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John Quincy Adams a Founding Father? Michele Bachmann Says Yes — On the heels of her official entry into the Presidential campaign in Iowa yesterday, Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann came to “GMA” today. I gave her the opportunity to clear up some of her past statements that caused Chris Wallace …
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Bachmann is so not ready for presidency, but Pawlenty has the judgment and skills — In early 2012, Iowans in all 99 counties will bundle up, brave the cold night air, and join neighbors and fellow Republicans in casting their vote for the next president of the United States.
Discussion:
Mediaite, The Atlantic Online, Washington Post, Outside the Beltway, Feministing, ThinkProgress, Washington Wire, CNN, Ballot Box, GOP 12, FrumForum and Daily Kos


George Stephanopolous: Flake — George Stephanopolous has revealed his own flakiness and ignorance in his effort to pile on Michele Bachmann. No, John Quincy Adams was not a founding father. He was John Adams' son. So, if she makes another 1,000 misstatements, only then will she come close …
Discussion:
Fox News, Don Surber and Riehl World View

More Bachmann Surge — We've never found her leading one of our state polls until now but Michele Bachmann's been on fire for the last two weeks and we find her at the top of the GOP field in both Oregon and Montana when Sarah Palin's not included. That's just more indication that if Palin ends …
Discussion:
Weigel, The New Republic, Conservatives4Palin, Daily Kos, GOP 12 and Outside the Beltway


Levin: Stephanopoulos Is Foolish in Lecturing Bachmann — Sigh. — You'd think liberals would learn. — Of course not. — George Stephanopoulos made the mistake of going after Michele Bachmann on history — and promptly proceeded to get his history foolishly wrong. Said George:
Discussion:
Moe Lane, National Review and Roger Ailes


John Quincy Adams Wikipedia Page Edited To Describe Him As A ‘Founding Father’ — GOP presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann is now getting the Sarah Palin treatment on Wikipedia. In light of Bachmann's latest historical hiccup, people are trying to edit John Quincy Adam's Wikipedia page to reflect her recent gaffe.
Discussion:
Christian Science Monitor, The Moderate Voice, The Daily Dish and Prairie Weather


N.Y. town clerk: I won't sign gay wedding license — New York's gay weddings victory lap has not extended to all parts of the Empire State, with a rural town clerk determined to not sign any same-sex marriage licenses. — Barbara MacEwen, the town clerk in upstate Volney who is responsible …
Discussion:
An Enduring Vision, Daily Kos, Balloon Juice, The Daily Caller and City Room
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Michelle Obama denies supporting gay marriage
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, AMERICAblog Gay and Towleroad News #gay


Bombers attack luxury hotel in Kabul — Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) — A group of people using bombs and small arms attacked the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul Tuesday, and fighting was ongoing with Afghan security forces, Chief of Criminal Investigation Mohammed Zahir told CNN.
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Group of Attackers Storms Hotel in Afghan Capital
Discussion:
Guardian, Sky Dancing, The Caucus, Atlas Shrugs and FrumForum

More Details Emerge in Wisconsin's ‘Chokegate’ — With the Wisconsin Supreme Court devolving into a storyline only Vince McMahon could love, rumors are still swirling about what actually happened when two justices engaged in a physical confrontation behind closed doors on June 13.
Discussion:
Michelle Malkin, The Atlantic Online, JSOnline, No Runny Eggs, Hot Air, Althouse, Pajamas Media and The Volokh Conspiracy


The Failure of Al Gore: Part Deux — That Al Gore's definitive statement on the crisis of the climate change movement appeared in the back pages of Rolling Stone magazine rather than in a more prominent and prestigious location is one sign of the decline in his reputation.
Discussion:
Guardian, AMERICAN DIGEST, Maggie's Farm, Instapundit and Transterrestrial Musings
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Tom Petty reportedly issuing cease and desist letter to Bachmann — Tom Petty may be taking legal action to make sure Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann stops using his songs at her campaign events. — “NBC News: @TomPetty unhappy with Michele Bachmann's use of 'American Girl …
Discussion:
Hollywood Reporter, NewsBusters.org blogs, Pam's House Blend, Gawker and TPMDC
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Petty's heartbreaker for Bachmann
Discussion:
GOP 12 and New York Magazine


