Politics, Culture: Inferno

South Carolina Republican Joe Wilson pointed at President Barack Obama, sneered, and shouted, "You lie!" -- and promptly became a conservative "rock star," and a target of liberal contempt.

While speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives, Florida Democrat Alan Grayson said Republican health care policy boiled down to "don't get sick, and if you do get sick, die quickly" -- and promptly became a hero to the left and a villain to the right.

Tom DeLay, former Republican leader in the House, appeared on "Dancing With the Stars" and shook his you know what.

Democrat Jerry Brown is leading in the polls for next year's gubernatorial election in California.

Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine has moved into the lead in this year's race for governor in New Jersey.

Nevada Republican John Ensign says he will not resign from the Senate.

New York Democrat Charles Rangel remains chairman of the House committee that writes tax law.

It grows increasingly difficult to challenge British novelist Martin Amis' description of the United States as a "moronic inferno."