President Obama's risky ‘goodwill’ gambit  —  To Obama, curbing entitlement growth has never been a core priority — it's more a means to an end — and the liberal rage against the CPI plan is useful only up to a point:  —  It makes his CPI plan seem like a major concession instead of the minor baby step Republicans claim it is.

The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act  —  Bottom Line: The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act would require states and the federal government to send all necessary records on criminals and the violently mentally ill to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

Senate in Deal on Gun Checks  —  WASHINGTON—Senate lawmakers reached a bipartisan deal Wednesday to expand background checks for gun sales, bolstering support for one of President Barack Obama's top priorities following December's Newtown, Conn., school shooting.