Pic of the moment

The Left Column

Even Republicans Think He's Nuts

Alan Simpson: Santorum is rigid and disgusting

CBS News: Former Senator Alan Simpson had some choice words for his one time colleague, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.

"I know Santorum, I served with him," he said. "He is rigid and a homophobic. He believes that gays and lesbians, he mentioned in an interview in 2003, about bestiality, and gays and lesbians. I think that's disgusting," said Simpson.

48 | Alan Simpson: Santorum is rigid and disgusting

A taste of Santorum

Santorum: The Democratic Party Is About ‘Homosexuality’

The New Civil Rights Movement: “Woodstock is the great American orgy. This is who the Democratic Party has become. They have become the party of Woodstock. The prey upon our most basic primal lusts, and that’s sex. And the whole abortion culture, it’s not about life. It’s about sexual freedom. That’s what it’s about. Homosexuality. It’s about sexual freedom.”

119 | Santorum: The Democratic Party Is About ‘Homosexuality’

Not Enthused

Only 23% of Republicans Strongly Statisfied with Candidates

Politicalwire: A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds interest in the Republican presidential race is slipping: Just 40% of Republicans say they have a great deal of interest in following the contest, compared with 48% in December.

Key findings: Only 23% are strongly satisfied with the field and 40% said they are dissatisfied with the candidates running.

18 | Republicans Losing Interest in Presidential Race

A taste of Santorum

Santorum: There's no such thing as a liberal Christian

HuffPo: When asked if he believed Obama is a "sincere liberal Christian," the former Pennsylvania senator said he didn't believe that sort of ideology exists, and that Obama's church, United Church of Christ in Chicago, had "abandoned Christendom" and used a non-literal interpretation of the Bible.

"I don't think there is such a thing," he said of Obama as a liberal Christian. "To take what is plainly written and say that 'I don't agree with that, therefore I don't have to pay attention to it,' means you're not what you say you are. You're a liberal something, but you're not a Christian."

163 | Santorum: There's no such thing as a liberal Christian

Republican war against women

House Dems call Sandra Fluke to testify, but GOP blocks her testimony again

Maddow Blog: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Tuesday that a Democratic panel will meet this week to hear testimony from just one witness: Sandra Fluke, the woman who House Republicans refused to let testify at their hearing on the birth control rule last week.

There was, however, an unexpected twist yesterday afternoon. The Democratic Steering & Policy Committee's hearing will be held in the House Recording Studio, in order to help broadcast the event, except in this case, it won't be seen by anyone outside the room. According to House Dems, the Republican-controlled Committee on House Administration has refused to allow the hearing to be televised.

15 | "House Dems aren't taking "no" for an answer."

"He did some research on the Internet"

Indiana Republican says Girl Scouts promote "homosexual lifestyles"

NY Daily News: A lawmaker has sent a letter to fellow Republican members of the Indiana House saying he will not support a resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts because he believes it is a "radicalized organization" that supports abortion and promotes homosexuality.

In a letter obtained by The Journal-Gazette of Fort Wayne on Monday, Rep. Bob Morris of Fort Wayne said he did some research on the Internet and found allegations that the Girl Scouts are a tactical arm of Planned Parenthood, allow transgender females to join and encourage sex.

126 | Now the Republicans are after the Girl Scouts

But people still won't vote for him

Adelson Prepared to give $100 Million to Support Gingrich

CBS News: The billionaire casino magnate backing Newt Gingrich said he is prepared to give $100 million to help the former House speaker in his quest for the White House if he decides it is necessary.

Sheldon Adelson, who has already given $11 million to the outside group backing Gingrich and is expected to give another $10 million in the coming days, told Forbes magazine he is prepared to spend five times that amount.

77 | Gingrich backer willing to give $100M to benefit former House speaker

Economy

Dow Pierces 13000

WSJ: U.S. stocks rose in a choppy session, briefly sending the Dow above the 13000 level.

Stocks rose as the market opened as investors responded to news that a bailout deal has been reached for Greece, fell into negative territory and then began a steady march to the 13000 mark. It was the first time the Dow reached the 13000 level on an intraday basis since May 20, 2008. The last time the Dow closed above that level was May 19, 2008.

13 | Dow Pierces 13000

Citizens United

Justice Ginsburg knows the Citizens United decision was a mistake

Slate: Justice Ginsburg agreed that staying the Montana ruling was the right course, because lower courts are bound to apply Supreme Court precedent even if it is wrong; it is for the Supreme Court to fix its own wrong precedents. But then she added these words in a statement for herself and Justice Stephen Breyer with respect to the stay: “Montana’s experience, and experience elsewhere since this Court’s decision in Citizens United, … make it exceedingly difficult to maintain that independent expenditures by corporations ‘do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption.’ A petition {to hear the case} will give the Court an opportunity to consider whether, in light of the huge sums currently deployed to buy candidates’ allegiance, Citizens United should continue to hold sway.”

18 | Justice Ginsburg knows the Citizens United decision was a mistake...

Choice

Silent protest outside, Virginia House puts off ultrasound vote

Maddow Blog: What appears to be a crowd of several hundred people gathered today at the Virginia state capitol. Standing silently in the cold, they lined the walkway used by the legislators who have been voting on -- and voting away -- women's rights in Virginia.

From their Facebook page: The Capitol ground rules say that we cannot assemble, hold signs, chant, yell or protest. We think silence in the face of this struggle and their unconstitutional rules presents the strongest response to their assault on women. Please come out and stand up for our rights and for the rights of all women in VA to choose the best reproductive route for themselves. These people are used to signs, yelling, chanting etc. It is not new. They are not used to silently being stared at and having to look us in the eye. It gives us the power.

54 | Silent protest outside, Virginia House puts off ultrasound vote