Top Items:


The Rise of Rubio — A first-term Florida senator sets his sights on the White House — Five days before he would take the biggest step of his young political career, Marco Rubio called Bernie Navarro, a Miami real estate investor, to ask for a favor. Rubio wanted to have a small …
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Florida poll: Rollout helps Marco Rubio tie Jeb Bush in home state
Discussion:
Political Wire


Marco Rubio would attend a gay wedding. Welcome to the GOP's next (small) evolution.
Discussion:
Washington Blade and The Daily Caller


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 …
Discussion:
The Atlantic Online, Vox, The PJ Tatler, Senator Wyden's Press Feed, The Stranger …, Common Dreams, The Week and aflcio.org
RELATED:

Hatch, Wyden and Ryan Introduce Trade Promotion Authority Legislation
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times and Washington Post

Lawmakers reach deal to move Obama trade agenda
Discussion:
Reuters and Firedoglake


Clinton Campaign Will Accept Donations From Lobbyists And PACs — WASHINGTON — Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign will accept donations from lobbyists and political action committees, a difference in policy from the man she's hoping to replace, President Barack Obama.
Discussion:
Weekly Standard, John Hawkins' Right Wing News, Talking Points Memo, New York Times and Hot Air
RELATED:

She rides by van: The Hillary Clinton launch
Discussion:
Townhall.com, The Daily Beast, Betsy's Page and Guardian


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 …
Discussion:
CANNONFIRE, The Huffington Post and The Reaction
RELATED:

Marquette Law School Poll finds Walker job approval down
Discussion:
Jay Bookman, Washington Monthly and Talking Points Memo

New Poll Finds Russ Feingold Beating Sen. Johnson By Double Digits
Discussion:
Outside the Beltway


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 …
Discussion:
Washington Post
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Republican Hopefuls Swarm New Hampshire for Its First Candidate Forum — With every major Republican presidential hopeful descending on New Hampshire this weekend for the state's first candidate forum, attention will turn for the moment from Hillary Rodham Clinton's entry into the campaign to the fluid Republican race.
Discussion:
Political Wire


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 …
Discussion:
Politico
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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 …
Discussion:
Airlines For America, US News, Talking Points Memo, Mediaite and TheBlaze.com


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 …
Discussion:
Politico, TIME, New York Times and Bloomberg Business


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.
Discussion:
New York Times, Capital New York and The Huffington Post, more at Mediagazer »


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.


Why is the 2016 Democratic field so old? — Why are the Democrats running for president so old? Blame the Clintons. — There are five Democrats who have either declared or are thinking about running for president. Three — Joe Biden, Bernard Sanders, and Jim Webb — will be over 70 years old on Inauguration Day 2017.
Discussion:
The Week


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 …
Discussion:
LewRockwell

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 …
Discussion:
Guardian, The Week and The Anchoress
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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 …
Discussion:
Politico, New York Magazine, Washington Post, Raw Story, Mediaite, Liberal Values, The Daily Banter, Washington Blade, The Huffington Post and The Hill

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 …
Discussion:
Bloomberg View and PUNDIT PRESS