Senate kills off ethanol tax credits in possible break with tax pledge  —  The Senate voted 73-27 Thursday to kill a major tax break that benefits the ethanol industry, handing a political win to a bipartisan group of lawmakers that call the incentive needless and expensive.

Dan Choi Rips Up Obama Flyer: 'I Won't Support Obama If He Doesn't Endorse Marriage Equality'  —  Lt. Dan Choi ripped up an Obama For America (OFA) flyer this afternoon during a panel at Netroots Nation when he was confronted by an Obama volunteer who attempted to explain away the President's opposition to same-sex marriage:

My Job Offer for Anthony Weiner  —  Mr. Weiner:  —  After having learned of your sudden and compelled resignation from your Congressional post, I would like to make you an offer of employment at Flynt Management Group, LLC in our Internet group.  As a Congressman, you are known for your intensity and perseverance.

Romney: 'I'm Also Unemployed'  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Mitt Romney sat at the head of the table at a coffee shop here on Thursday, listening to a group of unemployed Floridians explain the challenges of looking for work.  When they finished, he weighed in with a predicament of his own.

Jon Huntsman Cancels Appearance At Republican Leadership Conference Due To Illness  —  ABC News' Michael Falcone (@michaelpfalcone) reports:  —  Although he was slated to speak at a major gathering of Republicans taking place in New Orleans this weekend — just days before the official rollout …

2012 Voter Preferences for Obama, “Republican” Remain Close  —  Forty-four percent prefer the Republican; 39%, Obama  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Forty-four percent of registered voters say they are more likely to vote for “the Republican Party's candidate” and 39% for Barack Obama …

Edwards Sought Millions From ‘Bunny’ Mellon  —  Just weeks before federal prosecutors charged John Edwards in a six-count felony indictment, ABC News has been told, the two-time Democratic presidential candidate requested millions of dollars from Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, the banking heiress …

Michele Bachmann and the Empathy Card  —  I am a long-time friend and admirer of Michele Bachmann, but nevertheless was disappointed when it became clear that she was going to run for president.  I did not think she would be a serious candidate—sorry, Michele!—and believed she would distract needlessly …

Obama Fails to Justify the Legality of War in Libya  —  In a letter to John Boehner and a 38-page report, the White House could not prove it complied with the War Powers Resolution  —  Is the U.S. at war in Libya, putting President Obama in violation of the War Powers Resolution?

Union leader compares NJ gov to Hitler at rally  —  Thousands participate in a rally to protest a Senate Budget Committee hearing on employee benefits at the State House Annex in Trenton, N.J.,Thursday, June 16, 2011.  Labor leaders rallying for collective bargaining rights in New Jersey went …

Southern Baptists urge path to citizenship for illegal immigrants  —  The Southern Baptist Convention has passed a resolution advocating a path to legal status for illegal immigrants.  —  The resolution was passed on Wednesday at the annual meeting of the nation's largest protestant denomination in Phoenix.

Wall Street Braces for New Layoffs as Profits Wane  —  Wall Street plans to get smaller this summer.  Faced with weak markets and uncertainty over regulations, many of the biggest firms are preparing for deep cuts in jobs and other costs.  —  The cutback plans are emerging even as Wall Street firms …

For Weiner's Successor, Perhaps, Lame-Duck Status  —  So, who wants to be a lame-duck freshman?  —  That was the reaction from political insiders on Thursday when asked what would become of Representative Anthony D. Weiner's Congressional district, which covers Brooklyn and Queens.

How Today's Conservatism Lost Touch with Reality  —  “Conservatism is true.”  That's what George Will told me when I interviewed him as an eager student many years ago.  His formulation might have been a touch arrogant, but Will's basic point was intelligent.  Conservatism, he explained, was rooted in reality.

Weiner's exit  —  Anthony Weiner's pained resignation, staged at a senior center in the Brooklyn neighborhood called Gravesend, may have finally burned out the incredible media storm around him.  —  There was more press here than I've seen in 10 years of covering New York political events …

President Obama Confident Anthony Weiner Will ‘Bounce Back’  —  President Obama said he is confident that embattled New York Rep. Anthony Weiner and his wife, Huma Abedin, can bounce back from the sexting scandal that ended the Democrat's congressional career.

Bloomberg: Marriage Bill Passes With More Than ‘Bare Majority’  —  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg met privately with Senate Republicans for about 45 minutes today to discuss the same-sex marriage bill and emerged to say at a Q and A that he expects the measure to pass beyond just 32 votes.