The Clinton Way … Photograph by Spencer Platt-Getty Images

Iran letter blowback startles GOP  —  John McCain: “It was kind of a very rapid process.  Everybody was looking forward to getting out of town because of the snowstorm.”  —  Some Republican senators admitted Wednesday they were caught off guard by the backlash to a letter warning Iranian leaders …

Two police officers are shot in Ferguson  —  FERGUSON  • Two police officers were hit by gunfire early Thursday outside the Ferguson police department.  —  The shots were fired as police were confronting protesters who had gathered outside the police station.

Democrats Have No Bench?  Be Serious.  —  Dan Balz of the Washington Post says Democrats have a problem for 2016: “The absence of a strong Democratic bench.”  National Journal's Josh Kraushaar replies, “Spot-on.”  The New York Times repeats the “weak bench” line and quotes Democrats who agree …

Rudy Giuliani says Obama should be more like Bill Cosby, blames Brooklyn McDonald's fight, Ferguson cop shootings on President  —  Just when you thought Rudy Giuliani couldn't get crazier, the former NYC mayor blamed Obama for the brutal beatdown at a Brooklyn McDonalds — and said the president should be more like Bill Cosby.

Sir Terry Pratchett, renowned fantasy author, dies aged 66  —  Fantasy author Sir Terry Pratchett has died aged 66, having had Alzheimer's disease for eight years.  —  “The world has lost one of its brightest, sharpest minds,” said Larry Finlay of his publishing company, Transworld.

John Kerry slams ‘outdated’ fossil fuels — with no mention of Keystone  —  Secretary of State John Kerry issued a passionate call Thursday for nations to forgo the short-term lure of “outdated” fossil fuels — but he offered no hint of where he stands on the Canadian heavy-oil pipeline project …

Conservatives Keep Losing to Leadership.  Can They Change the Game?  —  Stymied again and again on the House and Senate floor, tea party members need to take the fight outside.  —  Conservatives came to Washington labeling President Obama as enemy number one.

For 20 years I fought the law.  Today the law won  —  The police have been trying to nail an editor for years.  This morning, on Hampstead Heath, they finally got one  —  ell, I nearly made it.  More than 20 years of editing, with all kinds of people wanting to sue me and do me for sedition …

Ted Cruz Without Applause is the Most Gripping Video You'll See All Day  —  The Texas senator tanks at a presidential forum.  —  If, like many Americans, your job involves watching a lot of speeches by Ted Cruz, you have grown familiar with the Texas senator's applause lines.

An Open Letter to 47 Republican Senators of the United States of America from Iran's Hard-Liners  —  You have opened our eyes.  We are brothers.  —  Dear senators:  —  Thank you for your letter of March 9 explaining your system of government.  We were unfamiliar with the complexity of your laws.

Kerry Washington to Star as Anita Hill in HBO Movie ‘Confirmation’ (Exclusive)  —  Oscar nominee Susannah Grant will pen the script for the TV movie.  —  Anita Hill, left, and Kerry Washington  —  Kerry Washington is headed for HBO.  —  The Scandal star has signed on to play Anita Hill …

Story Highlights  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans continue to name the government (18%) as the most important U.S. problem, a distinction it has had for the past four months.  Americans' mentions of the economy as the top problem (11%) dropped this month, leaving it tied with jobs (10%) for second place.

Univision host fired for ‘Planet of the Apes’ Michelle Obama remark  —  A popular Univision talk show host has been fired for making derogatory comments about Michelle Obama during a popular television show; the comments were widely circulated on social media.