Politics: Afternoon Edition: Sarah Palin rewrites the rulebook

If you have difficulty viewing this newsletter, click here to view as a Web page. Click here to view in plain text. Tuesday, May 31, 2011 HEADLINES The Take: Sarah Palin rewrites the rulebook Sarah Palin continues to thumb her nose at political convention. But to what end? » Read full article 2chambers: Allen West: More defense spending needed An outspoken GOP House freshman is calling for more, not less, defense spending. » Read full article Supreme Court: Ashcroft can't be sued over post-9/11 detention By a 5-3 vote, the court said the former attorney general did not violate the rights of an American Muslim who was never charged. » Read full article Obama picks former oil executive to head Commerce Department President Obama nominated former energy company executive John Bryson as his new commerce secretary Tuesday. » Read full article RNC takes back seat on redistricting The Republican State Leadership committee will fill much of the national committee's traditional role. » Read full article BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT SHOWDOWN Sign up for daily e-mail updates on the federal budget showdown QUOTE OF THE DAY Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin commenting on the GOP presidential field, as quoted by The New York Times (via Political Wire): "The field isn't set yet. Not by a long shot." COMMENT OF THE DAY Realist201, on Amy Gardner's "Republicans brace for fight against Obama in N.C." story: The GOP is simply being smart and prudent and not taking anything for granted. The GOP will sweep the south and almost all of the Rust Belt, which means a GOP majority in the House and Senate, and a Republican President in 2012. Q&A DISCUSSIONS Columnist Eugene Robinson was online at 1 p.m. ET to discuss his recent columns and the latest news in a live Q&A: Q: Do you think Palin benefitted from her presence at the Rolling Thunder event? I say no. I am a Viet Nam era vet and a Biker. Her presence seemed to me to be a silly stunt at a serious protest for veterans issues. She turned me off and I believe she turned off a lot of others like me because she made it about her not about the Vet's issues. Eugene Robinson: It's clear that a lot of participants, and at least some of the organizers, resented her appearance. Opinion seems to have been mixed. » View full Q&A session MULTIMEDIA Video: Obama selects Bryson for commerce post President Barack Obama has tapped energy executive John Bryson to lead the Commerce Department, putting a businessman at the helm of an agency tasked with boosting U.S. exports and promoting American business around the world. Get The Washington Post, your way. Want to stay on top of the latest news, features, commentary and more? Here's how: Mobile: Alerts: Social Media: Applications Web site E-mail SMS RSS Feeds Facebook Twitter SEND TO A FRIEND UNSUBSCRIBE E-NEWSLETTER CENTER GET HELP Washington Post Digital E-mail Customer Care 1150 15th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20071 ©2011 The Washington Post Privacy Policy