LIGHTNING ROUND: THE NUCLEAR OPTION.

• A New York Times story from yesterday reported that the AMA, unsurprisingly, is dead-set against a public option in the health care reform bill. But today, the AMA clarified that it "is willing to consider other variations of the public plan that are currently under discussion in Congress." Ezra Klein sees key players in Congress playing hardball with the industry, which could account for the AMA's quick backtrack.
• The indefatigable House GOP policy shop is at it again, heralding their candy-and-unicorns energy bill that will "lead to lower prices, more jobs, a cleaner environment, and greater energy independence." mainly through increased reliance on nuclear power and opening up ANWR to oil drilling. What's strange, though, is how exactly the bill is supposed to address climate change, when the bill itself states, "the impact of greenhouse gas on any species of fish, or wildlife, or plant shall not be considered for any purpose in the implementation of this Act." Meanwhile, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) has described the Democratic energy plan as "C.R.A.P., or 'Continue Ruining America’s Prosperity.'" My Hill sources tell me Barton then thumbed his nose at Henry Waxman and called him a "poopy-head."
• While the "responsible white separatist community" (seriously) is condemning yesterday's act of violence, others have not been so diplomatic, as The Liberty Council is still raising money off right-wing extremist pride. 
• I feel as though I ought to offer some sort of cash prize to anyone who can explain to me this Chris Cillizza post that identifies Gingrich, Palin, and Pawlenty as, respectively, "the head, heart and gut" of the contemporary GOP. Is it supposed to be analysis? Is it a prediction for a presidential election that's over three years away? What's the point of portraying how each of these politicians, no doubt, desires to be portrayed in the press? So confused...
• It's good to see that Democrats are going after Rep. Mark Kirk's deliberate efforts to undermine American credibility with China. Kirk's actions won't actually affect the U.S.-China relationship, but what does it say about a person who is not only rooting for failure, but is actively trying to make that failure happen?
• Remainders: Operation Rescue tries to put a positive spin on George Tiller's assassination; Karl Rove can apparently spew pure b******t without getting called on it; Coleman pays Franken; liberals, fascism aren't the only subjects that perplex Jonah Goldberg; and the next time you find yourself in Hobart, Oklahoma, make sure you pay a visit to the "General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum."

--Mori Dinauer