This is kind of technical. But it seems arguable that because he didn’t or may not have recused himself in writing that he didn’t actually recuse himself. And if that’s the case then the law still mandates that Holder was the only one (because it’s tied to a media organization) who could actually approve that AP subpoena. Like I said, technical. But not nothing under current circumstances.

Late Update: We’re looking again at the statute and it seems it may refer to situations where a special counsel is appointed. So may not apply in this case.

There’s a generally pretty strained line of questioning right now between Rep. Spencer Bachus and Attorney General Holder. But one thing Bachus has zoomed in on is that the Justice Department apparently doesn’t have a formal process of committing a recusal decision to writing. To be clear, I don’t think there’s any reasonable question whether Holder in fact recused himself. But a recusal in a significant enough thing that I would think you’d always want to formally put something on paper.

Reid: Nomination is Hillary’s if she wants it.

“To attempt to have intercourse with a hornet’s nest is a very bad idea.” Don’t forget.

Late Update: Alas it seems I’ve been punked.

Acting IRS Commissioner points to two “rogue” agents at IRS’s Cincinnati office as responsible for “overly aggressive” reviews.

We’ve heard from several readers about this article last night in Bloomberg which some readers believe contradicts the main premise of the IRS scandal – that right-leaning or Tea Party groups were targeted for extra scrutiny. But I don’t think that’s what it says. Read More

Watch live.

Reid edges toward nuclear option to force a vote on Cordray nomination for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Ariel Castro Lawyer: It’s unfair and offensive that “the media and the community want to demonize this man before they know the whole story.”

Father accidentally shoots 1 year old daughter in chest while stripping guns.