CNN Exclusive: Bachmann to form exploratory committee in June, possibly earlier  —  Washington (CNN) - CNN has exclusively learned that Rep. Michele Bachmann will form a presidential exploratory committee.  The Minnesota Republican plans to file papers for the committee in early June, with an announcement likely around that same time.

President Barack Obama gets locked out of White House  —  Staff wasn't ready for his return  —  Last Updated: 1 hour and 48 minutes ago  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Barack Obama had to try a couple of doors at the White House before finally gaining access to the Oval Office on Wednesday.

BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL  —  White House: Libya fight is not war, it's ‘kinetic military action’  —  In the last few days, Obama administration officials have frequently faced the question: Is the fighting in Libya a war?  From military officers to White House spokesmen up to the president himself …

Hugs From Libyans  —  This may be a first for the Arab world: An American airman who bailed out over Libya was rescued from his hiding place in a sheep pen by villagers who hugged him, served him juice and thanked him effusively for bombing their country.  —  Even though some villagers …

Introducing the $184.27 Donald J. Trump Challenge  —  Donald J. Trump, star of a ratings-challenged primetime show that has become the “dumping ground” for washed-up reality television talent, wants us to believe that he's ready to pump $600 million of his own money into a campaign for president.

Liberal Bias at NPR?  —  Surveys show that millions of conservatives choose NPR, even with powerful conservative alternatives on the radio.  —  On the day NPR chief executive Vivian Schiller lost her job, I was reporting from Egypt.  That evening, I had dinner with employees from NPR's Cairo bureau.

Rights Are Curtailed for Terror Suspects  —  New rules allow investigators to hold domestic-terror suspects longer than others without giving them a Miranda warning, significantly expanding exceptions to the instructions that have governed the handling of criminal suspects for more than four decades.

Unsustainable budget threatens nation  —  Repeated battles over the 2011 budget are taking attention from a more dire problem—the long-run budget deficit.  —  Divided government is no excuse for inaction.  The bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform …

Romney's Ask: Raise $50 Million  —  About 100 fund-raisers gathered at Manhattan's venerated Harvard Club this morning to hear former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney lay out his ambition: Raise $50 million fast.  —  One Romney fundraiser said the $50 million figure was what the governor wanted …

'I'm through whining about a liberal press,' says Sarah Palin  —  Sarah Palin insists she's done complaining about the liberal media.  —  Speaking to Greta Van Susteren on Fox News Wednesday night, the former Alaska governor shrugged off what she contends is a double standard in the way conservative women are treated.

Paglia on Taylor: “A luscious, opulent, ripe fruit!”  —  Camille Paglia considers the “volcanic” Elizabeth Taylor — and all the unworthy starlets who could never match up … I remember reading your essay on Elizabeth Taylor from Penthouse in 1992 (it appeared in the collection “Sex, Art …

Rep. Connie Mack IV Set to Make Senate Announcement  —  Correction Appended  —  All signs are suggesting that Rep. Connie Mack IV will formally enter Florida's Senate contest Friday morning, joining what will likely be a crowded and powerful Republican field fighting for the chance to challenge Sen. Bill Nelson (D) in 2012.

Census: Nation Now 16% Hispanic  —  The Hispanic population surged 43% in the last decade and Hispanics now make up more than 16% of the nation's population, according to just-released Census figures.  —  The surge in Hispanics' share of the population, larger than demographers initially had expected …

Dept. of ingratitude  —  The dreaded Koch family gave the DSCC $30,000 last cycle, but that's no defense from this, in a fundraising email from Harry Reid, headlined “Koch Brothers”: … Full email after the jump.  —  Dear xxxx,  —  We should be trying to put Americans back to work, not trying to put public radio out of business.

Assad offers freedoms after forces kill 37  —  DERAA, Syria (Reuters) - President Bashar al-Assad made an unprecedented pledge of greater freedom and more prosperity to Syrians Thursday as anger mounted following a crackdown on protesters that left at least 37 dead.

Missing: Newt Gingrich's Tweets Before July 2010  —  Newt Gingrich—presidential contender, friend of polar bears, opponent/supporter of the invasion in Libya—is a simple man drawn to simple pleasures.  Long before launching his exploratory committee, he frequently chronicled his life's joys on his Twitter feed.

Forced Into Medicare  —  A federal judge tells seniors to take it or lose Social Security.  —  This week marks the first anniversary of ObamaCare, and if you are wondering where that coercive law is headed, we'd point to a case in federal court.  That's where Judge Rosemary Collyer has ruled …

Rand Paul presidential run may hinge on dad's decision  —  Rand Paul talks about Lybia, Presidential run, oth...  Rand Paul's opening remarks to Louisville Rotary C...  U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., appeared to inch closer to a 2012 presidential run Thursday morning.

Worldwide Approval of U.S. Leadership Tops Major Powers  —  U.S. also remains top desired destination for potential migrants  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States continues to achieve higher global approval ratings than China, Russia, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Al Gore: House GOP majority mirrors ‘dark days’ of Bush administration  —  The former vice president made a fundraising pitch for the DCCC ahead of March 31 fundraising goal of $1 million.  —  Former Vice President Al Gore is asking Democratic activists to send donations to House Democrats' campaign arm …

Moody's warns Britain over triple-A credit rating  —  Moody's, the ratings agency, said Britain's triple-A credit rating could be at risk if slower growth makes it harder for the government to rein in its budget deficit.  —  Follow our Budget 2011 live coverage for the latest news on the 2011 Budget.