U.S. Identifies Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan  —  WASHINGTON — The United States has discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves and enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself …

Long Hot Summer Begins: Congressman Attacks Student  —  Maybe it is my Catholic upbringing, but I've always been cursed with a bit too much empathy.  It is often difficult to witness people bearing the full weight of the consequences of their decisions, even when it is richly deserved.

Near-Record 49% Say Democratic Party “Too Liberal”  —  More Americans than in 2009 say Republican Party's views are about right  —  PRINCETON, NJ — In the past two years, Americans have become increasingly likely to describe the Democratic Party's views as “too liberal” (49%), and less likely to say its views are “about right” (38%).

Obama Tells Politico the Oil Spill is Like 9-11... Then Goes Golfing for 4 Hours  —  Barack Obama told The Politico this morning that the Gulf oil spill was like 9-11.  —  Then he went golfing for 4 hours.  —  Fore!  —  The Hill reported: … Leadership.

Energy plans taking shape as fight to craft oil legislation looms large  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) pledge to bring energy legislation to the floor this summer is intensifying political jockeying among senators for their favorite plans — and spurring a furious push …

Fellow journalists let Helen Thomas down by not reining her in  —  There she goes again.  —  That was the eye-rolling reaction in the White House pressroom when Helen Thomas would go off on one of her rants about the Middle East.  She had been there for so long, was so admired by female journalists …

Fannie-Freddie Fix at $160 Billion With $1 Trillion Worst Case  —  The cost of fixing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage companies that last year bought or guaranteed three-quarters of all U.S. home loans, will be at least $160 billion and could grow to as much as $1 trillion after the biggest bailout in American history.

Olson surprises many conservatives by seeking to overturn gay-marriage ban  —  Cocktails had been served on the terrace, the ubiquitous Washington buffet of tenderloin and salmon consumed, and the gay law students settled in to hear from the famed legal mind who is leading the battle to make sure …

Lawmakers' committee assignments and industry investments overlap  —  Rep. Ron Paul is captivated by gold.  Over the past two decades, he has written books about the virtues of gold-backed currency.  He has made uncounted speeches about the precious metal.

TRENDING: Bush daughter ‘glad’ Obama health care passed  —  Barbara Bush with her father, former President George W. Bush, in 2008.  —  (CNN) - One of the daughters of former President George W. Bush isn't following the Republican Party line when it comes to the issue of the health care legislation …

Top of the ballot: Dems see ‘offensive opportunities’  —  The Democrats unveil a new set of House prospects, Harry Reid goes up with his first negative TV ad as Republican Sharron Angle hits the East Coast and Mike Huckabee is reconsidering his plans for 2012.  —  Red to Blues

White House Withheld Report From Top Intel Officers  —  The White House has withheld a key report, which maps out a strategy for fixing the troubled Director of National Intelligence, from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.  The classified report, “Study of the Mission …