With his stint as President Obama’s Middle East peace negotiator behind him, former Sen. George Mitchell now has time to chat with fellow Mainers about politics. He spoke in Portland the other day and his remarks produced this headline: “George Mitchell: Partisanship ‘worse than it’s ever been.'”

It might be the most eagerly anticipated decision in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court. It is certain to be, as suggested in a Washington Post news story, the “most high-profile ruling since Bush vs. Gore in 2000.”

Can this be happening? Newt Gingrich? Roll this around on your tongue: Republican presidential nominee Newt Gingrich. Or this: President Newt Gingrich.

What’s $5 a month to Bank of America? The money clearly meant more to the financial giant’s debit-card holders, because they fought harder for it.

While the inhabitants of Washington, D.C., sit in the worst political gridlock the nation has seen in a lifetime, amazing things are happening all around the country — without the blessing of those who get paid to do the public’s bidding.

Mired in accusations of sexual harassment, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain told reporters, “(D)on’t even bother me asking me all of these other questions that you all are curious about. Don’t even bother.”

Of all the sins of omission committed by Penn State University in its alleged mishandling of sexual assaults, perhaps the most unforgivable was the failure to find the young boy who was seen being victimized in 2002.