Rand Paul won't answer Civil Rights Act question  —  Moving from the Republican Primary to the general election means, for Rand Paul, addressing a broader set of issues than the anti-tax, anti-spending focus of his campaign.  —  And while he's answered this question before …

Sen. Harry Reid Suggests Sen. Scott Brown Lied  —  ABC's Jonathan Karl reports: Did Harry Reid just call Scott Brown a liar?  —  Basically, yes.  —  Here's the story: The Senate just rejected Reid's effort to move to a vote on the Wall Street reform bill, 57-42 (60 votes were needed).

The New York Times has some explaining to do  —  This Associated Press report about the controversy surrounding Richard Blumenthal's description of his military service raises some questions about the New York Times' handling of the story: … So why didn't the Times include Blumenthal …

Md. second-grader gives first lady pop quiz on immigration  —  As much as they might want to defer the conversation, the politically charged issue of illegal immigration continues to dog members of the Obama administration.  —  On Wednesday, with TV cameras rolling during an event to promote healthy eating …

Obama Turns His Back On the Press  —  At a ceremony to sign a bill promoting press freedom around the world on Monday, President Obama refused to take questions from the reporters in attendance.  “I'm not doing a press conference today,” he told Chip Reid of CBS News, “but we'll be seeing you guys during the course of the week.”

Heavy Sludge Oozes into Marshes of Louisiana  —  Governor Bobby Jindal Flew over Site and Reported “Heavy Oil;” CBS Cameras Turned Away by BP, Coast Guard  —  (CBS/AP) It may be the most disturbing site yet: the first heavy sludge now oozing into the marshes of Louisiana as the slick continues to grow in size out in the gulf.

Reflecting on PA-12  —  My biggest takeaway from the surprising outcome in PA-12 last night, besides the fact that Mark Critz and the DCCC did an amazing job?  There's a limit to just how unpopular Republicans can be and still hope to make gains everywhere this fall.

Congress about to limit political speech of bloggers?  —  The same sloppy legislative writing that created so many unintended consequences in ObamaCare also plagues the DISCLOSE Act, the effort in Congress to tighten spending rules in the wake of the Citizens United decision — and that's the generous take on the situation.

Tonight at the White House State Dinner: Beyoncé and Rodrigo y Gabriela  —  State Dinner and Reception guests are in for a musical treat - Beyoncé and Rodrigo y Gabriela will perform in a tent on the South Lawn following the Dinner tonight.  —  Watch the Live Streams:

KFC's bet on the Double Down is paying off  —  Fast-food chain extends popular, bunless menu item  —  KFC's Double Down is essentially a sandwich with two chicken filets taking the place of bread slices.  In between are two pieces of bacon, melted slices of Monterey jack and pepper jack cheese and a zesty sauce.

On the Hingham school situation  —  As a young bishop in the West Indies I once celebrated a memorial Mass for a local “madame” who ran a brothel near my Cathedral.  It was said she smuggled women in from other islands in oil barrels for her business.  Some women suffocated in the crossing.

Obama Should Go to Israel!  —  During a meeting with Jewish Democrats it was suggested — by which participant(s) we don't know — that Obama should visit Israel.  I mused about such a trip earlier this month.  Yes, let's see Obama interact with the Israeli people and go to the Knesset.

Obama's Second State Dinner Attracts No Gate Crashers  —  WASHINGTON — Some of them were still clutching their embossed invitations, proof that they belonged.  They had already been asked their names once, twice, three times to make sure they were actually on the list.

Power Play Over Immigration Law  —  LA's boycott resolution sparks a threat over power the city receives from Arizona  —  An Arizona utility commissioner said he's willing to pull the plug on Los Angeles if the city goes through with a boycott of his state.

White House Embraces Upstart Who Beat Specter  —  Shortly after Representative Joe Sestak won an improbable victory Tuesday over Senator Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania's Democratic Senate primary, President Obama called Mr. Sestak to congratulate him.  The president pledged his full support …

Feingold and Cantwell Explain Their Votes Against Cloture  —  [Ed. Note: See David's previous post on the financial regulation bill's failure to pass a cloture vote earlier today.]  —  After voting against cloture on the Wall Street reform bill, Russ Feingold released this statement: