Mitt Romney's Rusty Debut  —  Tonight's Republican gathering in Manchester, New Hampshire was touted as a “summit” on jobs and the economy by its sponsor, the local chapter of Americans for Prosperity, and it included five Republican presidential hopefuls.  Unofficially, it was Mitt Romney's debut as a 2012 candidate.

'Here's to al-Qaeda'  —  Nearly 20 years ago, I asked the late William Kunstler about his philosophy of lawyering.  A flamboyant leftist who proudly represented jihadists just as he proudly represented many other anti-American radicals, Bill succinctly replied, “Everybody's entitled to a lawyer, but nobody's entitled to me!”

Rick Perry, Texas governor, rips Obama's trip to tornado-devastated Alabama: What about our fires?  —  As President Obama meets with Alabama families affected by deadly tornados that swept through the South earlier this week, Texas Gov. Rick Perry is asking: What about us?

What I learned in econ grad school  —  I always find it interesting that criticisms of economics education focus more on the graduate side than the undergrad.  Consider this broadside by Brad DeLong and Larry Summers: … This is interesting because, as someone who never studied econ as an undergrad …

Wis. Supreme Court recount at a glance  —  Justice David Prosser held a 7,316-vote lead over challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg before a statewide recount began on Wednesday.  The state Government Accountability Board is providing daily updates on the recount's progress by precinct.

Treasury Blocks Regulation Of Market That Sparked $5.4 Trillion Fed Bailout … The Treasury Department plans to exempt foreign exchange derivatives from new Wall Street reform regulations, a Treasury official said Friday, dismissing concerns that the market prompted $5.4 trillion …

Indiana Gov. Daniels to sign Planned Parenthood bill  —  Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said today he will sign a controversial bill that cuts off government funding to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider.  —  Indiana will become the first state to take such action.

Neither Party Has Big Edge on Most Major U.S. Issues  —  Americans see Republicans as better able to handle the budget  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Of six key issues facing the United States, the federal budget is the only one for which Americans express a clear preference as to which party can better handle it.

Top Climate Scientist On The Monster Tornadoes: ‘It Is Irresponsible Not To Mention Climate Change’  —  Throughout human history, the climate system has been a source of life and death, the sun and rain capable of feeding our crops and bringing us comfort, or unleashing terrible devastation in wind, fire, drought, storm, and flood.

Baucus Unveils Plan to End Tax Breaks for Largest Oil and Gas Companies, Invest in Cleaner, Cheaper American Energy  —  Finance Chair Says Skyrocketing Gas Prices Necessitate Action to Address Energy Costs  —  Washington, DC - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) …

Feds sting Amish farmer selling raw milk locally  —  Cite interstate commerce violation  —  Bloomberg News The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters stand in Silver Spring, Maryland.  —  A yearlong sting operation, including aliases, a 5 a.m. surprise inspection and surreptitious purchases …

Palin: ‘Hells no’ I wouldn't raise debt limit  —  Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) on Friday doubled down on her opposition to raising the nation's debt ceiling.  —  “Hells no. I would not vote to increase that debt ceiling,” she said during an interview on Fox News, where she is a paid contributor.

Americans Blame Wasteful Government Spending for Deficit  —  Prefer cutting spending over raising taxes as way for Congress to reduce deficit  —  PRINCETON, NJ — The large majority of Americans say spending too much money on unneeded or wasteful federal programs is to blame for the federal budget deficit …