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 …

Obama rules out short-term debt ceiling hike  —  President Obama signaled Saturday that he wouldn't accept the Republicans' offer for a short-term increase in the nation's debt limit.  —  “It wouldn't be wise, as some suggest, to just kick the debt ceiling can down the road for a couple months …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

McCain To Fox News: No, The Shutdown Is The GOP's Fault (VIDEO)  —  Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) channeled his inner-maverick Friday during an appearance on Fox News Channel, repeatedly reminding the conservative network that the government shutdown was brought about by the quixotic effort to halt the Affordable Care Act.

Amid shutdown thaw, McConnell says it's time for ‘come together’ moment  —  WASHINGTON — As the stand-off over the federal government shutdown appears to be thawing, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday that it is time for a “come together” moment.

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.