Poll: Bachmann breaks through, Huntsman hurting, Romney rolling  —  Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney enjoys a comfortable lead in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation race for the Republican presidential nomination while Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann shows signs of breaking through …

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.

Fear & Loathing In Minneapolis: Progressives Vent Frustration With Obama At Netroots Nation  —  ABC News' Matthew Jaffe reports:  —  The frustrations and the fears that progressives feel about President Obama were on full display Thursday as thousands of them flocked to Minneapolis for the sixth annual Netroots Nation conference.

Libya and the War Powers Act  —  It would be hugely costly — for this country's credibility, for the future of NATO and for the people of Libya — if Congress were to force President Obama to abandon military operations over Libya.  However, Mr. Obama cannot evade his responsibility …

Man With Suspicious Device Detained at Pentagon  —  A man carrying a suspicious package was detained in Arlington National Cemetery this morning after police searched his backpack and found the materials as well as pro-al Qaeda literature, officials told ABC News.

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.

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 …

Key Seniors Association Pivots on Benefit Cut  —  WASHINGTON—AARP, the powerful lobbying group for older Americans, is dropping its longstanding opposition to cutting Social Security benefits, a move that could rock Washington's debate over how to revamp the nation's entitlement programs.

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.

Call Off the Global Drug War  —  IN an extraordinary new initiative announced earlier this month, the Global Commission on Drug Policy has made some courageous and profoundly important recommendations in a report on how to bring more effective control over the illicit drug trade.

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 …

The union-owned Democrats  —  “Shovel-ready was not as shovel-ready as we expected,” observed President Obama this week, enjoying a nice chuckle about the unhappy fate of his near-$1 trillion stimulus.  To be sure, Obama has also been promoting a less amusing remedy for anemic growth and high unemployment: exports.

Cost of Obama's Green-Car Mandate: 260,000 jobs  —  The purpose of federal fuel-economy mandates is to keep the agenda of green pols hidden lest the public awaken to their enormous costs.  Want to make cars fuel efficient?  Tax gas.  And commit political suicide.

White House's Daley seeks balance in outreach meeting with manufacturers  —  It was supposed to be the White House's latest make-nice session with corporate America — a visit by Chief of Staff William M. Daley to a meeting with hundreds of manufacturing executives in town to press lawmakers for looser regulations.

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.

Republicans Urge Cuomo to Alter Same-Sex Marriage Bill  —  ALBANY — Several Republican senators in New York are urging Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to consider changing his proposed same-sex marriage bill to better protect religious institutions, addressing a concern that has emerged …

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.

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.