Meet President Obama's new economic message.  Same as his old economic message.  —  You could be forgiven if you thought you had heard President Obama's speech on the economy today before.  Because you have.  For most of the 2012 campaign.  (Don't trust us, read Obama's 2012 acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention.)

Republicans for Snowden  —  A left-right House coalition rushes to stop metadata collection.  —  Few things are more dangerous than Congress in heat, and so it is this week as a libertarian-left wing coalition in the House of Representatives is rushing to neuter one of the National Security Agency's antiterror surveillance programs.

What's the Matter With North Carolina?  —  The state went from beacon of tolerance to bastion of voter suppression in a month.  —  North Carolina is proving itself to be the poster child for all that is wrong with modern American democracy and—with thanks to Moral Mondays—also highlighting all that may someday save it.

READ: Obama's Economic Speech In Illinois As Prepared For Delivery  —  Eight years ago, I came here to deliver the commencement address for the class of 2005.  Things were a little different back then.  I didn't have any gray hair, for example.  Or a motorcade.  I didn't even have a teleprompter.

A Cut Above: President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush Join Patrick's Pals  —  Our little guy received some high-powered support this week when President George Bush 41 volunteered to shave his head to show his support for Patrick and Patrick's Pals.  —  Members of his Secret Service detail …

America's scariest police chief shoots “libtards” and forms militias  —  Meet Chief Marc Kessler: Liberal hater, M-16 carrier and founder of armed group to defend the country from tyranny  —  Mark Kessler really loves guns.  “I carry an M-16 at work,” he says.

Mother of Golf Prodigy in Hazing Death Defied by FratPAC  —  Harrison Kowiak was 19 years old when he died after schoolmates pummeled him on a pitch-black field in Hickory, North Carolina.  It was part of a fraternity hazing.  —  Determined to protect other students, Kowiak's mother Lianne devoted herself to fighting hazing.

CBS News poll finds more Americans than ever want Obamacare repealed  —  (CBS News) A new CBS News poll finds more Americans than ever want the Affordable Care Act repealed.  —  According to the poll, 36 percent of Americans want Congress to expand or keep the health care law while 39 percent …

Senate approves deal on student loan rates  —  The Senate voted 81-18 Wednesday for legislation on student loan rates, splitting Democrats in the chamber.  —  Seventeen Democrats voted against the bipartisan bill that would cap most student loan rates at 8.25 percent.

NYC poll: Anthony Weiner narrowly ahead  —  Former Rep. Anthony Weiner still holds a slight lead for the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, but challenger William Thompson may fare best if the race turns to a runoff, according to a new poll.  —  Weiner leads Democratic candidates …

Postal Service looks to end at-your-door mail  —  If you're moving to a newly built house, say goodbye to mail delivery at your door.  —  And if some House Republicans get their way, all door-to-door mail delivery will go away.  —  The U.S. Postal Service is marching towards a more …

Tax writers promise 50 years of secrecy for senators' suggestions  —  Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and the panel's top Republican, Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah), assured lawmakers that any submission they receive will be kept under lock and key by the committee and the National Archives until the end of 2064.

Obama to nominate Caroline Kennedy as ambassador to Japan  —  (CNN) - Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy and a prominent Democratic backer, was nominated by President Barack Obama Wednesday to serve as U.S. ambassador to Japan.

Conservatives Desperately Move To Shut Down Government Over Obamacare  —  Running out of time and options, conservatives are exploring new ways to corner Congress into shutting down the government this fall unless Obamacare is defunded.  But they aren't likely to achieve much more than giving Republican leaders heartburn.