Palin derided by top McCain aide, book  —  Sarah Palin was an unprepared, uninformed vice presidential candidate who repeatedly made false statements in public, according to a top McCain campaign aide.  —  In a “60 Minutes” segment based on John Heilemann and Mark Halperin's new book …

Harry Reid's History of Racial Posturing  —  Amidst the brouhaha over Harry Reid's comments, some people are defending Reid by saying that he told the truth, however . . . awkwardly.  See, for example, Robert Stacy McCain, who declares: “Harry Reid is no more a racist than I am.”

The mini ice age starts here  —  The bitter winter afflicting much of the Northern Hemisphere is only the start of a global trend towards cooler weather that is likely to last for 20 or 30 years, say some of the world's most eminent climate scientists.  —  Their predictions …

Same-sex marriage set for big day in federal court  —  LOS ANGELES — After a run of setbacks at the state level, gay rights advocates will take the campaign for same-sex marriage into a federal courtroom on Monday, starting down a treacherous avenue that ends at a U.S. Supreme Court dominated by conservatives.

Boehner chief of staff dies at 46  —  Paula Nowakowski, the longtime chief of staff to House Republican Leader John Boehner, died suddenly Saturday night, according to the leader's office.  She was 46.  —  “It is with profound sadness and shock that I announce the passing of Paula Nowakowski …

Gov. Hoeven to announce for Senate  —  North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven is expected to kick-off his candidacy for U.S. Senate Monday evening at a GOP district convention in Bismarck, according to a state Republican familiar with his plans.  —  Hoeven's announcement will come just six days …

The 60th Senate Vote  —  The special election in Massachusetts and the Democratic agenda.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  When Ted Kennedy died last August, Democrats said they'd honor him by finally passing the national health care he had long campaigned for.

The Notorious Blago  —  The former Illinois governor has a new dog (Skittles), a new source of income (Elvis impersonations) and — despite an old worry (prison) — a confounding optimism.  You have to read this.  —  From the February 2010 “People Who Matter” issue — on sale this week

Insurance Mandate Feeds GOP Attack  —  WASHINGTON — As congressional Democrats try to iron out differences in the House and Senate health-care bills, Republicans are attacking the legal premise of the legislation, saying Congress has no power to make people carry health insurance or pay a penalty or tax.

Let's Take Bureaucracy Out of Intelligence  —  Groupthink products like National Intelligence Estimates make us vulnerable.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  Although the U.S. intelligence community (IC) has been stung by failures relating to the Christmas terrorist attack, these failures are symptomatic of far larger problems.