Eric Garner, Daniel Pantaleo and Lethal Police Tactics  —  One route to justice for Eric Garner was blocked on Wednesday, by a Staten Island grand jury's confounding refusal to see anything potentially criminal in the police assault that killed him.  —  But the quest will continue.

A Eulogy for The New Republic  —  A century-old liberal institution gazes at the end.  —  Shares  —  Not long after he purchased The New Republic, Chris Hughes had lunch with me, as he was doing with quite a few journalists around Washington.  At one point, he asked me who the best editor had been during my 16 years.

Democrats Against Reform  —  It's easy to understand why Republicans wish health reform had never happened, and are now hoping that the Supreme Court will abandon its principles and undermine the law.  But it's more puzzling — and disturbing — when Democrats like Charles Schumer …

INVESTIGATION: LENA DUNHAM ‘RAPED BY A REPUBLICAN’ STORY IN BESTSELLER COLLAPSES UNDER SCRUTINY  —  In her just-released memoir, Not That Kind of Girl, Lena Dunham describes her alma mater, Oberlin College, as “a liberal arts haven in the cornfields of Ohio.”

On a Roll  —  Suddenly, things look up for the GOP.  —  Republicans have lost the last two presidential elections, but not much else over the past six years.  They've captured the House and Senate.  They now hold 31 governorships and 69 of the 99 state legislative chambers.

It's official: President Obama to name Ash Carter as defense chief  —  Carter's nomination must be confirmed by the Senate but prospects appear good.  —  President Barack Obama will formally tap Ash Carter to become his fourth secretary of defense Friday morning, an announcement that follows …

Romney's Inner Circle Is Convinced He's Running  —  Mitt Romney held meetings with donors in New York this week that left one attendee convinced he is running for president again in 2016.  —  A member of Romney's inner circle who spoke to Business Insider said the former governor …

Warren Buffett, Reluctant PAC Man, Is Ready for Hillary  —  Warren Buffett has said he's willing to “put money” on Hillary Clinton winning the 2016 presidential race.  Turns out, he really meant it.  —  The Oracle of Omaha gave the maximum donation allowed to Ready for Hillary last quarter …

The Last Southern Democrat  —  HAMMOND, La.—Mary Landrieu is dead, and everyone knows it but Mary Landrieu.  —  The senior senator from Louisiana, a diminutive blond woman with a round, youthful face, is standing under a green canopy in the middle of an airfield.  The canopy reads, “City of Hammond, Too Lovely to Litter.”

Nancy Pelosi flexes muscle in closed budget meeting  —  With the government set to shut down in a week, Nancy Pelosi is flexing her muscles.  —  In a closed Democratic whip meeting Thursday morning, the House minority leader warned Democrats not to rush to support the Republican efforts …

Feds Find Shocking, Systemic Brutality, Incompetence In Cleveland Police Department  —  WASHINGTON — In recent years, Cleveland police officers have punched a 13-year-old boy who was in handcuffs for shoplifting and shot at an unarmed kidnapping victim who was wearing only his underwear …

Former Top Senate Republican: McConnell Should Tell Conservatives To “Kiss Off”  —  Trent Lott said the immigration executive order is something to worry about next year.  —  AFP / Getty Images JIM WATSON  —  WASHINGTON — Former Republican Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said Thursday …