Biden says presidential decision will come next summer  —  Vice President Joe Biden joked this week that being able to drive his Corvette - is one good reason not to run.  But, when asked to give another good reason not to run, Biden responded simply.  —  “I can't.”

Bill Clinton to campaign for Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky  —  The big dog is coming to Kentucky to help Alison Lundergan Grimes.  —  Former President Bill Clinton — known as the “Big Dog” — will come to Louisville this month for a campaign event for Grimes, who is running …

Obama bundler nominated as ambassador to Argentina has never been to the country  —  BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL BARACK OBAMA MARCO RUBIO 2012 ELECTIONS ARGENTINA  —  Presidents often award diplomatic posts to campaign donors and fundraisers, but Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., suspects that Obama's choice …

Health, Work, Lies  —  On Wednesday, Douglas Elmendorf, the director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, said the obvious: losing your job and choosing to work less aren't the same thing.  If you lose your job, you suffer immense personal and financial hardship.

Turkish Authorities Search Plane Over Bomb Claim  —  A passenger on board an Istanbul-bound flight Friday claimed there was a bomb on board and tried to hijack the plane to Sochi, Russia, where the Olympics are kicking off, an official said.  —  The plane from Kharkov, Ukraine …

Victoria Nuland gaffe: Angela Merkel condemns EU insult  —  Germany's Angela Merkel has said a US official's apparent insult of the EU's efforts to mediate in the Ukraine crisis is “totally unacceptable”.  —  Victoria Nuland has apologised after a voice resembling hers used a graphic swear word …

Lt. Gov. John Walsh Chosen for Baucus' Senate Seat  —  Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said Friday he has appointed Lt. Gov. John Walsh to serve out the term of Democratic U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, who will be leaving the seat to become the next ambassador to China.  —  Walsh, 53, is a Butte native …

The most painful speech ever  —  Washingtonians sit through terrible speeches all the time: dry rules hearings, partisan floor lectures and, let's face it, even the State of the Union some years.  —  So it was a bad day for Rep. Donna Edwards Thursday, when Washingtonians gathered at coffee pots …

AIPAC breaks with GOP on Iran sanctions  —  America's main pro-Israel lobby came out against an immediate vote on Iran sanctions Thursday, just hours after 42 Republican senators demanded a vote.  —  The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) issued its statement after the bill's author …

Book World: ‘HRC,’ inside Clinton's State Dept. and the political machine  —  Ah, public service, among the noblest of callings, pursued by selfless individuals who have laid aside greed, ego or other personal gain, devoting themselves to democracy and the common good — and when necessary …

CBOghazi: Journalists Have No Idea “What Will Matter” in an Election  —  The Internet is picking on WaPo columnist Chris Cillizza, founder and editor of the Fix and many-times-a-day pronouncer of what “will matter” in politics.  His offense: defending a post he wrote about the political damage …

DATA PARITY ELUDES GOP - CHRISTIE BIO next year — JAMIE SMITH last day at 1600 — CHANCES RISE FOR GOP TO TAKE SENATE — DEL CECATO EXPANDS - TAPPER FILM DEAL - JAMES CARVILLE to Fox  —  SIREN — “Republicans still seen falling behind in election data wars,” by Reuters' Gabriel Debenedetti …

I've Been Trying Since November—But I Still Can't Sign Up for Obamacare  —  Despite my earnest intentions, my family and I are still not covered on the Washington, D.C. Obamacare exchange.  I am beginning to despair that I will ever obtain insurance from the exchange.

Texan Hispanics Tilt Democratic, but State Likely to Stay Red  —  Hispanics statewide are less likely to be Democratic than other U.S. Hispanics  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Texas Hispanics are decidedly Democratic in their political party preferences, 46% to 27%, but that 19-percentage-point Democratic advantage …

A Missing Argument on Contraceptives  —  One of the most anticipated showdowns of the Supreme Court's current term will take place March 25, when the justices are scheduled to hear two cases brought by secular, for-profit corporations whose owners want an exemption, based on their religious beliefs …

Crist: Rick Scott To Blame For Deaths Through Refusal To Expand Medicaid  —  Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist argued the decision by Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) and his fellow Republicans in the state to not expand Medicaid is the ongoing source of many deaths in Florida.

US: Syria Conflict a Threat to Homeland  —  The civil war in Syria has become a matter of U.S. homeland security over concerns about a small number of Americans who have gone to fight with Syrian rebels and returned home, new Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Friday.