memeorandum: Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. John McCain on avoiding automatic spending cuts (Chris Wallace/Fox News)

3:40 PM ET, February 10, 2013

Top Items:

Igor Volsky / ThinkProgress:

Lindsey Graham To Place Hold On National Security Nominees Over Benghazi Attacks — Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is threatening to place a hold on key administration national security nominations unless President Obama explains how the White House reacted to the Benghazi attacks and who …

Discussion: Little Green Footballs, Israel Matzav, NewsHounds blog and Crooks and Liars

Associated Press:

Cheney blasts “second-rate” Obama nominees — Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Saturday night that President Barack Obama has jeopardized U.S. national security by nominating substandard candidates for key cabinet posts and by degrading the U.S. military.

Discussion: The Hill, The Moderate Voice, National Confidential, “The Lid”, Hot Air, Weasel Zippers, The Gateway Pundit and alan.com

Reid J. Epstein / Politico:

Lindsey Graham: ‘No confirmation without information’ — Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Sunday he'll block President Barack Obama's nominees for Defense secretary and CIA director if the White House isn't more forthcoming about its response to the attacks on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Discussion: Outside the Beltway

CNN:

Graham vows to block nominations unless White House more forthcoming — Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama's nominees for secretary of defense and CIA director could be held up by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham unless the White House provides more information about its response …

Discussion: Politico, The PJ Tatler and The Hill

Carlo Muñoz / The Hill:
Sens. Feinstein, Leahy push for court oversight of armed drone strikes

Discussion: Prairie Weather

Cameron Joseph / The Hill:

Pelosi: ‘Almost a false argument’ to say US has spending problem — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that the looming sequestration is “a bad idea all around” and called for a balance of spending cuts and closing tax loopholes in order to avoid it.

Discussion: CNN, Michelle Malkin, Politico, The Lonely Conservative, alan.com, The Gateway Pundit, Weasel Zippers, americanthinker.com and Jammie Wearing Fools

Noah Rothman / Mediaite:

CNN Panel: Was Doctor's Conservative Speech In Front Of Obama ‘Offensive,’ ‘Inappropriate’? — Dr. Benjamin Carson, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital, raised a number of political eyebrows in Washington this week when he took to a stage he shared with President Barack Obama …

Discussion: Scared Monkeys, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion and Sense of Events

Byron York / Washington Examiner:

After ignoring unemployment, Obama seeks to convince Americans it's his top priority … White House spinners are working furiously in the final 72 hours before President Obama's State of the Union speech. Their job: convince the recession-scarred American public that economic recovery …

Discussion: Washington Monthly, Power Line, The Lonely Conservative and New York Times

Scott Wilson / Washington Post:
In State of the Union, Obama to return to jobs and the economy

Discussion: Taylor Marsh, The Hill and The Reaction

Chris Wallace / Fox News:

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. John McCain on avoiding automatic spending cuts — Special Guests: Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. John McCain — The following is a rush transcript of the February 10, 2013, edition of “Fox News Sunday With Chris Wallace.” This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

Discussion: Althouse and Washington Examiner

Brent Baker / NewsBusters blogs:

Parody or Does She Believe It? CNN Anchor Blames Asteroid on Global Warming — CNN anchor Deb Feyerick asked Saturday afternoon if an approaching asteroid, which will pass by Earth on February 15, “is an example of, perhaps, global warming?” — Moments earlier, before an ad break …

Discussion: Mediaite, Power Line, Hot Air, The PJ Tatler and The Other McCain

David A. Fahrenthold / Washington Post:

Many 2011 federal budget cuts had little real-world effect — Video: You've heard the word “sequester” mentioned by politicians a lot lately. The Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe explains what the term means, and why it matters. — Late on the night of April 8, 2011, Washington's leaders announced …

Discussion: Free exchange and Booman Tribune

Zack Beauchamp / ThinkProgress:

California Democrats Propose Strictest Gun Regulations In The Nation — Thursday afternoon, a group of California Senate Democrats rolled out a legislative package that would create what would likely be the tightest gun regulation system in the nation, ranging from sweeping prohibitions …

Discussion: Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion and Prairie Weather

Nick Bilton / New York Times:

Bits Blog: Disruptions: Apple Is Said to Be Developing a Curved-Glass Smart Watch — Dick Tracy and James Bond had watches that served as computers. Tim Cook of Apple wears a Nike FuelBand, which tracks his physical activity. — Dick Tracy had one. As did Inspector Gadget and James Bond.

Discussion: Mashable! and Business Insider