In another step toward equality for all, the US Senate confirmed James Paul Oetken, a law professor at Fordham, Greenwich Village resident, and openly gay man, to the federal judiciary yesterday. more ›

Is Newark's Cory Booker eyeing a seat in the Senate? Though the telegenic and Twitter-friendly mayor denied any interest in going to Washington not so long ago, his recent creation of a political action committee, called CoryPAC, has insiders wondering if he's changed his mind. But if Booker runs, how ever will he find the time to shovel out all of New Jersey? more ›

The U.S. Senate voted 58-39 to reject an amendment "allowing a person with a concealed weapon permit in one state to also hide his firearm when visiting another state." The AP adds, "Opponents prevailed in their argument that the measure violated states rights by forcing states with stringent requirements for permits to recognize concealed weapons carriers from states that give out permits to almost any gun owner." Senator Chuck Schumer, who along with fellow NY Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand voted against the amendment, said, "This was a narrow escape. We just breathe a sigh of relief that we've kept to the principle of trying to keep America safer." Politico notes that essentially all the pro-gun Democrats voted for the bill and two Republicans—George Voinovich of Ohio and Dick Lugar of Indiana—voted against it; plus, "In some ways, this is also a victory of sorts for Majority Leader Harry Reid, who was able to make a pro-gun vote to please the 2010 voters in Nevada without really facing any consequences in terms of actual policy." You can see the geographic and party breakdown of the vote here. more ›

Fred Thompson was never an actual Manhattan District Attorney, he just played one TV. He used the same medium to announce that he was running for President by pursuing the Republican nomination Wednesday night on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Unlike California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who announced his gubernatorial candidacy by appearing on The Tonight Show in person, Thompson made his announcement via a taped message that Leno aired. Speculation about the possibility of Thompson's imminent announcement has been growing recently. more ›

PARTY: First Fridays at the Guggenheim is ending it's run tonight. The Fridays have been curated by Flavorpill and tonight's bash will be set to the tune of a deejay set by Diplo. Music, cocktails and art on a Friday night - life could be worse. You can also explore RUSSIA!, not the country, the exhibition of over 275 masterpieces. more ›

As if things couldn't get worse for Jeanine Pirro, State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno has told the Westchester County DA to get out of the race for US Senate. Pirro has been fighting an uphill battle ever since her campaign started with a flub and the more recent news that her fundraising has been less than stellar. In his statement, Bruno said:

"I have said from the beginning, and I know a lot of my colleagues, and people within the party, share the thought, that she would make a great attorney general. By background, by her experience, by her prosecutorial record. And I hope that before this procedure gets too much further, that Jeanine Pirro would reconsider and run for A.G."