House elects John Boehner to third term as Speaker  —  Ohio Republican John Boehner beat back a conservative rebellion on the House floor Tuesday, winning a third and possibly final term as Speaker of the House of Representatives.  —  But on the opening day of the new Republican-controlled Congress …

White House threatens Keystone veto  —  The White House said on Tuesday that President Obama would veto legislation that approves construction of the Keystone XL pipeline if it passes Congress.  —  “If this bill passes this Congress the president won't sign it either,” …

This post shamelessly uses Frederick County (Md.) Council Member Kirby Delauter's name without authorization  —  Kirby Delauter, a Frederick County (Maryland) Council Member threatens a local journalist (Bethany Rodgers) for ... using his name without permission in a newspaper article.  No, really:

Christie Faces Scrutiny Over Gifts From Cowboys Owner  —  Governor's Aides Said Gifts Acceptable Under State Policy  —  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie accepted a plane ride to Dallas and a seat at a Cowboys playoff football game in a luxury suite from team owner Jerry Jones …

Cop wounded in shootout not happy about de Blasio's visit  —  One of the cops wounded in a wild Bronx shootout didn't appreciate a hospital sympathy visit from Mayor Bill de Blasio, the wounded officer's dad told The Post on Tuesday.  —  The mayor accompanied NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton …

This Letter Could Restart The Case Against Darren Wilson  —  The NAACP Legal Defense Fund* wrote an open letter to Missouri Judge Maura McShane asking her to investigate Ferguson prosecutor Bob McCulloch and his team for misconduct.  The NAACP notes that, under Missouri law …

Robert F. McDonnell sentenced to two years in prison … A federal judge sentenced former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell to two years in prison Tuesday — a term far lower than what prosecutors had sought and one that means the popular politician will be free before his 63rd birthday.

State Dept. Can't Explain Why Cuba Isn't Fulfilling Promises Made in Obama Deal  —  State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki repeatedly refused to answer questions this afternoon about the 53 political detainees Cuba promised to release as part of a deal with President Obama to normalize relations with the United States.

Rev. Al Sharpton's Viagra prescription found in Sandy Rubenstein's home during probe that cleared famed lawyer of rape accusation: police source  —  The 70-year-old lawyer was accused of preying on an unconscious 42-year-old woman, a top official in Al Sharpton's National Action Network, in his Upper East Side apartment in October.

FBI investigating explosion outside NAACP Colorado Springs office  —  Updated:  —  The FBI is investigating an explosion that occurred outside the Colorado Springs chapter of the NAACP on Tuesday, the first day back in the office for volunteers and employees after an extended holiday vacation.

Apple Watch launch expected in March, retail training set for mid-February  —  Apple is finishing up work on the Apple Watch's software, and sources familiar with the product's development say that the device is currently on track to ship in the United States by the end of March.

I'd Love To Help My Wife Do The Dishes, But I'm Trapped Under Something Heavy  —  Previously, from the same author.  —  When my employer called me into his office and granted me paternity leave on the birth of my first child, I had no idea what I was in for.

Conservatives Know the Latest Obamacare Challenge Is Weak—That's Why They're Trying to Spin John Roberts  —  Because the stakes are so enormous, the pending conservative Supreme Court challenge to Affordable Care Act subsidies in three dozen states generates a lot of handwringing and ideological conflict.

Last Slide  —  Less than a year ago, Joni Ernst wasn't famous much beyond the Iowa town of Red Oak.  These days, she's making world news.  —  Yet Ernst, one of the most high-profile politicians to come out of Iowa, has kept a decidedly low profile in her transition from little-known state senator …

The Changing Face of America's Electorate  —  Political Implications of Shifting Demographics  —  Appendix available in the PDF and Scribd versions of this issue brief.  —  In the wake of the 2012 presidential election, Republican elected officials and conservative political pundits publicly bemoaned …