Top Items:

What Benghazi Is about: Scandal Envy — If you're looking at the Republican harumphing over Benghazi and asking yourself, “Why are we supposed to be so mad about this again?” you're not alone. Let's review: There was an attack on our consulate that killed four Americans, including our ambassador.
Discussion:
Washington Monthly and Mother Jones
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Republicans skip Benghazi hearing; complain about lack of information on Benghazi — This week, a number of Republican senators have strongly criticized the administration for failing to properly explain the circumstances surrounding the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi.
Discussion:
CNN, Crooks and Liars, Slate, New York Times, Business Insider, ThinkProgress, BobCesca.com and FP Passport


CIA talking points for Susan Rice called Benghazi attack “spontaneously inspired” by protests — PLAY CBS NEWS VIDEO — (CBS News) WASHINGTON - CBS News has obtained the CIA talking points given to U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice on Sept. 15 regarding the fatal attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, four days earlier.
Discussion:
Hot Air, Weasel Zippers, The Other McCain, Slate, Washington Examiner, Guardian, Mother Jones and The Atlantic Online


McCain Skipped A Briefing On Benghazi To Hold A Press Conference
Discussion:
Politico, Wonkette, Daily Kos, The Raw Story and CNN

Benghazi: A Conspiracy Theory With No Conceivable Motive
Discussion:
Slate, Democracy in America, Daniel W. Drezner, Hullabaloo and Right Wing Watch

John McCain Supported Condi Rice After Massive Intelligence Failure
Discussion:
Twitchy and NewsBusters.org

President Obama's silly, sexist defense of Susan Rice
Discussion:
Mediaite and Weekly Standard


Petraeus: I did not pass classified info — (CNN) — Former CIA Director David Petraeus, in conversations with an HLN journalist, insisted that his resignation had nothing to do with his scheduled testimony about the September attack that killed four Americans in Benghazi, Libya.
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Respected agent in Seattle terror probe leaked Petraeus case — The FBI agent who started the email inquiry that eventually led to the resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus is known for his work in Seattle leading the investigation into millennium bomber Ahmed Ressam.
Discussion:
BuzzFeed, Business Insider, Mediaite, Gawker and New York Magazine


Silencing General Petraeus — No keen observer could believe the government's Pollyanna version of these events. — The evidence that Gen. David Petraeus, formerly the commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the author of the current Army field manual, Princeton Ph.D. and, until last week …
Discussion:
Washington Times, Associated Press, ABCNEWS and Sense of Events

Shirtless FBI agent: Photo was joke emailed to friends, reporter — This photograph shows FBI Special Agent Frederick W. Humphries posing with target dummies following a SWAT practice. This is the “shirtless image” that has been alluded to in the investigation into emails that led to the resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus.
Discussion:
New York Magazine and BuzzFeed


In Final Days, Petraeus Hurt by Libya Clash, Then Affair
Discussion:
Hot Air, emptywheel and Nice Deb

Petraeus speaks — HLN's Kyra Phillips has been talking …
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo, CNN and The Daily Caller


Jindal rejects Romney's ‘gifts’ theory — LAS VEGAS — Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal forcefully rejected Mitt Romney's claim that he lost because of President Barack Obama's “gifts” to minorities and young voters. — Asked about the failed GOP nominee's reported comments on a conference call …
Discussion:
First Read, The Daily Beast, Salon, NationalJournal.com, National Review, ABCNEWS, Shakesville, BBC, The Daily Dish, Firedoglake, The Week, Daily Kos, Gothamist, The Agonist, Outside the Beltway, Brad DeLong, The Hinterland Gazette, News/Talk 790 KFYO, The Moderate Voice, Hot Air, New York Magazine, Alan Colmes'Alan Colmes', The Caucus and Los Angeles Times
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Obama's ‘Gifts’ and Sandy; Romney Explains Away Election Loss
Discussion:
New York Magazine and Business Insider


