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Marco Rubio Has Learned Nothing — Because his party has learned nothing. — OK, back up: this morning the papers and the web are full of nuance-sniffing, as people try to find omens in the SOTU and the GOP response. I don't think I can add anything useful to all that.
Discussion:
Politico, Wonkblog, CANNONFIRE, The Confluence, Angry Bear, The Hinterland Gazette, Daily Kos, Taking Note, Naked Politics and The Plum Line
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Marco Rubio's drinking problem — Twitter exploded during Sen. Marco Rubio's Republican response to the State of the Union, as the Florida senator appeared a little sweaty and dry-mouthed at mid-speech, taking an awkward swig from a bottle of water that had been placed off-camera.


Marco Rubio, Who Bragged About Living In “Working Class” West Miami, Is Selling His $675,000 House — Marco Rubio — the Tea Party's wunderkind, GOP's great not-too-white hope, and water's most awkward chugger — had his moment in the national spotlight last night, delivering a rebuttal …
Discussion:
Ballot Box, AMERICAblog, nbcbayarea.com, NBC Latino, Daily Kos and TheBlaze.com


Putting the rube in Rubio — The expectations going into Sen. Marco Rubio's (R-Fla.) response to the State of the Union address couldn't have been much higher, especially coming on the heels of the “Republican savior” label. And it's fair to say the far-right Floridian didn't exactly make the most of the opportunity.
Discussion:
The Plum Line, Bloomberg, Politico, The Week and Angry Bear

Rubio's Home for Sale
Discussion:
AMERICAblog, A plain blog about politics and alan.com

The Rap on Rubio — Not long ago, scrolling for a movie, I saw that “Notorious” was on.
Discussion:
msnbc.com


Thirsty Sen. Marco Rubio makes waves with awkward grab for water
Discussion:
The Daily Currant

General consensus: Rubio water flap shall pass
Discussion:
The PJ Tatler

Everyone On Twitter Made The Exact Same Joke About Marco Rubio's Water Break
Discussion:
Red Alert Politics, The Fix and Crooks and Liars

Marco Rubio's “water bottle-gate” moment
Discussion:
ComPost, Food & Water Watch, CNN, Twitchy, The Daily Caller, The Atlantic Online and NewsHounds blog

Rubio's sip of water lights up Twitter
Discussion:
The Daily Caller, msnbc.com, First Read, Hot Air and Politico


Senate to vote Friday on Chuck Hagel — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Wednesday moved to end the Senate debate on whether to confirm Chuck Hagel to become the next secretary of defense. A vote is set for Friday. — The move was necessary, he said, because he could not come …
Discussion:
Taegan Goddard's …
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Roy Blunt says Republicans have votes to delay Chuck Hagel nomination — Sen. Roy Blunt signaled Wednesday that there may be enough votes in the Senate to delay debate on the nomination of Chuck Hagel to lead the Pentagon. — Blunt (R-Mo.) said he believed there were 40 votes in the Senate that indicated …
Discussion:
CNN, Power Line, Hot Air, Israel Matzav and Right Turn


John McCain might delay Chuck Hagel vote — Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is backing away from his no-filibuster stance on the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary. — After saying just days ago that Senate Republicans shouldn't filibuster Hagel's nod, McCain now says he hasn't made up his mind …
Discussion:
Right Turn, Advocate, National Review, Daily Kos and Israel Matzav


Top Republicans Oppose Obama's Call To Raise The Minimum Wage … During his State of the Union address last night, President Obama called for raising the minimum wage to $9 an hour, up from its current $7.25, and indexing it to inflation so that it rises as the economy grows.
Discussion:
Addicting Info, Little Green Footballs, Wonkblog, Mediaite and Feministing
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Boehner Shoots Down Obama's Minimum Wage Hike
Discussion:
The Plum Line, Addicting Info and Prairie Weather

Paul Broun: ‘I was the first to call Obama a socialist’ — Since he jumped into the U.S. Senate race last week, Paul Broun has insisted on presenting a calm, cool and constructive demeanor. — After the State of the Union address last night, the on-message Republican congressman …
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo, Washington Monthly, alan.com, The Hill, No More Mister Nice Blog and The Raw Story


Obama's incredibly ambitious second-term agenda — That was an incredibly ambitious speech. — Imagine, for a moment, that President Obama managed to pass every policy he proposed Tuesday night. Within a couple of years, every 4-year-old would have access to preschool.
Discussion:
The Democratic Daily and The Atlantic Online
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CNN Poll: 53% who watched speech give president thumbs up
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Weasel Zippers, Washington Post, Slate, USA Today, The Hill, The Week, Taylor Marsh and Taegan Goddard's …


Pentagon to Start Awarding Medals for Drone Strikes and Cyberattacks — The Defense Department is reportedly inventing a new medal designed to reward soliders who fight battles from the safety of their computer consoles. The Associated Press says the Pentagon is creating a new ribbon …
Discussion:
Outside the Beltway
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Pentagon creates new medal for cyber, drone wars
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Gawker, BLACKFIVE and First Read


Students Told to Stop ‘USA!’ Chant, Take Off American Flag Bandanas — Four California high-school students were reportedly suspended for chanting “U.S.A! U.S.A!” and wearing American flag bandanas during a basketball game. While their punishment has since been rescinded …
Discussion:
Power Line, The Gateway Pundit and The PJ Tatler
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Graham to Obama: Stop ‘cheerleading’ for gun laws — (CNN) - Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham took issue with the president's calls for more gun control in his State of the Union address, saying Wednesday that the country doesn't “need a cheerleader for new gun laws.”
Discussion:
The Hill
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Time Warner in talks to part ways with Time Inc. — Exclusive: Meredith is in talks with media giant Time Warner to buy most of its Time Inc. publishing business. — Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes — FORTUNE — Media giant Time Warner has begun discussions to separate itself from Time Inc. …
Discussion:
Media Decoder, Wall Street Journal, Mashable!, AllThingsD, Quartz, Politico, DealBook, Poynter and JIMROMENESKO.COM, more at Mediagazer »

Landrieu leads potential foes for reelection — When PPP last polled Louisiana in 2010, Bobby Jindal was one of the most popular Governors in the country. 58% of voters approved of the job he was doing to just 34% who disapproved. Over the last two and a half years though there's …
Discussion:
Politico, Washington Monthly, Daily Kos and msnbc.com


State of the Union 2013: Bill Shuster apologizes for saying Obama lied — House Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster apologized Wednesday for calling President Barack Obama a liar after the State of the Union speech. — Shuster (R-Pa.), speaking to POLITICO from Statuary Hall minutes after the speech …
Discussion:
Post Politics

Republicans predict sequester will happen — Top congressional Republicans predicted Wednesday that the sequester will hit at the end of the month - the latest chapter in the series of budget battles that have stymied Washington in the last few years. — Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt …
Discussion:
CNN, National Review, The Hill, The Week, Hot Air and The Maddow Blog


The President's Dream State — President Obama at last night's State of the Union address — By any measure, President Obama's first term was consequential. In four years, he signed an $800 billion stimulus program into law, laid the foundation for universal health insurance …