OBAMA'S FIRST VISIT TO CHINA IS TENSE

AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

President Obama has made his first trip to China this week, a trip that would not be easy for any sitting President considering the myriad of important issues facing the two countries. There is little doubt that in order to sustain any major progress on global issues that the US and China will have to find common ground and begin to learn to work together more efficiently. Will the Presidents visit hearken a new era in relations between the two countries? Or will Obama's concerns fall on deaf ears? READ MORE HERE!

PALIN SAYS SHE DID KATIE COURIC INTERVIEW OUT OF 'PITY'

Sarah Palin is now saying that she did the CBS interview with Katie Couric out of pity. Pity for what you might ask? Apparently Palin felt that Couric was suffering from low self esteem. Yes, this is one of many revelations that have leaked this weekend ahead of the Tuesday release of Palin's autobiography 'Going Rogue'. According to those who have read the book, Palin offers nothing in the way of policy and a lot in the way of rehashing old drama. Palin heavily criticizes the John McCain campaign in the new tell all book and the McCain folks aren't taking the criticism lightly. What will Palin say next? READ MORE HERE!

OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN BIMBO CARRIE PREJEAN WALKS OFF SET OF LARRY KING

The conservative movements official bimbo of late walked off the set during a prime time interview on CNN's Larry King Live. Prejean who has been on a media tour to promote her new book (if you would call it that), seemed nervous and unprepared from the get go. But what was it that made her so upset? Upset enough to walk off the set during a live interview. Perhaps it is when Larry got to the part about her sex tape? Or her lack of any coherent political knowledge? Beauty queens should stick to pageants, not politics. Have we not learned anything from watching the Sarah Palin circus? READ MORE HERE!

WHY DEMOCRATS ARE IN A BIND ON ABORTION IN THE HEALTH DEBATE

Democrats are finding themselves in some what of a bind in regards to the abortion debate and how it deals with upcoming health care legislation. Will the legislation cover abortions or will it not? If so, to what end will abortion assistance be provided? These are questions with no easy answers. Take a look at the options that are open to the Democratically controlled Congress and how those options may affect the final outcome. READ MORE HERE!

THE CONSERVATIVE 'HERITAGE FOUNDATION' DEFENDS SEX OFFENDERS AND RAPISTS

The conservative Heritage Foundation is widely known for their nonsensical positions on a range of issues. However, one of their more recent escapades has been to defend sex offenders and rapists. Check out exactly how the Heritage Foundation has stood in the way of justice and progress lately. READ MORE HERE!

FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON ENTERS THE HEALTH CARE DEBATE

Former President Bill Clinton is chiming in on the health care debate. Senator Harry Reid requested that Clinton help to advocate the passage of a health care reform bill, knowing that the ex-President knows the health care battle better than most. As most of us remember, Clinton presided over a failed but genuine effort to reform health care during his administration. On Tuesday, Clinton will brief lawmakers on why he feels that health reform is a necessity instead of choice. Clinton has been there and done that, but will his advice make a difference? We shall see.

WHICH INDUSTRIES ARE BUYING VOTES IN CONGRESS AND HOW MUCH ARE THEY PAYING OUT?

Well my friends, third quarter lobbying data has been released and I am sure all of you are wondering just who is really raking in the cash. Profiting amidst all of the recent political debate on a myriad of issues. Of course those reaping the lion's share of monetary benefit are the favored members of Congress. Open Secrets, a non-partisan watch dog for all things related to money and politics, have done a thorough analysis of the latest figures that were just released. Check out the industries responsible and see the lofty sums they are willing to spend to buy votes in Congress. READ MORE HERE!

BARNEY FRANK'S PARTNER GETS BUSTED: SMOKE EM' IF YOU GOT EM'!

Rep. Barney Frank didn't exactly think that a summer visit to his partners seaside home in Ogunquit, Maine would turn out to be unlike any other typical New England summer day. Until the police came knocking at the door that is. James Ready, who has been dating Frank for over a year now, owned the home where the incident took place. Mr. Ready was charged with growing small amounts of marijuana in his backyard, a misdemeanor in Maine. Seeing as how Barney Frank has such a high profile, the story drummed up quite a bit of local media coverage as word quickly spread. The video clip here shows a local television station that covered the incident. Perhaps if more of us had a 'special garden' in our backyard then we would all get along better. Smoke em' if you got em'!

HEALTH REFORM BILL PASSES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The US House of Representatives narrowly passed health care reform legislation on Saturday night. The vote was very much along party lines with a final tally of 220 to 215. There is no doubt that this is a monumental moment in advancing health reform and will be seen as a much needed political victory for President Obama. But how will the bill change once it reaches the Senate, which will start debate on the bill in the coming weeks. Will they be able to merge the bills into something that even resembles what Americans are expecting? READ MORE HERE!

A MUSLIM SOLDIER'S VIEW FROM FORT HOOD

The tragic events that unfolded at Fort Hood this past week have brought the U.S. military to its knees. What could have been done to prevent it? Was it terrorism or was it an isolated incident? Was Major Hasan connected with overseas terrorists in anyway? Many of the questions will remained unanswered until time allows us to bear out the facts. In the meantime, here is an interesting perspective from a Muslim, proudly serving his country at Fort Hood. READ MORE HERE!

WILL DEMOCRATS HAVE THE HEALTH CARE VOTES THEY NEED?

The number one question in the minds of many is whether or not the Democratic party has the necessary votes to pass major health reform legislation. Pundits on both sides have gone back and forth and in doing so have made the American people as confused as ever. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seems confident that she indeed does have the votes to pass health reform. However, does Senate Majority leader Harry Reid have the votes? What was said during closed door meetings with the President this week? READ MORE HERE!