Tearful Glenn Beck Describes How He And His Family Were Attacked In New York Park — “These people were some of the most hateful people I have ever seen,” said a distraught Glenn Beck this morning as he described an altercation he and his family had last night while watching a screening …
Discussion:
Gawker, Speakeasy, Wonkette, Gothamist, New York Magazine and iOwnTheWorld.com


Herman Cain: 'I Don't Think The Current Minimum Wage Is Necessary' — ThinkProgress filed this report from Story City, IA. — Former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain likes to cast himself as the only GOP presidential contender who has not held public office.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Washington Monthly, Daily Kos and Booman Tribune
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The Morning Plum — * Michele Bachmann says we should look …
Discussion:
No More Mister Nice Blog, Daily Kos and Taylor Marsh


Obama Gun-Sting Breakthrough — Thanks to a clever bipartisan deal, embattled ATF chief Kenneth Melson will testify before Congress about his role in the bungled Fast and Furious gun sting—possibly revealing who on Obama's team was in on the scheme. — The head of the embattled federal agency …
Discussion:
Pajamas Media, Sister Toldjah and NewsBusters.org blogs
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Gunwalker: What Will Happen When Ken Melson Testifies?
Discussion:
Hot Air

Bachmann in Strong Position as She Enters 2012 Race — Bachmann's name recognition is 69%, with highest Positive Intensity Score — PRINCETON, NJ — Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, who formally announced her presidential candidacy Monday in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa …
Discussion:
The Last Tradition, Daily Kos, CNN, Weigel and GOP 12


“Go the F*** to Sleep” not funny — Editor's note: Karen Spears Zacharias is the author of the forthcoming memoir, “The Shelter of Mockingbirds: The Murder of 3-Year-Old Karly Sheehan.” Follow her on Twitter. — (CNN) — “Go the F*** to Sleep” is being hailed as a cathartic children's book for parents.
Discussion:
This Just In, Outside the Beltway, Feministe, Deadspin, Hit & Run, Gawker, The Awl and Unfogged

Obama is His Own Worst Enemy — David Brooks wrote a perceptive column today about the deficiencies in President Obama's leadership style. — He can expect a barrage of negative comment from conservatives who will reject Brooks' criticisms as insufficiently spicy.
Discussion:
ThinkProgress, New York Times, Grasping Reality …, Booman Tribune, Prairie Weather and driftglass


Special Report: A little house of secrets on the Great Plains — (Reuters) - The secretive business havens of Cyprus and the Cayman Islands face a potent rival: Cheyenne, Wyoming. — At a single address in this sleepy city of 60,000 people, more than 2,000 companies are registered.
Discussion:
War in Context and naked capitalism

“No Retreat From Freedom's Rise” Gov. Tim Pawlenty's Remarks at Council on Foreign Relations — I want to speak plainly this morning about the opportunities and the dangers we face today in the Middle East. The revolutions now roiling that region offer the promise of a more democratic, more open, and a more prosperous Arab world.


White House dumps ‘secret shopper’ survey of doctors — The Obama administration will not move forward on a controversial proposal to have “secret shoppers” pose as patients to investigate how difficult it is for patients to receive primary care. — “On April 28th, the U.S. Department …
Discussion:
Healthwatch, Weigel and Political Punch

Diaz, Lone Democrat Who Voted ‘No’ on Gay Marriage Bill, Reflects on Defeat — NEW YORK - Bronx state Senator Ruben Diaz, the lone Democrat to vote against the landmark gay marriage bill in New York, reflected on the defeat Monday, saying Christians need to organize better against gay marriage …
Discussion:
Runnin' Scared, Towleroad News #gay and Joe. My. God.

