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.

Bodies for Ballots  —  They say when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.  But when you are a politician and all you have is a hammer, you must convince voters every problem looks like a nail.  This is the only thinking that can explain Israel's behavior in escalating bombardment of Gaza.

Obama's ‘Gifts’ and Sandy; Romney Explains Away Election Loss  —  Why did Mitt Romney lose the election?  If you ask him—as some donors did—it's because President Obama gave “extraordinary financial gifts” to Hispanic voters and other demographic blocs in his voting coalition.

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.

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 …

Oklahoma Doctors vs. Obamacare  —  Surgery center provides free-market medicine.  —  Three years ago, Dr. Keith Smith, co-founder and managing partner of the Surgery Center of Oklahoma, took an initiative that would only be considered radical in the health care industry …

Mitt's Inglorious Shuffle Off the National Stage  —  In 1952 Adlai Stevenson was the presidential nominee of the Democratic party and lost.  He was renominated in 1956 to face Dwight Eisenhower again.  And again he lost.  There are some other cases like this in American history.

Surreal Instagrams From Israel Defense Forces Soldiers  —  As drama unfolds between Israel and Hamas — both in real life and over their Twitter accounts — young soldiers Instagram photos of themselves at ease.  —  Katie Notopoulos  —  an hour ago  —  96 responses

Maine GOP Chair: ‘Unusual’ To See Black People Voting  —  The head of Maine's Republican Party defended himself on Thursday over comments he made about black people committing voter fraud in his state.  —  In an interview with TPM, Charlie Webster said his remarks earlier in the week …

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 …

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.

Paradise Valley Journal: Arizona Still Awaiting Some Election Results  —  PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — The question of tipping the political scales in Arizona, like anyplace, is “purely mathematical,” Bruce Merrill said.  More people voting for the other side matters only if enough of them vote …

The Daily Caller has obtained details of an ACHIEVE Act proposal being floated by some senate Republicans.  —  It appears similar to the conservative alternative to the Dream Act that Sen. Marco Rubio worked on last summer (before President Obama issued his executive order, effectively tabling the issue until after the election).

BP settles criminal charges for $4 billion in spill; supervisors indicted on manslaughter  —  View Photo Gallery — Oil spills throughout history: The Deepwater Horizon oil spill has surpassed the size of the 1969 Santa Barbara spill and the Exxon Valdez.  Here are some other historical spills.

Gay Support Buoyed Obama  —  While President Obama's lopsided support among Latino and other minority voters has been a focus of postelection analysis, the overwhelming support he received from another growing demographic group — Americans who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual — has received much less attention.