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.

Weiner Tells Friends He Will Step Down  —  WASHINGTON — Representative Anthony D. Weiner has told friends that he plans to resign his seat after coming under growing pressure from his Democratic colleagues to leave the House in the wake of revelations of his lewd online exchanges with women, said a person told of Mr. Weiner's plans.

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.

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:

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 …

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 …

John Edwards Sought Millions From Heiress as Feds Closed In - ABC News Exclusive  —  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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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?

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.

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.

Obama Admin Objects to Alaska Oil and Gas Development Bill  —  The Obama administration today said a proposal from House Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) to expedite oil and gas leasing and energy infrastructure permitting in an Alaska reserve could force federal regulators …

Senate OK'd budget goes to Walker  —  Measure includes voucher school changes  —  By Patrick Marley and Jason Stein of the Journal Sentinel  —  Madison - The Legislature on Thursday handed Gov. Scott Walker his budget remolding government at every level, even as new details emerged …

Norah O'Donnell moves to CBS  —  Norah O'Donnell, one of NBC's best-known Washington bureau reporters, is moving to CBS News to be chief White House correspondent, CBS announced.  —  It's a stunning shakeup for both the front row of the White House briefing room and for Washington's intensely competitive network news bureaus.