: … In fact, if you decided to short only countries whose foreign exchange reserves reached some large proportion of gross world product, you'd be batting 2 for 2 right now as you started shorting China.

Why I'm speaking at Tea Party convention  —  Later this week I'll head to Nashville, where I'll have the honor of speaking with members of the Tea Party movement.  I look forward to meeting many Americans who share a commitment to limited government, common sense and personal responsibility.

Warning sign in Illinois  —  I think last night's Illinois primary results indicate some difficulties ahead in the state for Democrats that have nothing to do with who the winners and losers were.  —  Based on the current numbers 885,268 voters were cast in the Democratic primary for Senate compared to 736,137 on the Republican side.

Rush Limbaugh: 'I love the women's movement — especially when walking behind it.'  —  Last week, hate radio host Rush Limbaugh judged the Miss America pageant.  Today he went on Fox and Friends and spoke to host — and former Miss America winner — Gretchen Carlson to respond to the criticism he has been receiving.

James O'Keefe's race problem  —  A photo of the righty stuntman at a white-nationalist confab illustrates a career marked by racial resentment  —  Many of the conservatives who gleefully promoted James O'Keefe's past political stunts are feigning shock at his arrest on charges …

Obama calls Quinn to congratulate him on governor's contest  —  Posted by Monique Garcia, Rick Pearson, Ray Long and Christi Parsons at 5 a.m.; last updated at 1:11 p.m.  —  President Barack Obama called Gov. Pat Quinn to congratulate him on his win in the Democratic primary …

Left, right want Obama ‘question time’  —  A politically diverse group of bloggers, commentators, techies and politicos on Wednesday will launch an online campaign, Demand Question Time, urging President Barack Obama and GOP congressional leaders to hold regular, televised conversations …

Eric Holder Joins Administration Pushback On Abdulmutallab.  —  Attorney General Eric Holder has just sent a letter responding to the concerns of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been critical of the administration's handling of the alleged underwear bomber, Umar Abulmutallab.

Romney To Fundraise For Thune  —  Get out the long lenses in South Dakota: Ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney (R) is making one of his first high-profile fundraising stops of the 2010 midterm cycle later this month for none other than Sen. John Thune (R-SD), chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee.

A good message is not nearly as important as a fast process  —  “Democrats were too busy dealing [on the health-care bill] to come up with a counter story,” sighs Harold Pollack.  “Not just once, in a complicated speech, but every day and in ways that connect.”

Cross found at Air Force Academy's Wicca center  —  The opening of the worship area at the Colorado Springs academy had been hailed as a step for religious tolerance.  —  Reporting from Denver - The Air Force Academy, stung several years ago by accusations of Christian bias …

Conservative Blogger Faces Criticism Over Protege … text sizeAAA  —  The conservative online news entrepreneur Andrew Breitbart is, for the moment, doing little to dispel stereotypes about bloggers.  During a recent visit to his home on the west side of Los Angeles, Breitbart, 41, is working from his own basement.