She rides by van: The Hillary Clinton launch  —  See Hillary ride in a van!  Watch her meet everyday Americans!  Witness her ordering a burrito bowl at Chipotle!  Which she did wearing shades, as did her chief aide Huma Abedin, yielding security-camera pictures that made them look …

Florida poll: Rollout helps Marco Rubio tie Jeb Bush in home state  —  Sen. Marco Rubio's splashy presidential-campaign announcement and his subsequent media blitz has likely helped him catch up with friend and former mentor Jeb Bush in their home state of Florida, according to a new poll of 400 registered Republican voters.

Scott Walker's Wisconsin approval rating drops in latest poll  —  By Lee Bergquist and Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel  —  As Gov. Scott Walker moves closer to a formal announcement that he will run for president, the latest Marquette University Law School poll shows Walker's job …

McConnell plays hardball  —  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has dug in on Loretta Lynch's nomination to be attorney general, highlighting his willingness to play hard ball with the Democratic minority.  —  His maneuvers on Lynch shed light on how he will lead the upper chamber …

Deal Reached on Fast-Track Authority for Obama on Trade Accord  —  WASHINGTON — Key congressional leaders agreed on Thursday on legislation to give President Obama special authority to finish negotiating one of the world's largest trade accords, opening a rare battle that aligns the president …

Bill Shuster admits ‘private and personal relationship’ with airline lobbyist  —  She “doesn't lobby my office,” Transportation chairman says.  —  Nick Calio, Bill Shuster, Sandra DePoy, Annie Keech, Gil Keech, Valerie Nelson, Shelley Rubino and Marty DePoy are shown at the Heart's Delight Vintner's Dinner …

The largest presidential campaign in N.H.?  It's not even close.  —  For nearly two years, potential Republican presidential candidates have visited New Hampshire to meet with activists, interview with local media, and speak at party functions.  If they're lucky, these White House hopefuls …

Why We've Decided to Organize  —  Some of us on the Gawker Media editorial staff have decided to try to unionize.  Here's a brief explanation.  —  I will say first of all that I'd prefer not to be writing this story yet, because the organizing effort is still in the early stages.

Jeb Bush Takes Jab at Hillary Clinton: 'I Don't Need to Go to Chipotle' … CONCORD, N.H. - When it comes to chipotle, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush cooks it himself.  —  “I actually cook it at home.  I don't need to go to Chipotle,” Bush said at a Republican gathering at the Snow Shoe Club …

The world according to Jeb Bush  —  If Jeb Bush is elected president, the United States won't be on speaking terms with Cuba and will partner more closely with Israel.  He'll tighten sanctions on Iran and urge NATO to deploy more troops in Eastern Europe to counter Vladimir Putin.

Police: Muslims threw Christians overboard during Med voyage  —  Raw: 400 Migrants Believed Drowned Off Libya  —  ROME (AP) — Italy's migration crisis took on a deadly new twist Thursday as police in Sicily reported that Muslim migrants had thrown 12 Christians overboard during a recent crossing …

Woman fired for being a prostitute by Dutch central bank  —  Employee said to have charged €450 an hour as prostitute specialising in sadomasochism  —  Just when it seemed the image of bankers couldn't get any more battered or bizarre, the Dutch central bank has fired …

Woe of White Men, Again?  —  Hillary Clinton's entry into the race for the presidency has goosed the egos of some conservative ganders.  —  Wayne LaPierre, the C.E.O. and executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, on the eve of Clinton's announcement said of President Obama …

Gaze into my eyes  —  Humans bond emotionally as we gaze into each other's eyes—a process mediated by the hormone oxytocin.  Nagasawa et al. show that such gaze-mediated bonding also exists between us and our closest animal companions, dogs (see the Perspective by MacLean and Hare).

Americans' Optimism About Finances at 11-Year High  —  Story Highlights  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — A majority of Americans, 52%, say their financial situation is “getting better,” the highest percentage to say this since 2004.  It is also the first time since the recession that this sentiment has reached the majority level.

Martin O'Malley takes shot at Clinton over gay marriage and immigration  —  'I'm glad Secretary Clinton's come around to the right positions on these issues,' top potential challenger says in response to Guardian question  —  Hillary Clinton's top potential challenger for the Democratic …

Jon Stewart Rips Apart Dick Cheney For Aiding And Abetting The Iranians  —  After former vice president and war criminal Dick Cheney actually had the gall to go on right-wing hate talker Hugh Hewitt's show and accuse President Obama of being the “worst president ever” and wanting to …