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

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.

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 …

Ayman al-Zawahiri appointed as al-Qaeda leader  —  Zawahiri warned a week ago that Bin Laden would continue to “terrify” the US from beyond the grave  —  Al-Qaeda has appointed Ayman al-Zawahiri as leader following the death of Osama Bin Laden, the organisation's general command says in a statement.

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.

Return Of The Dreaded Misery Index  —  Economy: As if the picture weren't bleak enough, here's one more data point to worry about — the Misery Index is on the rise.  —  Conceived by economist Arthur Okun in the early 1970s, the Misery Index simply adds together the inflation and unemployment rates …

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.

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.

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 …

Biden talks focus on debt reduction caps  —  Negotiators in the debt talks led by Vice President Biden met for more than two hours Wednesday, discussing proposals for structural spending reforms.  —  Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the assistant Democratic leader, emerged from the meeting saying he was …

Romney Solidifies 2012 GOP Lead  —  President Obama Remains Ahead of All Republican Candidates, but Poll Shows Worries About Economy Are Mounting  —  Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has surged to a clear lead in the Republican race for the presidential nomination …

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.

GOP skirmishes complicate Boehner's plan on debt deal  —  A series of policy battles that have broken out among House Republicans poses a significant challenge to Speaker John Boehner's (R-Ohio) effort to unify his troops on a bill raising the nation's debt ceiling.

Prince Harry to return to Afghanistan  —  Prince Harry will be granted his wish to return to Afghanistan as an Apache attack helicopter pilot after completing his training next year.  —  The Prince gained his wings earlier this year  —  The Prince, who was hastily withdrawn from a tour …

Activists by Invitation  —  No one loves an activist judge.  We know this because members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are forever denouncing “judicial activism” and warning of its hidden dangers.  Last summer, when Sen. Orrin Hatch, Republican of Utah, became the first member …

The breast cancer patients TOO OLD to save: Thousands are being denied surgery by ‘ageist’ doctors  —  Elderly women are being denied life-saving breast cancer surgery that is routinely given to younger patients, alarming research reveals.  —  Some doctors look at a patient's age in their notes …

Trouble in Vancouver's Streets After Defeat  —  VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Rioting hockey fans overturned vehicles and set them ablaze, broke store and hotel windows and set several small fires in downtown areas here moments after the Vancouver Canucks lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals to the Boston Bruins.

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.

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 …