Barack Obama

Many conservatives are furious over Newsweek's controversy-bait cover story by Andrew Sullivan, whose headline asks, "Why Are Obama's Critics So Dumb?"

Sarah Palin is taking it particularly personally, though.

"Know what's truly 'dumb'?" Palin Tweeted. "Giving a cover story to the Trig Truther conspiracy kook writer who thinks I didn't give birth to my son."

In a play on the "Birther" conspiracy surrounding Obama's birth certificate, Palin is calling out Sullivan for questioning whether she is Trig's real mother.

In 2008, Sullivan and others theorized that a Sarah Palin pregnancy scandal involving a cover-up of Bristol Palin getting knocked up could be in effect.

Bristol was, of course, pregnant with Tripp, not Trig.

He hypothesized that Palin "faked the pregnancy to avoid embarrassment for her daughter [Bristol Palin] or for political gain or some combination of reasons."

Sullivan's response to Palin calling him out today?

It's amazing to think that when Rick Perry entered the GOP presidential race last summer, he did so as the frontrunner, only to sink like a stone in the ensuing months.

On second thought, maybe it's not that amazing.

The Texas Governor defended the Marines urinating on dead bodies in Afghanistan, while accusing Barack Obama's administration of "disdain for the military."

"Obviously, 18 and 19-year-old kids make stupid mistakes all too often. And that's what's occurred here," the Republican candidate told CNN's State of the Union.

Saying the Marines should be reprimanded but not prosecuted, Perry railed against the "over-the-top rhetoric from this administration and their disdain for the military."

Marines Urinating on Dead Bodies

A military criminal investigation is ongoing after the video, which purportedly shows four Marines urinating on corpses of slain Taliban soldiers, went viral last week.

Perry's comments put him at odds with ... well, pretty much every other political leader, including those in his own party such as Sen. John McCain, who said:

"The Marine Corps prides itself that we don't lower ourselves to the level of the enemy. So it makes me sad more than anything else, because ... I can't tell you how wonderful these people (Marines) are. And it hurts their reputation and their image."

"We're trying to win the hearts and minds" of the Afghan population, McCain added. "And when something like that comes up, it obviously harms that ability."

Well put ... and pretty much what Obama has said as well.

No one has been charged in the case, but U.S. and foreign officials have called for swift punishment of the four Marines for their actions in the video (above).

Angelina Jolie has spent plenty of time in Washington, D.C., as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, but yesterday, she visited the White House with Brad Pitt.

There, they enjoyed a private meeting with President Barack Obama!

The leader of the free world and Hollywood's most famous couple dissected the New Hampshire primary. Kidding. They discussed a cause dear to Angelina's heart ...

The plight of women caught up in war zones - such as the one depicted in her film The Land of Blood and Honey - and how the U.S. can get involved combating mass violence against civilians in troubled areas was Brangelina's reason for visiting.

Pitt, who has consulted with Obama regarding his plans for the redevelopment of New Orleans' hurricane-ravaged Lower Ninth Ward, talked about that as well.

You have to respect the couple's commitment to these causes. No word on whether Secret Service confiscated Brad Pitt's cane before he met with Obama.

[Photos: WENN.com]

The campaign of Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is scrambling to put some of his recent remarks in context amid accusations of racism.

As Speaker of the House in the early 90s, welfare reform was one of his signature issues, and improving poverty in America is part of his stump speech.

Though his comments are not always politically correct or well received by some groups, Newt doesn't hold back when it comes to ethnic communities.

Such was the case yesterday in Plymouth, N.H.:

Newt Gingrich Food Stamp Comment

"And so I'm prepared if the NAACP invites me, I'll go to their convention and talk about why the African American community should demand paychecks, not be satisfied with food stamps," Gingrich said on a campaign visit.

If Gingrich wins the Republican nomination (an increasingly unlikely outcome), "I will make the key test very simple - food stamps versus paychecks."

"Obama is the best food stamp president in American history. More people are on food stamps today because of Obama's policies than ever in history," he said.

"I would like to be the best paycheck president in American history."

Honest mistake or Freudian slip?

Sen. John McCain mixed up Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney, who he endorsed this week, in a campaign appearance on the latter's behalf.

