Americans Disapprove of Government Surveillance Programs  —  Americans split on whether leaker did the right or wrong thing  —  PRINCETON, NJ — More Americans disapprove (53%) than approve (37%) of the federal government agency program that as part of its efforts to investigate terrorism obtained records …

Lawmakers see Edward Snowden as a leaker, not as a hero  —  Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), a Republican with a long history of championing whistle-blower protections, said Snowden “surely isn't a hero” and should be prosecuted for what intelligence experts have said is one of the most serious leaks in U.S. history.

No, Trent Franks Is Not Todd Akin  —  Ever since Todd Akin exposed his boundless stupidity, and handed Democrats political gold, by insisting that raped women can't get pregnant, liberals have been looking for more Akins.  They think they've found the latest one in Trent Franks, who …

Merkley waves Verizon phone, demands NSA chief share grounds for seizing data  —  In a dramatic exchange Wednesday on Capitol Hill, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) demanded National Security Agency chief Keith Alexander explain why the agency was legally authorized to obtain his personal cell phone data.

6/13: Conservative Intel poll of MA-SEN  —  Re: Massachusetts Senate Special Election Poll  —  Democratic Congressman Ed Markey holds a formidable 12-point lead over Republican Gabriel Gomez in the race to succeed Secretary of State John Kerry.  However, there are clear signs of opportunity for Gomez.

AUDIENCE MEMBER CONFRONTS BILL MAHER AFTER COMIC SLAMMED SARAH PALIN'S SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD  —  Conservative Ron Futrell knew to expect plenty of left-of-center jibes when he settled into his seat to see Bill Maher at The Pearl Theater in Las Vegas June 8.  —  Futrell didn't think he'd hear …

Arizona Senator's Son Used Homophobic, Anti-Semitic Language On Twitter  —  “He has apologized and I apologize as well,” says Senator Jeff Flake.  —  WASHINGTON — Sen. Jeff Flake's high school-aged son Tanner used Twitter to threaten the “faggot” who stole his bike that he “will find you …

First immigration reform votes stalled  —  Fewer than 24 hours after the Senate immigration bill cleared its first major hurdle, the legislation is facing its first procedural obstacle.  —  On Wednesday afternoon, both parties objected to the others' amendment proposals …

Glenn Greenwald to Pete King: Bring it on  —  A number of commentators have already suggested that Edwards Snowden should be prosecuted for leaking explosive details about the NSA programs.  But today, for the first time, a member of Congress called for prosecution of Glenn Greenwald …

Public Conversations on Facebook  —  Every day, hundreds of millions of people use Facebook to share their thoughts on big moments happening all around them.  Whether it's talking about a favorite television show, cheering on a hometown sports team or engaging with friends during a breaking news event …

Jeff Duncan questions IRS rifle usage  —  Rep. Jeff Duncan wants to know why IRS law enforcement agents are training with AR-15 rifles.  —  As chairman of the House Homeland Security oversight subcommittee, Duncan (R-S.C.) toured a federal law enforcement facility in late May and noticed agents training …

Bill Clinton splits with Obama on Syria  —  Bill Clinton told Sen. John McCain he agrees that President Barack Obama should act more forcefully to support anti-Assad rebels in Syria, saying the American public elects presidents and members of Congress “to see down the road” and “to win.”

Media, administration deal with conflicts  —  It's all but a journalistic commandment: Thou shalt not have a vested interest in the story you're covering.  Otherwise, a personal entanglement could color a reporter's neutrality or cloud public perceptions of fairness.

Obamacare?  We were just leaving ...  Dozens of lawmakers and aides are so afraid that their health insurance premiums will skyrocket next year thanks to Obamacare that they are thinking about retiring early or just quitting.  —  The fear: Government-subsidized premiums will disappear …

Flashback: Sen. Biden says Americans shouldn't trust a president who spies on them  —  File this one under “aren't you glad we didn't elect an idiot like Sarah Palin to be one heartbeat away from the president?”  Actually, according to the current buffoon who is a heartbeat away from the president …