I.R.S. Focus on Conservatives Gives G.O.P. an Issue to Seize On  —  WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service's special scrutiny of small-government groups applying for tax-exempt status went beyond keyword hunts for organizations with “Tea Party” or “Patriot” in their names …

First Thoughts: The White House's terrible, horrible Friday spills over  —  The White House's terrible, horrible Friday spills over... Why the IRS story packs a bigger political punch... The White House's slow response to both the IRS and Benghazi stories... Q&A time for Obama …

John Boehner's biggest fixation: Benghazi  —  House Speaker John Boehner has avoided taking firm positions on almost every major policy issue this year.  —  Guns — talk to the Judiciary Committee.  Immigration — let the Senate lead the way.  Budget — Paul Ryan's over there.

Voters trust Clinton over GOP on Benghazi  —  PPP's newest national poll finds that Republicans aren't getting much traction with their focus on Benghazi over the last week.  Voters trust Hillary Clinton over Congressional Republicans on the issue of Benghazi by a 49/39 margin …

Bill Gates on Steve Jobs: We grew up together  —  We've seen plenty of Bill Gates on television, but we'd never seen him get emotional before.  It was a striking, yet subtle moment in Gates' 60 Minutes interview this week when Charlie Rose asked him about his longtime business rival, the late Steve Jobs.

Clintons freeze out Weiner  —  Bill and Hillary Clinton will not support Anthony Weiner in his dream of becoming mayor even though they love his wife, Huma Abedin, sources say.  “The Clintons wish Weiner would just disappear.  Every time he pops up, it's a reminder of Bill's scandal with Monica Lewinsky …

Who Can Take Republicans Seriously?  —  It is time for President Obama to abandon his hopes of reaching a grand budget bargain with Republicans.  —  At every opportunity since they took over the House in 2011, Republicans have made it clear that they have no interest in reaching a compromise with the White House.

Gosnell Jury: “We're Hung on 2 Counts”  —  After 10 days deliberating the case, jurors say they can't reach a consensus on two counts  —  Defense attorney Jack McMahon delivers his closing argument in the capital murder trial of former abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell.

A talk with Jason Richwine: ‘I do not apologize for any of my work’ … “It seemed like that day lasted forever,” says Jason Richwine of last Wednesday, when he found himself in the middle of a media firestorm over his writings about Hispanic immigrants and intelligence.  “I knew that this probably would not end well.”

Did Obama Cry During His Press Conference?  —  Reuters thinks so, and says in its caption that this wire photo shows a “tear.”  —  Via: JIM BOURG / Reuters  —  The Photo Description  —  Via: JIM BOURG / Reuters  —  View Entire List ›

Pat Buchanan Calls For ‘Southern Strategy’ Against Latinos, Immigrants  —  Pat Buchanan has a plan to win more white voters for the GOP.  —  In an article published by the website World Net Daily last week, Buchanan describes increased black voter turnout and Latino demographic growth as a “crisis for the Grand Old Party.”