Cheat Sheet - It’s the White House Tours, Stupid

Today: Sen. Portman Reverses Gay-Marriage Stance , Allen West Slams Mitt Romney, Republican Approach to Minority Voters , Romney to Speak at CPAC March 15, 2013 #SEQUESTERPROBLEMS 1. Why White House Tours Are Sinking Obama It was a move that was supposed to bring the pain of billions in automatic budget cuts home to Americans. Instead, Republicans are hammering President Obama where he lives. David Freedlander reports. Read it at The Daily Beast CHANGE OF HEART 2. Sen. Portman Reverses Gay-Marriage Stance Same-sex marriage advocates: 1, Defense of Marriage Act: 0. Ohio Sen. Rob Portman stunned Washington on Thursday when he told a local Ohio newspaper, The Cincinnati Enquirer, that he has had a "change of heart" on the issue of same-sex marriage. "I've come to the conclusion that for me, personally, I think this is something that we should allow people to do, get married." A co-sponsor of the controversial 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, Portman says the reversal of his stance on gay marriage began when his son Will told him that he was gay in 2011. The Ohio native says he is now approaching the topic "from the position of a father" who wants all his children, including his son, to be able to get married. Read it at CNN BRAWL AT CPAC 3. Allen West Slams Mitt Romney The GOP nominee put the fiery congressman on his Black Leadership Council—and then never called. Outreach "doesn't mean anything unless you actually show up," he says. The former lawmaker talks to John Avlon at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Read it at The Daily Beast HE'S SO LAST YEAR 4. Romney to Speak at CPAC Hope Mitt Romney ate his Wheaties. Set to deliver his first public speech since election night Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Republicans says Romney should expect a lack of enthusiasm from GOP members in attendance. Romney has already been receiving what many are calling the "B treatment" at the Maryland meeting. Attendee Laurie Pettengill, a former New Hampshire state representative, summed up the general feeling about the almost president: "He's kind of last year." Republican leaders say their conduct is not meant as a punishment, but rather a sign that the party is ready to "turn the page." Read it at Politico OUT OF PATIENCE 5. Syria Threatens Strike Against Lebanon On the two-year anniversary of the start of its uprising, Syria is as angry as ever. On Friday the warring nation's foreign ministry warned the Lebanese government that it may strike if the Lebanese rebels hiding near the border are not stopped. Over the course of two days, a "large number" of rebels have snuck into Syria's Tel Kalakh, targeting Syrian people and ignoring their laws. Although Syria has exercised restraint toward Lebanon thus far, its warning could mean impending doom for Lebanon. Heads up, Lebanon. When Syria says it's angry, it means it. Read it at Reuters MOMMY WARS Study: More Moms Seek Full-Time Jobs Poll shows the desire to work up from 2007. BURN BABY BURN Obama Unveils New Energy Blueprint Seeking $2 billion for research on clean-energy vehicles. TAKING FLIGHT FAA Approves Dreamliner Fixes Boeing will upgrade batteries. UH-OH Grand Jury Probes Sen. Menendez For shady transactions with top campaign donor. HOW YOU LIKE ME NOW? Judge Judy Gets Served Model claims she unlawfully purchased her china. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET Culture Beast Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. Senator Portman Backs Marriage Equality One of Congress' strong same-sex marriage opponents has had a 'change of heart.' Citing his son's coming-out, Rob Portman (R-OH) told CNN's Dana Bash that 'I now believe people ought to have the right to get married.' More Videos Inside MSNBC's Shakeup by Lloyd Grove Francis! A Golden Opportunity for Change by A.N. Wilson 'Girls' Season 2 In 180 Seconds by The Daily Beast Video Team

ABOUT US | CONTACT US | SUBSCRIBE Copyright 2013 The Newsweek/Daily Beast Company LLC 555 W. 18th Street , New York NY 10011 Privacy Policy

If you are on a mobile device or cannot view the images in this message, click here to view this email in your Web browser. To ensure delivery of these emails, please add thedailybeast@e2.thedailybeast.com to your address book. If you have changed your mind and no longer wish to receive these emails, or think you have received this message in error, you can safely unsubscribe here.