memeorandum: GOP leaders reconsider Rand Paul (James Hohmann/Politico)

3:15 PM ET, May 10, 2014

Top Items:

Andrew C. McCarthy / National Review:

Why Lois Lerner Should Be Granted Immunity — In this week's episode of the Capitol Hill soap opera, Lois Lerner, the apparatchik at the center of the IRS jihad against conservative groups, was at long, long last held in contempt of Congress. Amid the farce, the House's IRS probe is floundering.

Discussion: Power Line

Bernie Becker / The Hill:

One year later, Republicans put IRS probe on the backburner — A year after it began, the IRS targeting controversy has been overtaken by the Benghazi attacks on the oversight agenda of House Republicans. — While Republicans are convinced that the Obama administration is stonewalling …

Discussion: Politico

Susan Ferrechio / Washington Examiner:

GOP will start Benghazi probe without Dems after Nancy Pelosi rejects committee rules — CONGRESS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEMOCRATIC PARTY JOHN BOEHNER NATIONAL SECURITY NANCY PELOSI BENGHAZI PENNAVE TERRORISM LIBYA — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has rejected the terms …

Discussion: The PJ Tatler, The Hill, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, Hot Air, Conservatives4Palin and Washington Free Beacon

Mike Lillis / The Hill:
Dems reject GOP offer on Benghazi

Discussion: Washington Post, Hot Air, Mediaite, Washington Monthly, Politico, PoliticusUSA and Daily Kos

Dana Milbank / Washington Post:

Ted Cruz, the reckless accuser — Sen. Ted Cruz, in a speech to fellow conservatives at the Federalist Society this week, provided detailed evidence of what the right calls the “lawlessness” of the Obama administration. — The Texas Republican, in his latest McCarthyesque flourish …

Discussion: Althouse

Ellen Weinstein / Wall Street Journal:

How to Trick the Guilty and Gullible into Revealing Themselves — It starts with a basic understanding of game theory and incentives — King Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem and was known throughout the land for his wisdom. — David Lee Roth fronted the rock band Van Halen …

Discussion: Althouse and Marginal REVOLUTION

Jonathan Martin / New York Times:

Republicans Tighten Grip on Debates in 2016 Race — MEMPHIS — The Republican National Committee moved Friday to seize control of the presidential primary debates in 2016, another step in a coordinated effort by the party establishment to reshape the nominating process.

Discussion: Washington Monthly

James Hohmann / Politico:

GOP leaders reconsider Rand Paul — MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Not that long ago, most Republican leaders saw Rand Paul as the head of an important faction who, like his father, ultimately had no shot at becoming the party's presidential nominee. — Now the question is no longer whether Paul …

Discussion: PoliticusUSA

Jeremy W. Peters / New York Times:
Paul Diverges From His Party Over Voter ID

Discussion: The Daily Caller, Talking Points Memo, Mediaite, Politico, Hot Air, The Raw Story and Balloon Juice

ThinkProgress:

Saturday's Illegal Cliven Bundy-Endorsed ATV Rally Runs Through Sacred American Indian Sites — Matt Lee-Ashley is a Senior Fellow with the Public Lands Project at the Center for American Progress. — This Aug. 11, 2009 photo shows a restored cliff dwelling south of Blanding, Utah.

Discussion: KUTV-TV and Hullabaloo

Bill Carter / New York Times:

A Successor to ‘Colbert’ Is Named — What comes after “The Colbert Report”? — On Comedy Central it will be “The Minority Report” and the host will be the “senior black correspondent” from “The Daily Show” — otherwise known as Larry Wilmore. — Comedy Central has concluded a deal …

Discussion: Taylor Marsh, The Week, Mediaite, Gothamist, The Verge, Politico and Capital New York, more at Mediagazer »

Peter Hamby / CNN:

Biden delivers ‘Elizabeth Warren-type speech’ at fundraiser — Washington (CNN) - Vice President Joe Biden appeared at a closed-door fundraiser in South Carolina Friday and delivered what one attendee called “an Elizabeth Warren-type speech” about the struggles of America's middle class …

Discussion: Mediaite and America Rising

Doug Stanglin / USA Today:

Man on TV dating show reveals killing first wife, lover — A 62-year-old man looking for a wife on a TV dating show stunned the host and studio audience by revealing that he had murdered his first wife and later killed a lover with an ax during an argument.

Discussion: The Huffington Post, The Daily Caller and HyperVocal

Eric Schmitt / New York Times:

U.S. Officers Kill Armed Civilians in Yemen Capital — WASHINGTON — A United States Special Operations commando and a Central Intelligence Agency officer in Yemen shot and killed two armed Yemeni civilians who tried to kidnap them while the Americans were in a barber shop in the country's capital …

Discussion: emptywheel and NPR

Max Brantley / Arkansas Blog, Arkansas Times:

Judge Chris Piazza invalidates Arkansas's same-sex marriage ban — Circuit Judge Chris Piazza today invalidated the Arkansas ban on same-sex marriage and recognition of marriages legally entered by same-sex couples in other states. — An appeal is expected.

Discussion: ThinkProgress, Daily Kos, Washington Blade, Towleroad News #gay and Washington Post