California voters exercise their power — and that's the problem  —  Residents relish their role in the lawmaking process, but they share the blame for the state's severe dysfunction.  —  Californians are well known for periodic voter revolts, but on Tuesday they did more than just lash …

Democrats in Senate Block Money to Close Guantánamo  —  WASHINGTON — In an abrupt shift, Senate Democratic leaders said on Tuesday that they would not provide the $80 million that President Obama requested to close the detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

Advocates of Gun Rights Are Poised for a Victory  —  WASHINGTON — Advocates of gun rights are poised to win a Congressional victory that eluded them under a Republican president.  —  To the frustration and discouragement of many Democrats, House and Senate lawmakers and aides …

Cheney Grabs a Third Term  —  Dick and Rummy are at Cafe Milano in Georgetown, holding court.  The maître d' fawns.  Waiters hover.  Tourists snap pics on their digital cameras.  Cable chatterers stop by to ingratiate themselves.  —  It isn't so much that Dick and Rummy are back.

Gingrich: Pelosi ‘Disqualified Herself’ From Being Speaker  —  ABC News' Rick Klein reports: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich today flatly declared that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should be replaced in the wake of her allegation that the CIA lied to her about harsh interrogation techniques.

Democrats' Assault On the CIA  —  In a little over 100 days, the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress have delivered a series of blows to the pride and morale of the Central Intelligence Agency.  —  It began with the release of the Justice Department memos …

Washington Sketch: When Steele Talks, Republicans Check Their BlackBerrys  —  Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, working the room at a luncheon gathering of party officials yesterday, had the same parting words for each man he met: “Stay out of trouble.”

Obama's biggest critic: Krauthammer  —  The dinner guest that night at George Will's house in Chevy Chase was intellectually nimble, personally formidable and completely baffling, recalled columnist Charles Krauthammer - who was getting his first up-close look at President-elect Barack Obama.

Arms Sent by U.S. May Be Falling Into Taliban Hands  —  KABUL — Insurgents in Afghanistan, fighting from some of the poorest and most remote regions on earth, have managed for years to maintain an intensive guerrilla war against materially superior American and Afghan forces.

Iran says it tests missile, Israel within range  —  TEHRAN, Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran test-fired a new advanced missile Wednesday with a range of about 1,200 miles, far enough to strike Israel, southeastern Europe and U.S. bases in the Middle East.

Why the U.S. should listen to India's voters  —  Last November 131, million Americans voted, and the whole world took notice.  Over the last month, about 700 million Indians voted, and most Americans, like most of the world, didn't much notice.  To be sure, American elections are more important …

As Political Winds Shift, Detroit Charts New Course  —  WASHINGTON — Why, after decades of battling, complaining and maneuvering over fuel economy standards, did carmakers fall in line behind the tough new nationwide mileage standard President Obama announced Tuesday?  —  Because they had no choice.

U.S. May Add New Financial Watchdog  —  The Obama administration is actively discussing the creation of a regulatory commission that would have broad authority to protect consumers who use financial products as varied as mortgages, credit cards and mutual funds, according to several sources familiar with the matter.

Anderson Cooper Says “Teabagging” Comment Was “Stupid, Silly”  —  CNN's Anderson Cooper spoke at UCLA Sunday as part of the Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture Series, and was asked about his “teabagging” comment last month during the Q&A portion.  —  Here is a video of his response, taken by an audience member.

Uighurs Fire Back At Gingrich From Gitmo: “Why Does He Hate Us So Much?”  —  Chinese Muslims known as Uighurs, detained for more than six years and counting at the American prison at Guantanamo Bay, are firing back at Newt Gingrich, who has accused them of terrorist ties and says that releasing …

Feingold Blocks Bill to Honor Reagan  —  Republicans are trying to pass legislation in the next few weeks to kick off the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan's birth, and the only hurdle appears to be Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), who is refusing to let the Senate vote on the bill.

Pentagon: No plans to end don't ask-don't tell  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says it has no plans to repeal the don't ask-don't tell policy for gay troops.  —  Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Tuesday that the military's top leaders have only had initial discussions with the White House …