Speaking on Romney's behalf in South Carolina, the 2008 GOP nominee opined that he has little doubt President Obama will get the country going again.

Pretty funny.

McCain Mixes Up Obama, Romney

Sarah Palin weighed in on the race for the White House last night.

You were dying to hear from her, we know. You're so welcome.

Appearing on Fox News' Hannity, Palin, who hasn't endorsed a Republican candidate in the 2012 campaign, offered general praise for the field after Tuesday's Iowa caucus results, reserving the red meat for President Barack Obama.

Sarah Palin on Hannity

"My concern is for the GOP candidate who wins this primary as they go forward to face the Obama presidential ticket machine and really the thuggery that is involved in that," Palin said, segueing to John McCain's endorsement of Mitt Romney.

"I believe that Senator McCain, in his endorsement of Mitt Romney, Senator McCain and I, we're the only ones in America who have ever had to face that Obama presidential ticket machine and all that it encompassed," she added.

"What it encompassed, you know, this unscrupulous, gimmicky scheme that it was."

"Senator McCain, evidently has chosen Mitt Romney as the one to be the most prepared to face this thuggery, this scheme that someone's going to have to face."

Is Romney the best prepared? Or the most electable? Do you wish Palin would have run for President herself? Or that she'd go away forever? Share your thoughts with us.

Chances Mitt Romney knew who Kim Kardashian was before his speechwriters came up with this line? Not good. Chances you'll laugh anyway? Very good.

The Republican presidential candidate, locked in a tight race with Ron Paul and the surging Rick Santorum leading into Iowa's caucuses tomorrow, dropped some wit and pop culture knowledge into his stump speech in Council Bluffs on Sunday.

Romney drew similarities between President Obama's campaign promises of four years ago and the wedding vows of Kim Kardashian. Take a look:

Mitt Romney Kim Kardashian Joke

"I've been looking at some video clips on YouTube of President Obama, then-candidate Obama, going through Iowa, making promises," Mitt Romney said.

"I think the gap between his promises and his performance is the largest I've seen since, well, the Kardashian wedding and the promise of until death do us part."

ZING!

Kim and Kris Humphries famously kalled it quits after just 72 days of marriage last year, a union some say was staged for Kourtney and Kim Take NY.

Romney, who will never be accused of having a magnetic personality, has nevertheless loosened up a bit in recent weeks with lines such as this one.

The 64-year-old father of five sons, Mitt later credited his daughters-in-law with keeping him in the loop on celebrity gossip. At least he's honest.

President Barack Obama blended his roles as dad and commander-in-chief on Christmas, spending time with his family and U.S. service members stationed in Hawaii.

Posing for a picture with the leader of the free world, one young American was far from intimidated. In fact, the youngster proceeded to maul the President's face!

No word on how the Secret Service handles situations like these, or if the little one was interrogated. Watch the amusing video of Obama and a hands-on baby below:

Obama Poses With Baby

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama offered a special tribute to those who serve our nation and the families who support them unconditionally, while encouraging all Americans to give in their own way in his weekly address.

"Giving of ourselves; service to others – that’s what this season is all about. For my family and millions of Americans, that’s what Christmas is all about," he said.

"It reminds us that part of what it means to love God is to love one another ... to be our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper. But that belief is not just at the center of our Christian faith, it’s shared by Americans of all faiths and backgrounds."

"So whatever you believe, wherever you’re from, let’s remember the spirit of service that connects us all this season – as Americans. Each of us can do our part to serve our communities and our country, not just today, but every day."

Here's Barack and Michelle's address to the nation:

Obama Christmas Address

Barack and Michelle Obama will appear on ABC's 20/20 tonight.

Barbara Walters, who says she may retire in 2012, conducted the interview with the First Couple and aired a preview of it yesterday on The View (below).

In the sit-down, Michelle Obama talked about the importance of prioritizing herself, even while married to the U.S. President, and sending the right message to the couple's two young daughters. Clearly, the family dynamic works for them:

Michelle and Barack Obama on 20-20 (Preview)

This great exchange also happens at another juncture:

Walters: "What is your biggest peeve of each other?"
President Obama: "I don't have one."
Walters: "Aww."
Michelle Obama: "My list is too long."

Hey, at least the payroll tax cut extension passed.