Bill Clinton to Paul Ryan on Medicare Election: ‘Give me a Call’  —  ABC News' Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) reports:  —  The day after the stunning upset in the special congressional election in upstate New York, Rep. Paul Ryan is a man under fire.  —  But ABC News was behind the scenes …

UPDATED: MSNBC's Ed Schultz Calls Radio Host Laura Ingraham A ‘Right Wing Slut’  —  Late Update [7:08 pm ET]: MSNBC has suspended Schultz for one week.  —  MSNBC host Ed Schultz is known for his hyperbolic attacks on Republicans but it looks like he may have crossed the line on his show yesterday …

Key Jewish Donor Breaks With Obama  —  One of the most important Democratic donors in the past two decades, whose generous contributions helped pay for the DNC headquarters in Washington, D.C., has indicated that he will not contribute to President Obama's reelection campaign in 2012, because of the administration's stance on Israel.

Suspect in Shooting of Giffords Ruled Unfit for Trial  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that Jared L. Loughner was not mentally competent to stand trial on charges of opening fire at a constituent event for an Arizona congresswoman in January, killing 6 and injuring 13.

Have Democrats cracked the code for 2012?  —  The battle over the federal deficit hasn't flipped in favor of the Democrats.  The GOP isn't suddenly at grave risk of losing its House majority.  —  But after two years of getting pummeled over spending and the size of government …

Gingrich wife worked for committee heavily lobbied by Tiffany  —  At the same time Tiffany & Co. was extending Callista (Bisek) Gingrich a virtual interest-free loan of tens of thousands of dollars, the diamond and silverware firm was spending big bucks to influence mining policy in Congress …

Signs Grow That Palin May Run  —  WASHINGTON — Sarah Palin is fortifying her small staff of advisers, buying a house in Arizona — where associates have said she could base a national campaign — and reviving her schedule of public appearances.  The moves are the most concrete signals yet that Ms. Palin …

California's Attorney General Launching Criminal Inquiry Into Arnold Schwarzenegger  —  The Californian Attorney General will conduct what's being termed an “inquiry” into former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's alleged misuse of tax payer funds to cover up sexual liaisons.

Racism to blame for Obama's problems, key Democrat says  —  WASHINGTON — House Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn, the highest-ranking African-American in Congress, on Wednesday blamed most of President Barack Obama's political problems on racism.  —  Clyburn, who's from South Carolina …

There's a Secret Patriot Act, Senator Says  —  You may think you understand how the Patriot Act allows the government to spy on its citizens.  Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) says it's worse than you've heard.  —  Congress is set to reauthorize three controversial provisions of the surveillance law as early as Thursday.

AP sources: Army chief picked to head Joint Chiefs  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — A general installed just last month as the Army's top officer is President Barack Obama's surprise choice to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, two people familiar with the selection process said Wednesday.

Minnesota Governor “Vetoes” Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment (Letter)  —  Minnesota Democratic Governor Mark Dayton, in a symbolic gesture Wednesday morning, “vetoed” a proposed amendment to his state's constitution that would ban same-sex marriage.  The referendum will be put before Minnesota voters in 2012 …

WikiLeaks Editor Julian Assange Calls Media Coverage Of Bradley Manning ‘Appalling’ … NEW YORK — WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange called out the Obama administration for its aggressive pursuit of leakers and criticized media coverage of suspected WikiLeaks source Pfc. Bradley Manning during …

EPA Administrator Confirms: No fracking water contamination  —  The spelling, however, is still in question.  Fracking?  Fraccing?  Fracing?  —  At a U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing yesterday, President Barack Obama's EPA administrator, Lisa Jackson, admitted the environmental risk …

CNBC Anchor Mark Haines Dies Unexpectedly at Age 65  —  Veteran journalist Mark Haines, a fixture on CNBC for 22 years, died unexpectedly Tuesday evening.  He was 65 years old.  —  Haines, founding anchor of CNBC's morning show “Squawk Box,” was co-anchor of the network's “Squawk on the Street” …