White House Defends Continuing U.S. Role in Libya Operation  —  WASHINGTON — The White House, pushing hard against criticism in Congress over the deepening air war in Libya, asserted Wednesday that President Obama had the authority to continue the military campaign without Congressional approval …

Gingrich's wife at center of presidential campaign turmoil, sources say  —  New details, including concerns over his third wife, Callista, have emerged about why Newt Gingrich's entire senior campaign staff walked out on the presidential hopeful.  NBC's Michael Isikoff reports.  —  By Michael Isikoff

Issa: DoJ should be ‘ashamed’  —  Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) on Wednesday escalated his standoff with the Department of Justice over a gun-tracking program that might have contributed to the death of federal agent.  —  As the family of slain ATF agent Brian Terry pleaded for justice …

Weiner may lose committee slot  —  House Democratic leaders could begin the process of taking away Rep. Anthony Weiner's committee assignments today as part of a final push to force him from office, even as a minor backlash against calls for his resignation has emerged from one corner of the caucus.

Weiner: 'You Aren't Giving My Package Due Credit'  —  Ginger Lee — the former porn star, current “featured dancer” and aspiring real estate agent — just told reporters about her relationship with Congressman Anthony Weiner, saying he repeatedly texted her about his “package” but denies she ever sexted him.

A Curious Insularity  —  In the world of Barack Obama, inflating tires and “tuning up” modern car engines precludes off-shore drilling.  Four-dollar-a-gallon gas prices can be ameliorated by having the average consumer trade in his 8-mpg clunker.  Medical bills soar because doctors unnecessarily rip out tonsils and lop off limbs.

Exclusive Interviews: Jon Huntsman Is Tired of Waiting  —  On Tuesday, Jon Huntsman — the former governor of Utah and, more recently, the U.S. ambassador to China — will officially enter the race for the Republican presidential nomination.  But he has already begun to distinguish himself …

Michele Bachmann's Unrivaled Extremism  —  THE DAILY BEAST ON:  —  Her anti-gay platform has alienated parts of her family.  A mentor she described as a “great influence” has a history of addresses to white supremacists.  A book she collaborated on advocates theocracy.

Obama, February 2009: If this economy hasn't rebounded in three years, I'm a one-termer  —  I'm stealing this from Ace, who in turn stole it from this guy, but the theft is justified in the interest of circulating such a devastating clip.  The key bit comes at 4:20.

Good for Mitt Romney — though we've long passed the point where weak lip-service is enough on the Climate Crisis  —  While other Republicans are running from the truth, he is sticking to his guns in the face of the anti-science wing of the Republican Party: “It seemed like a straightforward question …

John Edwards' mug shot released  —  (CNN)-Former U.S. Senator John Edwards, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and campaign law violations in early June.  His mug shot was obtained by CNN following a Freedom of Information Act request.  —  The plea came after a federal grand jury indicted him on six counts …

N.Y. Senate Republicans Undecided on a Gay Marriage Vote  —  ALBANY — Senate Republican leaders said on Wednesday that they had not decided whether to take a vote on legalizing same-sex marriage, as advocates were in a full-court press to gain the one vote needed to pass the measure before Monday …

Debbie Wasserman Schultz: ‘We own the economy’  —  Democrats are ready to take responsibility for the state of the economy and they deserve credit for putting it on the right track, the party's chairwoman, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, said on Wednesday.  —  “We own the economy.

Unions file suit to halt collective bargaining legislation  —  Madison - One day after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of collective-bargaining legislation that potentially affects thousands of public-sector employees, a coalition of unions filed suit in federal court seeking to block it.

Prop 8 Proponents Vow to Appeal Ruling Denying Motion to Dismiss Over Judge's Sexuality  —  Ari Ezra Waldman is a 2002 graduate of Harvard College and a 2005 graduate of Harvard Law School.  After practicing in New York for five years and clerking at a federal appellate court in Washington …

Pelosi's wealth grows by 62 percent  —  House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) saw her net worth rise 62 percent last year, cementing her status as one of the wealthiest members of Congress.  —  Pelosi was worth at least $35.2 million in the 2010 calendar year, according to a financial disclosure report released Wednesday.

Banned in Boston: Scott Brown ad too “political,” says MBTA  —  UPDATE: Politico has picked up this story. :-)  —  Thank goodness the MBTA is around to protect the tender, delicate sensibilities of its riders.  Otherwise, they might have had to look at this ad, which a group called 350.org wanted …

Life expectancy in most US counties falls behind world's healthiest nations  —  The most current county-level analysis finds large disparities nationwide.  Women fare worse than men, and people in Appalachia, the Deep South, and Northern Texas live the shortest lives.

BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL  —  ATM industry not happy about Obama comments  —  Senior Editorial Writer Follow Him @Philipaklein  —  The Automated Teller Machine industry is not happy about President Obama's comments that the development of ATMs has cost jobs.  Here's a sampling of some of the feedback I've been getting.

North Carolina Becomes Third State to De-Fund Planned Parenthood  —  North Carolina has become the third state to de-fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business now that both houses of the state legislature have agreed to override the veto pro-abortion Gov. Bev Perdue's budget veto.

Obama Approval Rally Largely Over  —  Averaged 46% last week after averaging 50% for much of May  —  PRINCETON, NJ — President Obama's job approval rating averaged 46% for the week ending June 12, a significant decline from his weekly averages for most of May and nearly back to the level before Osama bin Laden's death on May 1.