Bryan Fischer, the "Director of Issues Analysis" for the conservative Christian group the American Family Association, wrote on his blog this week that gays -- not Julian Assange -- are responsible for the thousands of government documents released by Assange's WikiLeaks.

More specifically, Fischer assumes that the alleged WikiLeaks source Private Bradley Manning was "at minimum" seriously confused about his sexuality. He then really stretches things when he suggests that Manning leaked the documents to wage war on the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

A day after President Barack Obama's White House's compromise with Republicans on extending the Bush-era tax cuts, Sen.-elect Rand Paul almost had a compliment for the president.

"I actually think that President Obama is going to turn out to be fairly pragmatic with the new Republican Congress," Paul told CNN's Wolf Blitzer in an interview to be broadcast later.

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Fox News' Megyn Kelly this afternoon spent the better part of 10 minutes talking over each other on the White House's compromise with Republicans to temporarily extend the Bush-era tax cuts for all Americans.

Weiner lamented the fact that the House in the past two years has sent more than 200 bills to the Senate only to see them "die," which he said makes it essentially impossible to get much of anything done.

1||House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Tuesday evening lit the Capitol's Christmas tree -- a 67-foot Engelmann Spruce from Wyoming. Joined by fellow members of Congress, and even a 6th grader from Wyoming who helped her light the tree, Pelosi said, "through the gift and the lighting of this magnificent tree and its ornaments, we are showcasing the beauty of the Equality State for the entire nation to see."||Jeff Malet/maletphoto.com&&

2||The massive Engelmann Spruce arrives in Washington.||Jeff Malet/maletphoto.com&&

3||Jeff Underwood and his famiy with Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY). Underwood drove the tree to Washington.||Jeff Malet/maletphoto.com&&

4||The crew begins to unload the 67-foot Engelmann Spruce.||Jeff Malet/maletphoto.com&&

5||||Jeff Malet/maletphoto.com&&

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8||House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)||Jeff Malet/maletphoto.com&&

9||Members of the Cheyenne All City Children's Choir performed a medley of carols during the tree-lighting ceremony.||Jeff Malet/maletphoto.com&&

10||Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY).||Jeff Malet/maletphoto.com&&

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Like Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Stephen Colbert is a staunch proponent of the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, saying it "is a testament to the American tolerance of all people we never find out are gay."

"In fact," Colbert added, "I bet I'm tolerating unknown gays in my audience right now. Let's see, if you're gay, don't tell me. It could be all of them ... yet I'm fine with not knowing that.

Jon Stewart last night focused his attention on the White House's compromise to extend the Bush-era tax cuts, declaring the winner ... "lower taxes and more spending!"

"Wait, that wasn't an option," Stewart said. "That'd be like, 'Hey, you know how we'll all get in shape after New Years? Laziness and bacon.' "

Apparently nothing says patriotism like the cold, hard steel of an M1911, .45-caliber handgun -- designed with love by a local gunmaker.

Which is probably why Utah state Rep. Carl Wimmer (R) wants to make it Utah's official state firearm.

Elizabeth Edwards -- the wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards -- died Tuesday after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 61. In a heartfelt farewell message on her Facebook, Edwards wrote: "It isn't possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know." Here are more pictures of Edwards' life.

John and Elizabeth Edwards on their wedding day in 1977.


Edwards Family/Zuma Press/Newscom

The Edwards in 2003 at a campaign stop in Bedford, New Hampshire.


Picture Desk Photos/Newscom

The Edwards, left, in Pennsylvania with then-presidential nominee John Kerry.


Archie Carpenter/UPI/Newscom

Elizabeth Edwards in September, 2010.


Newscom/Zuma Press

The Edwards family during happier times at their home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.


Splash News/Newscom

Edwards, Patrick Swazye's widow Lisa Niemi and Maria Shriver in 2009 at a Women's Conference in Long Beach, CA.


Kennell Krista/SIPA/Newscom

Edwards testifying before Congress on the cost of medical debt in 2009.


Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom

Edwards making a solo campaign stop for her husband in Bedford, New Hampshire in 2007.


Chris Fitzgerald/CandidatePhotos/Newscom

Edwards leaving "The Daily Show" after promoting her book, Resilience in 2009.


Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom

Edwards discussing the U.S. health care system in 2008.


CD1/Newscom

The Edwards family at a 2008 campaign stop in Des Moines, Iowa.


John Sommers II/UPI/Newscom

The then-presidential candidates' spouses Jeri Thompson, Michelle Obama, Ann Romney, Elizabeth Edwards and Cindy Hensley McCain at the 2007 Women's Conference in Long Beach, California.


Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom

Edwards testifying before Congress on the challenges and opportunities of cancer in 2008. Joining her were Tour de France-winner Lance Armstrong and former America Online CEO Steve Case.


John Sommers II/UPI/Newscom

Edwards in high spirits after her husband's campaign speech at a 2007 town hall forum in Concord, New Hampshire.


Chris Fitzgerald/CandidatePhotos/Newscom

John and Elizabeth Edwards at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.


Nancy Kaszerman/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Edwards at a Borders bookstore in New York City in 2007, signing her book, "Saving Graces."


Newscom/Zuma Press

Elizabeth Edwards in August, 2007.


Newscom/Marlene Karas/photolink.net

Gov.-elect Paul LePage (R-ME) on Monday tried to walk back his claim that if 35 states join a lawsuit against the federal government, the health care law "dies automatically."

It turns out it's not quite that simple. No such provision exists in the Constitution. So LePage's spokesman Dan Demeritt explained what he really meant to say.

As the Portland Press Herald reports

"His intent was to discuss the concept of broad-based political opposition, rather than a nonexistent statutory or constitutional trigger."

Stephen Colbert last night celebrated the White House's compromise on extending the Bush-era tax cuts, saying he "cannot wait to create all those jobs."

"We rich folks wouldn't have our tax cuts if (President Barack Obama) wasn't willing to fight all the Democrats who want him to fight the Republicans," Colbert added.