Senate kills off ethanol tax credits in possible break with tax pledge  —  The Senate voted 73-27 Thursday to kill a major tax break that benefits the ethanol industry, handing a political win to a bipartisan group of lawmakers that call the incentive needless and expensive.

Romney: 'I'm Also Unemployed'  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Mitt Romney sat at the head of the table at a coffee shop here on Thursday, listening to a group of unemployed Floridians explain the challenges of looking for work.  When they finished, he weighed in with a predicament of his own.

Dan Choi Rips Up Obama Flyer: 'I Won't Support Obama If He Doesn't Endorse Marriage Equality'  —  Lt. Dan Choi ripped up an Obama For America (OFA) flyer this afternoon during a panel at Netroots Nation when he was confronted by an Obama volunteer who attempted to explain away the President's opposition to same-sex marriage:

My Job Offer for Anthony Weiner  —  Mr. Weiner:  —  After having learned of your sudden and compelled resignation from your Congressional post, I would like to make you an offer of employment at Flynt Management Group, LLC in our Internet group.  As a Congressman, you are known for your intensity and perseverance.

Jon Huntsman Cancels Appearance At Republican Leadership Conference Due To Illness  —  ABC News' Michael Falcone (@michaelpfalcone) reports:  —  Although he was slated to speak at a major gathering of Republicans taking place in New Orleans this weekend — just days before the official rollout …

Weiner's exit  —  Anthony Weiner's pained resignation, staged at a senior center in the Brooklyn neighborhood called Gravesend, may have finally burned out the incredible media storm around him.  —  There was more press here than I've seen in 10 years of covering New York political events …

John Edwards Sought Millions From Heiress as Feds Closed In - ABC News Exclusive  —  Just weeks before federal prosecutors charged John Edwards in a six-count felony indictment, ABC News has been told, the two-time Democratic presidential candidate requested millions of dollars from Rachel …

Obama Fails to Justify the Legality of War in Libya  —  In a letter to John Boehner and a 38-page report, the White House could not prove it complied with the War Powers Resolution  —  Is the U.S. at war in Libya, putting President Obama in violation of the War Powers Resolution?

Michele Bachmann and the Empathy Card  —  I am a long-time friend and admirer of Michele Bachmann, but nevertheless was disappointed when it became clear that she was going to run for president.  I did not think she would be a serious candidate—sorry, Michele!—and believed she would distract needlessly …

2012 Voter Preferences for Obama, “Republican” Remain Close  —  Forty-four percent prefer the Republican; 39%, Obama  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Forty-four percent of registered voters say they are more likely to vote for “the Republican Party's candidate” and 39% for Barack Obama …

Union leader compares NJ gov to Hitler at rally  —  Thousands participate in a rally to protest a Senate Budget Committee hearing on employee benefits at the State House Annex in Trenton, N.J.,Thursday, June 16, 2011.  Labor leaders rallying for collective bargaining rights in New Jersey went …

Southern Baptists urge path to citizenship for illegal immigrants  —  The Southern Baptist Convention has passed a resolution advocating a path to legal status for illegal immigrants.  —  The resolution was passed on Wednesday at the annual meeting of the nation's largest protestant denomination in Phoenix.

Bloomberg: Marriage Bill Passes With More Than ‘Bare Majority’  —  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg met privately with Senate Republicans for about 45 minutes today to discuss the same-sex marriage bill and emerged to say at a Q and A that he expects the measure to pass beyond just 32 votes.

Obama Admin Objects to Alaska Oil and Gas Development Bill  —  The Obama administration today said a proposal from House Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) to expedite oil and gas leasing and energy infrastructure permitting in an Alaska reserve could force federal regulators …

How Today's Conservatism Lost Touch with Reality  —  “Conservatism is true.”  That's what George Will told me when I interviewed him as an eager student many years ago.  His formulation might have been a touch arrogant, but Will's basic point was intelligent.  Conservatism, he explained, was rooted in reality.