Obama shocked, ‘slightly irritated’ by Mitt Romney's 2012 concession call: David Axelrod  —  The president claimed his GOP opponent insinuated that Obama won only by getting out the black vote, according to a new book by the presidential campaign strategist.

Senator says restaurant employees shouldn't be required to wash their hands  —  Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said at the Bipartisan Policy Center that maybe the government should not require food workers to wash their hands after using the bathroom.  (C-SPAN)  —  Once we're done debating …

Walker targets Romney donors, Jeb turf  —  But several big donors aren't ready to commit just yet.  —  Scott Walker is moving to seize on Mitt Romney's withdrawal from the presidential race and show he can compete with Jeb Bush as a top-tier candidate.  Sources tell POLITICO …

GOP on immigration: ‘There is no plan B’  —  House conservatives are doubling down in their efforts to undo President Obama's lenient new deportation policies as part of a bill funding the Homeland Security Department.  —  The Republicans, including Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) …

Democrats might skip Benjamin Netanyahu speech  —  Joe Biden is among those not committed to attending the Israeli prime minister's address to Congress.  —  Getty  —  Vice President Joe Biden won't commit to attending Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to a joint session of Congress next month.

Taiwan plane with 58 aboard crashes in Taipei; 12 killed  —  6 photos  —  TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A Taiwanese flight with 58 people aboard went sideways, clipped an elevated roadway and careened into a river Wednesday shortly after takeoff from the island's capital of Taipei, killing at least 12 people, local media and officials said.

GOP stalls in effort to oust Reid  —  Senate Republicans are unlikely to land their most formidable recruit to take down Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).  —  With Gov. Brian Sandoval delaying any decision until summer, his indecision is costing Republicans precious time in their quest …

After ISIS execution, angry King Abdullah quotes Clint Eastwood to U.S. lawmakers  —  Members of the House Armed Services Committee met with Jordan's King Abdullah Tuesday not long after news broke that ISIS had burned to death a Jordanian pilot captured in the fight against the terrorist group.

Five Ways Liberals Ignore Science  —  The New York Times claims that this insane “presidential vaccine controversy” we're all taking about raises important questions about “how to approach matters that have been settled among scientists but are not widely accepted by conservatives.”

Jordan Executes 2 Prisoners After ISIS Video of Pilot's Death  —  AMMAN, Jordan — When relatives learned Tuesday night that the Islamic State had released a video showing the death of a Jordanian fighter pilot, First Lt. Moaz al-Kasasbeh, they tried to keep it from his mother, Issaf, and his wife, Anwar.

Blame Hollywood for Anti-Vaxxers  —  From Oprah to Bill Maher, famous folks have made dumb or reckless comments about vaccines and gave Jenny McCarthy a soapbox.  —  Measles is back and spreading, hurting kids and invading Disneyland.  Likely Republican presidential contenders Chris Christie …

‘Reformicons’ Put New Twist on Tax Debate  —  Young Conservatives Push GOP Presidential Candidates to Back Targeted Breaks, Not Just Broad-Based Tax-Rate Cuts  —  WASHINGTON—A group of young conservatives, dubbed “reformicons,” are making inroads among Republican presidential candidates …

Bobby Jindal's Official Painting Looks Nothing Like Bobby Jindal  —  This is a picture of Bobby Jindal, the Republican Governor of Louisiana:  —  [Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com]  —  And now this is the portrait of Governor Bobby Jindal that greets visitors at his office …

House Freedom Caucus Looks to Be a Force — in Leadership and Lawmaking  —  The House Freedom Caucus is only a few weeks old, but some members say the new conservative faction is already pulling the House Republican Conference to the right.  Before the HFC convened a single meeting …

Hedge Fund Co-Founded by Chelsea Clinton's Husband Suffers Losses Tied to Greece  —  Eaglevale Partners' Main Fund Lost Money in Two of Past Three Years  —  The hedge fund co-founded by Bill and Hillary Clinton 's son-in-law suffered losses tied to an ill-timed bet on Greece's economic recovery …

Jeb Bush coming to Iowa in March  —  Bush, Scott Walker and other likely presidential candidates will appear at the Iowa Ag Summit, Republicans tell The Des Moines Register  —  Jeb Bush will make his Iowa debut for the 2016 presidential cycle next month.  —  Amid copious speculation …

Rand Paul Gets a Booster Vaccination  —  Senator Rand Paul received a booster vaccination for Hepatitis A on Tuesday in the Capitol physician's office.Credit: Jeremy W. Peters  —  Senator Rand Paul, facing a backlash over his comments that cast doubt on whether he believes vaccines can pose …

Bush to pitch ‘reform conservatism’ in Detroit  —  Detroit (CNN)Jeb Bush will not give his maiden 2016 policy speech in the first caucus state of Iowa, or the first primary state of New Hampshire, but here in one of the most notoriously economically troubled cities in the nation.

Fall in Fortunes for Pennsylvania Attorney General  —  HARRISBURG, Pa. — The question before Pennsylvanians is this: Is Kathleen G. Kane, the first woman to be elected as the state's attorney general, the victim of angry men who targeted her after she exposed their pornography habits?

Columbia Student: I Didn't Rape Her  —  Paul Nungesser was cleared of a rape charge but faced a harsh trial-by-media.  Now, as new details come to light, he's speaking out and fighting back.  —  The Columbia University senior vividly remembers the day, in April 2013, when he received …

6 dead after Metro-North train collides with SUV  —  Sex people were killed and 15 injured when a Metro-North train slammed into an SUV dashing across the tracks in Westchester Tuesday night, causing a massive explosion and fire that trapped rush-hour commuters inside, sources said.