FRIENDS PUSH AILES FOR PRESIDENT  —  Friends and associates are encouraging Fox News chief Roger Ailes to jump into the political arena for real by running for president in 2012, top sources tell POLITICO.  —  “Ailes knows how to frame an issue better than anybody, and that's what we need now …

Sources: White House Pushing Back Against Senate Public Option Opt Out Compromise  —  Multiple sources tell TPMDC that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is very close to rounding up 60 members in support of a public option with an opt out clause, and are continuing to push skeptical members.

When Asked Where the Constitution Authorizes Congress to Order Americans To Buy Health Insurance, Pelosi Says: ‘Are You Serious?’  —  (CNSNews.com) - When CNSNews.com asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday where the Constitution authorized Congress to order Americans to buy health insurance …

Pawlenty ‘Concerned’ About NY GOP Candidate; Plans Endorsement Soon  —  ABC News' Rick Klein reports:  —  With the Republican Party splintering over a House race in upstate New York, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said on ABCNews.com's “Top Line” today that he has significant concerns …

CNN Poll: GOP favorable rating lowest in a decade  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Republican Party's favorable rating among Americans is at lowest level in at least a decade, according to a new national poll.  —  Thirty-six percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday …

Top employees leave financial firms ahead of pay cuts  —  Grass is greener where bonuses are sky-high  —  NEW YORK — Even before the Obama administration formally tightened executive compensation at bailed-out companies, the prospect of pay cuts had led some top employees to depart.

Annie Leibovitz takes first family photo — Friends encourage Roger Ailes to seek GOP nom in 2012 — Geithner: ‘A big week’ — Endgame: Look for a trigger in final health bill  —  Annie Leibovitz takes first family photo — Friends encourage Roger Ailes to seek GOP nom in 2012 — Geithner …

Former governor calls for party reform  —  Jeb Bush argues Republicans need to be more welcoming  —  Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, unveiled a six-point plan to help strengthen the Republican Party Wednesday night - including shedding the image of being the “old white guy party” and advocating for limited government.

It's His Rubble Now  —  And the American people want him to fix it.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  At a certain point, a president must own a presidency.  For George W. Bush that point came eight months in, when 9/11 happened.  From that point on, the presidency—all his decisions, all the credit and blame for them—was his.

Former Sen. Hagel: GOP being ‘irresponsible’ on healthcare  —  Republican senators trying to kill healthcare reform have acted irresponsibly, one of their former colleagues asserted.  —  Former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) chided some of his former colleagues who have suggested …

Americans' Views on Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize  —  Majority say it is not deserved, although about half are glad Obama received it  —  PRINCETON, NJ — The majority of Americans do not believe President Barack Obama deserved to win the Nobel Peace Prize (61%), but the public is split in its personal reaction to the announcement.

The Chinese Disconnect  —  Senior monetary officials usually talk in code.  So when Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, spoke recently about Asia, international imbalances and the financial crisis, he didn't specifically criticize China's outrageous currency policy.

Scozzafava Declares Herself Part of Abramoff Wing of GOP: Funnels Campaign Cash to Family  —  Jack Abramoff, present jailbird, was convicted of all sorts of crooked schemes.  One of his favorites was to funnel money through various organizations into the hands of other people.

Bush: I regret standing in front of the ‘Mission Impossible’ banner.  —  President Bush was in Canada yesterday to speak at a luncheon of the Montreal Board of Trade.  Approximately 300 protesters gathered outside the venue, blowing plastic horns, throwing shoes, and burning the former president in effigy.