Controversial intelligence pick withdraws  —  Charles Freeman, the Obama administration's choice to head the National Intelligence Council, has withdrawn from consideration after facing strong opposition from Senate Republicans.  —  Freeman is the latest in a string of Obama administration appointees …

Labor Bill Faces Threat in Senate  —  WASHINGTON — Key Senate Democrats are wavering in their support of legislation that would give more power to labor unions, dealing a setback to labor's top priority as businesses warn of the damage the bill would cause.

Can America be saved?  —  So I read this: … and I wonder if this country can handle the crisis we're in.  Remember, John Boehner is, in effect, the second-most influential member of the GDP (after Rush Limbaugh).  And while Democrats hold a majority, it's not enough of a majority to make the minority party irrelevant.

You just won the stem-cell war.  Don't lose your soul.  —  Today, President Obama lifted the ban on federal funding of stem-cell research using destroyed human embryos.  If you support this research, congratulations: You won.  Now for your next challenge: Don't lose your soul.

Pelosi Made Repeated Requests for Military Aircraft, Documents Show  —  Representatives for Judicial Watch, which obtained e-mails and other documents showing the requests, say House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has treated the Air Force as her “personal airline.”  —  FOXNews.com

Ann Coulter and Bill Maher spar at Radio City Politico - 1 hour, 52 minutes ago  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  NEW YORK — Bill Maher couldn't have asked for a better act to follow.  —  Maher took the stage at the Radio City Music Hall Monday after Ann Coulter …

The new left-wing conspiracy  —  The vast new left-wing conspiracy sets its tone every morning at 8:45 a.m., when officials from more than 20 labor, environmental and other Democratic-leaning groups dial into a private conference call hosted by two left-leaning Washington organizations.

Vaunted Obama message machine is off-key  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When billionaire investor Warren Buffett says President Barack Obama's economic message is muddled and undermining public confidence, it's worth listening.  —  Halfway through his first 100 days in office …

McCain Prepping ‘Contract With America’ Style Economic Plan  —  Sen. John McCain is putting together a major economic plan that will be structured, in some ways, off of Newt Gingrich's famous Contract With America.  —  In an email obtained by the Huffington Post, the Arizona Republican's chief of staff …

Obama Seeks to Delay Tanker, Cancel Bomber  —  The White House has given the Pentagon guidance to delay procurement of aerial refueling tankers by five years and cancel plans for a new long-range bomber, according to three sources close to the discussions.  —  No final decisions have been made …

The coming evangelical collapse  —  An anti-Christian chapter in Western history is about to begin.  But out of the ruins, a new vitality and integrity will rise.  —  ONEIDA, KY. -  —  We are on the verge - within 10 years - of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity.

Cantor: Obama losing focus on economy  —  House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) seized on the opportunity to criticize the president Tuesday for over-reaching in his first 50 days on the job.  —  Following the GOP's weekly conference meeting, the second-ranking House Republican told reporters …

Catholic Church Hearing Canceled Wednesday  —  Following the biggest political firestorm of the 2009 legislative session, a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday on the financial and administrative management of the Catholic Church has been canceled.  The bill is dead for the rest of the legislative session.

Conrad: Obama budget lacks votes  —  Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said Tuesday that President Obama's budget plan doesn't have enough support from lawmakers right now to win approval.  —  Conrad said that he has spoken to enough colleagues with reservations …

The Idiot's Guide to Destroying the Economy: a 12-Step Program  —  Think destroying the mighty economy of the United States is too big a job for you?  Relax.  Anyone can do it.  A friend sent me a handy-dandy no-fuss 12-step program for wreaking financial havoc among even the world's most advanced economies.