Sadly, the primary process might help Sarah Palin  —  It is difficult to believe, but the first election for the next president of the United States is less than a year away.  —  The New Hampshire primary is alive and well and headed toward a date of Valentine's Day next year …

Radioactive Releases in Japan Could Last Months, Experts Say  —  WASHINGTON — As the scale of Japan's nuclear crisis begins to come to light, experts in Japan and the United States say the country is now facing a cascade of accumulating problems that suggest that radioactive releases of steam …

The Slippery Slope Of Unilateralism  —  I had an interesting back and forth several years ago with Anne-Marie Slaughter, then a professor at Princeton, later policy planning director at the State Department, and now back to academia about an old line from something she wrote where she said …

Hackers Just Released What They Say Is A Damning Trove Of Emails About Bank Of America And Its Mortgage Practice  —  Hacker group Anonymous (aka OperationLeaks on Twitter) just released what they say is a trove of damning documents on Bank of America.  —  You can find them here: bankofamericasuck.com

'She's becoming Al Sharpton, Alaska edition'  —  Sarah Palin has played the sexism card, accusing critics of chauvinism against a strong woman.  —  She has played the class card, dismissing the Bush family as “blue bloods,” and complaining that she is the target of snobbery by people …

Another Inside Job  —  Count me among those who were glad to see the documentary “Inside Job” win an Oscar.  The film reminded us that the financial crisis of 2008, whose aftereffects are still blighting the lives of millions of Americans, didn't just happen — it was made possible by bad behavior …

Cable News Viewership Declines Double Digits in 2010 … After years of audience growth, cable news may have hit a wall.  —  According to the Project for Excellence in Journalism's annual State of the News Media report, cable news viewership for CNN, MSNBC and Fox News fell substantially in 2010 …

Sen. Rubio to oppose new spending bill  —  Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R) said Monday that he won't support any new short-term measures to fund the government and keep it running.  —  Rubio, the freshman conservative senator, ruled out supporting the forthcoming measure by House Republicans to extend funding …

Scott Brown Holds Advantage in Early Senate Polling  —  MORE THAN HALF OF REGISTERED VOTERS SAY HE DESERVES RE-ELECTION  —  Republican Scott Brown is in a strong position as he prepares to seek a full six-year term in the United States Senate in 2012, according to the latest survey …

Duke guaranteeing $10 million line of credit for DNC  —  Duke Energy Corp., whose CEO is leading the fundraising for the Democratic National Convention, is guaranteeing a $10 million line of credit for the event.  —  The credit line from Fifth Third Bank is apparently the first time such an arrangement …

‘Baby Joseph’ Gets Second Chance at Life in U.S.  —  EXCLUSIVE: The baby who was hours from being pulled off life support at his Canadian hospital has been rescued by the national director of Priests For Life.  —  Joseph Maraachli, 13 months old, who is currently kept alive by a respirator …

WI Repub lives outside district with mistress, says wife  —  Protesters who marched at the home of Wisconsin state senator Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) were met with something of a surprise on Saturday.  Mrs. Hopper appeared at the door and informed them that Sen. Hopper was no longer …

Republicans push English-only bill, requires language tests  —  Republicans introduce legislation in the House and Senate to make English the official language of the U.S.  —  Republicans in both the House and Senate have introduced legislation that would declare English the official language …

Apologetic Lee sends refunds to donors  —  In e-mail, says funds belong to supporters  —  WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Chris Lee is refunding all the campaign money he raised in 2010 and 2011 and sending a letter to more than 1,100 donors apologizing for the online flirtation that led to his abrupt resignation.