‘Friends of Hamas’: My role in the birth of a rumor  —  A Daily News reporter explains how he inadvertently created the myth that Chuck Hagel spoke to a non-existent group.  —  Daily News reporter Dan Friedman recounts the origin of a rumor he unwittingly started about Chuck Hagel (pictured) …

The GOP's astonishingly bad message on sequester cuts … In a Wall Street Journal op-ed Wednesday, House Speaker John Boehner describes the upcoming sequester as a policy “that threatens U.S. national security, thousands of jobs and more.”  —  Which leads to the question …

Ex-Sen. Domenici discloses son born in secrecy  —  Former New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici told the Journal on Tuesday he fathered a son outside of his marriage over 30 years ago, revealing a secret kept for decades.  —  Statements given to the Journal by Domenici and the son's mother …

Gov. Rick Scott, feds reach Medicaid deal  —  TALLAHASSEE — Hours after the federal government agreed to grant Florida a conditional waiver to privatize Medicaid statewide, Gov. Rick Scott appears ready to endorse a plan to conditionally expand the health care program to about 1 million Floridians or more.

Stuff gets in the way  —  Why would a couple risk so much — respect and even their freedom — for furs, furniture and a fedora?  —  This was the question that came to my mind when I read the federal charges against Jesse L. Jackson Jr., the former congressman from Illinois.

Ted Cruz a Lifeline for the Conservative Party?  —  HOUSTON — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is one of the few Republicans these days described as a potential “rock star” for the party.  As a freshman, he is already starting to shake things up in Washington.  —  So, what makes this Lone Star lawmaker tick?

Romney to Speak at CPAC  —  Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will appear at the Conservative Political Action Conference next month, according to two sources familiar with the event's itinerary.  Romney's speech, which will be delivered at the Gaylord National hotel …

The More Things Change ...  Despite spending a lot of time reading and thinking about the Voting Rights Act case the Supreme Court will hear next week, there's a puzzle I'm still trying to crack:  —  How can it be that one of the crowning achievements of the civil rights movement …

The New York Times Company Announces Plan to Sell the Boston Globe and Related Properties  —  The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) today announced that it plans to sell its New England Media Group, including The Boston Globe and its related properties, and that it has retained Evercore Partners …

State reps propose repealing 17th Amendment  —  The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was adopted on May 31, 1913, and provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote.  —  Now, 100 years later, a group of Georgia state representatives would like to repeal the 17th Amendment …

Obama Rated at 3-Year High in Poll, Republicans at Bottom  —  President Barack Obama enters the latest budget showdown with Congress with his highest job- approval rating in three years and public support for his economic message, while his Republican opponents' popularity stands at a record low.

Soledad headed out at CNN  —  High-profile morning anchor Soledad O'Brien is on her way out at CNN as new boss Jeff Zucker moves Erin Burnett into her morning slot, Page Six has exclusively learned.  —  We're told award-winning journalist O'Brien has indicated she is ready to leave …

Ashley Judd meets with DSCC  —  Actress Ashley Judd privately met with officials at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington earlier this week, as she continues to weigh whether to mount a Senate run against Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, according to two sources familiar with the session.

The GOP star you've never heard of  —  You haven't seen a YouTube video of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam berating a constituent at a town hall meeting.  You probably haven't watched him on Fox News.  In fact, if you search the headlines for his name, you're just as likely to turn up coverage of his brother …

Pentagon informs Congress of plans to furlough 800K civilian workers  —  The Pentagon notified Congress on Wednesday it will be furloughing its civilian workforce of 800,000 employees if sequestration goes into effect March 1.  —  Defense officials have warned lawmakers that sequestration …

Majority of U.S. citizens say illegal immigrants should be deported  —  (Reuters) - More than half of U.S. citizens believe that most or all of the country's 11 million illegal immigrants should be deported, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday that highlights …