The Benghazi hearings: what's new and what's not  —  “I was stunned.  My jaw dropped.  And I was embarrassed”  — Gregory Hicks, former U.S. deputy chief of mission to Libya, testifying on his reaction to U.N. Ambassador Susan E. Rice's remarks on the terror attack in Benghazi, May 8, 2013

Darrell Issa Acknowledges He Learned Nothing New From His Benghazi Hearing  —  House Oversight Committee chairman Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) tacitly admitted on Wednesday that his hearing on the Benghazi terror attacks the same day didn't turn up any new information.  —  “I'm curious, did you learn anything new today?”

McCarthy's nomination in doubt, angering Democrats  —  President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency is in jeopardy after Republicans formed a united front Thursday to deny her a vote in committee.  —  Democrats erupted in frustration at the GOP “obstructionism” …

The Benghazi patsy  —  Nakoula Basseley Nakoula deserves a place in American history.  He is the first person in this country jailed for violating Islamic anti-blasphemy laws.  —  You won't find that anywhere in the charges against him, of course.  As a practical matter, though …

Meet Democrats' Newest Republican Crush: Ted Cruz?!?!  —  Starting around the time he launched a bogus attack on then-Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel, Democrats have loved to hate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).  —  They made sure as many as people as possible saw him condescend to Sen. Dianne Feinstein …

Heritage Foundation does damage control  —  The Heritage Foundation has gone into damage-control mode in the last few days, after coming under fire from Republicans and conservative outside groups over a report it published that puts the price tag of immigration reform at $6.3 trillion.

John McCain Wants To Blow Up The Cable Industry As We Currently Know It  —  John McCain is going to release a bill that would dismantle cable as it's currently constructed, Brenden Sasso at The Hill reports.  —  The legislation would force cable companies and satellite TV providers …

Are Republicans really gunning for another debt-limit showdown?  —  The federal debt limit is set to kick back into effect next weekend after a three-month hiatus, marking the start of a political game of chicken likely to culminate in the fall, when Congress will have to give President Obama a higher limit or risk a federal default.

POLITICO to test metered paywall  —  From the folks up top: … Also: We started experimenting with sponsored content today.

The tragedy of US higher education  —  The tragedy of Cooper Union is endemic to most American higher education, outside a few community colleges; Cooper is just the special case where the blind rush to some kind of global greatness directly and explicitly violates the institution's founding mission.

House lawmakers pen Gosnell resolution  —  Three House members introduced a resolution Wednesday night calling on lawmakers to review abortion policies in wake of the trial of Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia abortion provider charged with first-degree murder for killing four babies …

Nancy Pelosi: Kermit Gosnell case ‘really disgusting’ … During her press conference Thursday afternoon, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was asked if she was aware of the Kermit Gosnell case and whether Congress should hold hearings to make sure similar atrocities are not occurring in other abortion clinics.

Gomez took $281,500 home tax deduction  —  Republican US Senate nominee Gabriel E. Gomez claimed a $281,500 income tax deduction in 2005 for pledging not to make any visible changes to the facade of his 112-year-old Cohasset home, a concession so valuable that it is classified …

Ariel Castro, Cleveland Kidnapper, Is a Registered Democrat  —  According to voter registration records, Ariel Castro, the Cleveland kidnapper, is a registered Democrat.  He was also the alleged leader among the three Castro brothers, who were arrested this week, and the owner of the house …

Tunisian Man Charged with Visa Fraud Related to Terrorism, Intended to Remain in U.S. to Facilitate an Act of International Terrorism … Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; George Venizelos, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office …

Senate panel vote signals GOP support for immigration reform  —  The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday adopted a substitute amendment to immigration reform legislation with a strong bipartisan margin, signaling which Republicans are most likely to support the bill.

Top White House Aide Has A Secret Beer With Rep. Paul Ryan  —  On April 10, the day President Obama released his 2014 budget, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough held a secret meeting with House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan at a K Street restaurant, Brasserie Beck, to talk …

The Myth of Presidential Leadership  —  Many Washington pundits are critical of the president's ability to wrangle concessions out of Congress, but they forget that his power has limits.  —  The theme of presidential leadership is a venerated one in America, the subject of many biographies …

Minnesota House Passes Marriage Equality Bill, 75-59  —  The Senate will vote and is expected to pass the bill Monday, and Gov. Mark Dayton has said he will sign it.  Minnesota would be the 12th state, plus DC, with marriage equality.  —  Rep. Karen Clark, in red, walks to the House floor Thursday, May 9, 2013.