Washington in 60 Seconds: Tickle Fights Break Out in Congress

Good morning, Capitolists! As any political junkie knows, every year has a buzzword: 2000 brought us "hanging chads"; 2008 meant we all knew what a "super-delegate" was and that it mattered for the first time in history.

We're both amused and pained to report that the official political buzzword of 2010 is "tickle fight," the mind-boggling explanation that Eric Massa gave Glenn Beck on Tuesday as he defended himself against charges of groping male members of his staff.

While tickle fights dominate the conversation in Washington today, don't forget to check out what's actually making news:


- Sales Job. President Obama hits the road again today to make the case for health care reform. He'll go to swing-state Missouri for a town hall this afternoon, and will raise some campaign cash for Sen. Claire McCaskill in the evening.

- SCOTUS Scolds POTUS. Do you remember the moment during the State of the Union address when the president chided members of the Supreme Court for their decision on campaign finance reform, and Justice Alito said, "Not true"? Chief Justice John Roberts talked about it Tuesday, calling the incident "very troubling" and saying the speech has "degenerated to a political pep rally." The AP has the unusual moment of candor from Roberts.

- SOTUS v. SCOTUS. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have strong opinions about that Supreme Court decision, Citizens United v. FEC, so they're having a hearing today to find ways to legislate around it. The title of the hearing: "We the People?"

- Penny-Wise, Pound-Foolish? While the media obsess about the president's $200 billion-a-year health care proposal, the real action on your money is quietly happening at 13 different appropriations hearings on the House side today. Representatives will mull over hundreds of ways to spend the federal budget, which will top $3.7 trillion -- yes, trillion -- for next year alone.

- Speaking of Money. Gazillionaires Bill and Melinda Gates will testify about global health, as will Bill Clinton, at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing today. A major topic of conversation will be Haiti's struggles to recover from its devastating earthquake.

- Help for Haiti. President Rene Prewal is in Washington today to make the case for Haiti himself, as he meets with President Obama and top Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill.