Three Senators Try to Hold Off G.O.P. in South  —  NEW ORLEANS — Things traditionally get started a little late down here, an inclination that runs from mealtimes to political races.  But with nearly a year to go before the 2014 election, it is already open season on Senator Mary L. Landrieu, Democrat of Louisiana.

Amid the Uproar Over the Health Law, Voices of Quiet Optimism and Relief  —  Since his chronic leukemia was diagnosed in 2010, Ray Acosta has paid dearly for health insurance: more than $800 a month in premiums, plus steep co-payments for the drug that helps keep him alive.

The Punishment Cure  —  Six years have passed since the United States economy entered the Great Recession, four and a half since it officially began to recover, but long-term unemployment remains disastrously high.  And Republicans have a theory about why this is happening.

Obama tells a whopper on IRS scandal  —  ANALYSIS/OPINION:  —  Fact: The IRS targeted conservative and tea party groups requesting tax-exempt status in the run-up to the 2012 presidential election.  That's a fact.  —  Congress held hearings — embarrassing hearings.

Americans Discover They're Trapped In GOP's Medicaid Expansion Gap  —  With HealthCare.gov working better and the first deadline to sign up for health coverage that starts in January approaching, Obamacare's so-called navigators — the people and organizations receiving federal funds to help people enroll …

Obama Faces Backlash Over New Corporate Powers In Secret Trade Deal  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration appears to have almost no international support for controversial new trade standards that would grant radical new political powers to corporations, increase the cost of prescription medications …

Budget deal expected this week amounts to a cease-fire as sides move to avert a standoff  —  House and Senate negotiators were putting the finishing touches Sunday on what would be the first successful budget accord since 2011, when the battle over a soaring national debt first paralyzed Washington.

How Many American Men Are Gay?  —  WHAT percent of American men are gay?  This question is notoriously difficult to answer.  Historical estimates range from about 2 percent to 10 percent.  —  But somewhere in the exabytes of data that human beings create every day are answers to even the most challenging questions.

ATF uses rogue tactics in storefront stings across nation  —  By John Diedrich and Raquel Rutledge of the Journal Sentinel  —  Aaron Key wasn't sure he wanted a tattoo on his neck.  Especially one of a giant squid smoking a joint.  —  But the guys running Squid's Smoke Shop in Portland …

There's Now A Coloring Book To Teach Your Children To Love Ted Cruz  —  Are you a new parent terrified that the liberal media will turn your child into an Obama supporter?  Or do you just need something to entertain your kids during those long drives to Tea Party rallies?

Worries about Hillary Clinton  —  Hillary Clinton may be the overwhelming front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, but she's going to have to deal with some knotty problems sooner or later.  She can't ignore forever either her party or the media's entreaties to talk on important subjects.

Whose sarin?  —  Barack Obama did not tell the whole story this autumn when he tried to make the case that Bashar al-Assad was responsible for the chemical weapons attack near Damascus on 21 August.  In some instances, he omitted important intelligence, and in others he presented assumptions as facts.

Among ‘Obama Coalition,’ Obama approval plunges  —  BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL BARACK OBAMA POLLS APPROVAL RATINGS  —  President Obama won re-election with the rock-solid support of what has become known as the “Obama Coalition” — young people, minorities, women, and low-income voters.

Gillibrand sees assault vote slip away  —  Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is headed back to the drawing board with her controversial proposal to take sexual assault cases outside the chain of command.  —  Gillibrand had been assured a vote on her plan during work on the Defense authorization bill.