Ted Cruz confronts President Obama at White House  —  Sen. Ted Cruz confronted President Barack Obama over his health care law during a meeting at the White House Friday attended by dozens of GOP senators.  —  Cruz told Obama that any deal to reopen the government must also provide relief for those negatively affected by Obamacare.

'She's Got Really Hot Breasts, Man!'  Lonegan Aide Bashes Booker With X-Rated Rant  —  A top aide to Republican New Jersey Senate hopeful Steve Lonegan went into decidedly not-safe-for-work territory when TPM asked why he thinks his candidate has been gaining on Democratic opponent Cory Booker in recent polls.

Cruzification of the GOP  —  When a poll came out this week showing that the government shutdown was putting Republican Mike Coffman in danger of losing his Colorado congressional seat, the lawmaker responded with the serenity of martyrs through the ages.  —  “Whatever the consequences …

Ted Cruz?  Winnowed, Probably  —  I've been on the side of those who thought that Ted Cruz was a viable candidate for the Republican nomination in 2016.  Not a likely winner, but very plausible.  —  I'm pretty sure that's done now.  —  I was willing to defend Cruz's chances despite …

Court: NSA can continue sweeping phone data collection (Video)  —  The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has granted the National Security Agency (NSA) permission to continue its collection of records on all U.S. phone calls.  —  The Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced …

America Needs a White Republican President  —  Admit it.  You want a white Republican president again.  —  Now before you start feeling like you're a racist, understand you are not.  —  Follow Joe For America on Facebook!  —  Wanting a white Republican president doesn't make you racist, it just makes you American.

Congressional Republicans rush to develop plan to reopen government  —  Congressional Republicans rushed late Friday to develop a new plan for reopening the government and avoiding a first-ever default in hopes of crafting a strategy that can win the support of the White House before financial markets open Monday.

States pony up to open national parks, sights  —  The Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore are all open for business again — at least for about a week.  —  The three iconic national symbols will be at least temporarily reopened after the states of Arizona …

Local group urges House Republicans to stand ground against Affordable Care Act  —  ‘The fight is here and now,’ says local business owner  —  Group urges GOP to stand ground against Affordable Care Act  —  DOYLESTOWN -  —  It's called the Affordable Care Act, but some say the president's …

Christie: 'If I was in the Senate right now, I'd kill myself'  —  Gov. Christie today blamed Republicans and Democrats for the government shutdown, saying “it's irresponsible of both sides to have allowed this to get where it's gotten.”  —  Asked during an editorial board meeting …

Mark Zuckerberg buys four houses near his Palo Alto home  —  PALO ALTO — Living the fantasy of every homeowner who's faced the prospect of a nuisance project next door, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg has bought four homes adjacent to his own 5-bedroom crash pad in one of Palo Alto's toniest neighborhoods.

Piers Morgan Expected to Lose 9PM Hour on CNN; Bill Weir to Move In?  —  Earlier this morning, we reported that Nightline anchor Bill Weir was departing ABC News for other pastures.  —  TVNewser beat us to the punch on the news that his new role is with CNN.  But that is only part of the story.

2 States Plan 2-Tier System for Balloting  —  PHOENIX — Barred by the Supreme Court from requiring proof of citizenship for federal elections, Arizona is complying — but setting up a separate registration system for local and state elections that will demand such proof.

Why is the left obsessed by the Daily Mail?  —  The Guardian has published an extensive critique of the Daily Mail and its reporting of Labour, press regulation and the Snowden leaks.  We invited Mail readers to join in that debate.  Paul Dacre, editor-in-chief, asked for the opportunity to comment.

Men dither while women lead in the world  —  Editor's note: Hanna Rosin is the author of “The End of Men: And the Rise of Women,” now out in paperback.  She is co-founder of Slate's DoubleX, a Web magazine about women issues.  —  (CNN) — This important leader handles the debt crisis with grace …