McCain says Hagel will be confirmed  —  One of the leading critics of former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), President Obama's embattled nominee to become defense secretary, told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday that Hagel will end up being confirmed.  —  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) …

President Obama plays golf with Tiger Woods  —  President Obama is golfing in Florida Sunday with Tiger Woods.  —  Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the president and Woods, the winner of 14 major golf championships, were joined on the course by United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk …

ABC News Calls Out Paul Ryan For Hypocrisy Over Looming Budget Cuts  —  ABC News' Jonathan Karl confronted Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) over his past support for the sequester, just as the one-time GOP vice presidential candidate sought to blame President Obama for the automatic across-the-board cuts scheduled to go into effect on March 1.

The Real Cost of Shrinking Government  —  In less than two weeks, a cleaver known as the sequester will fall on some of the most important functions of the United States government.  About $85 billion will be cut from discretionary spending over the next seven months, reducing defense programs …

How to Unparalyze Us  —  I WAS struck by one particular moment during President Obama's State of the Union address.  The president proposed a $1 billion investment to build a new National Network for Manufacturing Innovation to spur high-tech manufacturing in America.

GOP Senator Would Take Away Health Coverage From 30 Million Americans To Avoid Military Cuts  —  Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Sunday the government should protect the Defense Department from automatic spending cuts by slashing $1.2 trillion from the Affordable Care Act.

Robin Kelly wins rival Toi Hutchinson's support in Illinois race  —  Illinois congressional candidate Toi Hutchinson dropped out of the special election race for disgraced former Rep. Jesse Jackson's seat on Sunday and endorsed rival Democrat Robin Kelly.  —  Hutchinson's withdrawal means Kelly …

Marco Rubio Has Sold More Than 3100 Water Bottles, Raising $100,000  —  The Senator has used the viral hit to launch a successful fundraising drive for his PAC, taking in more than $100,000.  —  When Marco Rubio paused to take a sip from a water bottle during his response to the State …

McCain: Support for gun checks  —  Sen. John McCain said Sunday he expects there'll be broad support in the Senate for a new bipartisan plan to broaden background checks on gun purchasers.  —  The Arizona Republican pointed to a plan being drafted by Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Chuck Schumer …

The End of a Catholic Moment  —  THE last time the Chair of St. Peter stood vacant, during Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005, the Roman Catholic Church enjoyed a wave of unusually favorable coverage from the American press.  The Polish pope had a way of disarming even his most stringent critics …

Gun dealers report shortages of ammunition  —  Retailers say much of the demand is from gun owners who are stockpiling in case certain weapons are banned.  —  Gun shops are running low on ammunition from a run by customers fearful of potential gun-control legislation, according to gun retailers and customers.

Pope Benedict XVI's leaked documents show fractured Vatican full of rivalries  —  VATICAN CITY — Guests at the going-away party for Carlo Maria Viganò couldn't understand why the archbishop looked so forlorn.  Pope Benedict XVI had appointed Viganò ambassador to the United States …

Claim Jihad Seeker's Allowance  —  Choudary urges fanatics to scrounge for holy war  —  In the spotlight ... Anjem Choudary was filmed by The Sun at 3 meetings  —  SCROUNGING hate preacher Anjem Choudary has told fanatics to copy him by going on benefits — urging: “Claim your Jihad Seeker's Allowance.”