Seeing Opening, House G.O.P. Pushes Delay on Individual Mandate in Health Law  —  WASHINGTON — House Republican leaders on Tuesday seized on the Obama administration's one-year delay of a mandate for larger employers to offer health insurance or face penalties, demanding the same postponement …

McDonnell's corporation, wife allegedly benefited from $120,000 more from donor  —  RICHMOND — A prominent political donor gave $70,000 to a corporation owned by Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell and his sister last year, and the governor did not disclose the money as a gift or loan, according to people with knowledge of the payments.

Sarah Palin Considering 2014 Senate Run  —  Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin on Tuesday said that she is considering running for Senate in 2014.  —  Appearing on Sean Hannity's radio program, Palin also reiterated that she would consider supporting a third party if Republicans don't return to their conservative roots.

Just in Case George Zimmerman Walks Free...  Like so many people across the country, I have followed the murder trial of George Zimmerman very closely.  As we enter what is probably the last week of the trial, I am sure that everyone is anxious about the outcome.

Sabotage governing  —  It's not unusual to hear dirty hippie liberal blogger types (and the occasional lefty Nobel Prize winner) point out that today's GOP has effectively abdicated the role of functional opposition party, instead opting for a kind of post-policy nihilism in which sabotaging …

Immigration reform heads for slow death  —  Republicans walked away from their 2012 debacle hell-bent on fixing their problems with Hispanics.  Now, they appear hell-bent on making them worse.  —  In private conversations, top Republicans on Capitol Hill now predict comprehensive immigration reform …

Americans in Favor of National Referenda on Key Issues  —  Majority also backs shorter presidential campaigns and national primary  —  PRINCETON, NJ — A majority of Americans back three political reform ideas, including 68% who favor national referenda on key issues if enough voters sign …

Democrat on Democrat: Sen. Warren rips Sen. Manchin on student loan proposal  —  Liberal firebrand Elizabeth Warren blasted a fellow Democratic senator Tuesday as a dispute over how to stop student loan rates from doubling tore splits in the party.  —  The clash, which is highly unusual …

Linchpin for Obama's plan to predict future leakers unproven, isn't likely to work, experts say  —  WASHINGTON — In an initiative aimed at rooting out future leakers and other security violators, President Barack Obama has ordered federal employees to report suspicious actions of their colleagues based …

Interview with Victorian Prude the woman forcibly removed from testifying in Texas  —  Feel free to ignore any questions you would not care to respond to no explanation needed.  Also feel free to add anything you would like to say that I don't cover or ask about.  —  First off, what was your prepared statement?

A brand-new U.S. military headquarters in Afghanistan.  And nobody to use it.  —  The U.S. military has erected a 64,000-square-foot headquarters building on the dusty moonscape of southwestern Afghanistan that comes with all the tools to wage a modern war.  A vast operations center with tiered seating.

Edmund S. Morgan, Colonial Scholar, Dies At 97  —  Photo: Historian Edmund S. Morgan poses in the living room of his home in New Haven, Conn., on July 10, 2002.  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Edmund S. Morgan, a leading scholar of the colonial era who helped reinvigorate the reputations of the founding fathers …

Effects of Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Start to Be Felt  —  WASHINGTON — The federal government is moving quickly to extend benefits like health care and life insurance to gay and lesbian married couples in response to the Supreme Court decision that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act.

Police: Evidence criminal act may have led to Canada train crash  —  Train derails, explodes in Canadian town  —  Lac-Megantic, Quebec (CNN) — Canadian authorities have found evidence that a criminal act may have led to a train crash in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, that killed at least 15 people …

UPDATED - RAISE YOUR VOICE, NOT YOUR HANDS  —  The Broward Sheriff's Office, working closely with the Sanford Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies, has coordinated a response plan in anticipation of the verdict.  —  Freedom of expression is a constitutional right.

Wal-Mart: The D.C. Council has forced our hand  —  Alex Barron is a regional general manager for Wal-Mart U.S. and is responsible for about 90 stores and 30,000 associates in the D.C. area, including all stores planned for Washington.  —  For almost three years, Wal-Mart has worked on a plan …

Obama's Favorite Food Is Totally Broccoli, He Tells Kid Who Probably Needs To Eat His Vegetables  —  Photo evidence might suggest he likes something a little more savory, but President Barack Obama told a kid journalist Tuesday that his favorite food is actually broccoli.

Pro-Clinton Group Getting Help From Obama Aides  —  Veterans of President Barack Obama's two presidential campaigns are signing up to help a Democratic group supporting a potential Hillary Rodham Clinton presidential campaign.  —  The Ready for Hillary super PAC says it has hired …

WATCH AND WEEP: HERE'S A VIDEO OF PEOPLE SIGNING A PETITION TO REPEAL THE BILL OF RIGHTS  —  Author and activist Mark Dice on Monday released what may very well be the most depressing “man on the street” video for 2013 (possibly beating “College Kids Who Don't Know U.S. History").

GOP Drops Food Stamps From Farm Bill  —  Updated 12:15 p.m. |  House Republican leaders have decided to drop food stamps from the farm bill and are whipping the farm-only portion of the bill for a vote that will likely come this week, according to a GOP leadership aide.

Pilot on Politics  —  What's happening in the world of politics and lawmaking in Richmond, Hampton Roads and around Virginia?  Our reporters share tips, tidbits and stories here.  What do you know?  Post your comments.  —  If you have story ideas, contact Julian Walker at julian.walker@pilotonline.com or 804-697-1564.