Michelle Obama's Favorable Rating Eclipses Her Husband's  —  Both president and first lady are quite popular  — USA - Favorability - Government and Politics - Presidential Ratings - The Presidency - Americas - Northern America  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans have very positive impressions …

The President Is ‘Keeping Score’  —  Chicago politics has moved into the White House.  —  “Don't think we're not keeping score, brother.”  That's what President Barack Obama said to Rep. Peter DeFazio in a closed-door meeting of the House Democratic Caucus last week, according to the Associated Press.

Dodd Falls Way Behind As Approval Drops To Lowest Ever, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Are Angry At AIG Bonuses And Blame Dodd  —  Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd trails former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, a possible Republican challenger, 50 - 34 percent in the 2010 Senate race …

Romney: Don't root for Obama to fail  —  Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) said Wednesday that Republicans shouldn't oppose President Obama as a reflex and should praise him when he succeeds.  —  Speaking at the National Republican Senatorial Committee's (NRSC) spring dinner …

Former AIG chief says bailout ‘failed’  —  Former AIG CEO Maurice “Hank” Greenberg says the bailout has “failed” and he's proposing a 10-point alternative focused on saving, not breaking apart, the mega-insurer.  —  Greenberg will reveal his plan during a hearing before the House Oversight …

Sen. Stevens ‘got screwed’ by Justice  —  The Justice Department's stunning decision to drop all charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) had GOP senators hailing the news as a vindication while government watchdogs fretted over the impact on other corruption cases against public officials.

Global Leaders Meet in Bid to Resolve Rift on Economic Plan  —  LONDON — Britain predicted on Thursday that world leaders would bridge their differences on steps to recover from the deepest global economic downturn since World War II, as President Obama and his counterparts from more than 20 industrial …

Franken puts Pawlenty in a jam  —  The legal fight between Al Franken and Norm Coleman is headed to the desk of Gov. Tim Pawlenty — a no-win predicament for a Minnesota Republican with his eye on a White House run in 2012.  —  Franken won big Tuesday when a three-judge panel allowed …

Educating George Will  —  George F. Will today again displays his unbelievable ignorance about global warming : … First of all, nobody says that reducing carbon emissions will “reverse” global warming.  The point is merely to slow the process.  This is pretty fundamental.

Senate rejects controversial fast-track budget procedure  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Senate overwhelmingly voted Wednesday not to use a fast-track budget procedure to pass President Obama's “cap and trade” plan to combat global warming.  —  The vote was a victory for Republicans …

Lurking Defense Secretary Provides Adult Supervision and Stabilizes Obama National Security Team  —  Defense Secretary Robert Gates, much less visible than any other personalities on the Obama national security team roster, is playing the role of “steady hand” on the President's team.

Gregg says he definitely won't run again  —  Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) has closed the door on seeking reelection next year.  —  Gregg, the ranking Republican on the Budget Committee, said he hasn't changed his mind about not seeking a fourth term in 2010, despite “good-natured” …

What Does One Get a Queen?  —  President and First Lady Obama gave Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II a video iPod with inscription, songs uploaded and accessories, plus a rare musical songbook signed by Richard Rodgers.  —  Uploaded onto the iPod:  — Photos from the Queen's 2007 White House State Visit

Cantor: Dems “overreacting” to crisis[UPDATED]  —  GOP Whip Eric Cantor thinks his party can retake the House in next year's midterm elections — and accused Democrats of “overreacting” to the economic crisis by embarking on a federal spending spree.  —  UPDATED: I cleaned up the transcript …

Dodd's numbers  —  Chris Dodd's plummeting numbers — he's now way behind in a head-to-head — reflect an interlocking set of problems, from his home in Ireland to his home in Des Moines, his ties to AIG to his role in the bail-out.  —  This threatens to turn a safe Democratic seat …

THE RIGHT WON'T LET THE TAX FAIRY GO.... The National Review's Andy McCarthy had an item yesterday, which was not an April Fools' joke, and which served as a helpful reminder of why discussing tax policy with conservative activists tends to be frustrating.