McCain skips Benghazi briefing, gets testy when questioned by CNN  —  (CNN) - Most of the Republican members of a Senate committee investigating the terrorist attack at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, skipped a classified briefing by administration officials on the incident Wednesday, CNN has learned.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Obama: Donovan to take on recovery role  —  President Barack Obama Thursday tapped Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan to be the federal government point-person for Washington's involvement in New York's Hurricane Sandy recovery.  —  “He knows a little bit about New York and building …

RNC report suggests other reasons why Romney lost  —  While Mitt Romney has attributed his defeat, in part, to “gifts” President Obama was able to shower on key constituencies, a Republican National Committee report on the election points to other reasons — like changing demographics …

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 …

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 …

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.”

McAuliffe taps Mook, Stoney to lead campaign  —  Former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe is quickly ramping up his bid for governor of Virginia, hiring the outgoing executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to serve as his campaign manager, a McAuliffe campaign official said.

The Lessons of Defeat for the GOP  —  Everything from the ground game to the date of the next convention needs to be re-examined.  —  The GOP is undergoing the type of re-examination that occurs whenever a party loses.  That useful exercise should be guided by facts.  Here is some of what we know.

Is it game over for Grover Norquist?  —  The anti-tax activist's grip on power, even in the GOP, has never been weaker — just as he faces a critical test  —  Two meetings in Washington today tell the story of the decline of Grover Norquist, the conservative activist who is seeing …

Israeli Prime Minster Deletes Tweet Thanking Obama  —  The campaign Twitter account for the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, tweeted, then quickly deleted a statement thanking President Obama for his support.  “Wouldn't give it any significance,” a spokesman responds.  —  Andrew Kaczynski

What Has Movement Conservatism Accomplished in the Last 15 Years?  —  The list isn't nearly as long as its boosters would have us think.  —  Flickr/Secret Pilgrim  —  Try as I might, I still can't find any evidence of Jonah Goldberg's claim that conservatives are the best at rigorously examining their own dogma.