White House's botched ‘op’  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama yesterday rolled out the red carpet — and handed out doctors' white coats as well, just so nobody missed his hard-sell health-care message.  —  In a heavy-handed attempt at reviving support for health-care reform …

Gen. McChrystal Has a Right to Speak Up on Afghanistan  —  Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has come under fire for making public comments about the war.  While answering questions after an Oct. 1 speech — in which he avoided taking sides in the policy debate …

The Obamas' Ego Trip to Copenhagen  —  In the Niagara of words spoken and written about the Obamas' trip to Copenhagen, too few have been devoted to the words they spoke there.  Their separate speeches to the International Olympic Committee were so dreadful, and in such a characteristic way …

The demise of the dollar  —  In a graphic illustration of the new world order, Arab states have launched secret moves with China, Russia and France to stop using the US currency for oil trading  —  In the most profound financial change in recent Middle East history, Gulf Arabs are planning …

Castle running for the Senate  —  Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) will be running for Vice President Joe Biden's old Senate seat in Delaware, according to two GOP sources connected to the congressman, instantly giving Republicans the opportunity to flip a traditionally-Democratic seat in their column.

MSNBC's Ratigan battles McCaughey  —  Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy  —  Anthony Weiner and Betsy McCaughey brought their act to MSNBC this morning, where Weiner — unlike last night — was a relatively mellow presence while host Dylan Ratigan tangled bitterly with McCaughey.

Sotomayor Takes Active Role on Court's First Day  —  The Supreme Court began its new term Monday with an inquisitive new justice and a case from Maryland about how long police must honor a suspect's request for an attorney.  —  Justice Sonia Sotomayor displayed no reticence …

Obama Team Says Zazi Case Illustrates Balanced Approach to Terror Threat  —  President Obama will make his first visit to the National Counterterrorism Center in McLean on Tuesday morning, telling intelligence officials that their recent successes have proved how effectively multiple agencies can perform when they work in concert.

Does Obama Get It?  —  The big question on the domestic front right now is whether President Obama understands the gravity of the employment crisis facing the country.  Does he get it?  The signals coming out of the White House have not been encouraging.  —  The Beltway crowd and the Einsteins …

Burden of Proof on Obama's Origins  —  A dentist and lawyer, Orly Taitz has plenty to keep her busy.  But a side passion is what consumes her these days: challenging Barack Obama's eligibility to be president.  —  RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif.  —  The dental office of Orly Taitz, DDS …

As Job Loss Rises, Obama Aides Act to Fix Safety Net  —  WASHINGTON — With unemployment expected to rise well into next year even as the economy slowly recovers, the Obama administration and Democratic leaders in Congress are discussing extending several safety net programs as well as proposing …

US funds dry up for Iran rights watchdog  —  Obama White House less confrontational  —  Without additional funding, the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center will shut down in May when its funding runs out, said Rene Redman, the group's executive director.

Pelosi says new tax is ‘on the table’  —  A new value-added tax (VAT) is “on the table” to help the U.S. address its fiscal liabilities, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Monday night.  —  Pelosi, appearing on PBS's “The Charlie Rose Show” asserted that “it's fair to look at” …

AMA Endorses Largest Denier of Health Care Claims  —  What appears to be the official blog of President Obama's administration is all aflutter because the President will welcome, “doctors from across the United States to the White House to share their unique perspective on the struggles …

Memo to Kevin Jennings: Your reputation is on the line  —  [Note: Kevin Jennings is the current “Safe Schools Czar” for the Obama administration.]  —  Mr. Jennings —  Please read my plea.  Your shining career may soon be tarnished.  You're about to be blindsided.  And I'd like to help you save your reputation.

Bachmann: ‘Strong investigation’ into non-profits needed  —  Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) on Tuesday called for a “strong investigation” into a wide variety of non-profit organizations in the wake of allegations of political corruption in ACORN.  —  Bachmann, who has been an outspoken critic of ACORN …

Conservative Bible Project Cuts Out Liberal Passages  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  Lo and behold, the Bible has gotten too liberal, according to a group of conservatives.  And it needs a little editing.  —  That's the inspiration behind the Conservative Bible Project …

Another Prestigious Error from The Atlantic  —  It's Only a Draft: The prestigious Atlantic's Chris Good—perhaps as exhausted by the magazine's time-consuming Corporate Lobbyist Moneysuck as prestigious Atlantic columnist Andrew Sullivan after a “marathon twelve-hour session of passion” …

Let's Remember That Letterman's a Clown, Not a Cleric or Congressman  —  One of many sad things about recent stanzas in the ballad of David Letterman is that now, in all media, Dave will be lumped in with other sexually misbehaving celebrities, even though he stands head and heart above most of them.

Acorn CEO Blasts Critics  —  Nomaan Merchant reports on politics.  —  Acorn CEO Bertha Lewis called the uproar over hidden-camera videos “Acorn McCarthyism.”  —  And as for the threatened cutoff of federal funding, she said the community organizing and housing group will survive without it.

ARE YOU “THE UNKNOWN LIBERAL”?  Pick me, pick me!  —  Jerry Falwell's offspring of Liberty University, the Liberty Counsel has a wonderful new idea! … How does it work, you ask? … I nominate myself as “The “Unknown Liberal.  No, really, that's a choice.  You can't make this crap up.