GOP pollster: Stop talking about rape  —  WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — It's way past time: House Republicans need to stop talking about rape.  —  That's the message GOP lawmakers got here Wednesday evening from Kellyanne Conway, a top GOP pollster.  —  Conway dispensed the stern advice as part …

Gun Sales and Background Checks: Obama's Bogus 40 Percent Stat  —  Of all the gun-control measures touted by President Obama on Wednesday, the one that got top billing was a dramatic tightening of background checks on gun purchasers.  Obama himself said the need was urgent because …

Christie calls NRA ad criticizing Obama daughters' security ‘reprehensible’  —  Governor Christie called the National Rifle Association's ad criticizing President Obama's daughters' security detail “reprehensible.”  —  “I think any of us who are public figures, you see that kind of ad and you cringe,” he said.

Republicans Brag They Won House Majority Because Of Gerrymandering  —  In a classic Kinsley gaffe, the Republican State Leadership Committee released a report boasting that the only reason the GOP controls the House of Representatives is because they gerrymandered congressional districts in blue states.

Six hostages, 8 kidnappers killed in Algeria siege; 7 still held  —  (Reuters) - Six foreign hostages and eight of their captors were killed when Algerian forces fired on a vehicle being used by besieged gunmen at a gas plant in the remote Algerian desert on Thursday, a local source told Reuters.

Additions to be made to gun laws for law enforcement  —  new york city, albany, gun control, new york news, jim hoffer  —  More: Bio, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Stories by Jim Hoffer, News Team  —  NEW YORK (WABC) — A troubling oversight has been found within New York State's sweeping new gun laws.

Even Defining ‘Assault Rifles’ Is Complicated  —  One obstacle President Obama may face in proposing a new federal ban on assault weapons could lie in the use of the term “assault weapon” itself.  —  The label, applied to a group of firearms sold on the civilian market …

McDonough to be Obama's next chief of staff  —  President Obama is expected to name deputy national security adviser Denis McDonough, one of his closest confidants who served in his Senate and campaign offices, as his new chief of staff, associates said.  —  Administration officials cautioned that Obama has not made a final decision.

NBC/WSJ poll: Public lowers expectations heading into Obama's 2nd term  —  As President Barack Obama is set to begin his second term next week, he finds himself with a job-approval rating above 50 percent and with majorities supporting his general direction on gun control and immigration …

Biden Getting an Autobiography From The Onion (Whether He Wants It or Not)  —  “Hombre, you've just done Uncle Joe a real solid buying this book,” begins the foreword to a new autobiography attributed to Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. “I ain't the kind of guy who forgets his debts.

I Have No Words  —  I'm not going to characterize this or say anything about it.  But I had to share it with you.  From TPM Reader PH ...

The Criminal Charges Against Aaron Swartz (Part 2: Prosecutorial Discretion)  —  This is the second in a series of posts on the Aaron Swartz prosecution.  In my first post, I analyzed whether the charges that were brought against Swartz were justified as a matter of law.

Exclusive: Fox renews Karl Rove contract through 2016  —  Fox News Channel is expected to announce shortly that Karl Rove has signed a multi-year deal to remain a Fox contributor through the 2016 election.  —  The contract assures the ratings-leader cable news network that it will retain …

Rand Paul: Nullify ‘king’ Obama  —  Sen. Rand Paul is pledging to undo some of President Barack Obama's executive orders on guns that the Kentucky Republican believes overreach.  —  “In this bill we will nullify anything the president does that smacks of legislation,” Rand said Wednesday on Fox's …

Idaho lawmaker compares abortion and prostitution  —  BOISE — A lawmaker from northern Idaho drew audible gasps Wednesday morning when he asked representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union-Idaho if their pro-abortion rights stance also means that they support prostitution.