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March 01, 2012 | | OBIT Andrew Breitbart, publisher, commentator, and new-media advocate who helped build the Drudge Report and the Huffington Post, died of natural causes at the age of 43 early this morning, according to a post on his own aggregation site. Fellow conservative blooger David Frum writes that to speak only “good” of Breitbart would be to misunderstand the man. The good was there. Breitbart was by all accounts generous with time and advice, a loving husband and father, and a loyal friend. Yet perhaps Breitbart’s most consequential innovation was his invention of a new kind of culture war, and it’s difficult to assess his impact on American media and politics if you withhold an objective evaluation of his career—a career that was so representative of his times. Plus, watch video of seven memorable Breitbart moments. ROLL CALL The Senate voted 51–48 to defeat a “conscience” amendment that would allow employers to opt out of health-care coverage they find objectionable for religious or moral reasons. The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act was proposed by Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri as a pushback to the Obama administration’s mandate for birth-control coverage. Centrists played their cards close to their vests right up to the moment of the vote, with Republicans like Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine saying she felt the legislation needed to be more focused. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the Senate should be focusing its attention on other issues, such as energy policy. The measure was opposed by the vast majority of Democrats. FREEDOM Seven U.S. nonprofit workers who were charged in Egypt for using foreign funds to foment unrest have successfully left the country. The Americans, including the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood, had their travel ban lifted but were forced to post nearly $5 million in bail, which the U.S. government footed. The release lowers the tension on one of the worst crises between the two countries in 30 years, as the trial, which continues, is considered politically charged. The case infuriated Washington, which threatened to cut some $1.5 billion in annual aid to Egypt. ‘Ideological Divide’ At few junctures during the Republican primary race so far, Vice President Joe Biden has taken it upon himself to comment on the crop of candidates. On his way to Ames, Iowa, for a speech at Iowa State University, the VP decided that it was time for him to weigh in. Biden responded to Rick Santorum’s recent comment that President Obama’s mission to send every American to college or at least vocational school is snobby. "I think there is an ideological divide between Rick Santorum and all of America on this. I don’t think it’s between the parties," Biden told a reporter with Radio Iowa, Thursday. "Look, I’ve been going to college campuses and high schools all across America for the past six months talking about what the facts are. Six out of the 10 jobs over the next 10 years are going to require ... either a certificate or a degree beyond high school. It’s that simple." Withdrawal Following a brutal month-long assault—and threats from the Syrian government that they would "cleanse" and "mop up" the city—rebels have fled from the opposition hub of Homs. Reuters reports that activists are calling it a "tactical withdrawal," brought on by a new show of force from the regime as well as a heavy snowfall that amplified the shortage of food and supplies for residents under seige. Meanwhile, the United Nations and the Arab League have opted to send in former U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan to try to reach a peace agreement with Syria. | | 
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