G.O.P. Senate Leaders Avert Debt Ceiling Crisis  —  WASHINGTON — It was a moment of real drama in a chamber known for its somnambulism.  Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, counted votes on his hand, at one point holding up three fingers as he searched for the remaining votes.

Comcast set to buy Time Warner Cable in all-stock deal  —  Comcast has reached an agreement to acquire Time Warner Cable in all-stock transaction worth roughly $159 a share, according to people close to the deal.  —  The new company, created by the $44 billion purchase …

Former New Orleans mayor guilty of bribery, money laundering, fraud  —  (CNN) — Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, whose desperate pleas for help during Hurricane Katrina drew national attention, walked silently out of a courthouse Wednesday after a jury convicted him of federal corruption charges.

The Secularist Menace  —  Maybe I just travel in different circles from my old buddy Damon Linker.  But as a Man of the Left who is also a Christian, I just don't see the “broader, troubling trans-Atlantic trend of secular liberalism steamrolling competing, non-liberal visions of the good” that he laments at The Week.

Kentucky ban on gay marriages from other states struck down by federal judge  —  In a ruling that could open the door to gay marriage in Kentucky, a federal judge on Wednesday struck down Kentucky's ban on recognizing valid same-sex marriages performed in other states, saying it violates …

Gary Miller to Retire From Congress (Updated) (Video)  —  California Rep. Gary G. Miller announced Wednesday he will not seek re-election.  —  “It has been a great honor to spend so many years in public service, striving to make a difference for Southern California families,” Miller said in a statement.

U.S. Uninsured Rate Drops so Far in First Quarter of 2014  —  Rate among 26- to 34-year-olds continues to fall  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — The percentage of uninsured Americans fell to 16.0% so far in the first quarter of 2014 from 17.1% in the fourth quarter of 2013.

‘Impeach the President’  —  You guys in the press who are reading this right now can be such shameless whores.  I generally try to hold to the standard these days that if I wouldn't be outraged by George Chimpy McBushitler Halliburton and Darth Cheney doing something, I shouldn't be outraged by President Obama.

Sid Caesar, Comedian of Comedians From TV's Early Days, Dies at 91  —  Sid Caesar, a comedic force of nature who became one of television's first stars in the early 1950s and influenced generations of comedians and comedy writers, died on Wednesday at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. He was 91.

Gay Republican Candidate's Ad Poses Test for Party  —  Carl DeMaio is one of three openly gay Republicans running for Congress this year, and he would be at least the third to serve in the House if he wins.  But Mr. DeMaio on Thursday will take a step that none of them has …

Rand Paul and Ken Cuccinelli accused of stealing NSA lawsuit  —  Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has been caught using purloined passages in several of his speeches.  Now the aspiring presidential candidate stands accused of filing a lawsuit stolen from its author.  —  Since December …

Wendy Davis backs 20-week abortion ban that defers to women  —  Wendy Davis said Tuesday that she would have supported a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, if the law adequately deferred to a woman and her doctor.  —  Davis, a Fort Worth senator and the likely Democratic nominee for governor …

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue's Newest Model: Barbie Mattel unveils new ‘Unapologetic’ campaign in advertorial By Emma Bazilian  —  This year, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue turns 50, which means that plenty of SI Swim Legends will be popping up to pay tribute to this all-American institution.

Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace increases by 53 percent in January  —  27 percent of January enrollees are young adults - up 3 percentage points  —  Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace continued to rise in January, with a 53 percent increase in overall enrollment …

Kansas House Approves Gay Marriage Bill |  Dems Under Fire  —  TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _  —  The Kansas House has approved a bill aimed at keeping individuals, groups and businesses from being compelled to help with same-sex weddings.  —  The House's 72-49 vote Wednesday sends the measure to the Senate.