Rob Ford takes leave as recent drug video emerges  —  A second video of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking what has been described as crack cocaine by a self-professed drug dealer was secretly filmed in his sister's basement early Saturday morning.  —  The clip, which was viewed by two Globe and Mail reporters …

Dems on thin ice for 2014  —  Amid a torrent of fresh and frightening polling, Democrats are clinging to some comforting silver linings: flush war chests, a few strong individual polls, a robust gender gap.  But it will be months before we know if they are kittens balancing on branches or cats with nine lives.

Eyewitness account: A minute-by-minute look at what happened during Clayton Lockett's execution … Well, it's a Lockett's execution didn't go well.  I lay the blame on the bleeding heart liberals who blocked Oklahoma's access to the execution drugs we've used in the past.

What is Hillary Clinton afraid of?  —  Over the 25 years Hillary Clinton has spent in the national spotlight, she's been smeared and stereotyped, the subject of dozens of over-hyped or downright fictional stories and books alleging, among other things, that she is a lesbian …

Jay Carney Lies About the Benghazi Email  —  Yesterday I wrote about the most significant email that the Obama administration produced in response to a FOIA request by Judicial Watch.  It was sent by White House political operative Ben Rhodes to a variety of administration officials whose duties related to PR, not policy.

Meet the Poster Child for ‘White Privilege’ - Then Have Your Mind Blown  —  He's 20, he's white, and he's a freshman at Princeton University.  —  According to the ethnic and feminist studies college students and professors who frequently and vehemently complain that this country is steeped …

Bundy Ranch Speaker Warns Of ‘Civil War On A Vast Scale,’ Promises Harry Reid Will Have His ‘Balls Ripped Off’  —  http://www.youtube.com/watch?  v=2uEXkmMealE  —  In a speech to the militia members still gathered at Cliven Bundy's ranch in Nevada last week, Mike Vanderboegh …

Subway removes ham and bacon from nearly 200 stores and offers halal meat only after ‘strong demand’ from Muslims  — Pork is forbidden and while other meat can be eaten, it must be sourced, slaughtered and processed according to strict rules  — Subway said all halal meat served …

Committee Learns Who's Paid for Obamacare: As of April 15, Only 67 Percent of Enrollees in Federal Marketplace Had Paid First Month's Premium  —  Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee to Hold Hearing NEXT WEEK with Insurance Companies to Discuss Detailed Enrollment Data

Jobs: The best way to fight poverty  —  Much of Washington's ongoing economic policy debate focuses on reducing poverty, with many arguing to raise the minimum wage and expand government programs.  But this focus ignores two simple truths.  —  First, poverty arises from sagging employment …

Meet Mary Burke, the Woman Who Could Beat Scott Walker  —  She's a political novice—and that may be what it takes to knock off Wisconsin's governor, of whose jobs plan she says: 'I've seen eighth-graders' term papers that are more thoughtful.'  —  Republicans call her “Millionaire Mary,” …

Justice Scalia Makes Epic Blunder In Supreme Court Opinion  —  It's not often that a Supreme Court justice makes a factual blunder in a formal opinion.  —  Legal experts say Justice Antonin Scalia erred in his dissent in the 6-2 decision Tuesday to uphold the Environmental Protection Agency's authority …

Rep. Thompson doubles down on racial remarks in interview with CNN's Dana Bash  —  (CNN) - In an exclusive interview with CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash, Rep. Bennie Thompson doubled down on controversial remarks he made about race over the weekend.

AT&T Has Approached DirecTV About Possible Acquisition  —  AT&T has approached DirecTV about a possible acquisition of the satellite-TV firm, say people familiar with the situation, the latest sign of a possible shakeup in the television industry.

Senate Republicans Filibuster Minimum Wage Hike  —  As expected, Senate Republicans voted on Wednesday to block debate on legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour.  —  The procedural motion to begin debate received 54 votes for, and 42 against — short of the 60 needed to break a filibuster.