Money men cheer Bush news  —  Republican rivals will struggle to raise big cash.  —  In one swift move, Jeb Bush showed his fundraising prowess without raising a dollar.  —  A number of top tier donors reacted to the Republican's announcement on Facebook that he would “actively explore the possibility” …

Obama offers help to Australia post-hostage crisis  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is offering U.S. assistance to Australia after the Sydney hostage crisis.  —  The president called Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott Monday night and offered condolences after a gunman took 17 people hostage inside a cafe.

Secretive groups ran $25M in ads for state races  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Shadowy outside groups broadcast an estimated $25 million worth of political ads on local TV stations with a goal of shaping state-level elections this year, and their full roster of donors is unlikely to ever be known, according to an analysis released Wednesday.

Jeb's killer flaw — the name, not the ideology  —  Jeb Bush is running for president.  The brother of Bush 43 and son of Bush 41 said as much yesterday on Facebook.  —  If you think you know something about Jeb Bush solely based on his name and connections, truth is, you don't.

Obama: As a black man he's been mistaken for valet  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — He may be president now, but Barack Obama says he's a black man who has been mistaken for the valet.  —  Obama tells People magazine that every black professional male his age has had someone hand over their keys while waiting outside a restaurant.