Poll: Obamacare support, Obama approval sink to new lows  —  President Obama's job approval rating has plunged to the lowest of his presidency, according to a new CBS News poll released Wednesday, and Americans' approval of the Affordable Care Act has dropped it's lowest since CBS News started polling on the law.

Rep. Trey Radel busted in cocaine sting  —  Freshman GOP lawmaker says he struggles with alcoholism and made ‘an extremely irresponsible choice.’  —  WASHINGTON — Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., was caught buying drugs as part of a federal investigation into a Washington, D.C. …

Reid Preparing to Move for Limits on Filibuster  —  WASHINGTON — Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, is prepared to move forward with a vote that could severely limit the minority party's ability to filibuster presidential nominees, possibly as early as this week, Democrats said Tuesday.

North Texas Drivers Stopped at Roadblock Asked for Saliva, Blood  —  Fort Worth police apologize for its role in federal survey  —  Some drivers along a busy Fort Worth street on Friday were stopped at a police roadblock and directed into a parking lot, where they were asked by federal contractors …

The GOP's scary-movie strategy  —  House Republican leaders could not have been more blatant in their attempts to frighten Americans if they had emerged from their weekly meeting wearing hockey masks and carrying chainsaws.  —  “The American people are very, very worried,” Majority Leader Eric Cantor …

Ted Cruz to Chris Cuomo: Thanks for lecture  —  Sen. Ted Cruz faced pointed questioning from CNN host Chris Cuomo on Wednesday, with the Texas Republican at one point thanking Cuomo for the lecture.  —  Cuomo asked Cruz on CNN's “New Day” on Wednesday what the senator has proposed to replace Obamacare …

Voters reject ban on late-term abortions in Albuquerque  —  (CNN) — Voters rejected a ban on late-term abortions in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a proposal believed to be a first on a city level.  —  Referenda putting abortion on the ballot have been tried on the state level.

Exclusive: US May Have Let ‘Dozens’ of Terrorists Into Country As Refugees … Several dozen suspected terrorist bombmakers, including some believed to have targeted American troops, may have mistakenly been allowed to move to the United States as war refugees, according to FBI agents investigating …

N.Y. Times D.C. shakeup: David Leonhardt out, Carolyn Ryan in as bureau chief  —  New York Times Washington bureau chief David Leonhardt will step down and be replaced by political editor Carolyn Ryan, sources familiar with the decision told POLITICO on Wednesday.

Serial killer Joseph Franklin executed after hours of delay  —  (CNN) — White supremacist serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin was executed Wednesday morning after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final requests for a stay, the Missouri Department of Public Safety said.

McDonald's Advice To Underpaid Employees: Sell Your Christmas Presents For Cash  —  Tis the season for holiday spirit: Yule logs, egg nog, festive lights and exchanging gifts with loved ones.  If you work for McDonald's, though, be sure to save those receipts.

Poll: Americans Think Obamacare Will Help the Poor, Not the Country  —  United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll finds public opinion on the health law remarkably steady despite rollout troubles.  —  More Americans continue to say that President Obama's health care law …

Hope grows for budget deal  —  They've been written off as a doomed-to-fail duo: Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Patty Murray, the congressional budget leaders who are on an uphill quest to reach any kind of fiscal deal.  —  But an agreement may not be so elusive after all.