AP - Politically weakened but refusing to bend, President Barack Obama insisted Wednesday that Bush-era tax cuts be cut off for the wealthiest Americans, joining battle with Republicans — and some fellow Democrats — just two months before bruising midterm elections.

Reuters - Some Tea Partiers admit mistakes were made. Others are quick to describe the movement's recent efforts in the political arena as not quite ready for prime time.

AP - President Barack Obama doesn't go there anymore.

CQPolitics.com - Sen. Lisa Murkowski is strongly considering a mounting a November write-in campaign to keep her seat and could make an announcement as soon as tomorrow, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

AP - Months of political jockeying began in earnest Wednesday as speculation grew about who would try to succeed Mayor Richard M. Daley as leader of the nation's third-largest city, including one-time aide and current White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.

The Upshot - Nevada GOP Senate hopeful Sharron Angle is pushing back against rival Harry Reid's claims that she would be "too extreme" to serve, telling CNN in an interview that she would be a "mainstream senator" if elected. Angle's record in Nevada doesn't exactly offer strong evidence she'd be willing to work with Democrats, even when other [...]