GAY MARRIAGE REFERENDUM SUFFERS DEFEAT IN MAINE

The much talked about referendum to overturn a recent gay marriage law has passed in the state of Maine. Seen by many as a set back for the gay rights movement, the outcome is not stopping supporters from continuing their fight for equality in marriage. As they should, gay marriage activists are looking ahead at how they can better prepare themselves for future political battles that are sure to arise in coming years. Did the vote really slow the battle for gay marriage rights? Apparently not. READ MORE HERE!

REPUBLICANS TAKE NEW JERSEY GOVERNORS RACE

Republicans have now won both of this years gubernatorial elections. First Virginia and then New Jersey. It was a tight and tangled race to the finish, but Republican candidate Chris Christie pulled through to the finish to become New Jersey's next Governor. The incumbent John Corzine was ahead by as much as several points in the polls in recent days, but in the end he couldn't pull it off. Many wondered if Obama's campaigning for Corzine this past week would help him get a much needed bounce in the polls, obviously it did not. Were either of these races a sort of referendum on Obama? Unlikely. It is far better that Democrats weather some losses now, than having to deal with it in 2010 or 2011. Having said that, there are a number of lessons that Democrats should quickly learn if they want to maintain their power. READ MORE HERE!

MICHAEL BLOOMBERG SPENDS HIS WAY TO ANOTHER WIN AS NYC MAYOR

After spending more than $100 million dollars in his bid for re-election as mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg has succeeded. However, Bloomberg barely got over half of the city wide vote, proving that if he had not had access to a gargantuan fortune, he likely would have lost to his Democratic challenger. This is a classic example of how personal wealth can really muddy the waters in local politics. May the richest man win, or so it seems. READ MORE HERE!

REPUBLICAN BOB MCDONNELL WINS VIRGINIA GOVERNORS RACE

As expected, Republican candidate Bob McDonnell has won the race for the Governors seat in the state of Virginia. The Democratic challenger Creigh Deeds was lacking in both campaign skill and fundraising and had seen the race slip further and further away from him in recent months. Virginia had elected a string of Democratic Governors as well as two Democratic Senators and a Democratic state legislature in recent years. However, Virginia has traditionally always voted for a gubernatorial candidate who was from the opposite party of any sitting President. So all in all, we could have called this race a long time ago. READ MORE HERE!

DID HILLARY'S 'TOUGH TALK' STRIKE A NERVE WITH PAKISTAN?

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made her recent trip to Pakistan in hopes that her tough talk would break through to the Pakistani government in some way that previous officials had not been able to. Clinton made an ardent attempt, but did it work? Apparently not. Now the Pakistanis are condemning Clinton's recent praise of Israel and saying that her rhetoric has undermined ongoing peace talks. Was Clinton's strategy risky? Of course it was, but was it really enough to incite such a dramatic response from Pakistan? Or are the Pakistanis simply using Clinton as a scapegoat? READ MORE HERE!

TOP OFFICIAL IN MARINE CORPS LEADS OPPOSITION TO ALLOWING GAYS TO SERVE OPENLY IN U.S. MILITARY

General James Conway is a Marine Corps Commandant and a vocal leader in the opposition of allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Many top military officials have held similar views, however have remained largely silent about President Obama's promise to end the ban on gays serving openly. Yes, we know. It is 2009 and yes, there are likely better things we could be focusing our attention on. Nevertheless, we can all be hopeful that once this issue is decided upon and put to rest, then we can begin to discuss issues that really matter. You don't have to be straight to shoot straight, as many have said in the past. So what is General Conway's beef with the new policy? READ MORE HERE!

WHY ARE SOME DEMOCRATS TRYING TO KILL THE CLIMATE BILL?

The Democratically controlled U.S. Congress could easily add one more legislative accomplishment to their record, but several more conservative Democrats are willing to stand in the way of passing a climate bill this year. The already slow moving bill will make it to committee debates this week and many think that there is little hope that the bill will pass. The legislation contains cap and trade provisions that are meant to deal with greenhouse gas emissions, but many lawmakers are crying foul. Some are saying that Congress should take more time to put out a better and more efficient bill to deal with the issue of climate change, yet others are eager to push it through now.

"There is nowhere near 60 votes for a nuclear power bill on its own. There's not 60 votes for a cap-and-trade bill as it's currently constructed," Senator Lindsey Graham said in an interview. He said combining the two measures is "the only way you'll get to 60 votes." READ MORE HERE!

ARE 'PRO-FOX' DEMOCRATS REALLY BEING TRAITORS?

We have all seen tidbits of the on and off battle between Fox News and the White House in recent months. Now the controversy has reached an entirely new level in which some Democrats that appear on Fox News are increasingly being criticized. But, is it really true that these Democrats are somehow traitors? One can make the convincing argument that these Democratic pundits are able to speak to 'persuadable voters' in much greater numbers by appearing on Fox. Some Democratic pundits are actually saying that the Fox bias is over-exaggerated. Are they right?READ MORE HERE!

LIEBERMAN ONCE AGAIN SHOWS HIS HYPOCRISY

Senator Joe Lieberman has gone on record saying he may consider supporting a Republican initiated filibuster of health reform legislation if the bill does not meet his requirements. Sure is strange seeing as how Lieberman supported getting rid of the filibuster a little more than a decade ago. My how times change Joe. You see, it seems that Lieberman is making all the political noise he can, because lets be honest with ourselves, Lieberman has so few friends left and he is quickly fading away and becoming irrelevant. Will Joe really be a spoiler for the Democrats this go round? READ MORE HERE!