Obama in the doldrums  —  Not yet six months into his second term, Barack Obama's presidency is in a dead zone.  —  A combination of familiar Washington intransigence and a more recent run of bad news and political setbacks have left him with less influence over his circumstances …

Justice Samuel Alito's middle-school antics  —  The most remarkable thing about the Supreme Court's opinions announced Monday was not what the justices wrote or said.  It was what Samuel Alito did.  —  The associate justice, a George W. Bush appointee, read two opinions …

Obama to Outline Ambitious Plan to Cut Greenhouse Gases  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama will propose a sweeping plan to address climate change on Tuesday, setting ambitious goals and timetables for a series of executive actions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and prepare the nation for the ravages of a warming planet.

‘Lookout List’ Not Much Broader Than Originally Thought, Contrary to Reports  —  Acting IRS commissioner Danny Werfel on Monday told reporters that the now-infamous “Be On The Lookout” list was far broader than was originally disclosed in the Treasury Department inspector general's report.

Divided Supreme Court strikes down key voting rights provision  —  In a decision that marks the end of a major civil rights-era reform, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the federal government can no longer force states and jurisdictions with a long-past history of voting discrimination …

Hatch: Why I'm voting yes  —  Eleven million people.  That's the number of undocumented immigrants estimated to be in our country, the result of our broken immigration system.  —  The question is not only what should be done with these 11 million people, but what should be done …

Michael Bloomberg aide lobbied on guns in Nevada  —  Michael Bloomberg's gun control group sent a city employee to register as a lobbyist in Nevada on state-based firearms issues, a use of government resources that raises further questions about the relationship between the city and the mayor's self-funded 501(c)(4).

Paula's Worst Ingredients  —  Paula Deen is where sass meets crass, where the homespun and folksy curdle into something with a sour aftertaste.  —  Her manner may be as sugary as her cooking, her smile as big as the hams she hawked for Smithfield.  But she doesn't pause when she should.

Exodus: Afghan Diplomats Defect as Western Withdrawal Nears  —  The situation in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly precarious that Afghan diplomats no longer want to return to their homeland.  Up to 100 foreign service employees set for rotation back to Kabul from assignments abroad have now defected.

Bolton Plans a Tour of Early-Primary States  —  Watch out, Rand Paul.  —  As Paul, a Kentucky senator, plans for a 2016 presidential run, he is talking up his views on foreign policy, which, broadly speaking, include less intervention in foreign conflicts and a smaller military budget.

On Penny Pritzker, where's the outrage?  —  Penny Pritzker has understated her income by tens of millions of dollars, clashed openly with organized labor, benefited from offshore tax havens and invested in financial instruments that helped precipitate the 2008 financial meltdown.

Spokesman Says Iran's President ‘Will Return With Hidden Imam’  —  An Iranian government spokesman has said that outgoing President Mahmud Ahmadinejad will return with the Hidden Imam, who according to Shi'ite belief went into hiding in the 10th century and will reappear to bring justice to Earth.

Star Scientific CEO financed shopping spree for first lady  —  Businessman paid thousands of dollars for first lady's designer goods  —  In the spring of 2011, Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell flew to New York and was treated to a high-end shopping spree courtesy of Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams Sr.

Senate candidates make one last pitch for votes  —  Gomez-Markey Senate race may draw low turnout  —  Former US senator Scott Brown conferred with GOP US Senate candidate Gabriel Gomez during an election eve rally at the Common Market restaurant in Quincy.