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 …

‘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) …

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 …

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 …

Debate co-chair: ‘Mistake’ to have Candy Crowley moderate presidential debate  —  Frank Fahrenkopf, a co-chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates, said tonight that the Commission made a “mistake” by selecting CNN anchor Candy Crowley to moderate one of the 2012 presidential debates.

Ted Cruz says attacks on Marco Rubio are because he's a Hispanic Republican  —  Sen. Ted Cruz says some of the attacks on fellow Republican Sen. Marco Rubio by Democrats are motivated by race.  Cruz said today the fact that Rubio is a Republican Latino poses a threat to political adversaries.

The future of free-market healthcare  —  Over nearly a century, progressives have pressed for a national, single-payer healthcare system.  When it comes to health reform, what have conservatives stood for?  —  For far too long, conservatives have failed to coalesce around a long-term vision …

WHY KARL ROVE AND STUART STEVENS ARE PLAIN WRONG  —  RESIZE:  —  I am writing this newsletter in a very direct, no baloney, effort to get across how much trouble we Republicans are in and how real the internal party fight is going to be.  —  I strongly support RNC Chairman Reince Priebus' effort …

Woman claims she was fired for voting for Obama  —  DAYTON —  A Kettering woman alleges in a lawsuit that she was fired for voting for President Obama, a charge the company denies.  —  Patricia Kunkle is seeking in excess of $25,000 from Dayton-based defense contractor Q-Mark …

Hagel Better Known, Viewed More Negatively  —  Rubio Overwhelmingly Popular among Tea Party Republicans  —  OVERVIEW  —  Unfavorable opinions of Chuck Hagel have increased over the past month as he has faced a bruising confirmation battle to become President Obama's secretary of defense.

The Senate's Most Conservative Member: Ever Heard of Him?  —  James Risch, an Idaho Republican, edges out his more well-known colleagues in the upper chamber.  —  When people think about conservative “all stars” in the Senate (if people ever actually think about such a thing), a few names probably come to mind.

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 …

Jackson Jr. faces 47-57 months in prison  —  Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday morning to charges stemming from the misuse of campaign funds.  —  “Sir, for years I lived off my campaign,” Jackson told the judge.  “I used money I shouldn't have used for personal purposes.”

Hillary Clinton's Speaking Fee North Of $200K  —  It puts her in the stratosphere of the speaking circuit, along with her husband and Arnold Schwarzenegger.  —  Image by Win McNamee / Getty Images  —  WASHINGTON — Now that she's out as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton isn't going to be hurting …

Release Detail  —  February 20, 2013 - New Jersey Gov Flies High, Buries Unknown Dem, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Christie Close To Clinton, Leads Cuomo In '16 Pres Race  —  New Jersey voters today continue Gov. Christopher Christie's record-breaking 74 - 22 percent approval rating …

Federal Furloughs Likely to Hit by April  —  WASHINGTON—More than one million federal employees would likely be forced to take unpaid leave by April as part of a slow moving but eventually widespread reduction in government spending set to start next month barring congressional intervention, government officials said Wednesday.

GOP Minnesota legislator preparing to co-sponsor gay marriage bill  —  Before becoming a co-sponsor, Branden Petersen has concerns.  —  Republican state Sen. Branden Petersen is preparing to become a co-sponsor of a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota.