How John Boehner decided to give up on the debt limit fight  —  This week's debt-limit drama ended as it began: with House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), standing alone before his colleagues, asking them for their support, but receiving only silence and stares in return.

First on CNN-Confidant's diary: Clinton wanted to keep records for ‘revenge’  —  Fayetteville, Arkansas (CNN) - Shortly before Hillary Clinton's effort to pass health care reform died in the summer of 1994, the first lady asked a close friend and confidant for advice on “how best to preserve …

De Blasio Called Police Over Pastor's Arrest  —  A Member of the Mayor's Inaugural Committee Who Had Two Outstanding Warrants Was Arrested  —  A member of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's inaugural committee who had two outstanding warrants was arrested Monday night after a traffic stop …

Christie in his element: Governor takes a break from bridge scandal at Q&A in Chicago  —  CHICAGO — Gov. Chris Christie today got some relief from the George Washington Bridge scandal in a forum that allowed him to burnish his record and show off his grasp of national issues before a friendly audience.

Michael Sam's Troubled Upbringing in Texas  —  COLUMBIA, Mo. — Michael Sam was the loud country boy who wore a tank top and a cowboy hat.  He was the smooth-singing baritone who could irritate his coaches and crack up his teammates with his improvised songs.

Republicans expanding field in Senate contests, but what about the House?  —  BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL BARACK OBAMA OBAMACARE POLLS 2014 ELECTIONS CAMPAIGNS  —  There's no question that Obamacare hurts the prospects of Democratic candidates in 2014.  The question is how much — and where?

The Insiders: Obamacare creates new ways to prosecute American business  —  It's been a bad week for Obamacare.  Incredibly, the White House has had to grant yet another delay in the employer mandate.  This time, employers with between 50 to 99 employees who don't already offer health insurance …

Faulconer wins mayor's race  —  Alvarez says works goes on whether as mayor or city councilman  —  SAN DIEGO — Republican City Councilman Kevin Faulconer defeated Democratic Councilman David Alvarez in the San Diego mayor's race Tuesday night.  —  Faulconer had 55.2 percent compared …

SC Gov. Haley says she backs carrying firearms without permits, training  —  COLUMBIA, SC — S.C. Constitutional Carry Act  —  S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley said Tuesday that she backs a proposal that would make it legal for most South Carolinians to carry guns - concealed or in the open …

Part 2: Affirmative action doesn't work.  It never did.  It's time for a new solution.  —  I.  —  In 2009, I attended the NAACP's 100th annual convention at the Midtown Hilton in New York.  Not just the centenary celebration for the nation's oldest civil rights organization …

Democrats, Media Slam President Romney Over Health Care Law Changes  —  Washington D. C.  — In a move certain to please his conservative supporters and infuriate his critics, President Romney announced this afternoon that his administration would make yet another change to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Rand Paul To Sue President Obama Over NSA Spying  —  Rand Paul v. Barack Obama  —  WASHINGTON, DC - On February 12, 2014, Rand Paul will join Matt Kibbe, President of FreedomWorks, and lead counsel Ken Cuccinelli in announcing a class action lawsuit against President Barack Obama …

Treadwell camp says new US Senate poll ‘ignores the space-time continuum’  —  A new Alaska poll predicts the U.S. Senate race will be a runaway, with incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Begich landing 45 percent of the vote.  —  But in the fantasy face-off that looks nine months into the future …

Election mode hits the Capitol  —  Democrats and Republicans are clearing the decks of dangerous political issues that could sink their chances in the midterm elections.  —  This unusually cautious approach comes nine months before Election Day and illustrates how both parties are reluctant to tackle anything that doesn't poll well.

Clarence Thomas: Society is overly sensitive about race  —  Americans today are too sensitive about race, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas told a gathering of college students in Florida on Tuesday.  —  Speaking at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Fla., Thomas …

‘Significant’ coal slurry spill blackens Kanawha County creek  —  CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State officials were trying this morning to contain a “significant spill” of coal slurry from a Patriot Coal processing facility in eastern Kanawha County.  —  Emergency officials said that the spill …