The Week – The Texas libertarian is widely seen as a longshot candidate for the GOP’s 2012 presidential nomination. So why is he preparing for another White House campaign?

The Week – Even fringe conspiracy theorists will have to abandon their birther delusions after Obama releases his birth certificate

The Week – The Washington Post’s Ezra Klein says he is, at least when it comes to health care reform, cap and trade, and taxes. Really?

The Week – Haley Barbour is the latest big-name Republican to announce he won’t go for the party’s presidential nomination. Why won’t anyone take on Obama?

The Nation – The Nation — Editor’s Note: Each week we cross-post an excerpt from Katrina vanden Heuvel’s column at the WashingtonPost.com.

The Christian Science Monitor – People around the world are feeling the pain at the pump. President Obama, whose reelection in 2012 may depend on a rebounding American economy, has promised that his energy plan could temper oil prices. Adding to the stakes, minutes from the US Federal Reserve meeting in March 2011 revealed concern that high oil prices could hurt the American economy.

The Week – President Obama reportedly plans to nominate Petraeus to replace CIA chief Leon Panetta, who will become the next Secretary of Defense

ContributorNetwork – COMMENTARY | Not to discount the promise of a man with a fanatical base and ability to raise capital, but here’s the problem Rep. Ron Paul will face in his presidential run: No one wants leftovers when there’s fresh meat in the oven.

The Nation – The Nation — Last week, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson announced his plans to seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2012.

ContributorNetwork – COMMENTARY | Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas announced Tuesday the creation of a presidential exploratory committee. This will be the third time that Paul has started to make a run for the White House, the last dating back to 2008.