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

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

‘Nothing More Impeachable’ Than War Without Authorization, Says Constitutional Scholar  —  (CNSNews.com) - Louis Fisher, a scholar in residence at the Constitution Project who served for 40 years as a constitutional law expert at the Library of Congress, says Americans and members of Congress …

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 …

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.

GOP shifting on anti-tax policy  —  In light of the nation's deficit, some Republicans are calling for an end to individual and corporate tax deductions.  —  The most visible split in the battle over tax breaks is playing out between anti-tax activist Grover Norquist and Sen. Tom Coburn, above, the conservative Oklahoma Republican.