Panetta to Congress: Don’t balance budget with added cuts to defense

Panetta issued a stern rebuke to senators Tuesday, telling them additional cuts could “hurt this country’s security.” More >

25 Alleged Anons Arrested in International Crackdown

A Spanish protestor in a Guy Fawkes mask. Photo: Pepe Pont/Flickr Police in four nations arrested 25 alleged participants in the Anonymous collective Tuesday for attacks against websites in Columbia and Chile dating from the middle of 2011. Officers in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Spain worked together in “Operation Unmask,” seizing 250 pieces of equipment, [...]

Big Sis Can’t Quit the Drug War

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano at a 2009 press conference, with bales of marijuana in the foreground. Photo: Denis Poroy/AP Three years ago, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that the war on drugs “had not worked” — and admitted that the American appetite for narcotics “fuels the drug trade.” But now Homeland Security Secretary [...]

64% Think Budget Cuts Should Be Considered in Every Government Program

Most voters continue to believe that no government program should be exempt when it comes to budget cuts. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of Likely U.S. Voters say thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government as the nation searches for solutions to the federal [...]

Opinion Briefing: Iranians’ Outlook for U.S. Relations

Eight percent of Iranians approve of U.S. leadership — still one of the lowest ratings the U.S. receives worldwide. While 46% support cutting ties with countries that impose economic sanctions on Iran, 31% do not. More >

MiniTuesday Open Thread: Romney Wins Arizona, Michigan Primaries

UPDATE: Romney sweeps to double Republican primary victory All polls in Michigan and Arizona will be closed at 9pm EST. Check BigGovernment throughout the night for reactions and analysis. More >

Romney wins, dodges bullet in Michigan

From NOVI, Mich. — It was tight all the way to the end, but the former Massachusetts governor has been declared the winner in his native state. More >

Violence will not shift US policy

The Obama administration is sending a clear message that it will not change its strategy of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. More >

PolitiJim Paranoia Over Sudden Perry Pillory

A week or so ago I got an email from a Santorum supporter in Texas, complaining that Rick Perry was not spending very much time in office.  It was originally reported in the very liberal Dallas Morning News, and the emailer grumbled about planned campaigning around the state for Gingrich in the upcoming primaries.  (There [...]

Can Santorum Win in Michigan?

I have to say I am relatively surprised by Santorum's resilience in the Michigan polls. After his rather unfortunate detour into the rabbit hole of his very social conservative views (attacking prenatal diagnostics, etc.), which even Pat Buchanan criticized, and his poor debate performance, I thought Santorum's bubble was going to pop. While it is [...]