Prop.  8: Gay-marriage ban unconstitutional, court rules  —  A federal appeals court Tuesday struck down California's ban on same-sex marriage, clearing the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on gay marriage as early as next year.  —  The 2-1 decision by a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court …

February PRRI Religion and Politics Tracking Poll  —  ▶ Read the news release here.  —  ▶ Read the Topline Questionnaire including the survey methodology here.  —  Majority Support Requirement that Employer Health Care Plans Include Contraception Coverage

Romney's lead dips despite wins: Reuters/Ipsos poll  —  (Reuters) - Despite his strong showing in early state contests in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney's support nationwide has dipped slightly during the past month, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday.

We Will Not Play by Two Sets of Rules  —  In 2010, the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case opened the door to a new wave of so-called Super PACs—non-candidate political committees that can receive and spend unlimited money from special interests.

Karen Handel resigns from Komen for the Cure  —  Karen Handel, the former GOP candidate for governor, just announced her resignation as a senior vice president for public of Susan G. Komen for the Cure - one week after the breast cancer charity reversed itself on a decision to sever financial ties with Planned Parenthood.

This Friday and Saturday, Occupy CPAC: Liberate Discourse  —  On February 9th through February 11th, a who's who of dastardly politicians will be holding the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel at 2660 Woodley Road, NW.

Just Gets Better  —  What's the latest on the Pete Hoekstra “Chinese” ad that's been generating all the controversy?  A follower on Twitter points out that in the html code on Hoekstra's site the woman in the ad is identified as “yellowgirl.”  I checked and sure enough he's right.

Rep. Myrick announces she'll retire this year  —  Rep. Sue Myrick (R-N.C.) will not run for reelection in November, the nine-term congresswoman announced Tuesday.  —  First elected in 1994, Myrick was one of the first Republicans to join the Tea Party Caucus in the House …

Dem Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper: I Wouldn't Have Voted for Obamacare If I'd Known About HHS Regulation  —  Former Democratic congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper, a Catholic from Erie, Pennsylvania, cast a crucial vote in favor of Obamacare in 2010.  She lost her seat that November in part because of her controversial support of Obamacare.

Photo of the Day: Shock and Awe at the White House  —  President Obama gets a thrill after inviting young scientists and inventors to his home.  —  Playing with your food?  Shooting things at the White House?  It seems like a recipe for disaster and/or arrest, but somehow Joey Hudy managed …

BREAKING VIDEO: Tim Tebow and Tom Brady Register to Vote in Minnesota  —  On the day of the Minnesota caucus, shocking video from James O'Keefe's Project Veritas - broken here first at PJ Media - shows how easy it is to register NFL stars Tim Tebow, Tom Brady and practically anybody else to vote in that state.

Administration names official advocate for illegal immigrants  —  The Obama administration on Tuesday announced a new “public advocate” charged with listening to immigrants' concerns about its law enforcement policies — but Republicans said the position amounts to an official mouthpiece for illegal immigrants being deported.