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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Earth may be headed into a mini Ice Age within a decade  —  Physicists say sunspot cycle is ‘going into hibernation’  —  What may be the science story of the century is breaking this evening, as heavyweight US solar physicists announce that the Sun appears to be headed into a lengthy spell of low activity …

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.

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.

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 …

Cable worried about poverty, not Netflix  —  (Reuters) - For all the talk about competitive threats from the likes of Netflix Inc or Apple Inc, it is rising poverty among households that TV executives say is their biggest source of concern.  —  Executives from News Corp, Comcast Corp and Time Warner Inc …

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.

Does Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette have the power to delay publication of the collective-bargaining law until June 28th?  —  “La Follette said he had consulted with his own attorney as well as his own staff to make sure he followed proper procedure.

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.