Two thousand years in one chart — An alternative timeline for the past two millennia — SOME people recite history from above, recording the grand deeds of great men. Others tell history from below, arguing that one person's life is just as much a part of mankind's story as another's.
Discussion:
ThinkProgress, Free exchange and FT Alphaville


Dire Straights — The decline of marriage isn't the fault of gays. — If you're a single man in New York state, we have some good news. Soon there will be a way for you to get married and never have to worry about your wife complaining about the toilet seat or taking half your stuff in a divorce.
Discussion:
Adam Serwer

Stephanopolous to Bachmann: We'll investigate your foster kids — Proving what the clear-eyed could already see: If you're a Republican, the media will hound you for every last scrap of anything, no matter how unfair or trivial. … George Stephanopolous was deep in the Clinton administration …
Discussion:
Fox Nation, Don Surber, Pundit Press and Simply Left BehindThe …

Who Doesn't Pay Federal Income Taxes (Legally) — Bruce Bartlett held senior policy roles in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and served on the staffs of Representatives Jack Kemp and Ron Paul. — Conservatives are fond of railing against those who are able to legally avoid paying federal income taxes.
Discussion:
Economist's View, The Daily Dish and FrumForum

Fact-checking Michele Bachmann's announcement speech and Sunday interviews — (CHARLIE RIEDEL/ASSOCIATED PRESS) “Of course a person has to be careful with statements that they make. … — Rep. Michele Bachmann, responding to a question about being “a flake” on “Fox News Sunday,” June 26, 2011
Discussion:
Booman Tribune, Don Surber and Connecting.the.Dots

Report: Treasury must cut spending 44 percent in default — New analysis by the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) which has been shared extensively with members of Congress estimates that the Treasury Department would not be able to pay all its bills and would need to implement an immediate 44 percent cut …
Discussion:
TPMDC, Outside the Beltway and FrumForum


Lisa Baron Reads from Life of the Party — For a decade-plus, Lisa Baron—a political communications advisor and sometime sex columnist—hit the campaign trail with Republican candidates. In her new political memoir, Life of the Party: A Political Press Tart Bares All (Citadel Press) …
Discussion:
FishbowlDC and The Other McCain


Kucinich: There Are Some Who Want to Give a Wrong Picture about Syria — DAMASCUS, (SANA)- U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich called on international media not to engage in exaggerating the events in Syria and jumping to conclusions without talking to people and listening to what they want.
Discussion:
FP Passport, AmSpecBlog, Salon and The Daily Caller


Weiner horning in on successor race — His ego has no bounds. — In a dazzling display of arrogance, disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner is trying to insert himself back into politics — calling power brokers and would-be candidates for his old seat, hoping they'll let him play …
Discussion:
City Room, Runnin' Scared, Mediaite, The Daily Caller, The Politico, New York Magazine, Pundit & Pundette, JammieWearingFool and FrumForum

Baucus announces grand bargain to clear three pending trade deals — Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) announced a deal Tuesday that should clear the path for congressional approval of three pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. — Baucus said he had secured an agreement …
Discussion:
The Note, The Politico, Cato @ Liberty and Emptywheel

Thirteen Clear Factual Errors in Richard Stengel's Essay on the Constitution (And I Am Looking for Your Help) (Update: My Letter to the Editor) — [Guest post by Aaron Worthing; if you have tips, please send them here. Or by Twitter @AaronWorthing.] — Late last week, I fisked Richard Stengel's …

Libs: not smart to remind us of homosexual pedophile John Wayne Gacy — Follow me on Twitter: @ BryanJFischer, on Facebook at “Focal Point” — The Old Media and others on the winger-left have been in full titter-mode over Michele Bachmann saying that John Wayne was from her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa.
Discussion:
Little Green Footballs