Maine Republican chairman questions black voters — Charlie Webster causes a stir with claims that hundreds of unknown black people cast ballots in rural Maine towns. — Maine Republican Party Chairman Charlie Webster is once again alleging possible voting irregularities …
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Maine GOP Head Suspects Voter Fraud Because ‘Dozens, Dozens Of Black People’ Voted
Discussion:
The Raw Story, Wonkette and Mock, Paper, Scissors


Gaza missiles fired at Tel Aviv — Palestinian militants have attempted to hit Israel's largest city, Tel Aviv, with missiles fired from the Gaza Strip. — An Israeli military spokesman said two missiles had been launched towards the Tel Aviv area but neither had hit it.
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Rockets hit near Tel Aviv as Gaza death toll rises
Discussion:
The Atlantic Online, The Times of Israel, BuzzFeed and Business Insider

Assassinating The Chance For Calm
Discussion:
New York Times, Guardian, The Agonist, The Daily Beast and Wired

John Metz, Denny's Franchisee And Hurricane Grill & Wings Owner, Imposes Surcharge For Obamacare … REACT: — FOLLOW: — Obama Health Care, Video, Hurricane Grill & Wings, John Metz, John Metz Dairy Queen, John Metz Dennys, John Metz Obamacare Surcharge, Obamacare, Obamacare Hiring Freezes …
Discussion:
Gawker, BobCesca.com, Mediaite, Truthdig, Right Wing News and NewsBusters.org blogs
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Denny's to charge 5% ‘Obamacare surcharge’ and cut employee hours to deal with cost of legislation — President Obama's election victory ensured his Affordable Care Act would remain the centerpiece of his first term in power - but that has left some business owners baulking at the extra cost Obamcare will bring.

Murray: Can't guarantee 2014 budget — Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) confirmed Thursday that she will seek the chairmanship of the Senate Budget Committee next year but told The Hill that she cannot commit to doing a budget. — This opens up the possibility that Senate Democrats …
Discussion:
Politico and The Lonely Conservative
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Senate Democrats say deficit package must include stimulus
Discussion:
The Lonely Conservative and Eschaton


Fox News Captions Footage Of Illegal Border Crossings With ‘The Hispanic Vote’ — Since Mitt Romney lost the Hispanic vote in record numbers on Election Day, some Republican lawmakers and conservative pundits have openly conceded that the party has a “rhetoric” problem when it comes …
Discussion:
The Daily Banter, BobCesca.com and The Raw Story


Two BP workers face criminal charges from 2010 spill: source — (Reuters) - Two BP Plc (BP.L) employees face criminal indictments for their part in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, and charges could be unveiled as early as Thursday, a source told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Discussion:
Firedoglake
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BP to Admit Crimes and Pay $4.5 Billion in Gulf Settlement
Discussion:
Firedoglake, National Updates, Outside the Beltway, Daily Kos, Associated Press, The Agonist and Gothamist


Scott DesJarlais supported ex-wife's abortions, slept with patients, divorce transcript shows … A decade before calling himself “a consistent supporter of pro-life values,” Tennessee physician and Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais supported his ex-wife's decision to get two abortions …
Discussion:
Alan Colmes'Alan Colmes', The Hill and The Fix


Jackson Jr. won't resign until he gets disability pay: EXCLUSIVE — Sources tell FOX 32 News that Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. is willing to give up his 2nd Congressional District seat if he's given disability when he steps down. — Jackson Jr. was re-elected to his tenth term but last month …
Discussion:
The PJ Tatler, The Daily Caller, Weasel Zippers, Politico and The Lonely Conservative


EXCLUSIVE: Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS Never Filed Legally Required Registration — When Karl Rove's Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies (GPS) formed in 2010, it established its official address in Warrenton, VA, and registered with the Internal Revenue Service a tax-exempt 501(c)(4) “social welfare organization.”

If Every Food Stamp Recipient Voted For Obama, It Would Account For 75% Of His Total — If all 47 million food stamp recipients voted for President Obama, it would account for 75.4 percent of Obama's 62.3 million votes. — Harry Hopkins, FDR's close adviser who ran the non-defunct Works …
Discussion:
Balloon Juice