It's All Benghazi  —  So Representative Kevin McCarthy, who was supposed to succeed John Boehner as speaker of the House, won't be pursuing the job after all.  He would have faced a rough ride both winning the post and handling it under the best of circumstances, thanks to the doomsday caucus …

Kevin McCarthy's exit came after receiving personal threat over affair allegations  —  “Why not resign like Bob Livingston?”

Conservatives cool to Ryan as Speaker  —  Conservatives are not sold on the idea of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) as Speaker.  —  While top House Republicans are trying to push a reluctant Ryan into the job, on the grounds that he alone can unify the conference, conservative lawmakers gave …

Iranian General Killed in Syria  —  Iranian state media says Brig. Gen Hossein Hamedani was killed near Aleppo by Islamic State  —  BEIRUT—A top Iranian military commander who played a crucial role in Tehran's efforts to defend the Syrian regime was killed in the outskirts of the northern Syrian city …

Judge tosses four of five counts against Rand Paul aide  —  <p>A federal judge on Friday threw out four of five counts stemming from a campaign fraud case against Jesse Benton, a top political adviser to Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.</p><p>In August, Benton was indicted on charges of concealing payments …