If you’re following the sequester and on-going fiscal war in DC, be sure to check out Brian Beutler’s TPMPrime Live Chat right now. Get your questions in.

Interesting additional context revealed today on recent U.S. policy toward Syria. From the New York Times: Read More

Sen. Levin says the Cruz/GOP demands on Hagel are unprecedented.

67 Percent of Republicans think video games are a bigger threat than guns.

Michigan’s Republican speaker of the House categorically rules out passage of a bill mandating a transvaginal ultrasound before an abortion.

Confirmation hearing of CIA nominee John Brennan paused after repeated interruptions by protestors.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein has put the proceedings on hold while she clears the hearing room.

The interruption came during Brennan’s opening statement.

Late Update: The hearing has resumed after a short delay.

The fugitive ex-cop (and now suspected multiple murderer) currently terrorizing Los Angeles has a manifesto.

John Brennan’s confirmation hearing to be CIA director getting under way now. Watch.

Daniel Klaidman was just on MSNBC talking with Andrea Mitchell talking about drone policy and the attack on Anwar al-Awlaki. The gist is that despite Obama’s misgivings and/or opposition to torture and preventive detention he really had no misgivings at all about the fact the al-Awlaki was an American citizen — a judgment I agree with. Also a very interesting discussion of the role of Harold Koh. Video after the jump. Give it a watch. Read More

Steve King, the Tea Partier from Iowa at the center of the Rove/Tea Party war, enlists. “Nobody can bully me” out of a Senate run.