Cornyn: Congress will not allow default  —  Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the Republican whip, said in Houston Thursday that Congress will not allow an impasse over raising the debt ceiling to result in the federal government defaulting on its spending obligations.  —  “We will raise the debt ceiling.

Up next for Obama: A looming Democratic divide  —  As President Barack Obama approaches his second inaugural on Monday, he presides over a party that has largely papered over its divisions for the past four years thanks to the president's commanding popularity.

White House releases new presidential portrait  —  (CNN) - The White House released a new portrait of President Barack Obama on Friday, just ahead of the inauguration of his second term.  —  The photo was taken by White House photographer Pete Souza on December 6, 2012.

New Study Highlights Threat From Far Right-Wing Groups In U.S.  —  A new study from a think tank connected to the West Point Military Academy highlights the threat of violent far-right movements in the United States, leading to the conclusion that, while diverse in in their causes …

Lance Armstrong to Oprah: Story was ‘one big lie’ … Saying his “mythic, perfect story” was “one big lie,” Lance Armstrong admitted that he cheated during most of his famed cycling career and that he bullied people who dared to tell the truth about it.  —  After denying doping allegations …

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 ...

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.

Americans Call for Term Limits, End to Electoral College  —  Virtually no partisan disagreement on these long-discussed constitutional reforms  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Even after the 2012 election in which Americans re-elected most of the sitting members of the U.S. House and Senate …

Murray will not run for governor  —  WORCESTER — Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray will not run for governor in 2014, citing the demands of campaigning, serving in elected office and his desire to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters.  —  “I've decided that I am not going to run for governor …

The Dwindling Deficit  —  It's hard to turn on your TV or read an editorial page these days without encountering someone declaring, with an air of great seriousness, that excessive spending and the resulting budget deficit is our biggest problem.  Such declarations are rarely accompanied …

HOLDER BEGS COURT TO STOP DOCUMENT RELEASE ON FAST AND FURIOUS  —  Attorney General Eric Holder and his Department of Justice have asked a federal court to indefinitely delay a lawsuit brought by watchdog group Judicial Watch.  The lawsuit seeks the enforcement of open records requests relating …

FOR WANT OF A NAIL  —  (January 16, 2033.  A fire-lit cabin in the hills of Brezhnev City, Stalinton - formerly Boise, Idaho.  A man sitting on a shattered milk crate looks older than his 53 years.  His rumpled, malnourished grandson sits at his feet.)  —  “Grandpa?

GOP's surprising edge on diversity  —  Editor's note: John Avlon is a CNN contributor and senior political columnist for Newsweek and The Daily Beast.  He is co-editor of the book “Deadline Artists: America's Greatest Newspaper Columns.”  He is a regular contributor to “Erin Burnett OutFront” …

Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theories Edge Toward The Mainstream  —  “By far the hottest topic of the moment.”  Ignore it and it won't go away.  —  There are two kinds of conspiracy theories: The ones, about the Illuminati and about mysterious “chemtrails,” that lurk forever in the online twilight zone …